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Voice Coaches Home

Common Senses 101

Posted At : February 26, 2008 8:44 PM | Posted By : Admin
Related Categories: Training Advice

I can't bite my tongue on this one!

Here is a concept that I am wondering if any of you out there find the least bit strange. "Pay Us For Training And We Will Get You Work"! You see this all the time in a variety of industries, often related to the entertainment industry. The idea that any training entity can guarantee you work simply because you pay them for training isn't just odd, it is misleading and typically a lure used to ply those who are looking for a magical super-easy road to success. In our field, you don't pay to be cast in a role. That's not how it works. You are cast based on your voice and your ability to repeatedly put yourself in a position to be hired. Unfortunately Pay To Work scams seem to be on the increase in both Voice and On Camera acting disciplines. On the upside I had the opportunity to speak at an event in California with representatives of AFTRA. SAG, the BBB, and the California Attorney General's office, and it looks as though there may soon be legislation there against this practice. In the mean time be smart! Companies like Voice Coaches should remain dedicated to education. Leave casting to casting and talent agencies!

Any thoughts or experiences?... Please share 'em.

Best Regards!

David at Voice Coaches

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Hey Voice Coaches. I saw this and wanted to comment that this past summer I did a class with a company in Connecticut that did exactly what you are talking about. I admit the claim that they were a casting agency as a big part of my decision to work with them, but i did quickly find out that even though they do make professional work, i was at the bottom of the barrel so to speak.
I now can absolutely agree that though this company does do some casting, it is pretty clearly their method to get me to pay them for the service.
At this point I feel a bit "taken" but... I just finished my first VO job (that I found on my own!)

Keep Up The Interesting Stories!!
Love the web site!

Kyle
# Posted By Kyle | 2/28/08 9:45 AM
This is something that has been going on in the modeling field for a long long time. I'm not surprised to hear that people in the voice over field try to pull this as well. My daughter has done some modeling and I absolutely have to agree that you DO NOT or SHOUL NOT pay someone to hire you. Real agencies don't work that way, they get a percentage of the job they book for you. Companies that educate should stick to that. Glad to see you all are in agreement with that.

Karen
# Posted By Karen L | 2/29/08 6:59 AM
Hi David,

Thank you for bringing this topic up. You've hit the nail on the head. I agree, casting should be left to casting directors and people should not have to pay for someone to find them work.

What talent should realize right away is that there is a big difference between self-promotion as a business marketing strategy and having other people represent you in order to get work.

Never give money to someone who promises the moon. Agents should only make a commission on the work that they secure for you.

However, don't be afraid to invest in the development or promotion of your business!

Marketing your business through advertising and promotional efforts is perfectly fine and encouraged. Drumming up business on your own is sometimes the best way to go.

Thanks David and Voice Coaches.

Best wishes,

Stephanie Ciccarelli
Voices.com
# Posted By Stephanie Ciccarelli | 3/24/08 12:49 PM
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