VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[The Voice of Steve]

Here's a link to my demo, one of my podcast episodes on my podcast site:

www.voiceofsteve.podomatic.com

I have been an amature professional vo guy for almost a decade now...going thru a local studio called The Bridge...I NEED to do more. I NEED to make this my living and over the last two weeks or so I've made what I feel is a big push in that direction. I want to get it right and your feedback is key.

Thanks in advance (except for the meanies...in which case I say "Why you bein' so MEAN???)



Steve McGrath
voiceofsteve@att.net

[Bruce]

Let's see if I can say this without being mean.......hmmmmm.......OK, let's try this....

You have an adventure ahead of you since you've chosen to try this profession, and quite a potentially exciting one at that; a journey that will take you through the world of professional voiceover. You'll be listening to hundreds of demos of professional voice talents and you'll try to learn from them...what they put in their demos and why...what kind of voice clips they feel can actually interest a potentially paying client. You'll hear the good and the bad. Have fun trying to gather which is which. You'll also learn to not go on a self-serving ego trip by saying "the voice of MY name" every ten seconds (sorry, did that come off as mean?). And one of the nicest things is that you'll get a lot of healthy exercise because you've got a long way to go before you can channel what sounds like a lot of spunk and desire into something that professionals in our business really want to listen to.

Have a safe trip!

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Mike Sommer]

Not mean at all Bruce. It seems to me that when people post for a Critique, they need to figure out what they want: Do they want the truth, or do they want to feel good?

Hopefully they want the truth so they can grow. If they want to feel good they can play their demo for mom.

After listening to the lengthy introduction of the first demo I checked to make sure I had actually clicked on the right track. This drivel has nothing to do with a professional demo; slate your name and go. As a matter of fact you don't really need to slate your name, you have 4 to 10 seconds to catch the ear of the producer or agent. If you can't do that you're toast.

I'm not really sure what this is a demo of, I guess it's a character demo, but it seems more like aimless ramblings, with a bad Don LaFontaine-ish kind of imitation tossed in. I guess. Your first demo need to be a commercial demo, because that is the bread and butter of the industry.


In summary :
This is amateurish and unlistenable.

Take the advice given above by Bruce and get some VO coaching.

Just my 2¢
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The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

[The Voice of Steve]

Thanks, guys. Clearly I have some work to do, but mainly with the structure of my demo than my ability. While this may matter little as far as getting more paying work, I am confident in my skill.

I truly appreciate the candid feedback and will use it to put together a more appropriate demo. One thing I have learned in the twelve hours since joining this board is there are and SHOULD be different demos...commercial, narration, character. This demo would be the latter. One question I would have...should I submit different demo types all at once to an agency for consideration, or send them as seperate submissions?

The faulty structure of the demo aside, I would be interested to hear what was thought of the actual content.

Thanks again, guys.

[asnively]

Instead of commenting on the content of the recording I listened to, I'd like to point you toward www.voicebank.net. Without even having to register, you can listen to the commercial demos of professional, represented voice talent.

After you've heard what a commercial demo sounds like, and what it includes, you'll be in a better position to figure out your next step.

Congratulations on the confidence you have in your ability! I've been making a living doing voice over full time for several years, and I feel like I still have a ton to learn. Even in the last few weeks, I've had a performance breakthrough that has resulted in a huge jump in my booking ratio. And I continue to study, practice, learn, and attempt to grow every single day. Maybe one day I will have your level of confidence, but I kind of hope I never do.
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[CarynClark]

Woah nelly!!!

I echo the suggestion of going to Voicebank.net and listening to commercial demos (check out TGMD Talent, Atlas Talent, and others). I also recommend you read a few books about voice over. Get "Voice for Hire" by Randy Thomas and Peter Rofe. Also good is "Secrets to Voice Over Success" by Joan Baker.

Don't quit your day job. I'm not saying this to be mean . It's a reality with anyone who wants to make vo a career... and believe me, there are A LOT of people who want to make it their career. It's very competitive, and you have to be the best at it, or you're not gonna make it. It's that simple.

Take acting classes. As many as you can.

Take vo classes. Be selective in the classes you take (don't take classes that promise you a demo at the end of 6 weeks... that kind of thing), but honestly, you'll learn a lot about how this business works.

And, do yourself a favor. Don't submit a demo to any agent until a trusted source thinks you are good and ready. You don't know us, so you may not consider us trusted sources, but I can tell you, even if you make demos for various vo genres, you're not quite ready to submit to an agent. I know people who had a previous vo background who have studied privately with coaches for 12+ months before even creating a demo they felt worthy of submitting to an agent. So, take your time and learn about the business. This is an investment of both money and time.
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Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

[The Voice of Steve]

I clearly understand now that I have a lot to learn. The demo I have posted is NOT the one I SHOULD have posted and will be going back to square one on that.

I DO have a lot to learn about the industry, that is true...but it is an industry that I have worked in...just not to the level that you have. It is BECAUSE of the experience that YOU have that I truly take seriously the advice I've been given. I'm not just someone who thought it'd be cool to buy a mic and record funny voices.

I've done paying work for the last 8-9 years. Just on a smaller scale. I DO believe I can do more. I wouldn't have been hired for the work I have done if I couldn't.

I need to turn off the ego and do a demo that OTHERS are looking for, not what I WANT to do or think is funny.

Again, I DO appreciate the advice and will use it to become better.

Thanks.

[Diane Maggipinto]

'kay, perhaps while listening to demos on voicebank, you might also channel your inner hows and whys of desiring a voiceoverizing career. i've read that you "want to make a living" but ah the nuances of this business are much more than making a living and no one's hanging out a sign that says "help wanted."

so yes, the advice above is excellent, targeted advice. carry on and get to work and know it won't happen overnight by any stretch.
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

[glenspot]

I've been a friend of Steve for what must be nearly 20 years now. I sent him the following message personally, but I thought I'd share it here also.

I lurk on the vo-bb.com message board.... I became a member when I noticed that the Commercials By The Dozen website was getting a bunch of hits from that domain. I joined to find that they were dissing the service, the website, the domain, the price, pretty much everything.

No big deal. After all, they are professional voice over artists who have made an incredible living doing the work you and I do on a smaller scale. BUT.... my advice is this..

Its INCREDIBLY hard to break into THEIR industry. There are dozens, if not HUNDREDS ... maybe THOUSANDS of folks with fantastic voices who are either doing voice work or trying to do voice work. So, rather than break into THEIR industry... I decided to create my own. Maybe the same methodology could work for you? For example -- Did kia become a major player in the car industry by creating vehicles that were built and priced exactly like the big 3? Of course not. They created their own niche, their own price point, their own marketing strategy, etc.

Is there a way to take your creativity, production ability, etc.. and create a product that is completely unique and priced differently than what they do?

In the end, my advice is.... always be a student of the industry, but go in your own direction. Be the VO artist YOU want to be. Market to customers who match your skillset.

Anyhoo... those are my 2-cents.

(Also, if you want any advice on how to set up a VERY affordable studio at home... I can help you out.... I started out probably spending no more than $300 on equipment.)

Stay in touch.
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Glen Pavlovich
www.glenpavlovich.com

[KaraEdwards]

Steve,

The advice posted here so far is spot on. You asked specifically about content, and I hope you don't mind me adding my two cents.

You need to work on developing characters, not just voices with accents. The accents are fine- but it sounds like the same person doing different accents, not creating individual characters.

Another recommendation I have is to never, ever include an impression on an animation demo. Even if the impression is spot on, clients want to hear what you do different from everyone else. Why should they hire you?? Tell them in your demo. Showcase what you do best.

I highly recommend you take a class from Bob Bergen. He does weekend seminars all over the country. Google him, and learn all you can from his website and occasional posts here.

I also recommend you learn all you can from Pat Fraley. Buy his books and absorb (he also teaches classes- take them if you can!). Pat taught me how to break down a character over 10 years ago and I use his lessons daily!

Acting and impov classes are invaluable, and usually you can take them cheaply and locally.

Study, study, study- then decide what you have that no one else has. What do you bring to the table? What aspect of voice over do you love most? Then, listen to the demos of the people making a great living at VO- that's the direction you want to head.

There are those of us that take this very seriously and spend decades learning and improving (which, I believe should never end).

I can't breathe without a mic nearby...that's how much this job means to me. It is the very essence of who I am- I put my creativity and my heart out there every single day. So, none of us want to come across like we are being harsh...we are just very, very serious about this business and want to help those that see it the same way we do.

So, I hope that helps!
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Threadjackers local 420

Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com

[glenspot]

[The Voice of Steve]

So I was up WAY to early this morning but took advantage of the quiet to do some work on a commercial demo. I'm going to work on it til I get it right but I wanted to make sure I'm not stepping on toes here if I were to post it when I'm "done". I learned ALOT yesterday and I'm looking forward to applying it.

I've got at least one of the books mentioned here waiting for me at the library and I'm listening to as many demos as I can find.

Thanks again for taking your valuable time to share your thoughts...took me a second to understand that the honest feedback wasn't (I hope) intended to tear me down so much as it was hard working professionals being protective of the industry they love. While I may not be to the level that you've attained (yet) I share that feeling. Only time and EFFORT will tell if the industry (not the people in it but the industry itself) will return that feeling.

[CarynClark]

Steve, you'll always get honest feedback here, that's for sure!

I have to say though, that I just don't think you're ready for a demo yet. Perhaps I'm being pre-emptive by saying that, but I really think you need to work with a coach and practice quite a bit before you make a demo.

And, self-produced demos are usually not the best as you're not able to use an objective ear.
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Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

[Bob Bergen]

First off, thanks for the plug Kara! You rock!!

Steve, I absolutely hear your passion for this business. Passion is one of my all time favorite words. I don't care what your "thing" is, if you are passionate about it, even without financial success you'll always have a sense of accomplishment because by virtue of just being at the mic you are feeding your passion. Never lose that!!!

I don't have to tell you that you have vocal range. That's very evident on your demo. And I know you now realize that the demo you posted isn't formatted or produced competitively. My concern is are you demo ready?? The demo is the final step in your educational journey. By virtue of having a demo, you are telling folks that you are as good or better than all the others you hear on Voicebank. I know this is a big ol matter of opinion on this and other frums. But I feel in today's uber competitive world of VO, due to technology folks from all over the country are able to compete for many of the same gigs as those in larger markets. By posting a demo online, you never know who is listening, and (or) storing/saving your demo.

SO-my advice is don't think demo. As was suggested by others I say study. Study acting and improv, which might be more important for you than voice-over workshops at this stage. I am in full agreement on Pat Fraley's workshops and books/audio books. Great resources.

One huge tool I didn't have 30 plus years ago when I was studying VO is this and other sites like it. The only networking I had was in my workshops. Granted, those in my workshops included the likes of Nancy Cartwright, Corey Burton, Earl Kress, Jim Ward, Mona Marshall, Greg Burson, etc. Folks who were not only brilliant in class, but had great success in their careers. Just being associated with these great talents even in the workshop stage was beneficial and supportive. But here you have a wide range of peers from all over the world. It's like a huge VO support network. Listen to them. Those who take the time to comment really give a damn. Always strive for honest critique. Stroking just feels good for the moment, but isn't going to make you grow and learn.

I'll leave you with this. Being that the demo you have posted in a character demo, here's a short excerpt from my website on character demos. read away. And if you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask!

Bob

Q: What goes on an animation track?

A: Your animation track should sound like a montage of real animation clips cut together into a minute and a half demo. Stay away from telling a story!! Also, never repeat a voice. Once you've established a character move on to the next. Try to have each character DOING something, not just SAYING something, in each byte. Give them some kind of action to be doing. This will show off not just your vocal range, but also your acting range. In cartoons they are looking for actors first, and funny voice people second. Which means if you are a great actor who can only do a few voices, you have a better chance of booking a job over someone who does dozens of voices, but can't act. Your animation track should consist of characters with distinct personalities. Everyone can do a witch. What makes your witch different?? How are your kid voices different from the Rugrats?? Nancy Cartwright, who does Bart Simpson, had been doing kid voices for years before booking The Simpsons. What makes her Bart stand out is her acting. His personality is as memorable as his voice. That's because Nancy is a brilliant actress. She makes the words on the script come to life. Think of the script as a skeleton, and you, the actor have to give it a body. When all of this sounds easy, then and ONLY then are you ready for an animation track for your demo.

[KaraEdwards]

Told ya BB was the BEST!
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Threadjackers local 420

Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com