Happy New Year, readers of The Magazine of Santa Clarita! I’ve had great questions submitted to me the past year, and I expect 2012 to be no different. Here’s a question I recently received about voiceover scams.
Q: I recently saw an ad in the paper that advertised for voice actors, which said “no experience necessary.” I was tempted to respond, though I’ve never had any training, but a friend of mine in the business said it was a scam and I ended up not going in for an audition. How do I know when something’s legit? Should I just go in and take my chances, hoping that it’s legit, or should I avoid these situations entirely? – Penny A., San Diego
A: Penny, you did the right thing by asking someone “in the know.” Scams like these abound throughout the U.S. and around the world, tempting inexperienced actors with a lure of easy money with little or no training. Here are a few tips:
1. Never give any money up front to an agent, manager or anyone who promises to get you work.
2. Never give money to someone who claims to be an agent or manager for demo tape production.
3. A legitimate agent or manager will never charge the talent for tape duplication or marketing costs.
4. A legitimate agent or manager will never make promises or ask for money up front for anything. Period.
5. Investigate anyone who claims to be an agent or manager by calling your AFTRA or SAG local to see if they are franchised.
Marc Cashman © 2011
Marc Cashman creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television, was twice 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 teaches voiceover technique 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, CA. Marc can be contacted at cashcomm@earthlink.net or his website, www.cashmancommercials.com.