VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

DorienJaye · Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 8 Location: New Hampshire

Is there a particular way I should set up my demo disc? I am now in search of agent and in need of some constructive feedback. Should I put only commercials and then have another disc for narrations and onther for corporate, docu, etc. Or should I set up entire disc with samples from all?And looking for suggestions to avoid getting thrown into the pile when it gets there.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:02 pm Post subject:

commercial demo as track 1, then narration as track 2. Label the disc accordingly.
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Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:05 pm Post subject:

What Jeff said. Welcome Dorien...

The "professional demo" can o' worms is now open.
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject:

First presentation to an agent I'd just put a commercial demo (about 1 minute long) and a narration demo (about 1:30 or so) on one CD. They should be able to make a decision just based on those.

Now if you're really good/experienced at something else, say promos or trailers or characters, then that might be worth adding to the CD.

My four cents.

B
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DougVox · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:32 pm Post subject:

Good demo advice above.

As for "not getting thrown into the pile," high-quality, well-branded graphics and an eye-catching demo package can help.
But the best way to avoid "The Pile" is to have a kick-ass demo THAT YOU CAN BACK UP IN THE STUDIO.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:39 pm Post subject:

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:09 pm Post subject:

+1
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heyguido · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:11 pm Post subject:

Everything above.... good advice from decades of experienced talent.

But most of all.... get your BEST, most outstanding work up front. Get their attention, then keep it. No also-ran, no filler. Be hypercritical. You get one brief opportunity to impress. Make it count.

And don't rush it. If it's not ready, live with it for a while. Revisit it. Massage it. Revise it.

Lastly, remember that your career will not tank without an agent. An agent will not magically take your career to the next level. Some of us here have agents. Some don't. Those that do know that an agent rarely makes the difference between success and failure. YOU do that, by building relationships with your clients, by exceeding expectations, and by doing work that shines, each and every time.

Nuff said. Somebody get this soapbox off the stage....
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Rick Riley · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:16 pm Post subject:

jsgilbert · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:34 pm Post subject:

Disc? I'm wondering. I haven't sent out CD's for quite some time. The few times that someone has wanted a physical submission, I've sent them a thumb drive. You can pick up 1 gig thumb drives on eBay for $3 or $4 each. Given the few that I've had to send, they seem to be rather cost-effective.

It seems in particular that submissions to agents these days are being dne predominantly through online forms or emails and mp3 attachments.

Beyond that, if you really are looking for a good agent, you really need an advocate who has an agents ear "walk" your stuff in. A producer, director, audio engineer, casting director, teacher or perhaps another established actor can help get you through the door.

As for the discounting the value of agents, I'm not a fan of that opinion. I love my agents and I owe a considerable chunk of my success to my agents. I wouldn't even consider doing this work without one. But that's just my opinion.

Good Luck.
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:16 am Post subject:

If an agent wants a CD, send a CD. But creating a one-off professional quality package for that CD is the real challenge. I sent 1 CD in the past 5 years and the person I sent it to admits to being old school.

And I too, love my agents. I am up in Orange County through tomorrow afternoon on a live announce gig that came through my agent several years ago - well, sort of. I had done lots of work for the particular company doing the meeting audio/video support, but they called her to work out a deal for me. This is year number 5 I think.

Before I left on Monday, I picked up two residual checks from my agents in Atlanta and New York.

But most of my work comes to me directly from my website, referrals, networking and social media. No CD's required for that!
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heyguido · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:31 am Post subject:

Not knocking agents. And you two are excellent examples of my point....
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Rick Riley · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:05 am Post subject:

The point Don is making, and I totally agree, is that those in DorienJaye's position often think, 'I'll make me demo and get me an agent and I'll be in the big time". Nothing could be further from the truth, at least to someone just starting out in the business. And OFTEN, when an agent won't even acknowledge a newcomer's existence, they get discouraged and think something's wrong.

The fact is, an agent is NOT the end all and will NOT magically take your career to the next level. Agents will get you exposed to major gigs that you most likely wouldn't otherwise get without them, but to have an endorsement from either JS or Connie as to the value of one, IMO, really doesn't apply to a person in DorienJaye's immediate quest for getting started in VO.

The reason an agent is of value to JS or Connie or anyone, is because that talent is making money for the agent as well, which is why the agent took them on in the first place. When I market myself to an agency, I sell them on the client list I already have and make sure they know I'll be an asset to their income. And even then it might take a couple hefty referrals. If you're trying to figure out how to make a demo, chances are you're not going to be a gold mine for any agent.

As Don said, "an agent rarely makes the difference between success and failure. YOU do that, by building relationships with your clients, by exceeding expectations, and by doing work that shines, each and every time." I think that's well said and needs to be thoroughly understood by anyone who is just beginning and might think otherwise.

My 2 cents.
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Ed Gambill · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 5:40 am Post subject:

Dorien

Welcome brother!

You asked for advice and Jeff, Bruce, JS and Connie did that. That’s what’s good about this community. They will help!

For the record Dorien is not new to VO. He is a member in good standing of SaVoa, with years of experence.

At the members site http://savoa.org/members/ at Dorien name is posted an online demo. Sounds good to me.
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Rick Riley · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:08 am Post subject: