VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

nana kickboxer · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

Hi everyone! I'm brand new to vo-bb, very excited to be involved. I'm looking for constructive criticism on my animation demo in the works. My goal is to send it to production companies for video games, anime and animation. I sincerely appreciate your time and care in giving me feedback I can use to improve and grow:) Smile

This is what I want to do in life, so I take this work to heart:)

Thank you!!
Bri

Here is the link:

http://soundcloud.com/brisoundslike/bri-knickerbocker-voice-over-4

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:48 pm Post subject:

I quite liked what I heard and I certainly have an idea of what you like to watch, play (video games) and listen to.

Now we've established your influences what you need to do is establish the influence you will have on any production for which you would like to be cast.

Listen to every clip and name 5 VOs who could do and indeed are doing what you would like to do. When you've done that discover what you would bring to the party that they wouldn't.

Your opening clip is a good example of Video Game affected acting, try it again and make me believe you are talking to me as opposed to setting a scene for a game player. Think about it this way. Say out loud, firmly "Hello. I acting LIKE I'M ABOUT to tell you something REALLY important". When you've done that imagine that I've walked up behind you, looked at your computer screen. You look up at me and explain what needs to happen. Just talk to me as opposed to act AT me. From what I've heard you'll "get it" and hear the difference very quickly.

Keep up the great work. You've done very well.

nana kickboxer · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

Thank you for the reply. The first spot is from a video game for Scholastic. I think it's going to be dry in the game, so I added the typing. Once the game is live, I'll check it out. But I'm not sure about changing that first clip since Scholastic loved it and they're a big client...?

Bruce · Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:27 pm Post subject:

Hi Bri, and welcome aboard!

While I understand your point that the first cut on your demo is work that's been paid for and therefore worthy of inclusion, I think Philip is right to wonder if it's the best thing you can put at the front of your demo.

You clearly have talent that would give some producers a reason to consider you, but your demo selections are missing the uniqueness that would make the majority of producers really perk up and take notice. There are many actors out there already in your age/voice range so you need to stand out.

Another way to put what Philip was suggesting is striving for "commitment to character". I listened to some of you other work on your SoundCloud page and you do the disaffected young person really well. However, animation characters are rarely disaffected. They're alive with wonder, danger, mirth and all. This applies to your child voices just as much.

I suggest creating something really dynamic for an opener plus a couple of others, be careful of technical problems like the mic popping/rumbling on the Prince piece, keep the selections fairly short (no more than 10 seconds?) especially the two sung pieces...maybe just the best 10 seconds or so of one of those songs.

Visit voicebank.net and listen to other talents in your range so you know who you're competing with and hopefully you'll figure out how to stand out in that crowd.

B
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nana kickboxer · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

What do you guys think of this redo layout-wise?

http://soundcloud.com/brisoundslike/bri-knickerbocker-voice-over-5

I'd love to get others' comments if anyone's out there:)

Lapianoman · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:10 am Post subject: Re: how's this?

I'm curious about who is producing your demo...do you mind sharing?
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John LaPiana
Voice User

nana kickboxer · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

Of course! I was putting something together on my own for practice/experience purposes. I do not proclaim to be a professional demo producer. But I wanted to really involve myself in my characters and laying them out multi-track, to see how it all fits together, to see what stands out/doesn't stand out. what I need to strengthen, improve on.

My end goal is to have an amazing stand out animation demo to send to production companies that produce anime and animation!

I'd love to hear your comments:)

Thank you for your interest!
Bri

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:44 am Post subject:

I have no feedback, but wanted to say hello to Bri (I've worked with her). Glad you joined us over here!
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

Lapianoman · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:54 am Post subject:

If I'm off-base, I'm sure someone else here will correct me. That said, your demo is fine for auditions on sites like Voice Acting Alliance & Voice Acting Club, but when you're talking about submitting your demo in the hopes of getting work from production companies...that's a whole other league. You'll be competing with professionals, so your demo needs to be as good (if not better) than theirs. For that, you'll need a professional to produce your demo for you.

Since you're just practicing at this point, I'd suggest reducing the amount of time spent on each character. Your first 2 voices took up 20 seconds, when there could be 4-5 voices in that same time frame. I'd also drop the singing in favor of more characters. You sound like you have a good range, so show it off! Be mindful of the audio quality too. I heard distracting clicks right off the bat, when you need to be putting your best foot forward.

You really do have something, so keep going!
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John LaPiana
Voice User

nana kickboxer · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

Thanks for the great advice and information. Ok, I'm going to get back to work and I'll repost updates soonish:) Smile

--and hi, Jeffrey:)

samowry · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:14 pm Post subject:

Lapianoman · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject:

Sorry, should have clarified that I was responding to the second demo link, which did not include the keyboard bit.
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John LaPiana
Voice User

samowry · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2012 10:16 am Post subject:

My bad. I hadn't heard the second. I hear what you hear and yes, it's not a good thing.

Listening too late at night I fear.

nana kickboxer · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

Yeah, that's what I got (those odd clicks) when I ripped the sound from the video of the gig I did. That stinks, wish it came out clean!

nana kickboxer · Joined: 12 Mar 2012 Posts: 8

I have someone working on adding to my dry voice tracks...but until then, I feel like this is getting much stronger, more energetic and concise--thanks to you guys and your right on feedback!!

http://soundcloud.com/brisoundslike/bri-knickerbocker-voice-over-6

Thank you, guys!!

Bri