How would I go about getting a mentor &/or sponsor to get into the local Voice-over industry, in Northen VA?

Question

I am legally disabled due to an auto accident I was in about 10 years ago and was not at fault. It's hard for most people to tell that I'm permanently disabled and my voice was NOT affected. I'm an excellent voice-over artist, if I may say so, and have been told by Emmy and Grammy award winning teachers; but they also are looking for money to get the demos done and put out there. However, I do not have the money to get into the industry and need a mentor and/or a sponsor who would be willing to bank ON ME and may even own a nearby studio where they would allow me to get on my feet, per say, in the Northern VA area (Fairfax County, VA, to be more specific). I'd even be willing to pay them back in the future. I'm a very good mimic, am creative for, say, animation, and have a great narrative voice. I've been "studying" and practicing for some 20 yrs and had quite a lot of time when I "was" bed ridden. I can get around, am willing to start in the hundreds/month and am easy to work with.

Answer 1

Hi:

J.J. is misinformed. There are thousands of voice-over talents all across the country. Yes, most of the commercials heard on network TV are voiced by big-time talents in New York or LA, but not all. There's a lot of voice work out there besides network commercials. Local radio and TV, on-hold messaging, corporate narrations, e-books, etc. The biggest boon to voice talents has been the advent of computer-based home studios. If you have a decent newer computer, all you really need is a microphone, some sort of audio interface to get your voice into the computer, and audio editing software. And you need a quiet, dead space to record yourself. You DO NOT have to be in a union to be a voice talent. Unions are only really benificial in major markets. Unions require you to charge a minimum amount for voice work, and it's an amount that companies in smaller markets are often not willing to pay. You're barking up the wrong tree if you expect someone to "bank on you" and give you free studio time. You should investigate voice123.com, interactivevoices.com, commercialvoices.com, ultimatevoicedirectory.com and guru.com. All of these companies will list you and your profile for free. Most will post your demo. And for a fee, most will provide you with job leads (guru.com provides a few free leads each month). If you really are good, invest in the equipment (save money--buy used via E-Bay) and get to work on your demo. I'll be happy to critique it when you're done. Let me know if you have any questions.

Answer 2

Many voiceover artists are, or, were professional broadcasters.

Voiceovers that you hear on tv and/or radio, are done by the same, handful of voiceover talent.

If you do not have the money for demo tapes, to get into the industry, there is not much you can do.

Are you aware that as voiceover talent, you have to join the union AFTRA? I don't know the cost, but it is over One Thousand Dollars! How do you plan to handle that?

You cannot work as voiceover talent untill you join!

Answer 3

speak with someone from your local Tv or radio station their should be able to help.