Podcast Summary: Everyday VOpreneur® with Marc Scott

Episode: Online Casting Sites Hate You
Released: May 23, 2024
Host: Marc Scott

Overview

In this candid and provocative episode, Marc Scott tackles the increasingly controversial topic of online voiceover casting sites and their relationship with voice actors. He argues that these platforms have grown to disregard and even exploit talent, yet continue to thrive because so many voice actors keep paying for access. The episode is a call to self-awareness and action within the voice over community, challenging listeners to reflect on their own roles in perpetuating unsatisfactory industry practices.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Fundamental Problem with Online Casting Sites

• Exploitation of Voice Actors: Marc's central thesis is blunt: "Online casting sites hate you." (00:00) He clarifies that these sites have long understood they can “do just about anything,” because a substantial percentage of voice actors will still "throw money at them." (01:30)
• Systemic Lack of Change: Despite widespread dissatisfaction and even public outcry, voice actors keep returning to these platforms, financially enabling practices they despise.

2. Case Studies: Voices.com, Voice123, and Backstage

• Voices.com — Hidden Commissions and Triple Dipping:
  • Marc shares a personal anecdote about being banned from Voices.com after exposing their practice of taking hefty, undisclosed commissions—sometimes as high as 92%. (03:15)
  • “They’re literally triple dipping talent… so blatantly and disrespectfully…” (04:15)
• Voice123 — A Broken Algorithm:
  • While not as egregious in Marc's view, Voice123 frustrates users with an obscure ranking algorithm: “Voice actors complain about that algorithm on a daily basis.” (06:00)
  • Even Voice123 has admitted they don't fully understand how their own algorithm works, which “punishes” voice actors regardless of their booking record if their jobs don’t get “likes.” (07:35)
• Backstage — Terms of Service Confusion:
  • A recent uproar concerned ambiguous contract clauses about "user-generated" vs. "user-provided" content. Marc clarifies he's not a lawyer but encourages actors to seek accurate definitions and avoid panic. (09:40)

3. Who Is Really to Blame?

• Marc uses an auto manufacturer analogy: “Is it [the casting sites] to blame, or are voice actors to blame because we just keep showing up…?” (11:30)
• He suggests that by continually paying membership fees, voice actors tacitly endorse the very systems they protest against. (12:20)
• “We need to have some straight talk here for a minute.” (11:08)

4. The (Lack of) Power of Complaints Without Action

• Posting grievances online has become common, especially regarding things like the new Backstage terms. Marc asks if this really counts as protest, if no one is voting with their dollars:
  • "Are you really revolting, or are you just griping online?" (10:40)
• Despite outrage, no mass exodus has occurred: “I do not see a scenario where an overwhelming majority of voice actors actually walk away.” (14:54)

5. The Real Customer & The Power of Choice

• Marc corrects the widely held belief that voice seekers are the customer: “You, my fellow voice actor and vopreneur, you are the customer because you're the one that is paying for the service. It is your dollars that create the revenue that keeps these online casting sites operating.” (13:12)
• He asserts the only incentive these platforms have to change is if voice actors withdraw their financial support.

6. Alternatives and Practical Advice

• Self-Marketing Works:
  • Marc cites his own business as evidence that self-marketing can build a sustainable, independent voice over career: “If you're not spending so many hours of your day… devoted to these online casting sites, you'll actually have time… to do that marketing.” (16:50)
• Market Forces:
  • If large numbers of voice actors left problematic platforms, buyers would follow the talent to better alternatives like Bidalgo or VOPlanet. (17:30)
• Evaluate Your ROI:
  • Marc challenges listeners: if you’re not “making bank” on these sites, what are you afraid of losing by walking away?
    • "If you are booking one in 500 auditions… and still devoted… it’s not the solution that you think it is." (30:17)

7. The Emotional Toll

• Ongoing frustration with online sites can poison a voice actor’s mindset and performance:
  • “Is it not reasonable to assume that if you are coming from a place of anger, frustration… that might be infecting how you approach your business?” (21:42)
  • He cautions about the knock-on effects of negativity on auditions, especially after a poor experience with casting site rates or processes.

8. The Need for a More Productive Conversation

• Marc proposes that rather than endless online complaining, the community needs to focus on action, constructive discussions, and building better alternatives.
  • “Raising up your pitchforks is not enough. So something to think about.” (28:12)
• He also welcomes professional organizations (like NAVA or World Voices) to take on a leadership role but notes past efforts have had mixed success.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Voice Actor Responsibility:
  • “You are literally giving them $400 a year, every year, to take advantage of you. You're paying them to screw you. In what other world does this make sense?” (15:46)
• On the ‘Algorithm’ Fixation:
  • “I know a lot of voice actors that upgrade their membership and give them even more money, which, by the way, we know it's been proven upgrading your membership… doesn't actually solve your algorithm problems…” (30:40)
• On Emotional Well-Being:
  • “If you're getting that upset, if there's that much frustration or stress… is it not reasonable to assume that that [energy] might be infecting how you approach your business…in the booth?” (22:21)
• On Complaints vs. Action:
  • “If we're not willing to walk away… then we just need to accept that this is the way that it is. And that really is the bottom line.” (15:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:05] – Opening Hot Take: Online casting sites hate you
• [03:15] – Voices.com Hidden Commissions & Ban
• [07:00] – Voice123 Algorithm Frustration
• [09:40] – Backstage Terms of Service Confusion
• [11:30] – Who Is to Blame? (Auto Manufacturer Analogy)
• [13:12] – Voice Actors: The Real Customers
• [14:54] – Why Change Is Unlikely Without Action
• [16:50] – Self-Marketing as a Viable Alternative
• [17:30] – Moving Buyers to Better Sites
• [21:42] – The Emotional Impact of Frustration
• [28:12] – Need for Productive Conversations & Action
• [30:17] – If You're Not Booking: Why Stay?
• [32:22] – Episode Wrap-Up

Conclusion and Call to Action

Marc closes by reiterating his main point: As long as voice actors continue to pay for platforms that treat them poorly, nothing will change. He encourages listeners to reconsider their relationship with online casting sites, examine their ROI critically, and seek out better methods for growing their voice over careers, whether that's via self-marketing or supporting better platforms. He invites open discussion and welcomes feedback to foster more productive conversations:

• "Let me know what you think... I think we need to have conversations more than just… anger and resentment and bitterness all over the internet." (31:50)

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