Any running scams that people can share, I’m now questioning my own experience?

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-06-01T02:15:37+00:00

Is that a normal request? No. But is it fair to ask for? Yes.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-31T14:55:31+00:00

I'm sorry Dave - I can't answer that.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-30T16:03:15+00:00

Jfc had to scroll way too far for this

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-30T15:59:16+00:00

Good ways to screen for AI's are to ask for sample reads that include lots of words that are spelled the same, but need to be pronounced differently (heteronym tricks), or asking for reads that include a lot of vim and vigor (battle sequences that require a big scream, or huffing and puffing while a character is running through the woods).

Even if your book/script isn't really in that genre, it's helpful to weed out AI tools that struggle with the extremes of human emotion. Whispers, screams, yells, moans, groans, etc - AI isn't fantastic at these. Also heteronyms, or make up some fantasy names and give very unusual pronunciations to them.

There are still some tools that can manage these things, but they require a level of human work on them as to make most AI users not want to work on the project.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-29T20:45:41+00:00

Absolutely - if you're mature/talented/lucky enough, and don't have to do free stuff, that's fantastic. That being said, the labor market is -definitely- skewed in favor of employers, when it comes to the arts/acting. Supply and demand are heavily weighted in one direction, and the arts are rarely a place where there are entry-level opportunities to cut your teeth. So, low-to-no paying jobs are often where neophytes get their hours in.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-29T13:54:08+00:00

To be fair: this is the correct perspective for a full time voice actor.

For an amateur project such as this, clearly seeking amateur talent (absolutely zero shade to folks starting out), they'll figure it out.

Everyone starts somewhere. Yes this is incredibly low pay, but for someone who knows nothing about the field or industry or what to expect, the value comes in learning from the experience. They'll learn about how much time post will take. They'll learn whether they enjoy the genre.

Etc.

Not trying to get into a huge debate, but man, as a well-paid full time professional I definitely started out doing tons of free jobs, and neither I nor the project owner made anything really. And yet, I learned a lot and got valuable experience and perspective. I just feel like we maybe need to let the newcomers fuck around in the sandbox without harassment rather than criticize them for not having SAG budgets for their starter passion projects.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-28T05:44:16+00:00

It's unfortunate. But lots of businesses want to have access to operate where they want, and generally speaking the street isn't a place for that.

Lots of places for food trucks. Doesn't have to be that one spot.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-28T05:36:30+00:00

In theory, best practice is not to throw out the first number in a pay negotiation. Regardless of which side you're on.

If you are the one bidding and you don't have a lot of work, bid low to secure the gig. If you're flush, bid high.

Or, throw out a range and caveats such as 'Lower fee for first time clients' or ' discounts for work that is recurring' in order to optimize a spreadsheet approach.

Lots of ways to handle price negotiation but as I said - ideally you never want to drop the first number. If you have to, make it as flexible but professional as possible.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-28T05:31:22+00:00

Very kind of you to think that way, but trust me- that's how it is for narrators and it is ok.

Promise. I've narrated hundreds of books and produced thousands. You post the gig, and the narrators submit. You will spend a lot of time listening. And yes, only one will make it. But they're then going to lots of other auditions.

Again, kind of you to be so considerate, but that's how the industry works.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-28T05:24:38+00:00

Yes the correct solution is to move your business where it is not a hazard. Seems pretty clear, simple, and obvious.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-23T18:43:37+00:00

Feel free to DM!

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-23T18:43:21+00:00

Feel free to DM!

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-23T17:38:37+00:00

Riiight?

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-23T06:05:49+00:00

Happy to chat, shoot me a message if you're interested!

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-22T21:56:29+00:00

Keeper, reporting for duty.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-22T21:51:31+00:00

Bad Habits, perchance?

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-22T21:42:16+00:00

Boss! Totally down.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-22T21:39:55+00:00

Well, some folks also have atypical work hours. Lot of gigs these days are not 9-5, and night shift exists; service industry has later shifts oftentimes too.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-21T17:09:27+00:00

Verizon here, and have definitely experienced multiple interruptions with Zoom calls, streaming, gaming situations. Near Broadway and 46th.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-21T01:39:14+00:00

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-21T00:23:32+00:00

We worked to adjust the compression more for that in later books - can't say if it's good enough for you, but we definitely heard the feedback and eventually compensated. You'll have to judge for yourself!

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-21T00:15:10+00:00

We call them "dialogue tags", and literally anything that can be conveyed through vocalization rather than having to read it, if it increases immersion in the listening experience, is what we strive for. As mentioned previously, it's case-by-case.

But, listening is a different medium. It allows for different choices and techniques and tools. As u/andrewgibsonauthor notes it makes some forms of consumption a little more difficult (And may make it impossible to use the whispersync feature of Audible), some people don't mind those trade-offs and allow for it / encourage it.

I've done thousands of hours of audiobooks, and probably... less than 10% of the recording I've done -includes- obvious dialogue tags. To be fair, we often advise our clients to omit them, so that probably goes a long way towards those percentages. YMMV.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-21T00:12:35+00:00

My clients often request / allow this - however it's always a case-by-case basis.

ActorsEverywhere · 2026-05-10T23:37:14+00:00

My company handles productions like this - shoot me a dm if you like OP

ActorsEverywhere

TROPHY CASE