Melanie Thomas, manager with ACM, posted an article on LinkedIn and it’s a question we get a lot.
How can you get a booked VO spot? Can you ask for a copy of the spot?
I asked Melanie if I could share what she wrote with you and she said, “Absolutely.” Here’s her advice…
As a VO talent manager at ACM, I’ve seen this question come up again and again: “Can I ask the producer for a copy of my spot?”
And while I get the instinct—trust me, I do—here’s the truth from the other side of the curtain:
Asking a producer directly for a copy of your spot—especially before it airs—can create friction, risk relationships, and flag you as someone who doesn’t understand the production ecosystem.
This article breaks down why, and what to do instead.
1. It’s Not Theirs to Give
That final, polished commercial belongs to the client—not the producer, not the audio engineer, and not you. Even if they love you, producers are often legally restricted from sharing the final spot. Asking puts them in an uncomfortable position and can erode trust.
2. It’s Not Just About Experience—It’s About Awareness
Let’s be clear: wanting a copy of your work doesn’t make you green. But asking for it:
- Before it airs
- From the wrong person
- Repeatedly
- Or with an assumption of entitlement can signal a lack of industry awareness.
Seasoned pros tend to know the chain of command, and they route requests through the proper channels. They understand that being easy to work with includes knowing when not to ask.
3. Confidentiality Still Applies (Even After the Session)
Many campaigns are under NDA—sometimes indefinitely. Some spots never air. Some are embargoed. Others get reworked or killed altogether. If you request or share something that hasn’t been publicly released, you could breach your NDA and damage the client relationship. And yes, that damage often rolls downhill.
4. You Might Not Be in the Final Version
Even if you nailed your session, your work might not be what ends up in the final cut. The script might have changed. A new take might have replaced yours. Another VO might have been swapped in at the last minute. Asking for the “final” version assumes it’s still you in the spot—and puts the producer in the awkward position of having to tell you it isn’t.
5. There Are Better Ways to Get It (Without Burning Bridges)
You don’t need to cold-email a producer to get your spot. Here’s a smarter, more strategic path that keeps relationships intact and shows you understand how the business works:
✅ Wait Until It Airs
This is the golden rule: if the spot hasn’t aired, it’s not yours to request. Even if you recorded it months ago. Even if the session was amazing. If it hasn’t gone public, don’t go asking for it.
🔍 Do Your Own Recon
Once you think it’s live, start digging:
- YouTube and iSpot.tv often host national TV commercials.
- Search the brand’s socials—Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and even LinkedIn.
- Google it using smart search terms: “ commercial ”
- AdsoftheWorld.com and Little Black Book often feature creative campaigns from agencies.
💼 Ask Through Your Agent or Manager
This is the cleanest, most professional route. If the spot has aired and you’ve exhausted your search, ask your rep to reach out:
“Hi there! Just checking to see if the final version of is available online? Totally understand if not—just thought we’d ask. Thanks so much!”
This puts no pressure on the producer, keeps you out of the mix, and signals that you’re talent who respects the process.
✉️ What If You’re Not Represented?
If you booked the job directly—say through a pay-to-play platform, referral, or your own outreach—and you’re unrepresented, you can still ask professionally. The key? Tone, timing, and clarity.
Once you know the spot is publicly airing, you can send a short, respectful message like:
“Hi , I saw the spot just aired—congrats on the launch! Would it be possible to get a link to the final version for my private portfolio? Totally understand if not, and no worries either way. Thanks again for the opportunity!”
Why this works:
- You’re confirming it’s aired (public = safe).
- You’re framing it as a portfolio request, not a demand.
- You’re giving them an easy out.
- You’re keeping it light and professional, not transactional or entitled.
Avoid: ❌ Asking before the spot is public ❌ Requesting the actual file (always ask for a link) ❌ Following up repeatedly if they don’t respond
Remember: when you’re your own rep, your email tone is your reputation. Keep it clean and courteous.
📅 Use Common-Sense Timing
If it’s a seasonal campaign (holiday, Super Bowl, summer sale, etc.), keep an eye out around those natural release windows. Most brand campaigns sync with retail calendars or product drops.
👀 Monitor Fellow Cast Posts
If you’re part of a cast and another actor posts the spot, that’s your green light. The minute it’s shared publicly by someone else involved, it’s fair game to find and archive it yourself.
6. Your Job Is to Serve the Spot, Not Own It
You’re there to serve the creative vision, not to claim a deliverable. The more you treat your role as a professional collaborator—not a content collector—the more trust you build with studios, clients, and reps alike. Your future bookings depend on that.
Bonus: What About Video Game Roles?
The same rules apply—and then some. Video game NDAs can be some of the most restrictive in entertainment. You may not be allowed to speak publicly about your role for months (or even years), even if your voice is in the trailer.
Best practice? Let the studio or your rep confirm when you’re cleared to post. Never assume it’s safe just because the game is out. These timelines are complex, and one premature announcement can cost you future work.
🎯 Pro Tip: How to Know When Your Spot Might Air
Want to keep an eye out for your work? Here are a few professional ways to get a heads-up:
- Ask (tactfully) during the session: “Do you know when this is expected to air?”
- Have your rep follow up post-session.
- Monitor brand channels and campaign cycles—launch dates, holidays, etc.
- Set Google Alerts for the product name + brand.
- Track your co-stars—if someone else posts it, odds are it’s safe for you to look too.
⚠️ Just Because It Aired Doesn’t Mean You Can Post It
One last—and critical—note:
Not all spots are cleared for use on your website or social media. Even if they aired. Even if you voiced it. Even if you found it online.
Some categories are especially sensitive and often not approved for portfolio use, including:
- Pharmaceutical commercials (due to FDA regulations and legal disclaimers)
- Financial services (banking, insurance, crypto, etc.)
- Healthcare & hospital systems
- Government or political content
- Internal/corporate narration or explainer work (usually never for public use)
- Spots that use union waivers or special provisions
If you’re unsure, ask your rep before posting—or err on the side of caution. What you can privately share with a casting director or agent is different from what you can publicly post on your website or Instagram. And misuse—especially in regulated industries—can reflect poorly on you and jeopardize future bookings.
TL;DR
Wanting your spot isn’t unprofessional. But asking for it the wrong way, at the wrong time, or from the wrong person can be. Use your head. Use your rep. And trust that if the work was great, it’ll find its way back to you—no awkward emails required.
Thanks so much, Melanie, for sharing! Follow Melanie on LinkedIn for more great advice.
