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!
At some point, you may get called in to read a script by a repeat client who you think you know. You will walk in anticipating a script on a familiar subject matter only to be blown away by a left field commercial — one that might not jive with your personal views.
What do you do when you’re asked to voice a part you aren’t comfortable reading for moral reasons?
Preparing yourself for this situation to arise will give you time to come up with a solution you are comfortable with. Treating the clients with respect and maintaining grace will allow you to keep your professional connections without losing your clients. In the long run, your clients will respect your honesty and 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.”
What did he end up doing? Mel says, “I voiced the project for them, but after I completed it I told the producer that I wouldn’t be comfortable voicing a project like that in the future.”
The producer admitted they were not comfortable with the script either, and they respected his honesty. Because of the way he handled the situation, Mel actually got more work from them in the future — work he felt comfortable voicing, that is.
Mel says, “I learned from this experience, and ever since then I have made sure not to agree to voice a project without seeing the script beforehand.”
If you have this similar experience, try getting into character first. Become the person who would voice this script with conviction, even if it’s hard. There are hundreds of voice talent who will never become voice actors. Figuring out which describes you will only come in time.
Such A Voice currently offers straightforward voice over classes in towns all over the US. Visit us today to sign-up and begin on your way to getting paying voice over jobs with your speaking voice.