We decided to ask our new VoiceOver Agent Assistant, Antoinette Pieri, the all important questions. From submissions advice to an elephant zoo, find out more about Antoinette below!
What’s a typical agent assistant day like for you?
A little bit of everything! From answering calls, invoicing bookings and getting to know our incredible talent, to editing the website and posting on social media. No two days are the same. The only thing that doesn’t change is the endless cups of tea 🙂 My brain has to always be doing something, so I absolutely adore my job.
What do you love about your job? [no pressure!]
The people! Everyone has been so welcoming, it really is a treat to be able to work with such lovely people day-to-day, not only the Excellent team but the incredible voiceover artists and clients I speak to. I have always had a huge admiration for talent and the skills you all possess to be able to do what you do. I would never be able to do what voice over artists do, I’m from Essex so most of the time my words all mumble into one. I’m constantly blown away and wowed listening to reels every day and am always impressed by the skills and talent I get the privilege to hear.
For potential talent looking to submit for representation, what can they do to increase their chances for a positive response?
Attach as many reels/material as you have (don’t go overboard) and make sure that every reel is a little different. If they all sound the same but are in completely different genres, they won’t stand out to us. Make sure you are showing your best skills and range! Also please please please do your research. Know the type of jobs we tend to book and the talent we have on our books. I have seen submissions addressed to people that are not even on the Excellent Talent team! Finally be yourself, don’t try to be what you think a voiceover artist is. The likelihood is if you are yourself, you’ll be a little different to the talent we already have, which is exactly what we are looking for.
If you weren’t an agent assistant, what else do you think you’d be doing for a career?
Well I got a degree in Theatre Directing so probably something to do with that. I always knew that I liked being in the behind the scenes process of a project so as long as I get to be a part of the process, I’m happy… Or I’d run a puppy café where people can come for afternoon tea surrounded by puppies. That actually sounds like a dream, if I suddenly disappear from Excellent you’ll know why.
And, on a more serious note….
If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose, and why?
I love heights so I’m 100% flying. I’m a massive marvel fan too so anything to make me feel even a little bit like an avenger, I’m there. Also how cool would it be to fly to italy and get pasta whenever you’d want whilst avoiding stuffy metal containers in the sky.
You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
Probably be really confused as to why I, of all people, have been given an elephant. I live in London so would probably have to move back to my hometown to be in a less busy environment. I can’t just abandon the elephant so I guess a career change is in order. Will open a zoo with just my elephant in it and call it Ant’s Elephant Zoo.