Varied Examples Question
At this time, VB only allows us to claim to be good at two gender/age combinations. Therefore, I've selected middle-aged and young adult female. However I just got an email from VB suggesting I post examples for an older female product video or a teenage girl video game. I can do those and even have samples ready. But I can't choose anything but young adult or middle-aged. So, how do I comply with your request?
Then, I'd love to post some snippets from an audio book I've done with male characters. If I label them as female, the client will think I'm crazy! And if they're looking for a male, they'll never even hear my wonderful (perfect-for-them!!) sample, since it's classified as female.
Then add the mix the limitation on accents. I'm being forced to label my Irish and Australian samples as British. Close, but no cigar.
I'm ok with limiting my profile to a few choices as my very best pigeon-hole, but how about giving me the latitude to label my samples as I like, and let the client decide if I have the sound/accent/age that is needed, based on my samples?
I suppose I could game the system, by changing my profile long enough to upload the samples and then resetting the profile to my pigeon-hole. Is that the preferred method?
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hey Cat!
Restrictions were placed on the languages/genders because so many clients were complaining about all the fake accents and character voices they heard when they were trying to find a legitimate accent. Our clients get rather upset when they hear an imitation of an accent rather than native. They find it insulting. Perhaps we could allow multiple accents, genders, and ages only for the character category? This would avoid upsetting and frustrating clients listening through samples in other categories. What do you think?
Fair enough! But if so, don't send out emails recomending that we add examples outside our profile (like in my case teenager and senior) for non-character types.
Hey Cat,
Thanks for asking. The message's intention is to encourage you to upload samples in those searches that our clients are looking for with no results. I know that the message has 4 different gender/ages and as you said, we allow our talents to set two gender/ages, therefore you should only upload samples in those 2 gender/ages that you set in your preferences.
I'm looking forward to working with you!
Ok. On further reflection, it would good, maybe for character and audiobooks to have a choice of "varied" for age and gender. It wouldn't help a client find a specific age and gender, but it would more accurately classify the piece. For example, I have one sample that is a cat discussing catnip and butterfly addiction. There is really no age or gender intended. And one of my audiobook samples includes a young woman and a foxlike male animal. Another features a buzzard. Another is an old woman and her 20 something son. As it stands, these are classified as young or middle aged women. Lol.
And for the record, it's great working with you, too. You've been very helpful!