Emma Harvey is the owner and lead agent of top UK voiceover agency Harvey Voices. Since 2006 she has represented some of the top voiceover artists in the industry. As well as looking after both of us, she also counts the voiceover legends Redd Pepper and Gary Martin as clients plus talents such as Lulu, Kate Fleetwood, Abubakar Salim and the incredible George Takei.
Em sat down with us to share her top tips and advice on how to build and sustain a healthy and productive career in the industry.
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us, Em.
You've been an agent for 17 incredible years, how did it all start?
I actually got into agenting via an unusual route. I studied costume at Central School of Speech and Drama and was impressively terrible at that. I left not really knowing what to do but I loved working with the actors on the course and knew I wanted to stay within the arts. I applied to be an assistant to a few agencies but had no luck and ended up working various jobs while freelancing as a costume assistant. Eventually I got into advertising working for the Radio Advertising Bureau and then the production side of things. So drawing on all the contacts and knowledge of the industry I decided to set up Harvey Voices. Some luck and good will, and a bit of a steep learning curve and I was suddenly a voiceover agent with her own agency, that was over 17 years ago. It's been a thrill and the best and most stressful thing I’ve ever done, but we’re still going strong and our best years are still to come.
I think voiceovers can often forget how full on and stressful the job is for agents as well. What does a typical day look like for you?
Everyday is different, work flow increases and decreases dramatically depending on the time of year and the briefs that come in. You're also dealing with people who have urgent deadlines and personal crises and who need your support, help, time and advice. Spinning plates endlessly and playing human Tetris with scheduling and bookings is something I've become very good at.
Admin is also a huge part of every day and when you get through the hundreds of emails that need to be replied to and all the availability checks, pencils, moving pencils and job confirmations, you then make time for invoicing, chasing payment, getting people paid, then there are NDA’s and contracts to sort out plus all the casting suggestions and pushing talent in the right areas...not to mention marketing for the agency and clients and carving out a bit of time for social media announcements. All of that admin and effort is instantly rewarded though when you get to make the call to say ‘You Got The Job’. That is always the best bit of the day….its all about the offers.
That's always the best bit of the day for us too! Have you noticed much of a difference in the industry since you started out in 2006?
The growth in video games and audiobooks, podcasts has been brilliant. It's a huge part of what we do now and can be really rewarding work creatively. Not so many ads selling DVDs & CD’s these days! Technology and the online digital world has changed as well as have the way ads are viewed and how they're consumed. All of these changes have been reflected in the type of voiceover jobs that come in. Accents and styles and types of voiceovers come in and out of fashion as well. Nothing ever stays the same so its always interesting to see what’s in vogue and what’s the next platform will be. Voiceovers for the Metaverse anyone? Could be interesting….
It sounds like it's an ever evolving industry. What can voiceover artists do to keep working and building their careers?
Perseverance, professionalism and be polite and kind to everyone.
Don’t treat it as a get rich quick side hustle…its not. Don’t expect an agent to have a magic wand, if you’re lucky enough to get a great agent be patient and work with them developing your style, your reels and your brand of voiceovers. For people starting out we have an advice page here.
I think people often think a big agent will automatically change their career overnight. It does takes time, but you have opened up some incredible doors for both of us at The Scottish Voiceovers. How do you choose your clients?
I get a lot of personal recommendations and a lot of people requesting representation directly. Sometimes we realise we’re missing a vital style of voice or an accent in a specific age range and will look to fill that gap. Usually the most common reason for not taking someone on is that they maybe too similar to people we already represent.
That's great advice. I think it's easy to think that it's a 'no' because we're not good enough, where as it can just be that you already have someone similar. For those lucky enough to be snapped up by you, how do you nurture their career?
Getting good bespoke reels produced is always a great start and never stop learning the craft and developing your own voice and skill set. Then its about getting those reels and the client in front of as many contacts as possible. Every client is unique and I don’t have a simple fool proof winning formula. It can often feel like a bit of a voiceover lottery and there’s never a guarantee of knowing from the start who’s career will really fly. Often it's a combination of all the right things at the right time but it always goes back to treating the voiceover industry with respect and dedication. When you combine top notch skills with a professional work ethic and then marry that with the right agent, good things will happen. It's an incredibly competitive, oversubscribed industry but it is possible to carve out an exciting rewarding career doing what you love and that's the dream isn’t it?
It really is! It's not always easy though, what are the biggest challenges you face as an agent?
Getting people paid on time. There should be a special place in hell for companies hiring freelancers and then sitting on invoices endlessly and tying it up in admin hoops, and loops. Drives me bonkers. Having enough time in the day for all of the aforementioned admin is also tricky. Its endless and what you really want to be doing is push push pushing all the clients you love and believe in. Getting someone started, especially someone with raw talent but very little experience can be a big challenge, but it's the most rewarding part of my job.
There has also been a lot of social media interest recently in the low rates being offered to voiceover artists. How do you navigate this as an agent?
An agent's not there to block work, we want you to work, but sometimes knowing your worth and saying no is needed, but thankfully these situations are rare. All rates should be negotiable and negotiating doesn’t mean saying absolutely no when a fee doesn’t match expectations. If it a small start up client, is there a good reason the fee is very low? There are hundreds of factors to navigate and make a judgement call on. Agents can help protect an actor's rights, navigate tricky buyouts, contracts and future payments of usage. We also do this while insulating the VO industry from grifters who really are just plainly taking advantage of an actors years of training, skill set, expensive equipment and time for horribly poor rates. Usually a fair balance and compromise can be found. It is amazing how much a budget can be increased with some knowledge of rights, what should be due, and a little nudge in the right direction.
Very true. We really wanted this blog to have a focus on how to look after our mental health in the industry, especially during such a turbulent time. How do you help your clients who might be struggling?
It can be a brutal industry. It's so competitive and can be soul crushing when things don’t go the way you want. It's hard to not take the knock backs personally, but remember your agent is right there on that emotional roller coaster with you. We hate passing on bad news.
Plus, I suspect most people are teetering on the brink of anxiety issues and exhaustion, perhaps depression even, and no wonder. The last few years in particular have been hard on everyone, I don’t think any of us have come out of the pandemic unscathed and now we’ve been dropped into the cost of living abyss. I think it's important to be honest about what you want to take on. If a role doesn’t feel right or if it's too big a commitment, then you must say.
Communication with your agent is vital. Sometimes I can tell if someone’s struggling and we can offer as much or as little help and advice as they might need. Taking time for yourself is hugely important, and remember that saying no sometimes is just as important as saying yes. Also, don’t let so called ‘mates’ take advantage and ask for a freebie VO for exposure or diddle you out of the usage fee and rights you’re entitled do. Keep in mind that empathy needs to flow both ways. Patience can be in short supply some days but just keeping the communication flowing between everyone always helps. Build a team around you, just knowing that some trustworthy colleagues and agents have your back can really can take the pressure off.
I think that's brilliant advice, Em. Finally, what's the one piece of advice you'd give your younger self?
Stop worrying so much, it's a waste of your time.
Very true! Thank you so much for chatting to us, Em. Wishing you a glorious 2023!
And to you both. Let's make this year a fantastic one!
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Brilliant advice from top agent Emma Harvey on how she navigates the industry and helps her clients to become some of the best in the business. You can follow Harvey Voices on twitter and Instagram.
We've got some more great guests lined up for the next couple of blog posts. Let us know in the comments below if there's anyone you'd love to hear from as well!
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023!
Lucy & John
xx
