Frequently Asked Questions About Voiceover, Life and Voiceover Studio Chicago
Okay, okay… one at a time, people! Yes, you, the good-looking person with the nice voice…
Who in the heck are you?
My name is Darren Stephens. I'm a voiceover talent, actor, singer and coach. I've been a voice talent in the Chicago market for more than fifteen years. I'm represented by Grossman & Jack Talent in Chicago. You've heard my voice on hundreds of radio and television commercials, including NATIONAL television and NATIONAL radio spots (ask other VO coaches about their national spots -- and how recently they were done). My voiceover web site is here: www.darrensvoice.com. I make my living doing all kinds of different voice work, including narration, e-learning, phone systems and more. I also occasionally do audiobooks, and have a dedicated site for that as well.
Why are your demos less expensive that other people?
Because I do everything and don't have to pay anyone else for the recording, editing and mixing.
Why are your demos so expensive?
Because I do everything: find the copy, coach you and record you. I work out of a professional-quality project studio in my home. Once you and I have done the initial recording, I painstakingly choose the best takes and pieces of takes, remove breaths, clicks, pops and noise and adjust timings for maximum dramatic or comic effect. I find production (and pay for) the perfect music beds, background ambience and sound effects, making these demos the equal of those costing a huge [expletive-deleted]-load more money.
Well, I've got a home studio. Why don't I do my own?
Yeah, why don't you, smart guy? Because you can't listen to yourself and be critical. And you haven't done this enough to know what to listen for anyway. Oh, and where are you going to get good commercial copy that's perfect for your voice, adapted or written by someone who knows what they're doing, someone who has sold himself and others for years? And most of all? Because agents and other talent buyers can hear in nine seconds when a demo is a self-produced piece of junk from someone with no experience. [Toss, toss. Delete, delete. Next...]
But shouldn’t I pay twice or four times as much as what you’re charging? More expensive is better, right?
Sadly… no. Unfortunately, in this business, there are people who have created what I’ll call “voiceover mills.” One of the reasons I was inspired to create my own voiceover demo business was because some of these people charge what I think are stupefyingly high prices for demos.
You CAN ask them what they charge you, a beginner, just getting into this, for a demo... Go ahead, ask them right away what your TOTAL COST will be! Good luck getting an answer. That’s because once you sign up, the price goes up and up and up, class after additional class, extra upon extra upon extra. I’ve heard $4,000 for a voiceover demo! Holy crap! You can thank them for the fact that I only charge one price for a standard commercial voiceover demo, and tell you exactly what it is. (There's a site out there that actually mentions my price... like how DARE I actually tell you what I charge without trying to sell you a zillion lessons or graphic design or a web site or freakin' LUNCH on your recording day! They're the people you REALLY need to ask that "What's my total cost?" question.)
That having been said, there are very expensive demo producers in the U.S. who charge three thousand and up for a demo and (mostly) deserve to. They cater to high-end VO talent who have been in the business for years, people who make six figures year in and year out, and can afford to pay top dollar. I also have friends who charge about twice my price for voiceover demos, and I think they're good at what they do. I have respect for them, I just think you can get what you need (for less) from me. Especially if you're new to the business.
Voiceover IS a business. There should be a cost/benefit ratio. As a voice talent, I net about $250 for a local radio commercial. As a beginner, you’ll make around that for a non-union spot, IF you get the work. This is a tough game, and to start, you may not make that in a month or more. How long do you work before you recoup your $3,000 investment?
Do you include music and sound effects on the demo? That was probably a dumb question.
There are no dumb questions! Yes, for your finished demo, I provide any backing tracks required for the completed demo. The Voiceover Exploration session is just your voice, recorded doing generic copy for assessment and practice purposes only.
A cheerful woman had a very good question for me: I was wondering -- do voiceover demos in Chicago run 1 or 2 minutes usually?? THANKS!
The standard commercial voiceover demo is coming in these days at around a minute, from what I've heard from top voiceover agents in Chicago. There are a few demos (not many) out there that are running longer, in the minute-thirty range, and some (quite a few) which are running shorter, but that's the sweet spot.
Awww... Do I really need a home recording studio?
YES. (If anyone says you don't, or if discussion of a home studio is NOT a part of what they're offering, say thank you and WALK AWAY -- they're clueless about today's business.) You need to be able to practice a whole heckuva lot on mic to get good enough to compete, and then you'll need to be able to record and send auditions to your agent. I have one of the top voiceover agents in Chicago (which means in the Midwest), and I do 90% of my auditions from where I'm sitting at this moment, sometimes in my bathrobe (TMI). Home recording is NOT that difficult. When we meet, I tell you what you need to buy to start recording at home. A recent client got everything he needed for under $300, not including the computer, of course. If you don't have a home computer and can only read this at work, a friend's house or the library, please go here instead, because the rest of us live in the 21st century. Everyone should have a home computer. For people in the voiceover business, it's essential.
How do I pay for the Voiceover Exploration?
Payment for the VO Exploration can be made with cash, check or Chase QuickPay or by credit card with an extra five bucks to cover their fees.
Who in the heck are you?
My name is Darren Stephens. I'm a voiceover talent, actor, singer and coach. I've been a voice talent in the Chicago market for more than fifteen years. I'm represented by Grossman & Jack Talent in Chicago. You've heard my voice on hundreds of radio and television commercials, including NATIONAL television and NATIONAL radio spots (ask other VO coaches about their national spots -- and how recently they were done). My voiceover web site is here: www.darrensvoice.com. I make my living doing all kinds of different voice work, including narration, e-learning, phone systems and more. I also occasionally do audiobooks, and have a dedicated site for that as well.
Why are your demos less expensive that other people?
Because I do everything and don't have to pay anyone else for the recording, editing and mixing.
Why are your demos so expensive?
Because I do everything: find the copy, coach you and record you. I work out of a professional-quality project studio in my home. Once you and I have done the initial recording, I painstakingly choose the best takes and pieces of takes, remove breaths, clicks, pops and noise and adjust timings for maximum dramatic or comic effect. I find production (and pay for) the perfect music beds, background ambience and sound effects, making these demos the equal of those costing a huge [expletive-deleted]-load more money.
Well, I've got a home studio. Why don't I do my own?
Yeah, why don't you, smart guy? Because you can't listen to yourself and be critical. And you haven't done this enough to know what to listen for anyway. Oh, and where are you going to get good commercial copy that's perfect for your voice, adapted or written by someone who knows what they're doing, someone who has sold himself and others for years? And most of all? Because agents and other talent buyers can hear in nine seconds when a demo is a self-produced piece of junk from someone with no experience. [Toss, toss. Delete, delete. Next...]
But shouldn’t I pay twice or four times as much as what you’re charging? More expensive is better, right?
Sadly… no. Unfortunately, in this business, there are people who have created what I’ll call “voiceover mills.” One of the reasons I was inspired to create my own voiceover demo business was because some of these people charge what I think are stupefyingly high prices for demos.
You CAN ask them what they charge you, a beginner, just getting into this, for a demo... Go ahead, ask them right away what your TOTAL COST will be! Good luck getting an answer. That’s because once you sign up, the price goes up and up and up, class after additional class, extra upon extra upon extra. I’ve heard $4,000 for a voiceover demo! Holy crap! You can thank them for the fact that I only charge one price for a standard commercial voiceover demo, and tell you exactly what it is. (There's a site out there that actually mentions my price... like how DARE I actually tell you what I charge without trying to sell you a zillion lessons or graphic design or a web site or freakin' LUNCH on your recording day! They're the people you REALLY need to ask that "What's my total cost?" question.)
That having been said, there are very expensive demo producers in the U.S. who charge three thousand and up for a demo and (mostly) deserve to. They cater to high-end VO talent who have been in the business for years, people who make six figures year in and year out, and can afford to pay top dollar. I also have friends who charge about twice my price for voiceover demos, and I think they're good at what they do. I have respect for them, I just think you can get what you need (for less) from me. Especially if you're new to the business.
Voiceover IS a business. There should be a cost/benefit ratio. As a voice talent, I net about $250 for a local radio commercial. As a beginner, you’ll make around that for a non-union spot, IF you get the work. This is a tough game, and to start, you may not make that in a month or more. How long do you work before you recoup your $3,000 investment?
Do you include music and sound effects on the demo? That was probably a dumb question.
There are no dumb questions! Yes, for your finished demo, I provide any backing tracks required for the completed demo. The Voiceover Exploration session is just your voice, recorded doing generic copy for assessment and practice purposes only.
A cheerful woman had a very good question for me: I was wondering -- do voiceover demos in Chicago run 1 or 2 minutes usually?? THANKS!
The standard commercial voiceover demo is coming in these days at around a minute, from what I've heard from top voiceover agents in Chicago. There are a few demos (not many) out there that are running longer, in the minute-thirty range, and some (quite a few) which are running shorter, but that's the sweet spot.
Awww... Do I really need a home recording studio?
YES. (If anyone says you don't, or if discussion of a home studio is NOT a part of what they're offering, say thank you and WALK AWAY -- they're clueless about today's business.) You need to be able to practice a whole heckuva lot on mic to get good enough to compete, and then you'll need to be able to record and send auditions to your agent. I have one of the top voiceover agents in Chicago (which means in the Midwest), and I do 90% of my auditions from where I'm sitting at this moment, sometimes in my bathrobe (TMI). Home recording is NOT that difficult. When we meet, I tell you what you need to buy to start recording at home. A recent client got everything he needed for under $300, not including the computer, of course. If you don't have a home computer and can only read this at work, a friend's house or the library, please go here instead, because the rest of us live in the 21st century. Everyone should have a home computer. For people in the voiceover business, it's essential.
How do I pay for the Voiceover Exploration?
Payment for the VO Exploration can be made with cash, check or Chase QuickPay or by credit card with an extra five bucks to cover their fees.
Can I hire you right now to produce my demo? Like, RIGHT now?!
I'm an actor in town and want to add voiceover to my list of talents. I've done a lot of acting, but have never been behind a microphone. So I'm now ready to record a demo.
- OR -
I did some voiceover work a long time ago, but haven't done a bit of it since. I think I know what I'm doing, but I'm not exactly sure. Let me pay you to do my demo anyway.
- OR -
I saw this thing about doing voiceover. I have a great voice. I want to record a demo with you tomorrow. Or right now. Is right now good for you? Where do you live? I'm coming over NOW to record my very first voiceover demo!
Whoa, whoa, WHOA! I would never recommend that someone record a voiceover demo without 1) finding out if they have the skills and drive necessary to pursue the business and 2) making sure they've received training and guidance. If you're brand new to the voiceover business, I would recommend you come in for the Voiceover Exploration. Through that you'll learn absolutely everything possible about this challenging business and your place in it. Find out all the details of the Voiceover Exploration here. And as I've said elsewhere, if you're brand-new to the VO biz and someone is all-fired READY to make a demo for you based only on a few hours conversation or a short assessment, you really need to say, "Um, I forgot something in my car..." and RUN away before they take away your hard-earned money for no good reason.
I wanted to get that information out there. Okay. Now here are some other actual exchanges I've had with people...
************
Venturing to the far-flung wilds of Ukrainian Village, Chicago, USA
Sadly I mapped the Ukrainian village (from your site). To see how far away you are, it’s actually quite a drive away. Do you have any other recommendations for people closer to me? I’m about 20-45 minutes north of Chicago. You were the only person I found on my first few searches.
It's up to you who (whom? I think it's whom) you choose for training, of course. But I can let you know that people have come from far suburbs and as far away as Indiana and Springfield, Illinois to take the Voiceover Exploration. I have had people who knew they were going to be in Chicago on business or for a wedding who made plans to arrange a Voiceover Exploration while they were in the area.
There are other terrific people and places for voiceover training, most of whom I already mention on a page of this web site. Most people who offer voiceover coaching do so through multiple classes over a period of weeks. The Voiceover Exploration is one intensive one-on-one two-hour workshop. We all must balance convenience and cost when making decisions, but I have to say, if you're looking into voiceover training, the fine people at Voiceover Studio Chicago (that's just me, actually) have one of the best deals to be found anywhere.
************
[After taking the Voiceover Exploration] I certainly understand there are no guarantees... and I'm good with that. Just wanted to make sure I got your honest and completely forthright assessment!
Are you the best person I've ever heard with the best chance to rake in the dough? No. Do you have amazing pipes, and would it be a good idea to have an audio calling card you could email or give to people to sell your skill? Yes. But no, there are no guarantees. If money is super-tight for you right now and you'd be eating boxed mac 'n' cheese for two months, I'd say don't do it right now. (Though I like Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese. Try mixing it with tuna.) If you have some money to invest in yourself, and you'll regret hearing another ten people tell you that you have a great voice without being able to give them a demo, then I'd say go for it.
With going ahead and committing to a demo, does it make any sense to combine a little of the generic commercial copy with something a little more charactery and/or narrative? Or if I want to do some of the latter two styles, would I need a separate demo for each?
If you're selling your ability to do truly amazing character voices, we may add one or two character snippets to your minute, minute-fifteen commercial demo. (Keep in mind all the individual pieces for your demo will be fairly short.) But if you want to pursue the other types of work, you'll need the other demos. I charge different prices for different demos. Email me directly if you want details. If I can charge less than $850, I will.
************
I consider myself a singer/actor and my plan once I graduate is to pursue a career in stage acting in Chicago. I also want to be open to anything my training might have indirectly prepared me for. Is it possible to pursue a career in stage acting and voice-overs simultaneously?
It's very possible to pursue a career in stage acting and voiceover simultaneously. If you end up being successful in both fields, you can schedule your VO auditions around your stage work, and even send auditions from the home recording set-up you'll need.
***********
This gentleman had an interesting question, one that doesn't come up a lot. How do you get back into the business if you've had some experience?
My daughter has had previous voiceover experience (several years ago). She is a
SAG/AFTRA member (currently she has her membership on hold, as she is now a
college student).
She has expresssed an interest in getting back into voiceovers.
What can you suggest?
Ed
Hello Ed,
There are a few ways to proceed.
If she's not sure where she is skills-wise, I think it would be valuable for her to take my Voiceover Exploration session. I have information about that on my web site, here.
If she's super-confident in her skills, she can email me three to five recordings of commercial copy in mp3 format. Those would be recorded with the recording set-up every voiceover performer needs today to practice, audition and work. (It's actually a pretty simple matter to set up. She can let me know if she needs advice on this.) If I think she's ready to go, based on these recordings (I might ask for more) then we would set up an appointment to record a one-minute commercial voiceover demo. (I don't charge for the assessment.)
If she has a fairly current demo and can record auditions, or sounds enough like her old demo, she should contact an agent and start auditioning. Chicago agents can be found here. [NOTE TO EVERYONE! Do NOT contact a talent agent for any reason unless you are absolutely ready to do so! There's no better way to NOT get work than to send to or harrass an agent when you're unskilled and clueless! You will become an office joke -- hey, they're human, and like to laugh! -- and will get nowhere.]
If she has a decent demo and a recording set-up, she can do a Google search for the various voiceover casting sites. For these so-called "pay-to-play" sites you may pay a yearly fee, and/or you will pay them a percentage commission if you get work.
***********
Kids in Voiceover?
How does a child get into the voiceover business? I have a 9-year-old niece who's got the cutest voice.
There's not a TON of work for kids, but there is definitely some work.
I recently had a nine-year-old in to do the Voiceover Exploration, with copy tailored specifically to a young girl. But this girl had experience performing in shows at school and in on-camera parts on commercials, and I believe had done some modeling. Does your niece have any experience at all, even in school plays? Is she a very, very good reader? Is her mother computer savvy (for her to audition from home) or does her mother have plenty of time to change her schedule at a moment's notice for an audition or a job?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, I'd urge your niece and an accompanying adult to come in for the Voiceover Exploration, to do a further assessment of whether she should pursue voiceover. If the answer was no to some or all of these questions, I'd urge her to spend her time elsewhere, or wait a few years.
Teens in Voiceover?
I've conducted the Voiceover Exploration for teenage young people as well. I've generally been impressed at the level of skill involved. (If a parent has gone through the trouble of finding coaching and then bringing them in, their son or daughter probably has some genuine ability.) One of the things I really enjoy about working with this age group is that I get to impart some valuable ancillary information... There are points of intersection between voiceover and voice and presentation coaching. If a young person comes in for voiceover coaching, I like give a some information about how to use their voice and gestures in speeches and presentations as well.
- OR -
I did some voiceover work a long time ago, but haven't done a bit of it since. I think I know what I'm doing, but I'm not exactly sure. Let me pay you to do my demo anyway.
- OR -
I saw this thing about doing voiceover. I have a great voice. I want to record a demo with you tomorrow. Or right now. Is right now good for you? Where do you live? I'm coming over NOW to record my very first voiceover demo!
Whoa, whoa, WHOA! I would never recommend that someone record a voiceover demo without 1) finding out if they have the skills and drive necessary to pursue the business and 2) making sure they've received training and guidance. If you're brand new to the voiceover business, I would recommend you come in for the Voiceover Exploration. Through that you'll learn absolutely everything possible about this challenging business and your place in it. Find out all the details of the Voiceover Exploration here. And as I've said elsewhere, if you're brand-new to the VO biz and someone is all-fired READY to make a demo for you based only on a few hours conversation or a short assessment, you really need to say, "Um, I forgot something in my car..." and RUN away before they take away your hard-earned money for no good reason.
I wanted to get that information out there. Okay. Now here are some other actual exchanges I've had with people...
************
Venturing to the far-flung wilds of Ukrainian Village, Chicago, USA
Sadly I mapped the Ukrainian village (from your site). To see how far away you are, it’s actually quite a drive away. Do you have any other recommendations for people closer to me? I’m about 20-45 minutes north of Chicago. You were the only person I found on my first few searches.
It's up to you who (whom? I think it's whom) you choose for training, of course. But I can let you know that people have come from far suburbs and as far away as Indiana and Springfield, Illinois to take the Voiceover Exploration. I have had people who knew they were going to be in Chicago on business or for a wedding who made plans to arrange a Voiceover Exploration while they were in the area.
There are other terrific people and places for voiceover training, most of whom I already mention on a page of this web site. Most people who offer voiceover coaching do so through multiple classes over a period of weeks. The Voiceover Exploration is one intensive one-on-one two-hour workshop. We all must balance convenience and cost when making decisions, but I have to say, if you're looking into voiceover training, the fine people at Voiceover Studio Chicago (that's just me, actually) have one of the best deals to be found anywhere.
************
[After taking the Voiceover Exploration] I certainly understand there are no guarantees... and I'm good with that. Just wanted to make sure I got your honest and completely forthright assessment!
Are you the best person I've ever heard with the best chance to rake in the dough? No. Do you have amazing pipes, and would it be a good idea to have an audio calling card you could email or give to people to sell your skill? Yes. But no, there are no guarantees. If money is super-tight for you right now and you'd be eating boxed mac 'n' cheese for two months, I'd say don't do it right now. (Though I like Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese. Try mixing it with tuna.) If you have some money to invest in yourself, and you'll regret hearing another ten people tell you that you have a great voice without being able to give them a demo, then I'd say go for it.
With going ahead and committing to a demo, does it make any sense to combine a little of the generic commercial copy with something a little more charactery and/or narrative? Or if I want to do some of the latter two styles, would I need a separate demo for each?
If you're selling your ability to do truly amazing character voices, we may add one or two character snippets to your minute, minute-fifteen commercial demo. (Keep in mind all the individual pieces for your demo will be fairly short.) But if you want to pursue the other types of work, you'll need the other demos. I charge different prices for different demos. Email me directly if you want details. If I can charge less than $850, I will.
************
I consider myself a singer/actor and my plan once I graduate is to pursue a career in stage acting in Chicago. I also want to be open to anything my training might have indirectly prepared me for. Is it possible to pursue a career in stage acting and voice-overs simultaneously?
It's very possible to pursue a career in stage acting and voiceover simultaneously. If you end up being successful in both fields, you can schedule your VO auditions around your stage work, and even send auditions from the home recording set-up you'll need.
***********
This gentleman had an interesting question, one that doesn't come up a lot. How do you get back into the business if you've had some experience?
My daughter has had previous voiceover experience (several years ago). She is a
SAG/AFTRA member (currently she has her membership on hold, as she is now a
college student).
She has expresssed an interest in getting back into voiceovers.
What can you suggest?
Ed
Hello Ed,
There are a few ways to proceed.
If she's not sure where she is skills-wise, I think it would be valuable for her to take my Voiceover Exploration session. I have information about that on my web site, here.
If she's super-confident in her skills, she can email me three to five recordings of commercial copy in mp3 format. Those would be recorded with the recording set-up every voiceover performer needs today to practice, audition and work. (It's actually a pretty simple matter to set up. She can let me know if she needs advice on this.) If I think she's ready to go, based on these recordings (I might ask for more) then we would set up an appointment to record a one-minute commercial voiceover demo. (I don't charge for the assessment.)
If she has a fairly current demo and can record auditions, or sounds enough like her old demo, she should contact an agent and start auditioning. Chicago agents can be found here. [NOTE TO EVERYONE! Do NOT contact a talent agent for any reason unless you are absolutely ready to do so! There's no better way to NOT get work than to send to or harrass an agent when you're unskilled and clueless! You will become an office joke -- hey, they're human, and like to laugh! -- and will get nowhere.]
If she has a decent demo and a recording set-up, she can do a Google search for the various voiceover casting sites. For these so-called "pay-to-play" sites you may pay a yearly fee, and/or you will pay them a percentage commission if you get work.
***********
Kids in Voiceover?
How does a child get into the voiceover business? I have a 9-year-old niece who's got the cutest voice.
There's not a TON of work for kids, but there is definitely some work.
I recently had a nine-year-old in to do the Voiceover Exploration, with copy tailored specifically to a young girl. But this girl had experience performing in shows at school and in on-camera parts on commercials, and I believe had done some modeling. Does your niece have any experience at all, even in school plays? Is she a very, very good reader? Is her mother computer savvy (for her to audition from home) or does her mother have plenty of time to change her schedule at a moment's notice for an audition or a job?
If the answer to all these questions is yes, I'd urge your niece and an accompanying adult to come in for the Voiceover Exploration, to do a further assessment of whether she should pursue voiceover. If the answer was no to some or all of these questions, I'd urge her to spend her time elsewhere, or wait a few years.
Teens in Voiceover?
I've conducted the Voiceover Exploration for teenage young people as well. I've generally been impressed at the level of skill involved. (If a parent has gone through the trouble of finding coaching and then bringing them in, their son or daughter probably has some genuine ability.) One of the things I really enjoy about working with this age group is that I get to impart some valuable ancillary information... There are points of intersection between voiceover and voice and presentation coaching. If a young person comes in for voiceover coaching, I like give a some information about how to use their voice and gestures in speeches and presentations as well.