VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[whalewtchr]

Hi. Recently had the pleasure of attending the Billion Dollar Read with Pat Fraley, Hillary Huber, Scott Brick and Dan Musselman. A wonderful weekend of learning and performing with some of the best directors and narrators in audiobooks. The result was a DEMO which I would love some feedback on.

http://www.jonahcummings.com

Thanks in advance!
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jonahcummings

[asnively]

Hi Jonah-- I couldn't get past the significantly fluctuating volume. It was so distracting to me, that I had trouble listening to what you were saying. Also, while you have a nice voice, I found it all a bit too sleepy. But that might just be me.
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[whalewtchr]

Thank You Amy!

[Mike Sommer]

+1 with what Amy said.

You need to learn microphone technique, how to stay on mice while reading the copy.

Next, it's important to understand the story, understand the characters in the story, and understand the subtext of the story. Every story has its own energy, emotion, and ebb and flow, and you need to find it and instill it into your voice.

The most important thing to understand is that, all narration is the voice of the Author's written character; whether or not that character is the Author's own speaking voice inscribed on the page, or that of an invented or real other person, telling the story. The narrator is the writer's mouthpiece, transforming the ideas and mental images from the printed form into audible speech.

This is one of my favorite pieces of narration:
http://www.viddler.com/explore/Ms_Valerie/videos/240/

I suggest watching it without the video, and listen to the story, as it unfolds by the great Christopher Plumber.
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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.

[Jeffrey Kafer]

+1 with what Amy said.

The first two pieces of copy in your demo are boring as hell, not necessarily your reading of them, but the choice of material. I completely zoned out. I would put the last piece first since it has some fleeting dialogue. Audiobook publishers aren't going to care as much about long droning pieces of narrative. They want to know how you handle characters, especially of the opposite gender. And how well you transition from narrative to conversation,

Honestly, I'm rather surprised they let you leave the workshop with this demo as a finished piece. Scott Brick's advice on his blog about how to craft a demo is very different from what you have here.
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[whalewtchr]

Mike Thank You for all the points you made and I am listening to the video, I realize that I have much learning to do. It is a challenge to capture and correctly interpret the Author's voice, this is what I find fascinating about audiobooks. I find it very educational to listen to those Author's who narrate their own work.

Jeffery Thanks for your input as well. Understand the excerpts were not the very best and will consider re-loading. The author of the first piece interestingly is an ex-funeral director...but you are correct to point out the first two are too similar in delivery and style.

Agree on the ability to showcase character transitions better. If you have any suggestions on "dialogue" excerpts I would certainly appreciate any leads.

I really enjoy audiobooks for the pure joy I receive doing them and appreciate the feedback and your honesty; my goal is to improve and learn. It is very helpful.

Thank You.

[Depthpersuasion]

Mike,

I gave this a listen before reading anyone else's responses, and my first thoughts where as follows:

1) Your Voice is pleasant

2) You delivery seemed very 'drifting'

3) The audio levels did take me out of the story

4) The dramatization didn't come across believable enough

Suggestions: (not to say you were not aware already, just what would be noted due to this read; sometimes our ears can't pick up what we think we're not doing)

As previously said, Know the material and read from that environment.

Read with more energy and fleshed out emotion that character would feel.

Durting the Narrative give ebb and flow that illustrates the emotions the story is trying to get the reader to feel.


I myself am but a beginning Voice Actor, but a veteran audience member . But really no matter the level, I believe we all have some advice to offer to each other. Hope it may serve a worthy addition to the preceding replies.

Cheers,

Daniel Pierce
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Richard D. Hall
http://RichardDHallVoiceActor.com

[Depthpersuasion]

Mike,

I gave this a listen before reading anyone else's responses, and my first thoughts where as follows:

1) Your Voice is pleasant

2) You delivery seemed very 'drifting'

3) The audio levels did take me out of the story

4) The dramatization didn't come across believable enough

Suggestions: (not to say you were not aware already, just what would be noted due to this read; sometimes our ears can't pick up what we think we're not doing)

As previously said, Know the material and read from that environment.

Read with more energy and fleshed out emotion that character would feel.

Durting the Narrative give ebb and flow that illustrates the emotions the story is trying to get the reader to feel.


I myself am but a beginning Voice Actor, but a veteran audience member . But really no matter the level, I believe we all have some advice to offer to each other. Hope it may serve a worthy addition to the preceding replies.

Cheers,

Daniel Pierce
_________________
Richard D. Hall
http://RichardDHallVoiceActor.com