VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bruce · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:38 am Post subject:

While D.C. Douglas is immensely talented, he has been know to make an error or two in judgment. (hoo boy) While as Bob says there are no rules, consensus seems to be no immediate voice play on a site. Buyers know how to click a button and it should be front and center, so to speak.

Yes, a general demo should be mostly commercial type material, but at least one segment should be something that gives listeners an idea as to your narration skills if that's a line of work you wish to do. Put in a clip where you're "animated" but not a cartoon character to show you have some flexibility maybe. Very little imaging work comes through the P2P sites from my experience, and those buyers who are searching for such probably aren't listening to general demos.

If you're fishing for which P2P site to sign up with, feel free to Search our archives, but you'll probably get frustrated and confused. Many people here like them and use them and have plenty of good and bad things to say about the two biggies (V123 and Voices, and very little to say about Bodalgo) and then there is a large group here that won't use them (ever again). Be prepared to lay down your $300, cut a lot of auditions, make some psychic decisions on how much to bid, and wait for very uncertain results.

Hey, you're getting work, and working hard to find out how to get more work and applying the advice that makes sense to you, and that's what this biz is all about.

Keep it up,

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

Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 988

[BTW, I got this idea from D.C. Douglas --> http://www.myvoiceoverguy.com/]

I actually have no problem with it, if it works. And I know "if it works" is subjective.

I think DC's works because of who he is, his track record in the business, and the sound byte itself shows off his money voice.

I don't think yours worked because it's processed so much it adds nothing to who you are and what you have to offer as a voice actor.

Anyone who takes my workshops know I'm a bundle of contradictions. I'll say "do this" and an hour later say "never do that." It all just depends on how it works and how it's received.

I tell folks don't have a picture on your website because they will judge your voice by your looks. AND, I have my picture on my site. What's with that??? Well, 30 years in the business. If you are a veteran in the business it might be an asset to have your picture. But if you are just starting out or fairly new it will harm you.

I have a sound byte on my home page. It use to be cartoon music along with tons of animated feature posters. My agent gave me some great advice. He said that the animation buyers know me and what I do in animation. But if he were to send an ad exec, or a promo producer to my site, being bombarded with animation would work against me. Genius advice! So, I removed the animation music and made the opening a mini demo of all things VO. I also have an option to skip the intro. It's done well for me. It might not work for others.

B

OneGeoVO · Guest

asnively · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:03 am Post subject:

I vote no on any auto-played audio, on any site, ever.
I think it's always a bad idea.
People who disagree have never used the web with a kitten in their lap, while nursing a baby, in bed as their partner sleeps, or after having cranked their monitors to 11 because of something they're working on in a different program.

I don't care if somebody smart, successful, usually-right, who I like IRL, and who throws a kick-ass mixer says it's OK (sometimes or ever). They are wrong.

Sticking out Tongue

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ccpetersen · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:21 am Post subject:

I agree about the "no" on auto play. I just got a feeler from someone who wanted me to consider their work. So, I clicked on their site link and it was a flash with NO way to opt out. Because I live in an area where I have a slower bit rate on my internet access, that site took a couple of minutes to fully load. It was a full screen of flash video animation. Once it loaded, it didn't tell me anything about the person who sent it, and little about the work they do.

OT: that being said, I am having a problem right now with a video link on a page that, even though I've set it to NON-autoplay, when the page loads, I get a 1-sec "blip" of sound. Not sure why that happens.
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OneGeoVO · Guest

OneGeoVO · Guest

ccpetersen · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:38 pm Post subject:

That worked like a champ! thanks for the suggestion!

sorry for the threadjack...
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OneGeoVO · Guest

asnively · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:59 pm Post subject:

Having their monitors cranked to 11 is quite common.

If you think your target audience isn't doing any of the other things, you're clearly unaware of how a lot of people in our business work-- casting directors, agents, and end-users.

Not everyone is a man, in an office, working 9-5, and not editing audio in another window. Just sayin'.

I've seen people lose gigs over this.
Up close.
Because I was the one who made the decision.
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Whit · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject:

I also vote no auto play ever. I don't like to be bombarded with sound when I'm not expecting it. It's unpleasant being caught unaware.

Mike Sommer · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 1:50 pm Post subject:

OneGeoVO · Guest

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:41 am Post subject:

Where web sites are concerned I know a Voiceoverist who breaks every rule in the book...EVERY SINGLE RULE. When that fact was pointed on this site D.B Cooper came up with the best advice I have ever read.

"He (the voiceoverist concerned) can do whatever the hell he likes but that doen't mean that YOU should."