There are a sea of voices competing for your job. Many of them good. Many more…well, not so good. Whittling your choices down to a group of voices you think will sound good on your project can be daunting enough. But don’t stop there. Use this checklist and greatly improve your chances of getting the right voice, and a good experience, every time.
1. Even tight budgets don’t have to settle for cheap voices.
Just because you don’t have big bucks for talent doesn’t mean you have to settle. Narrow your search to the voices you like most and get quotes from them first. You may be very pleasantly surprised that you can get a huge market sound on your project without spending any more than you though you would have to for an inexperienced talent. Good talent who only have a few hours a week to dedicate may not have the luxury of fitting your project in but talent who do this as their main job have more flexibility to fill in smaller budget pieces between larger jobs. Unless you want something for next to free, you really CAN find a great voice at a reasonable price.
2. Don’t undervalue delivery.
Many voice talent are fitting projects around another job. If the quote you get from a talent doesn’t include a standard turnaround time you may find you’re working with a talent who doesn’t prioritize their vo work. Be specific about your deadline and a good talent will always meet or exceed your expectations. Few things are more frustrating than having to push back your deadline because your talent would rather be catching a show than catching up on your project.
3. Consider how much time you have to invest.
A solid, experienced talent will understand the feel you want for your project with little direction and will come real close to a bulls eye the first time, even with little input on your end. Less experienced talent may need much more direction, interaction and more retakes to get what you’re thinking in your head. Some clients love to get involved and doing so helps develop the talent as well. Every experienced talent got good by hearing the voices of many greater directors and producers in our ears before we heard them automatically in our heads. But if you’re on a tight deadline or just don’t want to commit on that level you’ll be happier with a more experienced talent.
4. Give the talent what they need to make you happy.
Basic direction, attaching the music you’ll be using (if applicable) and a clear deadline will enable any serious talent to give you the final project you’re looking for. Be available to the talent and allow time for a retake or two to dial in the read if you have a very specific idea of what you want. Direction can be a very subjective thing so a little mercy goes a long way. That’s really all a good talent needs to make you happy….and prompt payment makes the talent happy in return.
Do you have tips you’ve learned to find the best talent for your projects? Are you a talent who’d like to add one to the list? Leave your comments below.