“Early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable” is a phrase I learnt from a fellow voiceover who told me this was the mantra she learnt at Drama school. It is now my mantra I tell my four-year-old son which he finds very amusing.
Last week I went to London for a casting. Being based in Manchester I am always aware of being outside of the Capital and for many years it was why I lived in Hertfordshire. I was also told in no uncertain words by a London based commercial producer that he wouldn’t pick me knowing I was based outside London, despite liking my voice in case my train was late or I was already on my way back up North when the client wanted changes made.
Of course, we live in a virtual world and I have a home studio where I can connect and record and send however the nature of our industry is still that people want to cast voiceovers and work with them face to face as well. This was the case with the casting last week.
I was given a 10-minute slot four days before the casting. I booked a train which was due to get me into London 1 HOUR before my slot. Needless to say, the train was delayed. Massively.
I was in such a panic as I had planned a leisurely stroll from Euston to Soho, checking out which coffee shop I would visit after the session, as I’d sacrificed my morning coffee of course and was supping my water on route to make sure I was nicely hydrated. But the train gods were against me.
I tried to call my agent and the joyful train had no signal.
I wait… for one bar… meanwhile I email him.
I get through and he tells me he’ll call them but also said there was no room for movement as there was a packed schedule… aah! the panic increases
My phone signal fails again.
I manage to call the production company where a very chilled receptionist tells me they are running late and of course she will let them know…phew.
I get to Euston. Did I mention I’d also left my wallet in my car which my husband had taken on the school run. So I’d raided my sons piggy bank and had about £5.80 after buying a Tumercia Latte at Pret at Manchester Picadilly ( no coffee till post VO )
I also had my card on my phone. I ran to the cab ran and jumped in cab by this time it was 12.30 – the time of my casting was 12.40. My train had been due to arrive at 11.40.
I got to the studios, my card didn’t work.. the lovely cabby let me off the fair by about 50p and took the money I had. What a legend.
I got into the casting and all was well. They were late. I still had time to go to the loo, calm myself down, practice the script, sup some water… chat with some other lovely ladies who all sounded like me and wished I hadn’t… and then had my 10 minute casting about 30 minutes later.
My reason for telling you? I will always let you know in plenty of time if for any reason I am running late9which will only ever be due to the crap train system! That aside you be assured I will always be early but I won’t rock up on your doorstep before you are expecting me as I know that can be annoying.
But please don’t rule out VO’s who live outside London xx