subject: How To Handle A Voice Over Gig You Don't Fancy Wanting To Be Associated With [print this page] If you are a new voice over talent just beginning to navigate auditions and client relationships, you might not have had this experience yet. But trust us, you will!
It will happen to you that you'll get a call from a repeat client to come into the studio and voice a script really quickly. You will assume that you're going to voice something along the same lines as a previous project, whether you normally do narrations or commercials for them. You walk into the studio with those expectations only to be handed a script about something different entirely -- something you may not feel right about voicing because of your personal views or morals.
What should you do when you are asked to voice something that disagrees with your moral judgment?
Having a prepared response for these situations will help you voice act when you really need to. Maintaining an air of grace when you talk to the agent or producers will keep you from ruining professional work relationships, and your clients will appreciate your professionalism.
Take it from Mel Allen, who was once hired by a company to voice a "feel good" piece about their commitment to the environment. He says:
"I knew they had recently been fined by the EPA for illegal dumping, and I was handed the script in the studio. It was a two-minute narration piece that I wasn't comfortable reading, but I didn't feel like I could back out at the last moment. At that point, I had to weigh which was more important -- my word that I would do the job (even though I hadn't seen the script beforehand) or my moral disagreement with the piece."
So, what did he do? "I completed the project for them, but after I finished it I told the producer that I wouldn't voice a project like that in the future."
The producer actually confessed they weren't too comfortable with the script either, and they appreciated his candor. Because of the professional manner in which Mel addressed the difficult situation, Mel actually got more work from them down the line -- and it was all work he felt good about voicing.
Furthermore, Mel says, "I learned from this experience, and since then I have never given full commitment to a project without seeing the script first."
When you are confronted by this situation, try getting into character for the piece. This will require you to genuinely act the part. Become the character who would get behind the script with sincerity. If you can't do this, you may realize that you're an excellent voice talent, but not a great voice actor. Only time will show you which on you are.
