Ask The Voice Cat Finding and Getting an Agent By Marc Cashman (10-05-2016) Click for Bio

Ever thought about a career in voiceovers? Have you dabbled in voiceovers but you're not too sure where to go or what to do next? Marc Cashman has the answers to your questions!



A lot of great V-O questions came in this month, but the most pertinent one�and one that a lot of Actors Ink readers might be interested in�was asking about how to get voiceover representation from a talent agency if you live outside the big three U.S. cities.



QUESTION: I�ve just finished recording my brand-spanking new V-O demo and can�t wait to get started auditioning. Do you have any advice for a relative newbie (I�ve trained for a year before I did my demo) who doesn�t live in any of the three major cities�L.A., Chicago or NYC?



--Jessica G., Miami, FL



THE VOICE CAT: So, you�ve just completed producing your V-O Demo and you�re itching to find an agent. But where do you start? How do you know you�re approaching the right people, the right way? Here�s a little primer:



- Get a list of all U.S. franchised talent agencies at www.voicebank.net. Each agency lists their protocol for submissions: an active link to your demo, your demo attached to an email or uploaded to their site.



- If you know any voice talent, producers or casting directors, ask them their take on regional talent agencies and agents.



- Ask your voice talent friends to listen to your demo and ask if they might call their agent to ask if they would listen to your demo.



- Before calling and agent, write down everything you want to say and questions to ask.



- If you call an agency and they tell you that they�re not accepting demos at this time, find out whom you�re talking to and call them back three months later to see if anything�s changed.



- If you can submit your demo, send it with a brief cover letter. Check back in about 2-3 weeks.



- Once you arrange a meeting with a potential agent, dress and conduct yourself professionally and be prepared to audition. Your demo got you in the door, but agents want to see a skilled and professional performer.



- Ask if their commission is added to the performer�s fee or taken out. And ask how much commission they take. Some take 10%, others 15%.



- Ask how (or if) they promote talent.



- Determine if you feel comfortable talking to an agent. If you do, producers will.



- Ask how the agency is set-up for auditions. Do you have to physically come into the office or can you audition in your home studio and send it in?



- Find out if the agent is franchised by the talent unions (SAG & AFTRA). Ask also if the agency hires union and/or non-union actors.



- Be confident and out-going, but not cocky. An agent can see right through it. Some agencies charge a fee to cut an actor�s two-minute demo down to one minute so they can put them on the agency house demo. If that�s their policy, find out how much they charge and look into doing it yourself if you can find a better price.



- Whatever the reason for rejection, don�t take it personally. There may be a conflict with other talent (meaning the agency has voices �similar� to yours) or they may not be accepting any more submissions because they�re too busy representing the talent already in their stable. Ask if you can check back in a few months to see if the situation has changed.



- Ask for any feedback or constructive criticism of your demo and/or audition performance, but don�t change it based on one agent�s viewpoint. If a number of agents agree that your demo isn�t competitive, consider revamping.



- If a talent agency wants to sign you, make sure you understand the contract before you sign. It should have a performance clause, which stipulates that the agent should get you work within 180 days or the contract is null and void if you notify the agency (or SAG/AFTRA) in writing.



- Take your time. Don�t rush to sign with the first agent who offers to represent you. Tell them you�re weighing your options and will let them know soon.



- A normal contract is for one year. Some agencies want a multi-year contract, but this can be problematical if your agent doesn�t promote you and get you work. Some agencies might want to have you non-exclusively, meaning you get auditions on a month-to-month basis to see how you work out. This is sometimes a better situation, as you don�t want to have to marry someone to sleep with them.



- Sometimes it�s better to sign with a small agency than a large one where you might get lost in the crowd of seasoned performers. I recommend looking at agencies in the top 40 markets outside the big three: L.A., Chicago and NYC.



- Never pay anyone up front to get work in the industry. If anyone promises that for a certain amount of money they�ll get you an audition or guarantee work, walk away�quickly.



I�ll be sharing more voiceover questions and answers in the coming months. If you have any other questions, please write anytime and I�ll get back to you.





MARC CASHMAN creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television, and was named one of the �Best Voices of the Year��three times�by AudioFile Magazine, and has been a keynote speaker and Master Class instructor at VOICE 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 (the international voiceover convention). Winner of over 150 advertising awards, and a working voice actor as well, he instructs voice acting at all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, CA, and working with undergraduate and graduate students at CalArts. He also coaches one-on-one with voice actors all over the world and conducts online V-O classes. You can get a copy of his best-selling book, �V-Oh! Tips, Tricks, Tools and Techniques To Start and Sustain Your Voiceover Career� through his website (below), on www.Amazon.com or through his Square page at http://mkt.com/cashman-commercials-inc.



Marc can be contacted at marc@cashmancommercials.com or through his website, www.cashmancommercials.com.









Marc Cashman � 2016

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