VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

RayAnime · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 11:54 am Post subject: Demo War Stories . . .

Hey guys! I'm getting closer and closer to recording my demos, so the subject is on my mind a lot these days!

I'd be interested to hear your anecdotes from the process of recording your first demo . . . how long did you wait before recording it? Did you have a great experience or a bad experience? Would you have done anything differently? How did you find your producer? How long did you spend on the whole process? Or whatever you feel like sharing . . . it seems like everyone does things a little differently, and I'm fascinated by it all!

I'm not looking for advice per se, I'd just love to hear about your experiences!

As for me, I'm always a little bit extreme in everything I do. I'm 97% sure I'm moving to LA for two months to dig in and get my demos done. The people I'm working with are out there, so it just seems easier than flying back & forth, and feeling like I have a very limited amount of time to get it right. I don't think the demos themselves will take that long, but I want to give myself enough time to really prepare and work out any issues . . . I have a lot of friends in LA as well, so I'm not completely insane. . . I'll have to let you know how it goes.

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:46 pm Post subject:

T'was January the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety in the olde market town of Yeovil in the shire of Somerset. I walked in to the Ice House studio and conversed with its keeper. I was told that he recorded only minstrels, those given to contemporary pieces.

"No matter my Lord" said he "return ye to mine humble place of business 'pon strike of 3 in the afternoon of Friday and we will attempt to meet your challenge".

T'was 6 of the clock and the maker of music and the manager of wealth, your good servant, the writer had made merry, made mischief and in mine arms carried I a DAT, a reel and an audio cassette. In truth the blind led the blind. My cost, one hundred and eighty in your American dollars

The 28th day of February the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety, less than 30 days from mine first adventure I was engaged as a Voice Over artist by Red Dragon FM, Cardiff in the principality of Wales for the express purpose of promoting the goods and services of the merchants who went about their honest toil in that fair City. My reward, one hundred thirty
in your American dollars.

Yours to serve

Humbly

Banks

KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject:

My experience was just like Banksey's...only with a Texas accent.

OK- my first animation demo experience was interesting. It was around 1996, I was working at Radio Disney and had just signed with my first agent. She wanted a demo. So, I grabbed one of the writers that worked for the station and he helped me create some characters. Then, he coached me through the recording (I did my own producing). It actually wasn't a bad demo! I'm not sure if I still have a copy anywhere, but if I find one, I'll post it.

My commercial demo was made from real commercials I had voiced. I update it about once a year or so.

In my current animation and commercial demos, there is one tiny piece from each of my first demos...but I'll never tell which piece!

I plan to go through ''real' demo production at some point this year, as I really want to update my commercial demo. I'd also love a great promo demo.
_________________
Threadjackers local 420

Kara Edwards
http://www.karaedwards.com
kara@karaedwards.com

Yoda117 · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: Demo War Stories . . .

CarynClark · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

I think the war story (for me anyway) is once it's done... I'm never happy.

My current commercial demo, frankly, is not very good IMO. I hate sending it out, and have curtailed my marketing efforts somewhat until it's updated. Which, is a conundrum b/c without marketing, there's little work, and without work, there's no money, and without money, there's no new demo. Anyway, the current one's been pieced together (very well I might add by someone on this board... thank you!!) from another commercial demo and some other reads I've done, and while some of it does show the true essence of me, I know I could do some of the reads so much better now. That's the (good) problem... we're always improving!!! I'm hoping to do a new commercial demo this summer. Not sure with whom though... I have a coach in LA, but I'm not sure I can swing the demo rates. We'll see.

My promo and narration demos are fine... I'm going to put together a new promo demo though, using the Rock of Love Season 1 DVD promo I just did and some other Disney/Discovery Kids promos.

My radio imaging demo is killer... thank you Brian Hart!!!
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

louzucaro · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

My commercial demo was about 4 or 5 sessions of an hour each, when we recorded a lot of material. After that, it was edited down to what were my favorites. Then the music and effects were put in. All said and done about 8 weeks I think. Another 3 or 4 weeks for mastering, production and delivery of the demo CDs.
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

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

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

Never really check other people's websites - but Lou - love your design, man.

PEACE.
-Anthony

RayAnime · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

These are great guys . . . Smile

Caryn, how embarrassing is it that I actually watch Rock of Love? Oy.

Hey Yoda--right back atcha with the crazy Smile

Hmm, Texas. That's something I hadn't thought of, but that's a pretty big VO market, isn't it? I feel like there's a decent amount of animation that comes out of there. I've never been myself. I'm actually a little bit afraid of Texas.

Philip--pure gold, as always. I am going to be in your neck of the woods (well, on the continent anyway) in about 10 days . . . watch out!

CarynClark · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:36 am Post subject:

Ha!! You know, I watched a couple of episodes this weekend, watching in hopes of hearing myself. I could see where it could get addicting. I used to be addicted to watching The Bachelor, so don't feel bad!!!

From talking to the producers of the video yesterday, it was just finalized on Friday, so I have a feeling it starts airing today since I announce the "... dvd is available April 8." Then I believe they're doing another one with "... buy the DVD now." for after April 8.
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

Yoda117 · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: