FAQ
I’ve been told I have a great voice. Can I make a living doing VO?
This is the question I’m probably asked the most, and, candidly, it’s one I simply cannot answer. Voiceover is a highly subjective corner of the wildly subjective entertainment (and advertising) business. I’d advise you to beware of any teacher or coach who assures you that you’ll definitely work or never work. What do they know?!
There’s no one person who has all the answers. If you love doing voiceover, you’re willing to put in the blood, sweat, and tears (time, money, and training) to get started, and you’re ok to stick with it even when it seems like all you’re hearing is “no”, then you’re more likely to work than someone who isn’t.
Ok, yes to all that. So how do I get into VO?
In general: get coached, make a demo, and look for an agent.
First and foremost: find the right coach for you. It might be me, it might be someone else. Ask friends and colleagues for referrals, and check the Voiceover Resource Guide.
To find out if we’re a good fit, book a consult to chat and see if we click.
What’s a demo and why is it so pricy?
The commercial voiceover demo is basically the headshot of VO. It’s a sample of your natural-voiced reads. If you haven’t heard a commercial demo, your next step should be listening to some!
Can I make my own demo?
Would you take your own headshot? The pro move is to have a professional demo producer produce your demo. Most agencies request a professionally produced demo. It’s your first impression, make it a good one! Sure it’s an investment; of work, of time, of money. But I can’t think of another business you can start from scratch for the cost of a VO demo.
tl;dr: I wouldn’t.
I know I for sure want to work with you. Can I start now?
If we don’t already know each other, please book a consult. I work one-on-one, and it’s important that we’re on the same page. I take on only a small number of private clients at any given time. I am selective about whom I work with, and I encourage you to be, too.
What do you mean selective?
I don’t care if you’ve never been behind a mic or have 30 years in the business. Experience has taught me that I work best with kind people who are open to being directed.
tl;dr: no jerks, please.
Do we work in person or online?
Coaching is done exclusively via Zoom. When it’s time to record your demo, we can do that in person if you’re in LA, or via ipDTL remotely.
Am I ready to make my demo?
If you were to get an audition tomorrow for a national network commercial or for the lead in the next animated hit, do you feel confident that you could self-tape an audition that would be competitive with someone who's been in the business for 20 years?
If your answer is YES, let's talk about scheduling your demo recording.
If your answer is NOT YET, you may want to do a group class or some private coaching sessions until you can answer with an enthusiastic yes.
If these voiceover lessons are your first foray into the entertainment industry, I strongly suggest improv or acting classes. Most agents want to see acting training or a performance background beyond voiceover training. Your demo is an investment of time and money, and there's no need to rush it. Set yourself up for success!
It's also never a bad idea to work with a number of different coaches - try see what it's like to be directed by other folks. You'll work with scores of different directors throughout your career; working with different teachers or coaches is a great way to prep for that. I'm happy to recommend other coaches in New York or Los Angeles.