Hi Dave,

Every once-in-a-while I get a call from a client who has made a “discovery” of sorts – they’ve found someone with so much “raw-talent” that they’ve just got to do whatever is necessary to get this person on the right track to a career in showbiz. If their “discovery” is an actor or actress, they want me to help get an audience with my agent. If it’s someone with an “an unbelievable voice”, they offer to pay me to help prepare a voice-over demo for them.

Every single time this has happened (and it’s happened more times than I can remember) this is what happens: I end up meeting the person, and sometimes going as far as helping them prepare a voice-demo. At first, they’re excited – “Bob tells me that I can get several hundred dollars per hour, doing this kind of work!. And some people are making millions. Is that true?”

I then explain a bit of what I’ve learned about the “biz”. - Yes, the going rate is several-hundred dollars per hour – however, nobody puts in an eight hour day, five-days a week. In fact, most people can’t work for more than a couple of hours at a time. And you’re really lucky if you work more than a few days a week Performing is exhausting. If you’re a voice-talent, your voice will be shot after two hours of narration. If you’re an actor, you’re exhausted after a couple of hours – if you’re putting the proper amount of energy into your job.

Then there are the realities of the business – most of the time, you’re not working – you’re trying to get work. That means auditions, distributing your demo, or headshot, getting to know directors, etc.

“Doesn’t your agent get the work for you?”

“Unless you’re already making lots of money for them”, I reply, “they’re not even going to remember who your are most of the time. And if you’re doing well enough for them to remember you, that means they’ll get you auditions, not work directly. Unless, of course you’re such a big star, everybody already knows your work.”

“So, I guess, this would have to be a part time job, then.”

“Well, remember, that you’ll need to be available when the directors and producers need you. For auditions and work. That usually isn’t weekends or evenings. That’s why so many performers work as waiters and waitress while they’re getting started.”

“I just listened to the demo tape we produced… It doesn’t sound as good as some of the others I’ve heard by professional voice-people, why is that.”

“Well..”, I respond, “Remember, performing is a skill, a craft and an art. While having raw talent is good, there is still much a person needs to learn in order to be effective. Here’s a list of classes you might take – after a couple years, you’ll begin to sound like the people on those demos you heard.” In fact, if you work hard enough, you’ll probably be able to do this full time after about six years.”

“Six years… That’s ridiculous… I think I’ll continue with my plan to go into real estate, and maybe sometime do this on the side.”

I then wish them good luck, and never hear from them again.