Readers of The Magazine of Santa Clarita continue to send in interesting questions about the voiceover business. This month’s questions are about agents.
Q: I have heard that L.A. agents won’t even listen to you without a lot of experience and to start off with local agents in other regions. What do you think? I have the Call Sheet Backstage casting directory – is that a good place to start? Any advice is greatly appreciated! – Sheri A., Pasadena, CA
A: I don’t believe that L.A. agents won’t listen to you unless you have a lot of experience. They’re (supposedly) listening for that next great voice, the voice that’ll make them a lot of money. Experience be damned! If they think you’ve got the V-O goods, they’re going to sign you and submit you. But it’s also not a bad idea to get in touch and seek representation with local and regional talent agencies outside of L.A., so you can get a steady stream of auditions on a (hopefully) daily basis. I hope this answers your questions! Break a lip!
Q: For an audition to one of my agents, the instructions say: “I will also need your social security number so that the client can Station 12.” Could you please explain to me what the heck that means? – B. Jordan, Los Angeles, CA
A: A “Station 12” is an AFTRA form that confirms if you’re a member in good standing, should you book the job for a union session. Tell your agent that if you book the job, you’ll send in your SS number. If it’s an agent who already represents you, they should already have it on file, though. Don’t share your SS number when you don’t absolutely have to.
Cashman Commercials © 2011
Marc Cashman creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television, was named one of the “Best Voices of the Year” by AudioFile Magazine, and was the Keynote Speaker and Master Class instructor at the international voiceover conventions VOICE 2008 and 2010 in Los Angeles. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, and a working voice actor as well, he heads the Voiceover Program at California Institute of the Arts and instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, California.
Marc can be contacted at cashcomm@earthlink.net or his website, www.cashmancommercials.com.