No my number isn't 867-5309, it's an 80's song reference.
We all have to start with that very first break. Someone takes a chance on us. We build our first relationship with a production company, we book our very first client, or that agency we've been really hoping to sign with says Y-E-S. It starts with one. One gets you going. One fuels the fire to get you to two and so on. It’s a domino effect really - and it’s awesome.
After working hard and studying voice over for a couple of years, anxiously, I decided to take my shiny, new demo “tape” with my fancy font phone number on the side around to local producers. I jumped into my beetle and set out on a scary, exciting adventure. Keep in mind this is about 11 years ago, and my strategy was to make a genuine connection with all of the local production companies in Las Vegas where I lived.
Well, someone said yes. John McClain, the now owner of Dog and Pony Show Studios in Las Vegas called me on this thing called a telephone - the kind with a cord. He must have liked the fancy font I put so much thought into and asked me to come in for a live audition. The studio where he worked at the time was considering new talent for their roster, and liked what he heard on my demo. So, he had me read a variety of scripts, many different styles, moods, and attitudes. I was so nervous I thought he could hear my heart beating through the mic. He was so nice and laid back, and threw a lot of different direction at me to see how well I took it. He said, ”Well, you've got quite a range there. Nice job. I'll put a good word in for you. We’ll give you a call.” Gulp.
He called again. I was added to their roster. It was my first Y-E-S. My game-changer. It’s now more than a decade later, and at this point, thankfully and humbly, I have booked thousands of spots. And to think it all started with one. You know the coolest part? I still regularly work with John after all these years, and I don’t know if I've ever told him this story. So, thanks, John for taking a chance on this nervous, hopeful girl who wanted to make a career voicing. And to all of you voice over hopefuls out there: work hard, be prepared, get your mp3 file polished up and set out for your first Y-E-S. Someone is going to take a chance on you.
