VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

JBarrett · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject: Possible alternative to CD demos?

I got this link from a friend. Part of me thinks it'd be fun to distribute a handful of demos this way (i.e. if an agency asks for a CD, send this instead). However, another part is thinking of the possible down-sides, the biggest being...

Cost: a one-off wouldn't cost much, but they're not exactly cost-effective for large quantities.
Convenience: While a CD can be played in either a computer or a stand-alone player, this thing requires a computer. Might be a possible turn-off. However, the recipient can copy the demo to their computer for greater convenience if desired, so that's a possible plus. Then again, if they'd wanted a digital file, they would've asked for one and not a CD, so maybe not so plussy after all.

What do you think? Worth the risk?
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

too "gimmicky." unless you're brand has something to do w/ a "classic" or "warm" sound (or something along those lines), the cassette casing really is just a big waste of trees, plastic, and money.
in addition to that - a 64MB memory stick? Geez - you can get 4 GB sticks for $20-25 nowadays (and that's not even ONLINE).

finally - this MIGHT work for direct, local, small, or ad agency clients, but most producers, agents, or large or busy clients don't have the time to do anything other than click their mouse to hear your work.

in the cool department it gets an A.
in the ROI department it gets a big fat F.

Thinking outside the box is great (God knows we creative types can't help it), but recognizing what the "norm" or "accepted" formats are (right now emailed links to mp3 or CD's) is much more productive.

W/ that said, i think i'll order one just to show it off,

PEACE.
-Anthony

Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

I think there might be one other problem.
• it might get tossed out without a second look if the recipient thought it were really a cassette.

Yoda117 · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject:

folks send me stuff like that all the time.

They always move from envelope to trash in one quick motion...

mainly due to security.

That said, if you're not asked for it on USB, why would you intentionally choose to send something in a format different from the norm? Yes, we all want to establish our own branding, but this just hits too many obstacles to be an effective use of $ IMO.
_________________
Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

ricevoice · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:24 pm Post subject:

Also, consider the percentage of recipients who'd have no idea what a USB stick is or how to use it. I have a feeling that percentage is frighteningly higher than you might expect.
_________________
Chris Rice - Noisemaker
www.ricevoice.com

RayAnime · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 3:10 am Post subject:

I would think it would only be a good idea if you were absolutely sure the person you were sending it to would appreciate it. If I were a casting director or an agent, it would be perfect--but then again, I shelled out $99.95 a piece for the 4GB version of these (along with their little hoodie protective case/carrier things):

I would say unless you know the person is that much of a dork over this kind of stuff (which--let's face it--is highly unlikely . . . I mean do you know anyone else who actually owns clothing for their USB drive?), just give 'em what they ask for and maybe come up with a cool design for the CD or CD packaging to express yourself instead (as long as it's still easy to open/read/understand).

The other thing is, I've seen these cassette USB things before and considered the idea of using them myself before ultimately deciding against them for basically the same reasons mentioned on this thread--and I'm sure you and I aren't the only ones to have considered it. Probably the only thing worse than risking a gesture that could be construed as annoying or cutesy is one that's also been seen before.

If you were going to go with the USB idea at all, it might be better to find your own unique way of packaging it vs. using something premade--plus as someone mentioned you can come by USB sticks with much higher memory for the same price as this one, so in that case there's the added benefit of the person actually being able to use the device for storage after they've listened to your demo vs. a stick that will probably sit around & collect dust or end up in the trash because the memory is too low to really be useful. But all things considered, again I'd just go with the CD . . . unless you hear that I'm suddenly hiring. In that case, there's an R2-D2 USB stick that I've had my eye on for quite some time (seriously).

If you want to check out more fun/ridiculous USB sticks just for fun, go to mimoco.com

Smile

RayAnime · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 3:55 am Post subject:

Update:

When I went to the website to copy the link, I noticed that they had some new drives. It's possible that I may have purchased another one.

It may have been this little pirate, designed by one of my favorite graphic artists, tokidoki (aka simone legno):

Oh, come on--it's awesome!

Rolls Eyes

!!!!!

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 5:47 am Post subject:

I plan on going to LA and perform my demo using the medium of contemporary dance then fly to New York to workshop my demo sitting on the floor of a converted bonded warehouse (bean bags supplied) with 5 actors and a drug support worker. My storyboard and audio "Smithy" has already been pitched to the Chicago based ad agencies; they didn't get it so knew it was good.

louzucaro · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 6:11 am Post subject:

I've thought about getting some of those from time to time, but I always get put off by the price / storage ratio. They're very cool and there are a lot of good artists doing paint for them, but in the end I'd usually rather have a vinyl figure Smile

That said, I've considered making one of my Voice Hero guy, but I would want it to be sculpted to look like him, and not just paint on a pre-existing sculpt, so it would require a bit more investment.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

RayAnime · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 7:56 am Post subject:

Lizden · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:01 am Post subject:

RayAnime · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:15 am Post subject:

ccpetersen · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:12 am Post subject:

rayanime,

We were thoroughly disgusted with Le Sportsac... a few years ago we bought one for DH to carry his music around in (he plays tuba in a few brass ensembles). I think it was $39.95 at Foley's or Macys. Fast-forward to this year and LS has gone all high-end and artsy fartsy, and the same darned bag was $150.00!! We finally found one on eBay for $45.00. They're good, but they're $150.00 worth of good.

Wink

As for the mem-sticks -- a lot of conferences I go to give them out as goodie-bag handouts, typically with some papers or research work or animations coded on them. They're not usually that big though, however they do make handy travel backups.

Not sure I'd use one for a demo though...
_________________
Charter Member: Threadjackers Local 420

bobsouer · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

CC,

Long ago in a land far, far away I played the tuba. (I throw this in at this point because this thread is already jacked to a fare thee well.)
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Frank F · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 11:32 am Post subject:

JBarret, et al;

I concur with AnthonyVO,