Recently, I got an email with this subject: I was removed from my agent’s VO roster after 10 years!
In the body of her email, she went on to say – ,
I think my main problem is knowing I suck at engineering, and that’s what a lot of clients want now, a VO artist and sound engineer. I love just the VO part of it, but really get frustrated with the engineering part.
I asked her if I could share her email because I thought it would be helpful and maybe relatable to you. What do you do in this situation? How do you prevent it from happening?
First of all, for some the technical/engineering aspect of VO is the toughest part. I get it. I’m not the most technical person (that’s more Mike). I knew how to use Adobe Audition because of my radio background but it wasn’t until I took Larry Hudson’s Audition class years ago that the pieces started coming together. He explained it so well and I finished feeling so capable.
Before we get into more of what to do if you’re dropped from an agent, if the technical aspect is something you struggle with, take one of Larry’s Audacity or Adobe Audition classes (or Adam’s ProTools if you really want to dig deep) and set up a time with Dan Friedman for a virtual home studio consult.
Now, if you find yourself being dropped by an agent, do not stress. Here’s what you need to do –
1| RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR A REASON
If your agent didn’t give you a reason for releasing you from the roster, reach back out. Thank them for the time and opportunities. Politely ask if there was a specific reason so you can work on it and grow.
They may not give you a reason. And that’s okay.
2| USE ABDUCTIVE REASONING
If your agent didn’t give a reason or gave a very vague one, use abductive reasoning to determine ways in which you can grow/add value to an agent roster.
Abductive Reasoning: seeks the most likely conclusion from a set of observations
This may help get you started. Stacy Stahl, founder of In Both Ears agency in Portland, Oregon, shared what questions she asks when deciding if they should keep a talent.
+ are they booking and how long has it been since their last session?
+ are they passing on opportunities more than they are auditioning?
+ are they showing up as excellent in their auditions?
+ what are they doing to stay excellent? Coaching, etc.
I’d add that these days, it may also be the sound of your auditions. How is your home studio?
3| CREATE ACTION PLAN
Based on what your agent said and/or your conclusion, set up an action plan to work on those things.
Maybe you set up a private coaching session. Have a coach listen to some of your recent auditions. Has life got in the way of being able to audition? It happens. See if you can carve out space to be available for opportunities. If you can’t, maybe you take a break from VO. You can always come back.
What you SHOULDN’T do is get discouraged, give up or think that you suck. Remember, being on with an agency is a partnership. Not all partnerships are going to work and that is not your cue to throw in the towel. Use it as motivation to work on certain areas of your business OR a sign that you may need to pause.
If it makes you feel better, here are some really sucky times I’ve been rejected…
- I booked a VO job and as soon as we started the session, the creative director goes “Oh no, no, no.” They recast me. Something happened in communication or something. I was not his choice and he let me know it.
- I got confirmation that I booked a GA Lottery commercial (on-camera).. A day later, Mike got confirmation that he booked it too! We were going to play husband and wife. We went to the fitting. They loved my clothes, so I left it there. It was supposed to shoot the next day. I got a call that night after my fitting that I was released. They recast my part of Mike’s wife with a female that was 25 years younger than Mike.
- I can’t even count how many times I’ve been on hold for a big project to be released.
It can feel so brutal when things like this happen. Keep moving forward!