Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Voice Over acting 101

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Expert: - 3/20/2009


Question

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Hello,

I would love to be a working professional voice over actress.  I recently purchased a voice recorder in order to develop my voice over reel.  After that is finished, where do I go from there?  Thanks a lot.

Valerie
Atlanta, GA

Answer
Valerie,

Thanks for writing. 90% of all voice casting is done in Los Angeles through primarily two casting directors: Kalmenson & Kalmenson and The Voicecaster.

In order to be considered for voice work, you need to be in Los Angeles, you need to submit your demo reel to voice over agents, and you need to submit it to these two casting directors. Then hope and pray that you get called for an audition!

You can help your odds by taking the classes in voice-over and animation voice work that both casting companies offer. This gives you a chance to work your voice talent directly in front of the casting people and developing a relationship with them. If they like you and think you have talent, they'll be more apt to bring you in to audition than those they don't know.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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