Among the many cruelties visited upon actors is a “hold”. It means you’re very close to getting a job and they want to make sure you’re available to them should they want you, but they’re not willing to fully commit to you…usually cause there’s someone else they like, too. In my experience, it’s been 50/50–it works out just as often as it does not. Today was one of the not working out days. It was just a commercial voiceover–I pretty much never book those anyway–but still a let down. It’s like the third time in the last couple months!
So instead, I’m just going to post my voice demo here. Should you, or anyone you know, require a new and hilarious* voicemail greeting (*hilarity is not guaranteed), or someone to narrate your company’s industrial video promoting all your new and exciting wares, then I’m your gal! It’s either that, or I take Ashleigh up on her offer to hire me as her personal assistant. She can’t afford to pay me, but promised that she would steal me some PB&J sandwiches from the craft truck. I’m considering it. She texted me asking that I come carry her heavy bags, but I told her my nails were still drying (a flat-out lie) . She said I lack promise. Probably true.
Among my skills: mom voice, sexy voice, teen voice, serious voice. That’s it. That’s all I’ve got.
When I was in grade five, my friend Teri and I were handpicked by the librarian to narrate a school video on Dreamcatchers. We felt very special. As I recall, my performance was deemed “good enough”! This is an assessment I stand by. In fact, it says that beneath my name on my headshot.
Hilarious.
I don’t know anything about your past jobs, as I’ve only begun following you since I introduced to you via Mr. Mallozzi’s weblog during his stint on the transporter series and his recommendation to check out you blog, but you seem to be a very interesting character. You are very different from me in life and I don’t know if that is saying something about you or myself. I was wondering how you would categorize yourself when if comes to working in the entertainment business. Would you say you are outside the box or do you fit in with everyone else? How would you rate yourself as far as getting roles when compared to your fellow actors? Do you feel you win them at the same average rate as others. Or do you feel you are above or even below average? I guess what I am wondering about is that I have followed many Actors and Actresses via Twitter and the most all have a overly pleasant disposition. This seems to be in slight contrast to you. I was curious how that personality difference may or may not assist or be a detriment to your success in winning jobs in your mind?
For what it’s worth (nothing), I prefer your personality over the general mainstream.
Hi Brent!
Well, isn’t that just the very best thing about humanity? We’re all so very different! I love that.
Your questions are complicated, but I’ll do my best…
Of course I am not “right” for every role, nor do I even have access to every role. I would say, and I think most actors would agree with me, that the hardest part is getting the auditions in the first place. A casting director will call in maybe 5-10 people to audition for a role, but that casting director is picking those 5 from a pool of, let’s say, 300 submissions made by agents all across the city. If you get in the room, you’re off to a very good start. I have a hard time getting in that room. In the past, I have taken other on-set jobs, such as working as a stand-in, just so that I could get on set and meet the people that could potentially cast me (people like our dear friend Joe). Once I get myself in the right environment, there’s no stopping me!
I would guess that a big difference between myself and the other actors you follow on twitter etc. is that they are likely established and have flourishing careers. I am not an established actor; I am still in the developmental stages of my career. That being said, I do quite well for myself. I don’t audition as much as I would like to, but of the auditions I do get, my success average is quite good and I am able to make a living (albeit a meagre one) from the work I do. I would also like to add that there are actors far more talented than myself that work way less than I do and, conversely, there are actors that I feel are less talented who work more! What I’m saying is: there’s more to it than talent. This brings us to your question about personality.
“I have followed many Actors and Actresses via Twitter and the most all have a overly pleasant disposition. This seems to be in slight contrast to you.”
This actually made me laugh. Are you saying I’m unpleasant and have a bad attitude?
Here’s the difference: they are communicating a public persona that is likely heavily managed for optimal publicity. If they act like assholes, then there would be repercussions. This is not the case for me. I have a freedom of expression that they likely do not.
In reading my blog you get to know me and my personality. I realize in printed word that I have the tendency to come across as sarcastic and sardonic, but those are essential components to my own sense of humour. I say what I’m thinking and feeling, almost to a fault. Most people find it refreshing…and occasionally offensive. And absolutely it has helped me in my career thus far! Maybe I am different, but people seem to like that about me…I guess. I have been extremely fortunate in that there have been a great number of people along my path who have given me opportunities because they like me and want me to succeed.
Thanks for visiting, and I hope some of this made sense…
Fascinating!
First, I’d like to thank you for that well thought out answer! Way more than what I was expecting! Second, the entertainment business you are in is a very interesting one for sure! It definitely takes a certain type of person to do what you do. I’m sure you could say the same about the “traditional” style jobs that most other people do. To your point, that’s what makes us all different.
I think you hit the nail on the head that the people I have followed have been established actors/actresses and do have a certain persona that they wish to keep in a positive light. It only makes sense to try to do that I guess.
On the other hand, I find your personality refreshing and somewhat appealing. I’m not saying you are anything like me, but I’ve been told I have a very dry sense of humor and that I should probably not be saying half the things that I say throughout a normal work day. But, I gotta say, there is nothing better than saying something so off the wall and/or offensive, and watching people’s reaction to it!! I get the impression you might enjoy some form of that as well.
I’m glad to hear that a person with your personality can do well in the acting business. That statement is probably more of a reflection of my ignorance for your profession more than anything. But, none the less, I’m glad that it appears that it does you more good than harm!
Thanks again for the reply!
Now about this weird obsession you have with nail polish…
Brent
Hey, in the “crazy kids” voice-over, were there kids running about being all sorts of adorable? Because you sound like they’re all sorts of adorable. OR – is that you acting? Because if it is, I might have a part for you in my horror movie!
Also, your demo has inspired me to record my own voice demo – which will basically be a recording of me doing the various bits from your demo. Stay tuned to my blog.
P.S. I’m nothing like you either.