Remember that popular meme from a few years ago stating: “…good is the enemy of great…”?
…or maybe the one that asks you to discern between the daily challenges that are urgent but not necessarily important?
I’m reminded of those two dictums when I ponder why producers, casting directors, managers, and agents continue to refer the same list of ole standby talent for nearly every job that comes down the pike.
Well, here’s why they do that: It’s convenient; also familiar, reliable, quick, easy, dependable, and predictable.
Why else do you think it’s taken ISDN so long to die?
Why did Don Lafontaine rule the “world” of movie trailers so long?
Now, just a minute there, CourVO! Don was exceptionally good at what he did.
Absolutely.
But maybe movie promo execs got just a little bit lazy too?
Just ONCE A MONTH step outside of your comfort zone and your dog-eared list of go-to talent for a rush job Click To Tweet
Here’s another reason why astonishingly few nascent (and very talented) up ‘n’ comers don’t get the chance they deserve: voice hirers are dogged by budgets, schedules, deadlines, time constraints, and irascible bosses (OK, that’s more than one reason, but you get my drift). They want it now and good is good enough..
Trouble is, a new, hungry, gifted, eager and willing talent would fit right into those demands, no?
Here’s my suggestion to you who hire voice talent.
Once a month.
Just ONCE A MONTH step outside of your comfort zone and your dog-eared list of “go-to” talent for a rush job. Grab a name from the long list of email pitches you got last month. Ping your favorite agent for someone new. Ask a colleague for a word-of-mouth referral for someone fresh and talented. Troll through voiceover.biz and pick from among the gifted and vetted talent from World-Voices Organization.
My guess is, with very little effort, you’ll expand your list of tried ‘n’ true, reliable talent by one name. Each month.
You will have discovered that “good” can be better, and that urgent doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice important.
Tomorrow: what voice talent must do to live up to the expectations that this idea needs to survive.
CourVO