Luis Cruz | Voice Actor
@lbecruz.bsky.social
🇺🇸 English + 🇵🇭 Tagalog #VoiceActor with #HomeStudio @ LCVoiceOver.com
[21/21] Do you have other red flags you'd like to share? Please leave a comment below, or otherwise contact me, so I can add to this list. Thanks!
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[21/21] Do you have other red flags you'd like to share? Please leave a comment below, or otherwise contact me, so I can add to this list. Thanks!
[20/21] ... the point is that if you choose to train an AI model, no matter what words are used to describe it, you need to be very careful. You need to know exactly what you are allowing your client to do with your voice - 'coz once they have it, who knows what's possible.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[20/21] ... the point is that if you choose to train an AI model, no matter what words are used to describe it, you need to be very careful. You need to know exactly what you are allowing your client to do with your voice - 'coz once they have it, who knows what's possible.
[19/21] Red Flag #7 - AI By Any Other Name
Tying this to the previous point, these are sometimes tied to ridiculously high offers, but there are also some that offer dismally low rates.
This topic also deserves a whole discussion by itself, but...
Tying this to the previous point, these are sometimes tied to ridiculously high offers, but there are also some that offer dismally low rates.
This topic also deserves a whole discussion by itself, but...
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[19/21] Red Flag #7 - AI By Any Other Name
Tying this to the previous point, these are sometimes tied to ridiculously high offers, but there are also some that offer dismally low rates.
This topic also deserves a whole discussion by itself, but...
Tying this to the previous point, these are sometimes tied to ridiculously high offers, but there are also some that offer dismally low rates.
This topic also deserves a whole discussion by itself, but...
[18/21] Sure, it could happen if you have an especially skilled (and well-connected) agent. But first... do you even have an agent already?
The fact is, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The fact is, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[18/21] Sure, it could happen if you have an especially skilled (and well-connected) agent. But first... do you even have an agent already?
The fact is, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The fact is, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
[17/21] Who sent you the offer? Do you have a working relationship with them already? If not, how did they find you? Did you send them an audition? So. Many. Questions.
Random roles from major productions aren't going to suddenly land on your lap.
Random roles from major productions aren't going to suddenly land on your lap.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[17/21] Who sent you the offer? Do you have a working relationship with them already? If not, how did they find you? Did you send them an audition? So. Many. Questions.
Random roles from major productions aren't going to suddenly land on your lap.
Random roles from major productions aren't going to suddenly land on your lap.
[16/21] Red Flag #6 - Unbelievable Offers
An email just landed in your inbox: you just got a $20,000 offer to voice a series regular on a major streaming service! Can you believe it?
Now you gotta ask yourself a few things...
An email just landed in your inbox: you just got a $20,000 offer to voice a series regular on a major streaming service! Can you believe it?
Now you gotta ask yourself a few things...
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[16/21] Red Flag #6 - Unbelievable Offers
An email just landed in your inbox: you just got a $20,000 offer to voice a series regular on a major streaming service! Can you believe it?
Now you gotta ask yourself a few things...
An email just landed in your inbox: you just got a $20,000 offer to voice a series regular on a major streaming service! Can you believe it?
Now you gotta ask yourself a few things...
[15/21] They should be the ones paying you, so if they require you to pay, walk away, block them, and report them to the proper authorities.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[15/21] They should be the ones paying you, so if they require you to pay, walk away, block them, and report them to the proper authorities.
[14/21] Red Flag #5 - They Ask for Money Upfront
A legitimate casting call will NEVER ask you to pay to audition. You don't have to pay to lock in your audition slot, to file some supposedly necessary paperwork, or to cover some sort of registration fee.
A legitimate casting call will NEVER ask you to pay to audition. You don't have to pay to lock in your audition slot, to file some supposedly necessary paperwork, or to cover some sort of registration fee.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[14/21] Red Flag #5 - They Ask for Money Upfront
A legitimate casting call will NEVER ask you to pay to audition. You don't have to pay to lock in your audition slot, to file some supposedly necessary paperwork, or to cover some sort of registration fee.
A legitimate casting call will NEVER ask you to pay to audition. You don't have to pay to lock in your audition slot, to file some supposedly necessary paperwork, or to cover some sort of registration fee.
[13/21] Instead, they'll direct you to an email, or an IM app, or anywhere else your conversations are hidden away from the public.
Sure, there's *some* info that should be kept private, but basic stuff like the things I mentioned in #2... that stuff should be out in the open.
Sure, there's *some* info that should be kept private, but basic stuff like the things I mentioned in #2... that stuff should be out in the open.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[13/21] Instead, they'll direct you to an email, or an IM app, or anywhere else your conversations are hidden away from the public.
Sure, there's *some* info that should be kept private, but basic stuff like the things I mentioned in #2... that stuff should be out in the open.
Sure, there's *some* info that should be kept private, but basic stuff like the things I mentioned in #2... that stuff should be out in the open.
[12/21] Red Flag #4 - "Inbox me" or "DM me"
Going back to #1 & #2, legitimate casters will be as transparent as possible. Scammers, on the other hand, will refuse to answer questions.
Going back to #1 & #2, legitimate casters will be as transparent as possible. Scammers, on the other hand, will refuse to answer questions.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[12/21] Red Flag #4 - "Inbox me" or "DM me"
Going back to #1 & #2, legitimate casters will be as transparent as possible. Scammers, on the other hand, will refuse to answer questions.
Going back to #1 & #2, legitimate casters will be as transparent as possible. Scammers, on the other hand, will refuse to answer questions.
[11/21] There are exceptions to this, of course. Especially if you're dealing with indie projects, boutique firms, or other smaller entities. The key here is to recognize when it's acceptable to use an unofficial address, and when it should raise some alarms.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[11/21] There are exceptions to this, of course. Especially if you're dealing with indie projects, boutique firms, or other smaller entities. The key here is to recognize when it's acceptable to use an unofficial address, and when it should raise some alarms.
[10/21] Red Flag #3 - Unofficial or Personal Email Address
For most big projects, expect to correspond with an someone using an official email address, like "[email protected]" rather than "[email protected]"
For most big projects, expect to correspond with an someone using an official email address, like "[email protected]" rather than "[email protected]"
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[10/21] Red Flag #3 - Unofficial or Personal Email Address
For most big projects, expect to correspond with an someone using an official email address, like "[email protected]" rather than "[email protected]"
For most big projects, expect to correspond with an someone using an official email address, like "[email protected]" rather than "[email protected]"
[9/21] ... this list can go on and on.
The point is - if there's something you need to know about a project, a legitimate caster will probably give you a direct answer, and if not, they'll give a clear reason why they can't.
The point is - if there's something you need to know about a project, a legitimate caster will probably give you a direct answer, and if not, they'll give a clear reason why they can't.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[9/21] ... this list can go on and on.
The point is - if there's something you need to know about a project, a legitimate caster will probably give you a direct answer, and if not, they'll give a clear reason why they can't.
The point is - if there's something you need to know about a project, a legitimate caster will probably give you a direct answer, and if not, they'll give a clear reason why they can't.
[8/21] They'll also give you details about the project, like the kind(s) of voice(s) they need, the language and accents necessary, and more.
Other useful info includes the length of the material, where it'll be used, where it will be published or broadcast, the offered fee...
Other useful info includes the length of the material, where it'll be used, where it will be published or broadcast, the offered fee...
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[8/21] They'll also give you details about the project, like the kind(s) of voice(s) they need, the language and accents necessary, and more.
Other useful info includes the length of the material, where it'll be used, where it will be published or broadcast, the offered fee...
Other useful info includes the length of the material, where it'll be used, where it will be published or broadcast, the offered fee...
[7/21] Sometimes they're limited by non-disclosure agreements (or NDAs), but the point is that they tend to be very transparent about their projects and requirements.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[7/21] Sometimes they're limited by non-disclosure agreements (or NDAs), but the point is that they tend to be very transparent about their projects and requirements.
[6/21] Red Flag #2 - Vague or Missing Details
Yeah, this is related to #1, but I wanted to expound a bit. Legitimate casters will share as much info about their project as they can.
For one thing, they'll let you know what company they work for, and if possible, their client.
Yeah, this is related to #1, but I wanted to expound a bit. Legitimate casters will share as much info about their project as they can.
For one thing, they'll let you know what company they work for, and if possible, their client.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[6/21] Red Flag #2 - Vague or Missing Details
Yeah, this is related to #1, but I wanted to expound a bit. Legitimate casters will share as much info about their project as they can.
For one thing, they'll let you know what company they work for, and if possible, their client.
Yeah, this is related to #1, but I wanted to expound a bit. Legitimate casters will share as much info about their project as they can.
For one thing, they'll let you know what company they work for, and if possible, their client.
[5/21] Examples of this:
"We're looking for a talented voice over artist to create engaging ads."
"If you have a great voice and a passion for creative work, let's connect."
"We're casting for an exciting new project and we're looking for voice talents."
Nice, right?
"We're looking for a talented voice over artist to create engaging ads."
"If you have a great voice and a passion for creative work, let's connect."
"We're casting for an exciting new project and we're looking for voice talents."
Nice, right?
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[5/21] Examples of this:
"We're looking for a talented voice over artist to create engaging ads."
"If you have a great voice and a passion for creative work, let's connect."
"We're casting for an exciting new project and we're looking for voice talents."
Nice, right?
"We're looking for a talented voice over artist to create engaging ads."
"If you have a great voice and a passion for creative work, let's connect."
"We're casting for an exciting new project and we're looking for voice talents."
Nice, right?
[4/21] Sometimes, there isn’t even a project to cast for - they just want to farm as many samples as possible. Why? Well… that’s a topic for another time.
The point is, think twice before responding.
The point is, think twice before responding.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[4/21] Sometimes, there isn’t even a project to cast for - they just want to farm as many samples as possible. Why? Well… that’s a topic for another time.
The point is, think twice before responding.
The point is, think twice before responding.
[3/21] Red Flag #1 - Overly Generic Casting Calls
These are basically casting calls that don’t say anything about the project, and just say “we need voice actors” in different ways.
They’re generic so they just want to get as many respondents as possible.
These are basically casting calls that don’t say anything about the project, and just say “we need voice actors” in different ways.
They’re generic so they just want to get as many respondents as possible.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[3/21] Red Flag #1 - Overly Generic Casting Calls
These are basically casting calls that don’t say anything about the project, and just say “we need voice actors” in different ways.
They’re generic so they just want to get as many respondents as possible.
These are basically casting calls that don’t say anything about the project, and just say “we need voice actors” in different ways.
They’re generic so they just want to get as many respondents as possible.
[2/21] Worse, I notice a lot of people responding to these calls. I can't really fault 'em for expressing their interest. They likely don't know what a scammy casting call looks like. So I decided to list some red flags that indicate a casting call isn't worth responding to.
January 18, 2026 at 2:13 AM
[2/21] Worse, I notice a lot of people responding to these calls. I can't really fault 'em for expressing their interest. They likely don't know what a scammy casting call looks like. So I decided to list some red flags that indicate a casting call isn't worth responding to.
Thanks! An outfit called Demo Reel Forge produced this.
July 2, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Thanks! An outfit called Demo Reel Forge produced this.