Business models in today's music business that work?

[Ermz]

The studio I freelance at gets a fair deal of voice over work from what I understand. It really depends, if you become known for it, the market is there.

As the internet matures further I think we'll find international collaborations to more or less become the norm. Bigger guys out there are already talking about how they get mailed mix sessions from everywhere these days. Sure it will be difficult unless you're located at a central 'hub' of entertainment like LA but if you attain a reputation that's international, I think the internet will help you facilitate work much easier than in prior generations.

 

[Fox Mulder]

No. X
Produce a band and help them develop a new sound (musically and sonically), make people dig it and get labels running after you to mix their bands.

...And in order to do that become an Audio Geek, Learn Music Theory and History

 

[egan.]

FWIW I get most of my video game work from a guy in New York who contracts for a studio in San Francisco (I'm in North Carolina). The VO for Bioshock II (for example) was recorded all over the world, edited in several corners of the US and QC'd and implemented in San Fran.
We had a studio here do a bunch of VO ($125/hr if that matters to you) and interviews for a Broadway tour that just happened to be in town.
The point being that you definitely don't need to be in a center for that sort of work but you do need to network to get it. That sort of work generally pays well b/c it's corporate backed. My VO rate is about 50-200% higher than my music rate. Take that with a grain of salt of course b/c some guys here pull some great day rates on music which is obviously more fun. It's still a great way to fill in your calendar.

 

[[UEAK]Clowd]

The cool thing about creative industries is that even if there is someone out there who is younger, smarter & faster than you, they will still never be you. All you really need to focus on is developing an identity, a standard level of work and establishing the sort of ties you need to sustain clients, and you can sustain a career. This isn't an industry where 'Mike' from Bangladesh, oh I mean Minnesota, can one day render you redundant because he does your job for 1/5th of the pay. You aren't making spreadsheets - your output has a worth rooted in its individuality.

Sure there will be kids who come along and devalue the service - but as long as you can sustain a higher quality output (as far as such things can be measured objectively) you will be entitled to your sustained share of work.

To answer your question though, no, I've never allowed myself the luxury to worry. As I was finishing high school I thought quite hard about which way to go, and once my mind was made up, that was it. There was no contingency, no back-up plan, no 'safe alternative'. My ultimatum to myself was to either focus on becoming one of the best in the country/world at whatever I chose, or live as a bum for the rest of my life.

I agree, and I've allowed myself no back-up plans or contingencies either (I've literally backed myself into a corner of either doing this or being homeless), but I still worry about it sometimes! guess I'm just negative. I think if I didn't worry, I wouldn't work as hard. haha

 

[Geno_]

you always talk sense ermz.

Personally i teach guitar as well, always good to have additional "income streams"

+1 to being in a band etc as a good way as networking

 

[Raptor7]

FWIW I get most of my video game work from a guy in New York who contracts for a studio in San Francisco (I'm in North Carolina). The VO for Bioshock II (for example) was recorded all over the world, edited in several corners of the US and QC'd and implemented in San Fran.
We had a studio here do a bunch of VO ($125/hr if that matters to you) and interviews for a Broadway tour that just happened to be in town.
The point being that you definitely don't need to be in a center for that sort of work but you do need to network to get it. That sort of work generally pays well b/c it's corporate backed. My VO rate is about 50-200% higher than my music rate. Take that with a grain of salt of course b/c some guys here pull some great day rates on music which is obviously more fun. It's still a great way to fill in your calendar.

Do you need contacts in the gaming industry? studios, publishers, etc?

 

[fitzrangerhoodngarb]

I'd hesitate to call anyone with such weak resolve a success, in any shape or form. If you're truly committed to a course of action, there is no time to look back. It's a waste of energy.

Both feet - let the historians sort throgh the rest.

Just be careful at what that ambitiousness and extreme competitiveness comes at the expense of.

I'd suggest the best thing you could do for your career, and more importantly your growth as a human being, is step away from the computer and go get some life experience. There is much grey to be experienced.

 

[Ermz]

The wisdom is appreciated, fitz. I think it would depend on the individual though. Personally, I was born into a warzone, and lived most of my early life hopping countries, with my folks barely scrounging enough to survive. There was enough living then to last a lifetime. I think such things apply to different individuals to different extents. There is nothing wrong with having a strong resolve, ambition and good foresight - I would hazard to say that a lack of those things is a likely cause of many of the world's ills at present.

 

[fitzrangerhoodngarb]

The wisdom is appreciated, fitz. I think it would depend on the individual though. Personally, I was born into a warzone, and lived most of my early life hopping countries, with my folks barely scrounging enough to survive. There was enough living then to last a lifetime. I think such things apply to different individuals to different extents. There is nothing wrong with having a strong resolve, ambition and good foresight - I would hazard to say that a lack of those things is a likely cause of many of the world's ills at present.

I can appreciate that, early childhood experiences have a significant and long term effect on human development. Many things are, but later life experience isn't hereditary though. (I don't mean that to sound like I'm trivialising your former situation).

And there certainly isn't anything wrong with ambition. If only more people were fortunate enough to be able to follow their passions unhindered by the complications of day to day existence. But you know that.

Anyway, I've made my point. The last thing the world needs is more maladjusted mono-focused high achievers, that is all.

 

[Ermz]

Haha, well for the world's sake then I might avoid having children, because 'maladjusted, mono-focused high achiever' characterizes me better than any phrase I've ever heard!

 

[drew_drummer]

So er.. are we all gonna fuck or what???

 

[smy1]

Drew: it's gonna be a sausage-fest though!

 

[Ermz]

I thought that was a given?!

 

[fitzrangerhoodngarb]

It's enough of a cock forest that shirley the law of averages deem there must be a few capable tight and shiny exponents? So we can pretend.

 

[drew_drummer]

I'll tuck it between my legs if it helps????

 

[fitzrangerhoodngarb]

I'll tuck it between my legs if it helps????

That's what's known as a tight and shiny around these parts.

 

[drew_drummer]

I was unaware of that.

 

[Ermz]

I learned something today.

 

[drew_drummer]

Knowledge is tasty.

 

[DanLights]

what the hell happened on page 3?

It's enough of a cock forest that shirley the law of averages deem there must be a few capable tight and shiny exponents? So we can pretend.

I had to read that like 5 times to kind of understand it haha