Marc Cashman

Getting music sync’d for over a decade isn’t about making the “best” track. It’s about being reliable. Music supervisors and publishers don’t chase geniuses. They work repeatedly with the people who: • Deliver on time • Send clean stems • Provide alt mixes • Label their files clearly Talent gets attention. Professionalism gets repeat business.

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Saturday VO Tip: A voiceover demo should reflect where you are as a talent, not where you wish you were. A great demo producer can mix, master, and polish your reads to sound slick and professional—but they can’t make you sound like a seasoned pro if you haven’t put in the work yet. Here’s the truth: Demos don’t create skill. They showcase it. That’s why coaching comes first. Always. At UVT Coaching, we work with new talents until they’re genuinely ready for demo production. That might take a few months—or even a year. And that’s okay! Because when you are ready, your demo won’t just sound good — it’ll work for you! So take your time. Train smart. And when you hit "record" on that demo session, you’ll be proud of what you hear. 😀 #voiceovers

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You can't delegate chaos. If your music business lives in your head — scattered across DMs, voice memos, browser tabs, and half-remembered conversations — no manager, assistant, or collaborator can help you run it. Delegation requires structure first.

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Looking for the perfect explainer video voiceover? Learn why voiceovers matter, how to pick the right one, and how to make your video sound professional. 🧩 The Missing Piece: Explainer Video Voiceover. As a video producer, you know that visuals matter. But when it comes to explainer videos, one overlooked element can make or break the final product: the voiceover. It’s more than just narration—it's the human connection between your brand and your audience. 🔊 What Is an Explainer Video Voice Over? A voiceover in an explainer video is the narrated audio that walks viewers through a product, service, or idea. It’s used to: > Simplify complex information > Guide the viewer’s attention > Add emotion and tone > Create brand consistency Without it, your beautifully animated visuals might fall flat—or worse, confuse your audience. 🎯 Why Voiceover Matters to Video Producers.  Here’s why you as a video producer should always include high-quality voice over in your workflow: 1. Clarity and Comprehension. Explainer videos often simplify difficult topics. A professional voiceover adds rhythm and emphasis to ensure the message lands clearly. 2. Professionalism. Even the best visuals can seem amateur if paired with low-quality audio. A pro voice actor delivers a studio-quality performance that builds trust. 3. Audience Engagement. The right voice over keeps people watching. It adds emotion, storytelling, and flow—elements that drive better viewer retention and conversion rates. 4. Brand Identity. A consistent voice tone (e.g., warm, confident, friendly) strengthens brand recognition and keeps messaging aligned across campaigns. 🔍 Choosing the Right Voice Over Artist. When selecting a voice for your explainer video, consider: Target audience (e.g., tech-savvy millennials vs. corporate executives) Gender and tone (Do you need energetic? Calm? Authoritative?) Accent or language requirements Voice actor’s experience with explainer content Pro tip: Ask for custom demos based on your script to see how each voice brings it to life. Pro Tips for Working with Voiceover Talent ✅ Provide a clear, finalized script: Avoid back-and-forth by locking in your script before recording. ✅ Give direction: Share references, tone guidelines, or pacing preferences. ✅ Keep it concise: Explainer videos are typically under 2 minutes. Every word counts. ✅ Use professionals, not friends: Your buddy with a “nice voice” probably doesn’t have a treated space, mic setup, or timing precision. 🚀 Ready to Upgrade Your Explainer Videos? If you want to boost the impact of your explainer videos, don’t cut corners on the voice over. The right voice not only explains—but sells, connects, and converts. Need a Voiceover Partner? Whether you’re producing animations, SaaS demos, or startup videos, I offer reliable, high-quality explainer video voiceover services tailored to your style and audience. 👉 Let’s talk about your next project. mail@stevegouwsvo.com or visit www.stevegouwsvo.com

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Want to be a VoiceOver artist? If you’ve been thinking about a career in voiceover, you might not sure where to start, or what your first steps should be. There is a tonne of information out there and it’s easy to go down rabbit holes and still not find what you need. My simple 30 page guide to getting started in voiceover will set you off on the right track.   I’ve been working as a voiceover artist since 2013 and I am often approached by people who want to be voiceover artists, or who are just starting out in their careers. I’m always happy to have a chat and point them in the right direction, but there’s a limit to how much information I can give them during a short online conversation, and it’s easy for them to quickly become overwhelmed.   So, I’ve collated my knowledge, tips, advice, and links to useful websites, in one easy to read guide which you can download and read at your leisure.   My guide to getting started in voiceover includes chapters on what voiceover is and what voiceover artists do, training, demos, home studios, marketing, and more. It will give you an overview of the industry, and the life of a working VO. It contains all the information I wish I’d had at the start of my career and will help you avoid some of the mistakes I made so you can hit the ground running! #VoiceOver #voiceoverartist #ebook #getstarted https://lnkd.in/eYV9rXhd .......................... About Me: 🎙️I'm a freelance voiceover artist based in the UK 🎙️I began my career in the USA in 2013 🎙️I work with clients around the world from my professional home studio 🏅I love helping other in the industry - I've even won an award for doing so!

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A veteran producer knows when to speak up, but a master producer knows exactly when to stay quiet and let the artist find their own way.

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No one’s there to direct your audition, so you need to direct yourself. Sam shares techniques he’s used as a casting director and voice director to help you self-direct with clarity, confidence, and precision. 🎟️ https://bit.ly/ccvgas-sr

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Twenty years ago, when I entered the voiceover industry, home studios weren't the prerequisite they are today. We recorded in professional studios with engineers handling the technical aspects. The landscape has transformed dramatically. Today's voice artists face a unique challenge: they must be both performer AND engineer. But this evolution has created a common pain point I observe repeatedly—new professionals investing in expensive home studio equipment before establishing their foundational skills. Here's my perspective on the strategic order of operations: Phase 1: Master Your Instrument Developing a strategically objective ear for your own voice doesn't happen overnight. This skill—the ability to self-direct, to recognise when you're "off," to adjust your delivery in real-time—requires dedicated practice and training. Phase 2: Build Your Foundation • Develop vocal technique and versatility • Practice loud reading to prime your professional ear • Create a demo that represents your best capabilities • Learn to interpret and execute director feedback effectively Phase 3: Invest in Infrastructure Once you've established your skills, a home studio becomes a strategic business investment. It enables you to offer immediate availability and work directly with clients. But the ROI only materialises when the quality of work justifies the investment. The Reality Check: Setting up a home studio is challenging. The technical learning curve is steep. But attempting this before you've developed your core skills is like buying a race car before learning to drive. When a director requests specific adjustments—"shave a minute off," "more emphasis here"—can you deliver? That capability isn't purchased with equipment. It's earned through practice, training, and time in the industry. The Bottom Line: In an industry with seemingly endless options and choices, having a clear path forward matters. Yes, home studios are now essential. But they're most valuable when they support work you're already professionally capable of delivering. I welcome diverse perspectives on this. What's been your experience building your voiceover career? #Voiceover #VoiceActing #ProfessionalDevelopment #MediaIndustry #CreativeIndustry #BusinessStrategy #CareerDevelopment #VoiceoverBusiness #AudioProduction #FreelanceCareer #CreativeProfessionals #IndustryInsights #SkillDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #AustralianCreatives

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As a script consultant, one underlying problem I often see in pilot scripts is the lack of an external goal for the main characters. Writers know that a character needs to pursue an external goal to drive the storyline of the pilot, but the goal they have identified isn’t tangible or specific enough to drive a story. An external goal is something that is scriptable. You could write a scene in which the character achieves their goal, just as they imagine. This scene would probably never be in your show. But you could write it out so we could see it happening on screen. A motivation is a feeling that your character wants to have inside. The search for that feeling is pushing them to pursue their goal. They think – rightly or wrongly – that achieving their external goal will help them get this desired feeling. They have this motivation because of the person they are. Likely shaped by their backstory – the things that happened to them previously. These examples are not external goals: - To feel like they belong in their community. - To feel loved. - To feel adventurous. - To feel successful. - To feel free / equal. If you can phrase your “goal” as a “feeling,” then it’s not an external goal. A real goal is something like: - To be in a leadership position in their world. - To be in a position to tell a specific person they are in love / marry / make a life with them. - To be in an occupation that allows for travel / an unusual daily activity. - To be elevated in business / make a comfortable living / gain awards or recognition. - To be able to do certain specific things as others are able to do them. If you can phrase your “goal” as the character “being in a position” to do something, that is an external goal. These kinds of goals generate momentum, which allows a character to drive a story.

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Most independent musicians hear the term music publishing… but very few actually understand what it means. Here’s the simple explanation. Music publishing is the business of owning and collecting money from the song — not the recording. Every song has two assets: 1️⃣ The master recording (the sound recording) 2️⃣ The composition (the lyrics and melody) Publishing deals with the composition. Whenever a song is used, the songwriter is owed money. That includes when the song is: • streamed • played on radio • performed live • used in film or TV • covered by another artist • played in restaurants, gyms, or stadiums Someone has to register the song and collect those royalties. That’s where music publishers come in. Think of publishers like the administrators and business managers of songs. Some well-known examples: • Sony Music Publishing • Universal Music Publishing Group • Warner Chappell Music • Kobalt Music Group Their job is to: • register songs with collection societies • collect royalties worldwide • pitch songs for film, TV, and ads • administer catalogs • protect the songwriter’s rights In exchange, they typically take a percentage of the publishing income. But here’s the part most independent musicians never realize: You can be your own publisher. If you write your own songs, you can create your own publishing entity and register it with a PRO like: • ASCAP • BMI When you do this correctly, you collect both the songwriter share and the publisher share of your royalties. In other words: You stop leaving money on the table. The problem is most artists never learn how to set this up properly. There are multiple registrations, systems, and databases involved. That’s exactly why I created the Artist Catalog Setup Toolkit. It walks independent musicians through: • setting up their own publishing entity • registering songs correctly • connecting the royalty collection systems • building a clean catalog that actually pays them For a short time I’m offering the toolkit for $97. Once this current batch of musicians goes through it, I’ll likely raise the price as I add additional training and templates. If you’re an independent artist who wants to actually collect the money your songs generate, this is the simplest place to start. Comment “CATALOG” and I’ll send you the link.

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Twenty years in voiceover, and I've learned this: The best sessions aren't about being perfect. They're about being present. When a client trusts you enough to improvise, to bring your own interpretation, to say "hey, what if we tried it this way?" - that's when the magic happens. Some of my favorite projects came from directors who gave me room to explore. Not because my first take was wrong, but because collaboration makes everything better. Trust goes both ways in this business. What makes a great creative partnership for you? #Voiceover #ClientRelationships #VoiceActor #Collaboration #VoiceTalent

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One of the most common issues I hear in voiceover demos isn’t performance. It’s sameness. Good voices. Well recorded. Competently produced. But not offering anything you couldn’t generate quickly with a template or an AI tool. When everything sounds fine, but nothing sounds intentional, there’s no reason to remember it. Most demo rebuilds aren’t about fixing talent. They’re about clarity, contrast, and making deliberate choices that give a listener a reason to care.

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If you’re aiming to earn real income from voiceover work, it’s time to rethink how you approach your demo reel. It shouldn’t be: “What I want to record” → Demo It needs to be: “What the market is paying for” → Demo Many beginners create demos based purely on personal preference — without defining a target audience or income goal. But a demo that isn’t aligned with demand… rarely leads to paid work. The process should look like this: Market research → Demand analysis → Strengths analysis → Target client profiling → Then demo production. Let’s create voiceover demos that hit the mark with precision and purpose — not just passion.

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L.A. Location Shoots Continue to Struggle as Productions Look Forward to Expanded Tax Credit - new article: https://lnkd.in/gSXiZDKg - plus Executive Director of the California Film Commission talks about the rapid collapse of California’s film industry - new video: https://lnkd.in/gPwQDZ3B - Production in the Los Angeles area continued to limp along in the second quarter of 2025, with a 6.2% decline in total location shoot days compared to the same quarter in 2024, according to FilmLA‘s latest report

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*** WHEN VISIBILITY ARRIVES BEFORE VIABILITY *** There is a quiet story unfolding in voiceover that doesn’t get talked about much — because it’s uncomfortable for everyone involved. A talented voice. A person full of hopeful expectation. A compelling presence. Hundreds of thousands of followers. Millions of views. And then… silence. Not because the person wasn’t good. Not because they didn’t work hard. Not because they didn’t “want it badly enough.” But because the order of operations was wrong. Social media rewarded performance before the market ever asked for it. Authority was implied before buyers existed. Validation arrived before infrastructure. And when real life applied pressure — rent, time, burnout, money — the entire structure collapsed. This is not a morality tale. It’s a sequencing problem. TikTok (and platforms like it) are extraordinary accelerants. They amplify visibility at unprecedented speed — but they do not build viability. Viability comes from: • Buyers • Repeat clients • Market-tested demos • Professional ecosystems • Quiet, boring consistency Visibility comes from: • Algorithms • Engagement loops • Duets (& "Tik-Tok Voiceover Challenges") • Performative authority When those two are confused — especially early — the cost isn’t embarrassment. It’s lost years. Lost money. Lost confidence. And sometimes… a sold microphone and recording booth, and a credit card balance to deal with. Here’s the part no one likes to say out loud: Many well-meaning peers will cheer you on publicly — but very few will walk with you privately through the moment where the math doesn’t work anymore. That isn’t cruelty. It’s misaligned incentives. This is why Real vs. The Noise exists. Not to mock. Not to dunk. Not to posture. But to remind anyone coming up — and anyone already tired — that: Visibility can make you feel chosen. Viability is what keeps you working when no one is watching. If the entire structure disappears when the social media posting stops… that wasn’t a career. It was a mirage. — Authentic Resonance #realvsthenoise #authenticresonance #voiceover #CreativeCareers #visibilityvsviability #sustainableart

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// Workflow Tip // For Video Editors // A small workflow tip that can save you hours. When searching for music, start with emotion first — not genre. Many editors search like this: “Cinematic orchestral” “Ambient piano” “Corporate upbeat” But the better question is: What should the audience feel in this moment? Tension Curiosity Nostalgia Momentum Resolution When you search by emotional intent, the right track surfaces much faster. That approach is how we organize much of the music we curate at Songs To Your Eyes Ltd. Because in great storytelling, emotion drives everything. Editors: what’s the first thing you usually search for when sourcing music?

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