Casting Sites – Page 2 – Marc Scott Coaching

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Marc Scott

5 Things Voice Actors Wish Voice Seekers Understood About Casting Sites

We get it. When you’re not a production house or ad agency, knowing where to go to find a voice over isn’t instinctive. So you do a Google search. That’s natural. Everybody google’s everything all day.

Thanks to the tens of thousands of dollars (or more) casting sites spend on pay per click ads, when you search for basically anything related to voice over, your top results will be any combination of a half dozen or more casting sites.

So you post your job.

Some of us are there waiting to help you with that job. We’ve got our demos uploaded. Our microphones warmed up. Our Granny Smith apples to resolve mouth clicks. We’re primed and ready to deliver exactly the voice over you need! Unless you go to Fiverr. All the good VO’s won’t be waiting for you on Fiverr. But that’s another blog for another day!

Now that you’re on the casting site and you’re ready to post your job, here’s five things that us voice actors would like you, as voice seekers, to understand about the process. Getting these five things will help you get a better voice over and make it easier for us to provide it. So really, everybody wins!

5 Things Voice Actors Wish Voice Seekers Understood About Casting Sites

Give Us Your Best Take: Generic directions such as this or other statements like, “we trust you.” “We don’t really know what we want.” “You’re the professional, we’ll leave it to you.” Or simply saying nothing at all, is a really great way to ensure your casting process will be tedious and torturous. Give us something. Anything. A couple of words. Informative. Upbeat. Conversational. Casual. Authoritative. Post a sample of another read you’ve heard that you like. Anything!

With nothing more than a script, it can be really hard for us, even as professionals, to truly get in sync with your vision for your project. A little bit of direction can go a long way to making the process better for everyone involved.

Budget Breakdown: None of us voice actors really want to say it, so allow me to just go ahead and throw it out there. There are certain casting sites (that start with voices and end with dot com) that take significant portions of your budget, often without you even knowing. Like 40, 50 or even 60% + of the budget that you’ve intended for talent sometimes simply goes into their bank account without disclosure. This makes us sad. So many of us won’t play in their sandbox anymore.

If you want to get the best talent for your project, and make sure they’re getting the whole budget you intended (because sometimes budget determines the level of talent you’ll get), we’d like to suggest you post your projects elsewhere. We’ll find you there. We promise!

Ranking Matters: Voice123 has a ranking system for auditions, and it’s one of the most misunderstand and misused features we’ve ever seen. What you, as a voice seeker, may not realize, is these rankings actually impact us. So, for example, if you listen to 40 auditions and mark one of them with Four Stars and 39 of them with One Star, those 39 talent take a hit from the casting site.

Ranking can help you sort through auditions. We get it. We expect it. We just want you to know that how you rank us matters, and can impact our ability to be invited to future projects. Take the time to understand how it works, and please, unless we really stink (and admittedly, sometimes we do miss the mark), please don’t hit us all with the one star!

What’s The Usage: Voice Actors don’t like it when we see things like, “full buyout for all mediums in perpetuity” on casting site auditions. Here’s why. Let’s say you’re a local pizza restaurant and we voice a commercial for your pizza restaurant. Then one day a pizza chain comes knocking offering us five-figures to voice their national pizza chain commercial. Only, they find out we have a full buyout for all mediums in perpetuity deal with your pizza restaurant. Guess what… we just lost a five-figure VO job.

Most talent want to work with you on your projects and we try really hard to be reasonable. All we ask is you understand the other side of the coin (that would be the side our head is on). If we give all rights to your pizza restaurant, we may never be able to voice another pizza project ever again! And if you’re only offering $250 for your project that could cost us work for a lifetime… well… I think you understand. All we ask is that you be clear and reasonable about usage and let’s all work together to find fair solutions.

Please Listen To Auditions: Nothing is more discouraging for a voice actor than to put a lot of effort into delivering a quality audition for your project, only to find out later that audition was never even listened to. It ends up being a waste of time and that can be frustrating.

Casting sites let you choose audition numbers from 10 to 200 (maybe more). Many people, especially people who are new to casting sites, just set the number to 200, assuming that’s the best way to get the most options. On one hand it is. For sure. On the other hand, think of how long it’ll take you to listen to 200 auditions. Let’s assume every one is :30. Plus you need another :90 to click through the site to access each one. That means two minutes per audition. At 200 auditions, that’s 400 minutes. That’s nearly seven hours to listen to them all. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

In order to make sure everything gets listened to, and you’re not missing a potentially great voice actor for your project, consider setting the audition number to something more reasonable for you and your available time.

The voice over community is filled with many amazing, talented, creative and professional actors who are ready, willing and able to deliver the goods for your project with grace and ease. All we need to make the process as smooth as possible is a few simple steps from you up front that aren’t always made clear in the casting site instructions.

Take these five things into account, and you’ll be well on your way to top notch voice over the next time you need one.

Oh, and as a parting note, if you’re looking for a database of vetted, trusted professional VO’s (and you don’t want to hire me directly *wink* *wink*) please visit voiceover.biz!

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Marc Scott

Why The Online Casting Conversation Needs To Continue

“Isn’t it time to move on?”

“How much more energy should we devote to this nonsense?”

“Wouldn’t we be better off letting it go and worrying about our own businesses?”

“Aren’t we really just beating a dead horse?”

These are some of the comments I’ve received and read regarding the ongoing discussions about online casting sites and their business practices. Some people are simply tired of hearing about it. I understand. Believe me, I understand. I was one of those people.

Be Part Of The Problem Or Part Of The Solution

My point all along has been, as a voice over community we can be part of the problem, or we can be part of the solution. We can climb on our soapboxes, bang our drums and send our wit, sarcasm, frustration, and outright rage into the universe via social media… or we can try and have a dialogue.

Personally, I’ve had enough of the complaining. My complaining gauge peaked and shattered a long, long time ago. Complaining, in my opinion, does nothing to solve the problem. Venting amongst ourselves in closed and private groups may offer a form of therapy, I won’t deny that, but it’s not going to affect change.

It’s time to affect change.

Affecting Change

That’s what happened this past weekend at VO Atlanta. One of the most productive dialogues regarding online casting sites since the “Interview Heard Around The World” hosted by Graeme Spicer, took place. Oh, and Graeme was still a part of that conversation, and still considered a hero amongst many,

J Michael Collins brilliantly moderated a panel discussion with leaders from Realtime Casting, bodalgo, Voice123 and Voices.com. Each of these representatives was given time on the stage to speak to the audience, answer questions and address issues.

Let’s just say, some did better than others. Yes, it’s true. Armin is a Rock Star.

For those questioning if it’s time to move on, allow me to offer you two really great examples of why it’s not.

Since that panel discussion took place on Friday March 4, 2016, two of the sites have actually made changes. Changes that are a direct result of concerns raised by talent.

The first change that occurred came from Armin Hierstetter, the one man show, CEO and Rock Star behind European casting site bodalgo.com.

A second change was announced today. This one, from Voice123 CEO Margarita Rueda. (It’s also worth noting, Margarita offered assurances to J Michael Collins during the panel, that his worst nightmare would not occur. He never has to worry about waking up one day and finding Voice123 has been taken over by a certain bunny!)

Change Can Happen!

These two changes, which may seem small to some, actually bear great significance. They offer evidence that when we, as a community and industry, collectively engage in productive conversation – as VO Atlanta Executive Producer Gerald Griffith put it, “more Oprah, less Springer” – change can happen.

Don’t, for a minute, ever fool yourself into believing these sites will give into all our demands. In fact, don’t even expect some of the sites to hear us out at all – as we’ve learned. We must never forget, these companies are still businesses and they’re still looking for ways to generate and maximize profits. It’s their right to do so, as it’s our right to do so in our own businesses.

However, if we continue to maintain an open dialogue, good things can, will and – as evidenced in the last two days – have come from it.

Online Casting isn’t going away. This we know. That leaves us, as talent, with a few options.

We can accept it for what it is.
We can loathe it for what it is.
We can work together with the owners to try and find balance for all parties.

The Dialogue Continues

I’m thrilled to know that at least a couple of the sites are willing to hear us out. Quite frankly, it’s their prerogative to tell us to take a long walk off a short dock, if they so chose. They don’t have to listen to us make suggestions for how to run their business anymore than you or I need to listen to them make suggestions for how to run our businesses.

Let’s respect the opportunity, and find ways to respectfully make the most of it. For the good of talent, clients and casting sites.

Maybe, just maybe, as the dialogue continues, and sites like bodalgo and Voice123 show respect to talent by hearing and addressing our concerns, the other elephant in the room might decide to follow suit.

Or not.

It’s worth a shot!

The system isn’t perfect. Which is why you’ll still hear me preaching, “MARKETING, MARKETING, MARKETING,” from any platform I can get on and be heard.

Where Do We Go From Here?

That said, knowing what we know, that these sites are here to stay, it’s in our best interests to try and help shape them. If I may be so bold, I’d even suggest lending your support to the ones who are listening.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was so impressed with Armin at VO Atlanta, that I signed up for a 6 month subscription to bodalgo this week. His presentation earned my business! If I’m going to be on a site, it’s going to be one that respects the talent that make it work!

That’s just one more way we can have influence. By removing our support from sites who won’t engage with us, and giving it to sites who do. If enough people do it, who knows… maybe that will affect change too.

So… is it time to move on? That’s entirely up to you. For me, however, as long as productive dialogue is an option on the table, I’d like to be a part of it.

If you were unable to attend VO Atlanta and watch the casting site panel, it’s truly worth it if you’re using casting sites. Find out how you can watch the entire discussion at voatlanta.tv

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Marc Scott

Transparency Now Becomes Transparency Never

Transparency Now. It’s a campaign that’s been ongoing for quite some time in the voice over industry, and it’s specifically targeted at one major casting site. Voices.com.

The basic premise of the campaign… voice actors want transparency on fees for Professional Services jobs. Voice actors want to understand why 40, 50 and sometimes 60% or more of budgets for projects seem to be disappearing. Where are those budgets going? Where are those dollars going? How is the commission and fee structure determined?

Talent want transparency.

Where Is The Budget Going?

Nobody is trying to deny a company from conducting business. Nobody is trying to deny a company from turning a profit. However, when the exact same project appears on one casting site for $1,500 and on Voices.com for $750, talent want to know why.

What exactly is it that Professional Services does? Why are they seemingly eating up significant portions of the budget? Money that was intended by the client to go into the pocket of the talent.

There’s a lot going on we don’t get to see.

Transparency Now Becomes Transparency Never

During an absolutely fantastically moderated panel discussion at VO Atlanta featuring leaders from the main casting sites, J Michael Collins asked the question directly to Jennifer Smith of Voices. “Will there be transparency for the talent?”

The answer was simple and direct. “No.”

Is it the answer talent wanted to hear? Certainly not. However, at least now we finally have an answer. We know, as talent, exactly where we stand.

Prepare To Leave Money On The Table

If you choose to use Voices.com to find work, and you choose to participate in projects managed by Professional Services, you simply need to be aware that 40, 50 or even 60% + of the projects originally intended budget is going straight into the pockets of Voices.com.

That’s in addition to your annual membership fee and your 10% Sure Pay escrow fee.

Talent, for now at least, will never know exactly how much Voices is withholding. We’ll never be offered an explanation or breakdown. That’s all there is to it.

Will the conversations continue? Yes.

Will it change the outcome? Who knows.

For now, however, you need to be aware of what’s happening.

I’ve said all along I’ll never tell someone how to run their business. I’ve also said all along if you choose to use any casting site (or sites) as part of your business plan, make sure they were tools in your toolbox, just not the only tool.

Know What You’re Signing Up For

Clients still need voice overs. Clients are being taken advantage of as much as talent are. Remember that. It’s not their fault. They don’t realize it’s happening either. Yet, anyway. Voices has said they will offer transparency to the client… however, only if they specifically ask.

My best advice, if you’re using Voices.com for your business, just think twice about the Professional Services projects. If you’re on Voice123 as well, even better. Watch for dual postings. At least on 123, you know you’ll get the entire budget the client intended you to receive.

Also, make sure you take time to read and understand Voices Terms of Service. Educate yourself. Know what you’re signing up for, and what you’re signing away. On a Professional Services project, you’re basically giving away everything until the end of time, for use throughout the universe and beyond.

And the conversation, and debate, continues…

If you were unable to attend VO Atlanta and watch the casting site panel, it’s truly worth it if you’re using casting sites. Find out how you can watch the entire discussion at voatlanta.tv

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Marc Scott

Two Sites, One Job And A Missing 85%

DISCLAIMER: Out of respect for the client involved in this situation, specific project details have been omitted at their request. If you are familiar with the job posting in question, please do not share specifics. Thank you.

Yesterday was an interesting day. It started out like most. A couple scripts to take care of in the morning. A couple hours of marketing scheduled for the afternoon. Routine. Uneventful. Just the way I like it.

Then I made the mistake of going on Facebook.

It Always Starts On Facebook!

In a private group exclusive to World-Voices members, a post was shared. In it, the details of a voice over job being offered on two casting sites. This, of course is nothing out of the ordinary. Clients seeking a professional voice over will often take advantage of different sites to gain the broadest collection of auditions.

Thing is, there was a slight budget discrepancy between the two casting sites. By slight, what I mean is, the budget listed on one site was roughly 85% less. To the tune of a few thousand dollars. Did I mention it was the same project on both sites?

By now we are all well familiar with the topic of Managed Projects on a casting site that shall remain nameless as they need no further SEO from me. We’ve heard the spin. By spin, I’m politely and delicately referring to, lies. Excuses, smoke, mirrors and a whole lot of “umm’s” and “aah’s” and “well, you see’s” were offered in the interview heard ‘round the world a few months back.

Nothing satisfactory was offered.

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman!” Did anybody else think of that at the time? Or was it just me?

I have to tell you that when I saw the details of this particular project yesterday, it kind of lit me up a bit. After this company’s CEO was seated directly in the spotlight, put under the magnifying glass and his inept attempts at apology, logic and reason were through, the optimistic, albeit somewhat naive side of me, truly believed some form of change would be implemented.

When you’re caught with your pants down, one would assume you’d quit strolling around naked.

Well, you know what they say about assuming…

It’s Time For Results!

Something you need to know about me. I’m an action man. A results man. Venting my frustrations on social media, while perhaps considered action, seldom produces results. It was time for results, and I was determined to get some.

With a little bit of effort, I was able to determine the company responsible for the project in question. My gut told me they were unaware of the 85% budget discrepancy, but I needed to know for sure. At the risk of looking a fool, and facing the likely prospect of an awkward conversation, I decided to give this client a call and find out.

Can you guess what happened next?

Surprise, surprise… they were quite taken back by an 85% budget discrepancy on their Managed Project.

To back up my claim, I provided the client with PDF documents that showed the project listings on each of the two sites. This way, they could see exactly what the talent saw. Let’s just say they were unimpressed.

As I stated earlier, I will not go into the specifics of the project or the exact details of my conversation out of respect for this company who has done nothing wrong. I will simply say this… when they were presented with the evidence, they immediately made the decision to remove their job posting from the casting site with questionable ethics. Further to that decision, I suspect they will not be posting any projects on that site going forward.

For voice talent, it’s a small victory. We deserved it.

A Small Victory

As I explained to the client involved at the very beginning of our conversation, my motivation was simple. I suspected they were unaware of what was being done with their Managed Project, and I simply wanted to shed some light so they would have all the facts.

I’m not a crusader. I’m just a guy who believes in fair play and ethics and integrity in business.

In the midst of all this, there’s an important and valuable lesson for us as talent.

We are well aware of the practices of the casting site that shall remain nameless. We’ve thrown up our arms and aired our grievances all over the internet and social media. There was even a season of mass exodus from the site in protest. While that may feel good, and perhaps even be therapeutic, I’m not convinced it offers a viable solution to the problem which clearly still remains.

As long as clients are unaware of what’s happening (and they are clearly unaware), I don’t anticipate any lasting resolution.

What we may overlook in our frustration is the fact that clients are being taken advantage of as much as us. Perhaps even more so. Look at this one single project in question. We’re talking about thousands of dollars. How that’s not criminal is actually beyond my comprehension.

Where Do We Go From Here?

If any kind of satisfactory resolution is ever going to come to pass, it will take a significant campaign of education which reaches respectfully and professionally into the hands of the people trusting the site to hire talent for their projects. Those people, their opinions, I suspect, will carry much more weight than the collective voices of an angry talent pool.

My suggestion is simply this… when you see a dual posting such as the one today, rather than spread anger across social media and risk any kind of undue harm to the innocent reputation of the client involved, try and determine if there’s a way to reach out to them. Take screen shots of the postings on each site. Many web browsers will actually let you export web pages as PDF documents. That’s what I did today.

With the evidence in hand, send an email or make a phone call. Not to the casting site. We already know they don’t care. Take it directly to the company seeking a voice actor. Let them know what’s happening. Determine if they were aware of excessive commissions being taken out of the budget they earmarked for professional voice talent. Odds are, they have no idea this is happening. Story after story proves this so.

If you don’t want to make the phone call, send the information to me and I will!

Action produces results. Together we need to make a stand and take productive action to generate productive results. One client at a time may be a slow race, but with each new voice added to the fold it makes the cries louder.

Eventually, they’ll be impossible to ignore.

Want to be a part of the solution? Check out World-Voices at world-voices.org

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Marc Scott

Taking Control Of Your Voice Over Business

Earlier this week I shared a video titled, “Let’s Talk About The Voice Over Dream.” If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch it yet, take some time to do that.

In this video, I take it a step further. A lot of people getting started in this business think the only way to do it is to subscribe to the casting sites and audition like mad. I get it. I used to think that too! In fact, I tried that approach for a year or two.

But what if there’s a better way? Let’s explore that together.

What do you think? Comment below.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel at youtube.marcscottvoiceover.com