VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Audra's voice · Guest

I am new to this game and would love some feedback on my first demo.

http://www.vo-bb.com/demos/AudraHolden2008.mp3

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this.

Audra.

Frank F · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:48 am Post subject:

Audra,

Nice voice. In regards to the demo, my personal feeling is the pieces are a bit long. The first part: "Mama Mia" now :12 seconds, might cut it to :07 (..."tomatoes and spices"), etc.

Overall the demo is one minute twenty seconds, not overly too long,.. however, you might consider changing the length to closer to one minute by making some editing changes in the parts as described above.

Watch the volume changes; spot three "Speechless" - is strikingly louder than the previous and following spots.

I would like to hear some of YOU, without music or effects, and more variety in style and tempo. Do not become a "one trick pony".

Putting your best "voice" in the first location on the demo is good, just be careful. Your demo needs to draw a listener/producer in and seduce them into choosing your voice for their project...

Too much or too little in a demo can be unproductive.

My view (or ear) says good job - but pay attention to the details

Toodles

Frank F.
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Audra's voice · Guest

Thanks Frank. This was very helpful. I, too, felt that some of the spots were too long and there was not enough variety, and I had noticed the volume difference. But, being a beginner, I deferred to my teacher and the engineer. Now I feel more confident working with them toward the next one.

You said you'd like to hear some of ME. The fourth spot is just my voice 'till the very end. So, that's not enough? Should I add in a narration type of spot or reading aloud? Or should that be a separate demo?

I'll need to work on figuring out how to "draw people in".

I really appreciate your thoughtful comments and encouragement.

Audra.

Frank F · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:28 pm Post subject:

Yes Audra, the voice only piece was good until the music came in during the last three or four seconds. To my ears this section sounded as if your were anticipating the music.

With this observation stated, I believe you are on the right track with the version sent to you.

A narration demo is different from a commercial demo - please do not mix the genres. A simple voice only spot with some unique style, not a character, just a simple well played piece spotlighting your read will suffice.

Toodles

F2
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Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

Hey hey!

What Frank said!! Wink

Also, here's my 2 cents. The demo sounds like a demo. Same mic, same mix levels, sameness throughout. If your demo was made up from actual broadcast ads, they would all come from different studios, different mics, different rooms, etc. This ads a variety to the demo that yours lacks. That can be fixed in the mix. It's also hard to hear where one spot ends and another starts. Again, this is your producer's job. And when Frank says he wants to hear more of "you," what I interpret from that is the demo needs to reflect more of your personality and style. You read very well! But the demo doesn't show off your style or individuality. And it needs to. What will make you stand out amongst everyone else is YOU. No one else is you. I agree with Frank in that you are on the right track. You have the talent. You just need to take it up a notch.

Mike Elmore · Guest

I noticed you mentioned putting another demo together in the future with this coach and engineer. I echo what Frank said and Bob as well. Just a moment on Bob's point regarding this demo "sounding like a demo"...in post you want to suggest to the engineer that different nuances be used in the mix...maybe a "low pass" variation....just some subtle 3 channel mixing can go a long way to give the spots a different feel...not like they all came out of the same can. On that note...if your coach or engineer dont already know that...you might want to consider shoppin around or new employees~~~~

Also....the music was killin me. Too much saxophone or clarinet or whatever it was in the beginning...these are typical, stock production library tracks and really shouldn't be used...the ones in your demo in the beginning are just too similar in my opinion.

Your voice and delivery.....sounds fine to me.....it's the button pushing and content selection that put a drag on things.

Best wishes,

.02 aka Mike Elmore

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:50 pm Post subject:

Hi, Audra. I have a different thing to point out - I heard a lot of mouth noise throughout and it's very distracting. If the producer hears that in every take then he/she is not going to want to work with you strictly b/c it's too hard to edit out. I do like you sound though!
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