VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

RD Levine · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:03 am Post subject: fireproof suit on

Hi all new guy here.
First things first my avatar is me.
Now on to more important things, I have a background in acting, family entertainment, improv and some on screen commercials. I did VO work along time ago and I have come back to it.
I studied with Peter Rofe at Hobo Laughing

R Voice Coaching in NYC recently and we cut my demo http://www.supload.com/listen?s=8LSLREEI61X2
I am looking for a critique from this great group also some descriptions of my
voice for my web site and online profiles.
Thanks for all your time

Ron Levine

Lizden · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:31 am Post subject:

Hey Ron!
Welcome to the madness

I'm going to let those much more qualified than me critique your demo....

//ThreadJack alert!//
...but more importatly...WHERE in Dutchess?

I wento the Rhinebeck Fair every year as a kid!...and our church is in Wappingers....

Liz

///End Threadjack//
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Bruce · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:46 am Post subject:

Ron,

Let me start first with a hearty Ho Ho, and welcome!

Let me start second by saying you have a very nice natural delivery or conversational delivery, which is very desirable these days. My only small negative would be on the last spot for tractors at Home Depot...I think you're going for (and clients like Home Depot certainly would require) a more announcery type of read...you know, full of rich tones, diaphragmatic breathing, slightly stylized read...and you just sound like a more emphatic version of your own sweet self.

I'd work on finding the rich tones in your voice, and that doesn't mean deep tones, through breath work and practice. Also, listen analytically to radio and TV ads on the air to see if you can catch my drift. You don't have to do this because your natural reading style will get you a fair amount of work over time, but why not add another style of read to your quiver?

All the best,

Bruce
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

audio'connell · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:51 am Post subject:

Hi Ron;

I liked most of it actually. Production quality was pretty good.

The American Airlines spot was too long. Needs to be trimmed

I would have added more smile to your voice in the Disney spot, especially at the end

The tractor spot was OK but something about the performance didn't ring entirely true with me. You'd want more information than that from meI'm sure but I can't put my finger on the problem. Maybe I'm anti-tractor and just don't know it. I'll see if I can find a 12-step program for tractor haters on the web.

So, all small issues as I see them and if you don't change any of them you'll still have a perfectly fine demo. Nice work,
_________________
- Peter
audioconnell Voice Over Talent
Your friendly, neighborhood voice over talent

bobsouer · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Ron,

Welcome to the VO-BB. You have a really nice sound and a style that should get you a lot of work. The only suggestion I would have is about the way you pause between phrases in places where the line should really continue. Maybe the best example of what I mean is in your first clip in the lines, "I notice my seat has a control panel that lets me get into this Zen-like position." I'm not sure why you paused after the word "panel" but it sounds kind of awkward to me.

But, again, you have a really nice sound and delivery. The production sounds very good.

I hope these comments are helpful.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

JBarrett · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the fun-house, Ron! Smile

Overall, it's a really nice demo. I won't repeat what's already been said, but I did want to follow-up on Peter's comment re: the tractor spot. The first couple lines strike me as the problem points. Something about the delivery of those lines doesn't quite feel as sincere/genuine as the rest of the spot. It's close, but not quite "on", and with that kind of feeling at the head, it sets an odd tone for the whole thing, which is what I think Peter was pointing out.

Cool stuff, man! Cheers!
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

RD Levine · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the time to listen. Thanks for all your input.
As for the deep announcer we tried to stay away from that. It was the old style I was used to doing when was on radio from the age 15 until my late 20's. So tried to break that habit.
I hate to ask but I still would love some descriptions.
On the Threadjack
I live in Wappingers Falls and I have performed on the main stage at the fair.
Thanks again
Ron Levine
ps on my way to bed up early to spend next two days in NYC with Bob Bergen
Train leaves at 6;40 am