VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Harrison]

At the suggestion three years ago of someone (I don't recall who), I asked one of our lovelier colleagues to record my name for the purpose of adding a slate to my demos. I've received several positive comments but, when recently told by a production house that they do not accept slated demos, it made me wonder whether I've potentially shot myself in the foot by providing them to others who also don't accept slated demos but who declined to say so.

So, under what circumstances is it felt slated demos are good... and when should they not be provided?

Thanks.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Bob Bergen]

It was en vogue in 1982 when I got into the business. As the MTV and e-generations got bigger and bigger, attention spans got smaller and smaller. Demos back them were 3-5 minutes, and each one took time to load the reel to reel.

With each new generation of demo platform, the load time and the demo length got shorter and shorter. Time is money, and most listeners give a demo 6 seconds to impress. If that time is taken up with your slate, that's valuable demo real estate wasted on the obvious. It's clear to the listener the name of the actor without having to hear it on the demo.

A slate is only needed if requested. For me it's not been requested for over 30 years.

[Philip Banks]

I have heard demos/auditions with the following content.

"Hi everybody! This is T Knuckles Williams Jnr III, Aries, voice actor. Thank y'all f'listening and look forward to working with y'all. As y'all know m'dog BeeBox is a crack ho' and m'wife beats up on me so I need money f'band aids and medication. Have a good day y'hear"

[Tre M.]

The only time I slate is when directed by my agents...some want a head slate (at the front) some want a tail slate( the end of the audition, not the demo) some dont want one at all.

When I send my reels out to houses, I don't slate, just give em the demo. I usually will introduce myself in the email, which I guess would serve well in lieu of the slate.
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Tre@trespeaksforyou.com
Www.trespeaksforyou.com
Skype: TKM32246

Source Connect: http://source-connect.com/tremovo

[Bish]

Auditions: Simple slate up front... "Peter Bishop - two takes" - unless specifically instructed to do otherwise by the agent or whoever is requesting the audition.

Demos: No slate. Straight into the meat and try to grab their attention straight away.

As far as a third-party (opposite gender) voice slating a demo... I think the only time this is valid (if at all) is when an agent or production house wants to brand the demos on their site with an in-house style.

There are so many opinions about this. It's the nature of the internet. 99 people may give the same opinion, and the 100th says something different... and somehow, this minority opinion starts to carry as much weight as the other 99. There are some stupid ideas out there (Philip's example is a prime case... I've heard the mini-bio at the front of an audition/demo as well). Basically, do what feels right or what you've been told to do while being mindful of who is listening and how much time they may or may not have to listen.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

[Mike Harrison]

Thank you, all.

The slates have been removed. Grateful appreciation to my lovely colleague who'd recorded it.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Lee Gordon]

I do what Bish does, except if there is no information other than my name, such as "two takes" or "all three characters," I slate at the end. Of course, if the client provides instructions regarding slating, that's what you do.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice