Frequently Asked Questions
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, writer and teacher. I'm exclusively represented by Grossman & Jack Talent in Chicago. You've heard my voice on hundreds of radio and television commercials. My voiceover web site is here: www.darrensvoice.com.
Why are you so cheap?
Because I do everything: write the copy, coach you and record you and produce your finished demo. I work out of a good quality project studio in my home.
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. (See above.) 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?
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 one of these people, someone who’s been operating for years, now charges 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 what it is. (There's a site out there that actually mentions my $850 price. They're the people you REALLY need to ask about that 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 business, 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? How sure are you that you’re going to make any money at all? Why not get something that works for you, that is a professional-sounding product, good enough to get you into this business, without breaking the bank?
Awww... Do I really need a home recording studio?
Yes. 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, 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 around $200. This didn't include the computer. 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.
Who in the heck are you?
My name is Darren Stephens. I'm a voiceover talent, actor, writer and teacher. I'm exclusively represented by Grossman & Jack Talent in Chicago. You've heard my voice on hundreds of radio and television commercials. My voiceover web site is here: www.darrensvoice.com.
Why are you so cheap?
Because I do everything: write the copy, coach you and record you and produce your finished demo. I work out of a good quality project studio in my home.
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. (See above.) 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?
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 one of these people, someone who’s been operating for years, now charges 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 what it is. (There's a site out there that actually mentions my $850 price. They're the people you REALLY need to ask about that 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 business, 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? How sure are you that you’re going to make any money at all? Why not get something that works for you, that is a professional-sounding product, good enough to get you into this business, without breaking the bank?
Awww... Do I really need a home recording studio?
Yes. 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, 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 around $200. This didn't include the computer. 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.
