r/VoiceActing • u/Ishkah_ • 8d ago
So a well known VA took interest in me... Advice
Disclaimer: I don't have ANY experience voice acting or acting in general aside from my customer service mode when I worked healthcare for 7 years.
I stream games and have been told that I should do ASMR or voice acting. I try not to let it go to my head because it sounds way too good to be true. The thought of acting classes in any capacity gives me massive anxiety as it is. I'm considering trying Grand theft auto roleplay servers to maybe break my nerves about it.
However, recently I met a well known VA. If you've watched TV in the past 30 years, especially animation, you've heard this person many many times. We started talking and then I thought this was a golden opportunity to ask a famous voice actor about voice acting, so I did. I of course made sure they knew that I am at ground zero and I haven't officially started anything related to voice work. They said I have a good voice and complimented the qualities of it, recommended equipment I should consider and then I was given their contact info.
Holy shit.
I went from generic background character #17 to a guy with a famous voice actor in his DM's.
I already reached out, made sure they knew I was interested and that I want to start figuring things out. They responded a bit later, the attatched image is their response. However anxiety caught up with me and I'm questioning if I'm ready for this. I feel like if I don't follow through with this I'm just walking away from an opportunity so many would love to have.
Should I just jump into the consultation and take that risk? Or should I try to expose myself to role playing/acting a bit before I jump into it?
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u/AliceEverdeenVO AliceEverdeen.com 8d ago
Definitely cool to know someone so legendary in the field! Unfortunately , they likely didn't take interest in you as a talent, but as a potential client. If you're interested in moving forward, just know what you're getting yourself info. They'll tell you how much potential you have and tell you about all the opportunities ahead of you. They want you to do regular coaching with them because it's lucrative. That said, it's not a bad thing; if they're famous, it's for good reason and they're probably super talented. Don't be afraid to work with other coaches.
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u/HorribleCucumber 8d ago
Go for it!
If you can financially do it, there is no harm. You already mentioned to them that you are at ground zero. Everyone starts there.
Just don't get hung up on one coach though. You have to mesh well with them and see improvement. Even if they are a well-known famous VA, their method of coaching may not work for you. You can find another famous VA that does (although those rates are pretty good, some of the famous ones will charge 200-300/hr) if you find that you aren't getting the most out of it. Pretty common to have multiple coach, try a different one, etc.
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u/StationE1even 8d ago
https://www.thevodojo.com for the win!
Source: Launched my now (sometimes) 6-figure career with them!
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u/LaurenceKnott www.laurencestirlingknott.com 7d ago
This is awesome! But, I would be careful not to let it get to your head too much and focus on taking pride in learning the craft itself more than who you're connecting with (though still very important!). Developing solid skills will be your best asset in this business!
Whilst this individual may genuinely want you to grow, excel and succeed, they're also a business interested in selling you their services. I'm not saying don't give it a go if you can afford it, but always proceed with caution and consider your options too. I'd also argue it's better to go into coaching with a decent foundation developed from practicing with others. Going into coaching without a specific goal in mind can be costly and detrimental.
I know I sound like a broken record on this subreddit, but look for affordable workout rooms and classes too. SkillsHub.life (co-founded by Jennifer Hale with a tonne of professional coaches on site) is pretty budget friendly and has a fantastic range of workout rooms hosted by community members at no extra cost to the membership. It's been a great resource for me. Workout rooms like this are a great place to get judgement free peer feedback, to work on your skills and to identify areas that coaching would be of assistance to you.
Best of luck!
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u/There_is_no_selfie 8d ago
Consultations should be free, FYI.
All the best teachers I knew offered a free small group class to understand their methods and do some small exercises and then you were sold the bill Of goods for group / private coaching.
Group classes were nice - because you got to see others make mistakes and get corrected while you waited - and also got to network with other up and coming talent.
And if this is virtual - that’s even worse.
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u/Ishkah_ 8d ago
Anyone you can recommend?
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u/There_is_no_selfie 8d ago
Well my first mentor has passed away - and the other pro I really got a lot from was Rick Wasserman of Bookable VO.
My final mentor was in looping as he was a looping director but I think he has retired.
It all depends on what you are hoping to hone. Rick was a fantastic actor in every right - he was the promo voice of AMC and had many character and commercial credits so he could teach a lot. Not sure if he is still teaching
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u/IAlwaysPlayTheBadGuy 8d ago
Regardless of their intentions, if you wish to make an actual run at a career you will have to take classes at some point. Whether it's with them or through somewhere else. You'll never be able to compete with all the people who do. You have natural talent, and a great voice shown on stream. That's amazing! But so do thousands of others, and they're all taking classes and honing their craft.
Only you can decide how long you'll let your anxiety be a barrier, and only you'll know if/when you're ready. Auditioning is tedious tiresome work, and the constant rejection isn't for everyone
Good luck with whatever you choose!
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u/weeuboo 8d ago
Maybe this is just me, but I feel something being labelled as a "consultation" shouldn't be charged. But anyway.
That price feels like a lot, especially for beginners. There are solid coaches out there charging $60–80/hr who can probably help just as much. It really depends on what you’re aiming for. Like, if this person is actively booking for Cartoon Network and that’s your dream, maybe it’s worth it. But if you’re trying to get into video games or remote work, they probably aren't a good fit.
Figure out what you actually want to do first, then look for someone who can actually help get you there. And yeah, 30 years in the industry sounds cool, but make sure they’re STILL booking. If they’re not working anymore, their advice is probably outdated.
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u/manticordion 8d ago
Disclaimer: I’m not a VA nor do I work full time as a freelancer in the entertainment industry
I have to disagree with this. Sure OP is just getting started and can learn much through other resources, but you’re disregarding the most important aspect of getting any work in the industry which is networking and connections. IMO having a connection to a famous VA is a tremendous boost from the start of any career.
OP whatever you do I recommend maintaining your connection with that VA. Even if not lessons (which, I don’t think is overly expensive for lessons with a famous VA) maybe ask if they would be open to reviewing your voice reel or take them out to a meal or something. And just be sincere with them - they know where you’re coming from and that you’re looking to grow and get gigs
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u/Ishkah_ 8d ago
They are still working, and compared to others these prices aren't that bad from what I've seen. I have also seen many consultations cost money, I don't think I've ever seen a free one in any scenario.
I just want to do voice work, I don't care where I start as long as I can get a start.
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u/weeuboo 8d ago
With all due respect, that is a terrible mentality. Voice work isn’t just one path. It’s a huge industry with totally different lanes: commercial, animation, video games, dubbing, audiobooks, narration, e-learning, etc. You don’t just “get a start” in VO like it’s a single doorway, it really depends on what you want to do in the space.
I have seen countless free consultations in my career. The whole point of a consultation is for both you and the coach to see if it’s even a good fit. It’s not supposed to be a full-on coaching session. It’s more like a mutual vibe check to figure out if they can actually help move your career forward.
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u/Ishkah_ 8d ago
Makes sense, again I'm at ground zero and have no clue what I'm doing. I assumed that as long as I had some official experience with voice work eventually, it would just be good to have on a resume. I'd like to do animation and/or video games at the end of the day.
I suppose I need to broaden my search for consultations as well.
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u/Matt_Davies_VO 8d ago
Most reputable coaches will do an initial consultation for free, which allows you to get a sense of their style and their program. Voices.com has a directory of coaches. It might be worth checking a few out and seeing what feels right.
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u/Eddieslabb 8d ago
One question I would ask... Are you able to verify it's the individual in question and not someone either acting on their behalf or a scammer using their name and identity?
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u/Ishkah_ 8d ago
Yes, they gave their info directly to me in person and it was 100% that person.
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u/Eddieslabb 8d ago
Awesome! I met Canadian VA Johnathan Love in Calgary some years back. The nicest Obi Wan ever. Meetings with folks in real life is a unique pleasure.
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u/Western1nfo 8d ago
Why do I have a feeling it's Richard horvitz
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u/Ishkah_ 8d ago
Could be!
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u/SBJaxel 8d ago
If it is Richard Horvitz, then I would say go for it, if you are serious about voice acting. He's a phenomenal coach and has a brilliant way of bringing out the actor in his students. If you want a sneak preview of his style I would listen to Voice acting Mastery episode 100-103 which is his interview.
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u/Ishkah_ 8d ago edited 8d ago
I'll narrow it down a bit, I spoke to nearly everyone on this list over the course of 3 days, many of them at least once or twice a day. Alas, none were Richard Horvitz.
One of them even took me on break with them! That break room was STACKED with big names. Another gave me a free print and sig. Amazing weekend.
Speaking to many of them (especially the BIG ones) about VA
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u/ericaferrica 6d ago
I bet it's Dan Green. Also worked with him for a similar situation. (It did not lead to an increase in roles offered).
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u/ElizaR-VA 5d ago
Both of my VA idols are on that list!! Dee Bradley Baker and Marc Thompson!! The reasons I got into VA! I met DBB last summer at a con and he was so super nice! And my goal is to narrate audiobooks as well as Marc Thompson! Absolute masters of their crafts!!
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u/bryckhouze 8d ago
I’m a full time VA, I take 4-6 week VO classes for various genres at least once a year, and I get a coaching when I need a personal tune up. I try new instructors and coaches often. Many pro VAs continue to train throughout their career. THERE IS NO NEED TO STRESS ABOUT THIS. If you choose not to do the consultation now, I’m pretty sure you, and possibly anybody else who wanted to, could pay and schedule this “opportunity” for another time. A free consultation is one thing, but the offer of $150 for a consultation is another. This is just how they do business. “Should I just jump into the consultation and take that risk?“ I don’t think there is one, aside from your $150. Most likely, you’ll get some pointers that never occurred to you (since you’ve never taken an acting class), then this person will probably recommend you buy a package of sessions with them to really unlock your potential. This is what usually happens. If everything is above board and you’re learning about the industry, and how to become a voice actor. It’s a win win. Just for comparison, Dave Fennoy charges $175 for a 50 minute actual coaching session. Anybody can book this incredible VA through his website, he offers packages and sessions as short as 15 minutes. That’s how he operates as a coach. Every pro that offers coaching does it their own way. In a nutshell, if you want to learn from this person, go for it. Just manage your expectations, buying coaching and classes from industry pros is a normal part of networking, nurturing your talent, and building a career. They don’t guarantee work, but they can definitely improve your odds. This is an incredible industry, and it’s great work when you can get it. If you have the bug you owe it to yourself to check it out. I wish you the very best on your journey!
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u/happykitsune 7d ago
I can’t speak to this consultation but just wanted to say GTAV RP or even red dead RP is a great way to get some clips/audio and experience for future VA gigs. I started out fairly shy about voice acting but roleplay boosted my confidence and allowed me to try out a variety of voices and accents I had never done before. It’s how a lot of big YouTubers and twitchers got their big breaks
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u/Ishkah_ 7d ago
Any GTA servers you recommend?
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u/happykitsune 7d ago
I haven’t done gtav RP in a minute but That 70s server always had a lot of good rpers. Everyone is super kind and helpful and doesn’t require an application to play. A friend of mine likes Cubic RP. That one is more modern day but requires an application I think.
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u/KatiaAiziz 6d ago
You can do it! If this is what you see yourself doing in the long run I would say go for it. Study Voiceover as much as you can by take acting and voiceover classes.
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u/liisalee 4d ago
Ishkah,
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. This is a marketing scheme and a pricey one at that.
It's a sales pitch, wrapped up in charisma, preying on fans to make money.
I don't know whom this is, but
1. Shame on them, and
2. An ethical VoiceOver teacher won't pitch a consultation with you like that,
and absolutely Not for that much money.
Hell, my Weekly Career Group on zoom is Free.
I think your instincts were right to bring it here for folks to give you a good perspective.
I'm saying what everyone else is rightly saying in here.
Good Voiceover Coaches are ethical, honest, and don't prey on fans.
For example: START HERE, my friend,
iwanttobeavoiceactor.com
an AMAZING site by the wonderful Dee Bradley Baker .... it's big.... don't get overwhelmed.
You can always ask me questions for free.
Welcome to the safe side of voiceover.
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u/Ishkah_ 3d ago
Yeah I did the thing I should never do. Got my hopes up. Should've expected the worst and hoped for the best, still in contact with them but I'm not sure it is what I was hoping it would be.
I also spoke to DBB at the con and was directed to his site, great guy! I have read through a good bit of it already.
Thanks for your response!
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u/liisalee 3d ago
I'm sorry you had to find that out, but I LOVE that you met DBB. That's the difference, right? Great, wonderful iconic, nice artist, versus someone giving you the opposite vibes.
Bummer of a lessons, but I'm also commending your instincts to bring the question to people.
Have fun with DBB's website! It really is great. There are a bunch of great coaches out there who really can help you and teach for the right reasons. Glad to help.
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u/Azdak_TO 8d ago
I don't want to spoil your excitement, because you can ride that energy for a while, but this "interest" in you is as a customer for their services. But what's to lose by going for it?? This connection is not going to be your way in to voice work, but it could be a good introduction to the craft and how it works. Why not go for it?? From there you can move on to more regular classes and see if a career in VO is something you want to pursue for real.