Responses from my evaluation sessions throughout the years have been all over the map.
The purpose of the evaluation, of course, is to determine how much or how little potential an aspiring candidate may have for pursuing a career in voice over performance. Above all, I don’t want to pull someone into my program who doesn’t have the basic talent, knowledge of the English language, and ability to absorb the training regimen.
For those I turn down for training, I have gotten reactions that range from extreme gratitude for leveling with them about their abilities, to anger and hostility for my lack of awareness of their perceived potential. To the latter, I simply tell them that my findings are an expression of my own professional opinion, and that they are welcome to seek a second opinion elsewhere.
I see websites all the time that offer evaluations as part of a free or ridiculously inexpensive intro class. My evaluation sessions are two hours long, one-on-one, with a very broad look at how you act out the script, how authentic you are to the listener, and the extent of your language comprehension. I look at almost forty different parameters of your script delivery. And yes, I charge a fee for this. Do you really think that the giveaway sessions will give you the in-depth information you need to know about your basic talent and ability before you invest thousands in a training program and demos?
There are legions of people out there who want to pursue a voice over career. Unfortunately, few of them truly qualify. That is the reality of this business. By my estimate, a very low percentage of the people going after the work in the marketplace have the requisite ability and are properly trained. If you are one of these, you will probably have a fulfilling and richly remunerative career ahead of you, assuming you don’t let inevitable setbacks discourage you.
