VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Depthpersuasion]

While in development, thought I would share this with those of you kind enough to take the time to lend your ear and opinions to this rough reel.

Many thanks for being there,

http://voice123.com/mp3/demos/danielpierce%20-%20Commercial%20Character%20Medley%20.mp3
_________________
Richard D. Hall
http://RichardDHallVoiceActor.com

[brianforrester]

Daniel,

I'm not sure that what you've posted would constitute a commercial reel or even the beginnings of one. For starters (and just for starters) the individual segments are waaaaaaay too long and I'm not sure they would really be classified as commercial.

There is plenty of very good demo feedback contained in the archives here. It might be worth taking a bit of time to see what advice and feedback has been provided to others that may be relevant to your situation.

One other method that you might find helpful, is to visit other voice talent's websites to see what their commercial demos sound like; don't copy them, but it should give you an idea of where you might start.

Happy hunting.
_________________
Brian Forrester Voice Overs
www.brianforrester.com
brian@brianforrester.com
778.668.5715

[Mike Sommer]

Dan

I'm not sure where this falls in the realm of professional VO demos, so I'll just take this as "playful experimentation." It is good to purge oneself of all the playful experimentations with the microphone, effects and such. Once you get this out of you system, you can then focus on the business of Voice Acting.

I'll paraphrase Chuck Jones as best I can. Mr Jones was speaking of an art teacher he was studying under as a young man, the teacher said , "Every artiest has about 100,000 bad drawings in him." Mr Jones said, "So, I did everything I could to get those 100,000 drawings out of me."

This is true with anything we do, it takes practice, diligence and time to prefect the skill sets needed for a craft or profession. The general rule is that it takes about 10,000 hours for anyone becomes proficient at any one thing; or roughly about 10 years, depending on how hard or how long you work at it each day. (Your milage may vary)

Now is the time that you may want to seek out professional training to get you focused and seated with the proper fundamental skill-sets and disciplines needed to become a professional Voice Actor. Having an understanding of what is expected of you in a professional setting will propel you forward in that endeavor.
_________________
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]

Daniel, Daniel, Daniel,

You've posted your demos for critiques here multiple times. And that's fine. But what I'm not hearing is you taking to heart the feedback you've been given countless times.

You're trying to make your voice that deep, dark thing, and it doesn't seem natural. Honestly, I have no idea what is attracting you to the faux-movie trailer voice, but it doesn't work.

You're voice-overing AT the audience, instead of just having a conversation. Your podcast piece comes close to conversational, but not close enough. Because you're focusing so much on how your voice SOUNDS, I'm not hearing any believability.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[Mike Sommer]

Daniel you're really doing yourself a disservice by pursuing this forced measured voice. The reason I know it's force is because I've seen your MySpace video. You're working very hard to insure you speak and sound in this particular forced manner. Though you have a deep voice, but what you doing is holding it back even farther, in in your chest instead of talking in your head, i.e. Through the MASK, as they say in vocal training classes.

Sorry you're not Andrew Eldritch, or a Thurl Ravenscorft. So it's high-time that you be Daniel Pierce. Otherwise you won't be hired much as a deep pretty voice.
_________________
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.

[whalewtchr]

Daniel. Take your headphones off, read the same copy and see if there are different results.
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jonahcummings

[Bailey]

Daniel

Taking the above suggestions for consideration, I have only one to add. Speak in your normal voice, like the one I heard in your video, on your Myspace page. It sounded natural and resonant. I feel that the commercial value would be greater than your attempts so far. Zero the board out, no processing, and no special effects. You have to establish a firm foundation before you can build on it.
_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 .gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo."

[Depthpersuasion]

Thanks, to all you guys for the critique.

I can agree and agreed with most everything you guys have said before I even posted this.

This isn't a demo in my mind, more of a sampling.

I can't really say that what's on here isn't my real voice. (Minus the Trailer and Audiobook reads)

As I understand it the more relaxed you are, the more you true sound comes out. Is that correct from your professional vantage point?

For one, in the video, i'm trying very hard not to speak too loud to not disturb any of the public that might be around; so my voice is somewhat unrelaxed and awkward.

Thanks again for your graces.
_________________
Richard D. Hall
http://RichardDHallVoiceActor.com

[Jeffrey Kafer]

[Mike Sommer]

It's about talking to people, friends, lovers, folks we care about. If you
talked to someone on the street, in the way you read your spots, they'd
think you're a bloody loon.

You want to invite people in, not shun them away.


So, I'm going to get a little personal here. From your video, you seem to care about
your parents. What I would like you to try, is to take the following commercial
and talk to either your mom or your dad. If that doesn't work, try talking
to your best friend. Say his or her name at the beginning and go. If you
have a picture of them, put it on the copy stand and talk to the picture.

[This is to be used as a "point of purchase" advertisement in the
tissue isle of Supermarkets ( when someone steps on a pad, the spot is
played. Direction: Personal, Warm, Informative. ]

JOB: :15 (Floor Talkers)
TITLE: "Juicy Story/Processed"

("Tissue #2")

SFX:

(A big drawn-out sneeze.)

ANNCR:

Are you reaching for a tissue? Maybe you should also be reaching for a
glass of Florida Orange Juice. It's not only delicious, but a natural way
to give your immune system some of the essential-vitamins and
minerals it needs to help fight things like colds.

Florida Orange Juice

Healthy. Pure & Simple
.

_________________
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.

[Philip Banks]

You approach the fire, hand outstretched

"DON'T go near the fire you may burn yourself!"

You approach the fire, hand outstretched

"DON'T go near the fire you may burn yourself!"

You approach the fire, hand outstretched

"DON'T go near the fire you may burn yourself!"

You approach the fire, hand outstretched

SILENCE

"Oowwwwwwwwwwwww. That hurt! I just burned myself on the hand. I'm never doing that again!"

Lesson learned.

[Mike Sommer]

What fire??

_________________
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.

[Depthpersuasion]

Thanks, guys. Conversational tone was what I was conscientious of while recording the podcast spot for Inside Acting. Apparently, it's still too hokey.

I do see a blend and balance of about 5 different elements that accumulate in a commercial read.

I'll spend some more time with my copies.

Do any of you have any suggestions on voice over coaches in Los Angeles?

Soundadvice (based 15 years in Chicago and 2 her in LA) ect...

Thanks again.
_________________
Richard D. Hall
http://RichardDHallVoiceActor.com

[Jeffrey Kafer]

Nancy Wolfson, Marc Cashman, Pat Fraley.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[Depthpersuasion]

Very familiar with all of them. Glad you mentioned'em

Thank you, Jeff.
_________________
Richard D. Hall
http://RichardDHallVoiceActor.com