VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

marcos59 · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:26 am Post subject: Demo and samples

Hi folks, if anyone has time to listen to my demo/samples and give advice/feedback I'd really appreciate it.

About two years ago, I paid a local VO company a fee to "analyse" my voice, and I was told I had a lot of potential as it was unusually deep and "booming", but I needed training. The same company referred me to a studio engineer for one 2-hour training session, and then a demo recording which is now on the company website since last Spring, but I have had no offers/requests for quotes.

I then went to a different company/studio offering training and demo recording, they slated the previous demo and said it didn't do me any justice, so I did 5 training sessions (1 hour each) with them, but when I went to book a demo recording before Christmas, they never responded to my emails or returned my calls, I'm assuming because they were busy around that time of year.

I don't want to give up, so in the past few months I've bought frequently recommended books by Harlan Hogan, Joan Baker and James Alburger, and I'm thinking about investing in equipment for a home studio so I can do as many demos as I like.

Please excuse my website. It's a project I had to do for a module in my computer science masters. The first 2 samples were recorded with the first studio, the next 3 in the other studio/company, and the last was in a radio broadcasting course I did in Autumn 2011.

Many thanks in advance,

Mark

www.markcollinsvoice.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:46 am Post subject:

Mark, I'm going to be brief here because I have to get back to the exciting v/o world of editing e-learning files about common denonimators and the Pythagorean theorem. And sadly, I'm NOT kidding.

1) You have a fantastic voice. I absolutely love the sound, the tone, the timbre. One of the best sounding voices I've ever heard.

2) You need to invest in training with a good coach. Give yourself time, probably at least a year.

I'm sure other more knowledgeable folks will chime in, too. Best wishes.
_________________
Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

heyguido · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:47 am Post subject:

I'd start with some acting lessons. Do some community theatre. Learn to interpret.... to emote.... to inhabit a character. And take your time. It won't happen overnite. Might even take a few years..... or more.

You have a nice enough voice, remarkably uncoloured by your environs, and you could, indeed sell it. but first, you need to learn to act..... not read. Once you can use your voice, then you can begin to learn to make a living with it.

And THAT's a whole 'nother subject. Wink

_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

JoeActor · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:59 am Post subject:

+1 to prior comments.

Great voice. Acting, improv and or singing to beef up the acting side, and a good coach to let you know when you're ready for prime time.

I like the accent also.

To get a wider range of potential gigs, you may look into accent reduction. It'll allow you to do American or British work too... Just a thought.
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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com
www.SoundsGoodToYou.com

marcos59 · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:57 pm Post subject:

First of all, many thanks to all of you for your quick replies, and of course, advice.

Unfortunately my work and study situation (ie full time masters and full time job, of which neither are negotiable on the hours) has until now restricted me from committing to regular training (I had to give up singing lessons six months ago). But since all three of you have said that training's the most important thing, I will look into making time for it.

I don't know how much it'll help but in my spare time I've been reading various poems by E.A. Poe aloud in an attempt to make my accent more neutral, hopefully some good will come of it.

Anyway, thanks again guys. Really appreciate it. Smile

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:29 am Post subject:

When you paid to speak to the local VO company and paid for the demo to be made in what areas did they tell you that you must improve before you can start making money as a VO? From what I heard on your website the areas are not just subtleties they are vital.

NO NEED TO PANIC!

Find on the internet people with similar voice tones to yours and compare. Listen to every single inflection, word and pronunciation. When you find the best demo listen to it around 30 times. Every time you listen then listen to yours. Cost to you? Only your time. Learning value MASSIVE!

Tricks -

1 - Listen REALLY LISTEN
2 - Be honest with yourself.

Test

Listen to your demo and hear how you say Mercedes Benz. I've never heard it said like that before.

Good luck.

Festus · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:07 am Post subject: Re: Demo and samples

marcos59 · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 1:51 pm Post subject:

Hi guys, many thanks for your comments and advice.

I didn't get much direction from the studio engineer for the demo. The deal was that I research and find scripts myself from existing ads, transcribe them and we'd use those. The only thing I was told was that I should go for commercials such as those for luxury brands, as the tone of those voiceovers was generally more serious and corporate than humorous. The "Mercedes Benz" line was down to me trying to imitate the way the VO from the commercial said it. The same could probably be said for all the other scripts in the demo.

Philip, the report from the local VO company primarily said that although I have a strong natural voice, I needed work on my diction/articulation etc. They also said that the lack of performance in the sample scripts was possibly down to my diction, and that if I slowed down my speech, there might have been a bit more colour and life in the read. The second studio said I had a "lazy mouth" in the demo, and that there were several instances throughout where I fluffed lines.

To be fair to the second studio, they did teach me how important it is to perform rather than just read the script. My first recordings of the Enigma, Antarctica and Bord Gais were dreadful. That's not to say the ones on the site are any good, but they do give me a bit more confidence in what I can do just by taking direction. I felt that the bord gais sample in particular was a better indicator of what I could do when I put some colour/life into the read. That said, I would have liked to have put more resonance into that script, if only very lightly.

Festus, it's funny that you mention the accents, as I pick up accents quite easily. I didn't think about accents for the demo, but I should probably work on ones such as British or Mid Atlantic. In the next few weeks I'll be getting my equipment and practicing as much as I can while looking for a place to get training. Unfortunately finding a good vocal coach in Dublin is not as easy as I'd hoped.

Thanks again for the advice, I'm taking it all onboard. I really wish I'd found this website before I did the demo!

marcos59 · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 7:44 pm Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:53 am Post subject:

No need to apologise as we've ALL been there. Most VOs and aspiring VOs refuse to pay for or listen to anything of any real value but will jump on the first free train to Ego Massage Central.

Do a Prosecuting Lawyer on yourself.

Producer v VO

The defence lawyer does not need to prove a thing but Prosecuting Counsel must present all evidence against you. Prosecute, you must be sure of a conviction .... SURE. The case is simple; prove you are not, as you claim, a VO.

Phase two. Once you have all the evidence against you. Prepare your defence. Address each point to win.

It's a tough journey but regardless of the outcome you end up winning because the conviction or otherwise ensures real success.