VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Dave · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:31 am Post subject: Dave DeHart - Exposed!

Hi everyone,

I've finally decided to make a run at the commercial side of things this year... which will be quite a departure from my "normal" vo work which is 90% corporate narration.

Frankly, and as weird as this may sound, even though I've been in vo for a looooong time, I'm not at all confident/comfortable that I have the talent for the commercial stuff.

Anyway, I dug around and found a few things that might work... your comments are most welcome and appreciated.

http://www.davedehart.com/Audio/DeHartdemoA.mp3

Dave
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Hart · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:40 am Post subject:

Dave,

I only took a quick listen, overall it's good.

I'm not really keen on the "watch out credit card users" snippet. I'd dump it. The reads are pretty similiar overall but it's a good sound.

Technically I think it's fine.

I'm hesitant to say too much because I feel a bit like a hypocrite... but it doesn't WOW me. It's a good demo but not outstanding. I think it will probably get you some commercial work and if this is what you got, run with it.

Hope this helps.

B

P.S. Just caught this. There's a click in "Jack" in the beginning snippet. Easy enough to edit out if you produced it and have the session.
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Dave · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:35 am Post subject:

Hart · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 11:54 am Post subject:

One trick pony. hmm. Perhaps but I don't think so.

I really like your voice and I think it's perfect for a wide variety of spots. Including that zero zero financing and the GMC read (although I'd like it better without that particular processing).

I like that warm read you had on the hospital spot too. That's a marketable sound too.

There is a commercial market for your voice and I don't think it's just one trick. There's a level of confidence in your voice that many try to obtain but never quite acquire. You've got great tones and know how to use them.

So, I think of this demo as a good first draft.
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Dave · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 2:57 pm Post subject:

Hey Brian...

Thanks for the additional input... VERY helpful!

In my case, not having voiced many commercials, the search to better identify my strongest area/styles is a slippery slope for me which is why I need other pros to point me in the right/best direction.
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bobsouer · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject:

Dave,

To my ears, the "money voice" is the one you use on the hospital spot; not the one you start with now. I agree with Brian's comments about the credit card thing. I hope that helps.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Hospital the best. But most of the rest is also very usable in my opinion. I would either modify the credit card one to add more urgency and a more ominous tone(and music), or drop it altogether. But it sounds like you are about 90% there.

Dave · Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

Bob and Rob,

Thanks for taking a listen... and especially for the feedback. It really helps to have expert ears point out strengths and weaknesses...

Thanks also to those (and you know who you are) that took the time to call me with your critique!

Looking forward to more advice from the generous folks in the vo-bb family!

Dave
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asnively · Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:35 am Post subject:

Well, I personally really liked all of it! I could listen to you for hours! Smile

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Dave · Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject:

audio'connell · Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Dave:

As usual (although I haven't reviewed a demo here in a while) I'll not be looking at the other comments, just posting my thoughts thru my ear. It'll be up to you to compare and contrast.

Did not like:
credit criminals (pull it)

Liked a lot:
surgeon (move closer to the front but lose that middle voice)

Overall:
It lacked oomph. Your tonality is fine but your demo is waaay announcery. If I were to ask you on the GMC spot (which seemed to earn two cuts in the demo) who were you talking to?, my guess is you would say you were just reading the copy in a ballsy voice. Well that's sooo easy to do, even I can do it Smile

The point is, in my opinion, to stand out you need to have more feeling in your reads on your demo. Nothing I heard really stood out as anything but average which I believe to be well below your talent potential.

I'd give it a 6 outta 10.

I hope this helps.
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Dave · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:30 am Post subject:

Hi Peter,

I really appreciate your listening to my embryonic commercial demo. I have plenty of work to do don't I Embarrassed

Thankfully, my weaknesses are far less prevalent on the industrial side where I make 85% of my vo income... I've been in such a routine for so many years (20+) that when I think I'm really "out there" pushing the envelope... in reality, as you and others have noted, I'm just barely showing up!

Never-the-less, I still plan to crank things up as much as possible to get a little closer to that 10 you mentioned. Gotta figure out how to break out of my rut... Gosh this is tough!

Dave
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audio'connell · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 7:28 pm Post subject:

iladelf · Guest

Ok, I know I'm in late on this critique, but I've just recently found out about this website, and will soon be going into this meself, leaving radio behind for good.

My take? Keep up the good work! Yes, I can "hear" the constructive criticism that has been posted here previously, in reference to a "sameness" to most of your demo, but to that I say, so what! You have to know your strengths, and your strength obviously lies in the corporate VO world; there's probably a kabillion folks out there that would love to have your voice representing their products or services.

What I notice from listening to demos is that most folks want to be all things to all people; a hard seller, a soft seller, a romantic, a corporate VO person, a cartoon actor, etc. I remember reading a book about business once, that stated a person should specialize, not be all things to all people. The example given was a woman who had started a translation service for all languages in the Washington, D.C. area. She was struggling, but once she focused on her strength exclusively (Russian), her business blossomed, and she got lots of other translation business as an added bonus.

I think you get my point. I know this much; once I find my niche in VO, that's where I'll stay. Can't make a VW into a Ferrari (or vice-versa). Wink