The Ones That Got Away

Sometimes, you think back to the ones that got away.

A career in voice-over is largely made up of modest jobs stitched together to create an income. Sometimes they’re worth a hundred dollars, sometimes more. Sometimes you get a bigger one or one that’s got some prestige. Somehow, if you put in the effort and you’re lucky, it all adds up to a living.

Much of our work consists of auditioning. I’m not certain of my audition-to-job ratio – I’m too busy working and sourcing work to calculate it. But a 5% or 6% hire rate would be excellent. To break it down, that means getting 5 or 6 jobs out of every 100 auditions. Some do better, many do worse. There are lots of factors involved. As you can see, that’s a lot of auditioning where nothing comes of it.

The Bigger Time

A few years ago, I was invited by a producer to audition to co-narrate a project with Donald Sutherland. This came out of the blue. The producer had heard my work and contacted me directly. Mr. Sutherland had already recorded his parts. All I needed to do was match his style and pace. I tried!

I didn’t get that job and I have no idea how many other people were considered. Maybe lots. Maybe one. But it was pretty cool to get the opportunity even though it didn’t work out.

Projects with celebrities don’t necessarily pay a lot. The big name tends to take all the budget! Derek was chosen to narrate a major documentary. Weeks later, the producer said sorry, we are going with actor Peter Coyote. If you’re going to lose a job, you may as well lose it to a big name.

A couple of years ago, I was asked to audition for a male/female project where the male was John Lithgow. The project was a museum tour. Again, I had his recording as my guide and again, I didn’t get the job. But it was an exciting few days before I found out for sure.

I’ve had success imitating the styles of a couple of big stars, though. Not impersonating them, but speaking in my voice with their mannerisms. Allison Janney is one that clients love. Sigourney Weaver is another. I’ve also tried out for jobs where Morgan Freeman is the example for women. No success there.

Variety is the Spice of VO

I get to do a lot of cool things, though. Last year, I gave voice to a dog owned by a legendary art collector. The dog served as a museum guide for children via an app. I was in a beverage commercial where all I did was swallow and say Ahhhh. I’m also playing a monkey for an upcoming project. And I’m voicing a new kids’ learning app, and guiding visitors around another museum about the US Civil War. For that one, I’m working with a truly legendary Canadian voice actor: Derek Botten! Yes, my husband. We have also voiced an audiobook and some commercials together over the years.

Sure, the big name associations would have been fun. My goodness, imagine always getting to say that my voice was paired with the (now late) icon Donald Sutherland? But you really can’t win them all. In fact, you lose about 95% of the time. And that’s what makes you keep trying. That, and the electricity bill and a fondness for eating on a regular basis.