VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Darren Altman]

Hi all, i've just received this:

https://soundcloud.com/darren-altman/gaming-reel

I wrote the script and was directed in the booth by a fab producer, it's my first stab at a gaming reel. I'd love your feedback and thoughts please.
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https://www.darrenaltman.com/
http://twitter.com/darrenaltman

[Benjamin Stovall]

Darren, I don't know what the industry professionals will say, but I absolutely loved it! It was fresh and and entertaining, but most importantly, it showcased your many talents in a visceral way. Wow!

To be honest, I'm really interested in growing into doing character voices as well. I'm practicing, but am nowhere near the place that I would let anyone hear me yet. May I ask, are you just a natural or did you do specialized training?
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Ben Stovall Voiceover
http://www.benstovall.com

"When you're nearing the end of your rope, tie a knot. Keep on hanging. Keep on remembering, that there ain't nobody bad like you." -- The Electrifying Mojo

[JoeActor]

Hi Darren,

The good: Accents, attitudes and characters that sound like they have goals and a bit of flesh on their bones.

The other hand: it's a bit long for a gaming demo, and comes across more as a narration sample. Partly due to the length, partly from having one story line.

Most gaming demos are a collection of snippets from a variety of gaming genres (and they can be made-up, but sound like they've come from real games), and run about 90 seconds give or take.

One issue with having a story in your demo is that the listener is paying attention to the plot, which distracts them from listening to your characters. Repetition is also an issue, as many listeners will tune-out or turn-off a demo when they hear a similar character.

If you can take your strongest characters and accents, and create separate clips for each of them, with different music/feel/effects/etc - this will get you closer to what the industry currently uses.

... and of course that's not to say this won't get noticed for being different. Sometimes that's a gamble that pays off.

Cheers,
Joe
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"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com
www.SoundsGoodToYou.com

[colinsz1]

Hello Darren,

I thought there was great diversity in your voices and the acting aspect was believable and right on. The only thing I didn't like was the length of the demo and how some characters dominated time slots over others. Otherwise, I think you have a good way to master other dialects and bring them to life.

[Lance Blair]

I really enjoyed this, and think you were excellent in it, and it's amazing that you play all the voices in it. It's definitely something that is good to have in the arsenal, especially in terms of accents.

But all the characters are in the same situation - and they're all desperate pretty much over the same predicament. So while you show lots of great acting diversity in this, It might not be generally marketable as a gaming demo - it will be very useful for some specific auditions, definitely.

Some things (for example) that would be good to hear from you (and I know you can do these):

Someone commanding orders over SFX of chaos breaking loose.

Someone really terrified, as if they are being cornered and facing an immediate physical threat.

Someone sounding like they're really having a jolly blast in a fantasy Mario-world.

Someone completely befuddled about what it happening before their eyes.

Someone being eaten by a ninety foot tall badger. Ok. Maybe not ninety feet.



Definitely take three or four of your faves from this new session and give them different backgrounds, and mix it up with characters facing diverse situations.

Awesome as always, and thanks for sharing this!
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[Philip Banks]

...............and wearing some sort of hat?