VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jason Weaver · Guest

I have a commercial demo that I'm pretty happy with.

But this is my narrative demo (It's actually a narrative/audiobook demo, until I seperate the two into seperate demos).

I have some...ummm...issues with it. But I won't say what at the risk of poisoning the jury. Not sure if my concerns are being overly critical of it or if they are valid.

UPDATE: I have now hosted these on a site where there are no bikinis. I think.
NarrativeFinal.mp3

Bailey · Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject:

Jason... Jason... Jason...
Is there anyway you could post you demo somewhere else but the zshare website?
It's hard to concentrate on what I'm hearing with what I'm seeing.
Lips Are Sealed

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"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
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"Be a Voice, not an Echo." Ninja

Jason Weaver · Guest

I just posted it there at random. It was the first hit that came up for free audio hosting. My own website isnt up yet so I just needed temporary hosting space.

Are you seeing what I think you're seeing?

Because when I was posting I thought it was a bit odd that there was an ad with scantily clad women. Then I thought, "Nahh...Im sure when people follow the link they don't see that."

Bailey · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:13 am Post subject:

Jason Weaver · Guest

OK. I thought that meant that I would get it to DB if it wasnt hosted anywhere on the net--not just if I didnt have a website. So since I had it hosted on the net, I didn't want to bother her with it.

That's unbelievable. If you read that site's terms of service, they even say you cant upload anything profane or sexually related. But they dont tell you that they're putting that stuff on your link when other people view it! If you look at thier home page there's no indication anywhere that they do that.

Maybe Ill just find another place to host it...

(I already have. The link above is updated...)

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

Pile o' sh*te! Sorry about that. Smile

In the greater Los Angeles area it is possible to find 25,000 people who have put "Voice Over" on their CVs. Apply that as an average across the USA and you'll see the number of people who say what you say "Hello, I'm a Voice Over". Producers, agents, directors, ad agency creatives and casting directors are growing ever more weary of the standard of demos, both commercial and narration, to which they are subjected on a daily basis.

Your demo is honest, it's you and I suspect that it's a "what you hear is what you get" demo. If you're looking to add some money to your main stream income you may get lucky but if you want to earn a living as a Voice Over you need to raise your game significantly.

Jason Weaver · Guest

PhyllisKDay · Guest

Hi Jason;

You are only using a slim sliver of your voice "sound" on this demo. I think you have a lot more range that for some reason is being pushed out. If I could give you a visual, it is as if you are talking with your chin out and not allowing your voice to move through your throat and out of your mouth naturally.

I can't speak for the acting side of it but as some here know, I coach the more "authentic" use of your voice. You have more voice there than you are showing in this narrative demo - and some of your body mechanics might need changing. Not hard.

Also, when I hear your voice you sound like a nice guy but your mind is blank, that is, I'm not getting any of YOU in the sound. It's too neutral.

Thanks for your time.

Phyllis K. Day
Voicecoach

Jason Weaver · Guest

Thanks. You nailed it. I struggle with the dilemma of speaking naturally and conversationally--with highs and lows, peaks and valleys, and sometimes swallowed words, the way we speak in everyday life, and the more "staid" somber, even, and perfectly dictated delivery that VO sometimes requires.

I think I purposely held back some range or emotion, and as a result some of it may sound a bit stiff, or not me, or restrained. I'm glad that you picked up on that because it kind of validates what my concern was.

Ironically I find commercial work MUCH easier, maybe because there's more room to be "myself..."

Anyway, thanks for your comments....