Production Department Casting

[chadd]

I realize there are plenty of really talented voice actors roaming this board, and I am humbled by your work.

At one point I connected with a great situation which allowed me to become a regular go-to for a local radio commercial producer. I was surprised by the opportunity, as it seems like "farming out" voice isn't an expense that a lot of departments are ready to allow.

Are there others out there who do this? Cheap and easy, quick turnaround situations-- not to come off as an advertisement for me... Just wondering if you guys know if this is worth checking around for.

Laters,

Chadd

 

[hungryhawk]

Hey Chadd. Congrats on your success as a VO talent. After reading your post I need to first warn you about marketing yourself as a cheaper, faster alternative. In this realm of radio prod it is a well known fact that (Time Spent) x (Money Spent) = PRODUCT QUALITY. If you say you are fast and cheap is is assumed that your quality points will be lacking. And yes, you are right, not many stations are able to farm out voice talent for local spots, but it never hurts to get your name out there.

Good luck to you

 

[VODood]

IMO, with stations still cutting do to budgets, eventually the in-house prod only directors will go as well. I see more and more stations, outside the Top 75, eventually farming out a good bit of their local production.

 

[chadd]

(Time Spent) x (Money Spent) = PRODUCT QUALITY. If you say you are fast and cheap is is assumed that your quality points will be lacking.

Hungryhawk:

I COMPLETELY appreciate this statement, and should consider rephrasing my remark. It's important to adjust words to meet with the marketing target's expectations-- in this situation it's a split between you, the reader, and the prod person lurking and seeking.

Since anyone in the position of paying outside talent has little to spend anyway, it's important to let them know right away you are a viable option by using those "I know what to expect" words of their language. In speaking to any sociological subset it's vital to see the world through the eyes of the target, in this case a group of overworked and undervalued solution-seekers, possibly willing to bring stategic choices to management as proof of resource-stretching ability. After all, employee added value in this limited environment usually comes in the form of cost-prevention without consumer perception being negatively affected. With fewer employees to gather round the mic at commercial time, my choosing words that hit those nerves of a stressed department are merely an outreaching of mutual understanding-- a hook to my listener. It's to say, "Just consider this 'cheap and easy' solution, and-- if you're interested-- THEN we can talk about just how cheap."

No?


VODood,

I disagree and believe regional consolidation of production departments within companies is probably the farthest we'll see things go this down-swing. This, imho, of course.

 

[hungryhawk]

Well put chadd. "Cheap" and "inexpensive" are often used synonymously but not always so true. I wish you the best of luck and encourage anyone getting into this field to consider marketing themselves competitively so as to keep market rates high. Once again I am impressed by the strong sense of commitment and integrity that the users of this board put forth.

Radio Prod lives on!

 

[VODood]

(Time Spent) x (Money Spent) = PRODUCT QUALITY. If you say you are fast and cheap is is assumed that your quality points will be lacking.

Hungryhawk:

I COMPLETELY appreciate this statement, and should consider rephrasing my remark. It's important to adjust words to meet with the marketing target's expectations-- in this situation it's a split between you, the reader, and the prod person lurking and seeking.

Since anyone in the position of paying outside talent has little to spend anyway, it's important to let them know right away you are a viable option by using those "I know what to expect" words of their language. In speaking to any sociological subset it's vital to see the world through the eyes of the target, in this case a group of overworked and undervalued solution-seekers, possibly willing to bring stategic choices to management as proof of resource-stretching ability. After all, employee added value in this limited environment usually comes in the form of cost-prevention without consumer perception being negatively affected. With fewer employees to gather round the mic at commercial time, my choosing words that hit those nerves of a stressed department are merely an outreaching of mutual understanding-- a hook to my listener. It's to say, "Just consider this 'cheap and easy' solution, and-- if you're interested-- THEN we can talk about just how cheap."

No?


VODood,

I disagree and believe regional consolidation of production departments within companies is probably the farthest we'll see things go this down-swing. This, imho, of course.

I've come across a few clusters that do not have a dedicated production director.... markets 125 plus. Rare... but I've come across a few. There will be a growing market. It'll be minimal...but there will be a market.