Episode 364: Choice, Habit, Love: How Actors Build Real Momentum
Acting Business Boot Camp
Actors often wait for motivation. We hope a burst of inspiration will get us moving, keep us consistent, or push us to the next level. But real growth rarely starts with motivation. It starts with one small choice. In this episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, I talk about the simple cycle that has changed my life many times over. Choice. Habit. Love. It’s a framework you can use in your acting career, your training, and your personal development to build strength and momentum in a way that actually lasts. The Moment I Realized Something Needed to Change A few years ago, I was...
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Episode 363: The Power of Slow as an Actor
Acting Business Boot Camp
Why Slow Is the New Secret Weapon for Actors The entertainment industry glorifies hustle. Fast auditions, faster turnarounds, constant pressure to keep up. But what if slowing down is the real secret to booking more roles and building a lasting career? In this episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, I talk about the power of slow and why being intentional, grounded, and patient can make you not only a stronger performer but also a more fulfilled human being. The Myth of Hustle: Why Speed Doesn’t Equal Success We’ve been conditioned to think that “busy” means...
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Episode 362: Paywalls, Performances, and the Price of Transparency
Acting Business Boot Camp
The Irony of Paid Transparency I saw a post the other day that made me stop mid-scroll. An actor—let’s call him Workshop Guy—was going viral for saying he was “tired of gatekeeping in the industry.” He wanted to break down the walls, create transparency, build community… all that good stuff. And then, at the end of his video, came the link. A $200 workshop. I laughed out loud. Because, honestly, that’s not transparency. That’s marketing. Let’s talk about why. The Anti-Gatekeeping Paywall Here’s the thing: if your solution to exclusivity is to sell tickets to your...
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Episode 361: Self Tapes That Book Part II
Acting Business Boot Camp
The Heart Behind a Great Self-Tape I’ll be honest—I couldn’t even remember how I start my podcast today. “Hello, I hope you had a great week?” That sounds right. Anyway, welcome back to Self-Tapes That Book, Part Two. Last week we talked about tech and mindset, about creating a space that supports your confidence instead of draining it. The kind of space that makes you feel like you just slipped into your favorite outfit—the one that makes you feel unstoppable. That’s exactly how I want your self-tape setup to feel: effortless, energizing, and completely you. Four Keys...
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Episode 360: Self Tapes that Book Part 1
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important topics for any working actor today: self-tapes. They’re no longer an occasional request or a pandemic workaround. Self-tapes are the audition room now. That means your setup, your mindset, and your energy have to communicate professionalism and confidence before you ever say a line. After losing my voice for a few weeks (and getting some incredible help from Mandy Fisher, Rose Marie, and Taylor), I wanted to come back with something that felt useful and practical. Because here’s the truth: the actors who treat...
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Episode 359: Do Not Get Into Voiceover If Any of These 3 Areas Will Be Drained
Acting Business Boot Camp
Voiceover is a beautiful and rewarding field. But if you’re not protecting your energy, creativity, and finances, it will eat you alive before you ever find your footing. I’ve seen too many talented actors get burned out because they thought VO was just about having a “great voice.” It isn’t. It’s a craft and a business rolled into one. And if any of those three pillars is running on empty, your career won’t last. Energy: Your True Currency Behind every polished 30-second spot is hours of research, auditions, editing, outreach, marketing, and more. Without systems to...
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Episode 358: What’s a Motto With You?
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this episode, I talk about mottos. Those little slogans or mantras that can actually keep you going in a business that is often messy, unpredictable, and overwhelming. A motto is not just decoration. It’s a tool. It helps you: Stay grounded when the industry feels chaotic. Filter choices and make better decisions. Communicate your identity and values quickly. Build momentum through small daily actions. I’ll share a quick history of mottos, what makes a good one, and a few of my favorites like: Grow through every no Truth over performance Consistent action, creative life ...
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Episode 356: The Importance of the Language of the Agents & the CD's
Acting Business Boot Camp
Why Learning the “Language” Matters Actors spend years honing their craft, but many miss one critical piece: learning how to communicate in the Language of the Agents and the Casting Directors. This isn’t just about vocabulary. It’s about aligning your training, business practices, and mindset so the industry sees you as the solution—not the problem. As a casting director, I see it firsthand. Actors who know how to speak this language get representation, book roles, and build sustainable careers. Those who don’t? They’re quickly overlooked. The Three Pillars of a Successful...
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Episode 355: Grounded and Realistic Character Building
Acting Business Boot Camp
Hey there, it’s Mandy Fisher. Welcome back to the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast. I’ve been in the voiceover world for over 20 years, and if there’s one thing I repeat over and over, it’s this: all voiceover is character work. Yes, even that five-second toothpaste ad. Even the audiobook that goes on for twelve hours. Even the one-liner in a loop group session. If I don’t believe in the character I’m creating, the audience won’t either—and you’d be surprised how quickly people can tell when something feels fake. Why Character Work Matters in VO Voiceover isn’t...
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Episode 354: Paula Tiso on Narration for Documentaries
Acting Business Boot Camp
This week’s episode is all about documentary narration. Voiceover actor Paula Tiso joins me to share her journey from sketch comedy in Los Angeles to working steadily in promos, radio imaging, true crime, and documentary series. We talk about training, the shift from “perky” reads to grounded storytelling, and what it really takes to support a story with your voice. About Paula: Paula Tiso is a veteran voiceover actor whose work spans documentary narration, true crime, television affiliates, video games, and more. She’s voiced Smithsonian Channel documentaries, Oxygen and ID...
info_outlineIf you’ve ever gotten an email offering $850 for 45 minutes of voice work and thought, huh, that sounds… generous—you’re not alone.
Today I’m walking you through one of the most common and dangerous traps voice actors fall into: the voiceover scam.
Let’s talk about how to recognize one, why we fall for them, and how to protect yourself.
These Scams Are Getting Smarter
I’ve seen so many of these land in my inbox or get forwarded from friends and students. And honestly, they’re getting better. Better design. Better phrasing. More personal.
But when you know what to look for, the patterns start to repeat.
Here’s the kind of language I often see:
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“We came across your demo…”
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“We’re excited to offer $850 for a quick project…”
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“A studio will be rented near your location…”
They sound legit. But when you look closer, there’s no company name, no usage terms, no specifics—and that’s your first red flag.
Why It’s Easy to Fall For
Let me be clear: falling for one of these doesn’t make you gullible. It makes you human.
We’re trained to get excited when someone wants to hire us. So when you get a message that sounds like your SEO efforts are working or your voice finally got discovered, your brain lights up.
But scammers know that. They prey on that excitement, that desire to get booked, and that dream of breaking through.
And because so many actors are navigating financial stress, looking for validation, or craving that first big break, the offer feels like a miracle. That’s by design.
Real vs. Scam: What to Look For
Let me give you a side-by-side.
Here’s a real email I received:
“Hi Mandy, we’re currently casting a series of short-form e-learning modules for a corporate client in the healthcare space. We heard your narration demo and would love to invite you to audition. If selected, the rate is $450 per finished hour for internal usage. Remote recording is preferred.”
Notice the difference?
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There’s a category (e-learning).
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A rate and usage clause.
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A clear, grounded tone.
Now contrast that with a scam version that said:
“We have a voice-over assignment with a copyrighted script to be recorded at a studio near your location. Your emotional readiness is crucial.”
Um… what?
Common Red Flags I See Over and Over
I’ve seen these pop up again and again. Here are the top ones:
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Too much money too fast. Real jobs involve negotiation. Not just a flat $850 for 45 minutes with no questions asked.
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No company name. Or they use a real one but spoof the email (like "creta.net" instead of "creta.com").
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No contract or NDA. No paper trail. Nothing to protect you.
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Weird language. “Emotional readiness”? “Check your email frequently”? No legitimate producer talks like that.
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Fake check scam. They’ll send a “check” to pay a studio, ask you to forward the money, and when it bounces—you’re the one out the cash.
And sadly, they’ve even impersonated real companies like TransPerfect or Creta. They pull real employee names from LinkedIn to make it look legit.
What I Recommend You Do Instead
Here’s how I keep myself (and my students) scam-free:
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Google the sender. If they’re real, they’ll have some kind of digital footprint.
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Ask questions. Who’s the client? What’s the usage? Where will this air?
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Book your own studio. Or ask to record from home. If they refuse, walk away.
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Never deposit a check from a stranger. Ever.
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Reach out to SAG-AFTRA. Even if you’re not union, they have resources and will help.
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Keep good records. Save your emails, contracts, and create a CRM to track inquiries.
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Join VO red flag groups. There’s strength in community.
And above all—trust your gut.
Final Thought
I love this industry. Voiceover has changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. But it also comes with risks. If something feels weird… pause. Screenshot it. DM a friend. Or send it to me.
You’re not alone in this.
If you want to talk more about your VO goals, I’d love to help. You can always reach me at mandy@actingbusinessbootcamp.com or schedule a free 15-minute session here.