Demo of the day thread 5/7 to 5/13

Adam James

Ok, another one for you all to listen to, critique welcome as always. It's for the radio station I work for so not so worried about changing it, but comments will be taken on board as always.

Ta very much

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 01:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Adam, man, like everyone else here I love your voice although I gotta say it wouldn't fly that well down here in Geor-giah! (Although one of our rock stations used to have this little female hotty dj with a great British accent that just rocked!).

My problem - having been a radio producer off and on for about a quarter of a century now - is getting past the cliche' and forgettable copy in that spot. Your read is okay, but man, that is a promo destined to blend into the woodwork. To ME the most important part of the whole spot, which SHOULD have been first, was thrown in last, almost as an afterthought... the part about raising money for kids by clicking the websearch. I would have STARTED out the spot by using a cool scenario with kids talking about how you can help them by barely lifting a finger; simply by a mouse click. And then mention that while you're on the site, there are other cool things there. But the copy really has NOTHING in it to make me want to go to the site.

The production is okay, but again, to me, forgettable as it's designed not to take any risks or go over any edges. I don't think it's your fault, it simply is what it is. What type of station is it? What type of music and what are your P-1 Demos? That might help me get a better feel for whether this promo really would work or not.

Adam James · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 12:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott,

thanks for your reply and feedback. Let me fill you in a little.

The promo is designed to inform listeners about the station's website. The EveryClick search service raises money for the station as it is a Registered charity in the UK, not for a children's charity.

The US market is quite different to the UK one, and I think that makes it harder to judge when it comes to broadcast material, however there are no excuses and I will keep pushing away with the demos, as each one helps me improve.

Adam

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 14:39 (GMT) Post subject:

I suspect with Freddie being out of town this week there may not be a new D.o.D. thread started for this week, so here's my first for this Monday, May 7. My own original music behind it. (color= Antarctic blue) Wink

Debbie Deutsch · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 15:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Your Antarctica works for me! But did you know you start out very low and I like that, but your voice gets a bit higher toward the end, almost, as if you are another voice! Question

Rajiv Hasan · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 15:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Adam, I like your voice. You could do a few promos for our hospital radio in Nottingham, too, if you like! (We are scroungers, aren't we!...)

Scott, I thought your Antarctica piece was excellent - great delivery, perfect tone. Just a couple of minor nits to pick.

First, a little pronunciation point... Maybe it's just my ears, but to me it sounded like you were trying to get people to go and visit your Aunt Artica, rather than a certain cold continent. Also, I thought you could have emphasized the 'Norwegian Coastal Voyage' part a little more - seemed a touch throw-away to me. Still, I'd probably give you the gig for the delivery (and music!) alone...

Here's a stab at the Italian restaurant piece...

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 16:38 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott: Very sweet Antarctica spot, with good music too...

Rajiv: Holy Canoli! Atsa Good! Nice accent with a relaxed read...

Here's my Joe Bagadonuts read...

Lisa Zachary-Kent · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 16:41 (GMT) Post subject:

Seems like I've been waiting MONTHS to post in this thread again!! Very Happy

I'm not 100%, and of course I've still got that nasality, and will till I have my surgery....But it sure felt good to have the mic in my face again. mega grin

Lisa Zachary-Kent · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 16:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Lovin those Italian ads, Rajiv & Joe! Those were both amazing. And as always, beautiful work on Antartica, Scott. Though, I've gotta say...I don't care how attractive you made it sound, that's the LAST place I'd ever wanna go for vacation. Confused

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 18:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Antarctic: Sure is big. Sure is cold. Nice birds. Let's eat!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 18:17 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks, all, for the kind words about Auntie Arctica. Rajiv, I went back and heard what you were saying about that. It's somewhat pronounced towards the end the last time I say it, but hey, it's an audition. We can't spend all day tweaking can we?

Rajiv: as always, great job with the Italian accent. You sure can do 'em. I sure CAN'T, which is why I didn't answer that lead. But you're a pro at the accents, dialects and impersonations.

Joe: I liked your second one best. Thought the others fell just a bit flat, somewhat UNauthentic. Still, your worst is way better than my best attempt would ever be. (Joe, can you say "horse, water, drink" in Italian?
Wink

)

Lisa, my dearest, it's wonderful to hear you back. Yes, you still have a bit of that nasality, but it actually seems to be a bit less than before. I'm sure time will take care of that. Overall a very nice delivery, though, with a beautiful silky smoothness to your voice. And as far as Antarctica... man, I'd LOVE to go there! My family is actually planning a trip to Alaska for next year, but admittedly that's a bit different.

Adam James · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 18:40 (GMT) Post subject:

Lisa,

That was a good read, well composed and paced. sooo much better than my attempt.

Rajiv, thanks for your feedback, and yeah I would be happy to do a few reads for you, it's all experience, and yes we are scroungers! (you don't get what you don't ask for.)

Your italian accent was spot on btw. really slick and pro.

Adam

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 19:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Oh man, as an actor I just LOVE leads like this one! I had a lot of fun putting this little ditty together. Enjoy..........

George Karnes · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 19:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott-
you are right, you just climb right into that character. Do you think they were looking for something like that at a museum. I did mine a little flatter. The problem is, you could do it flatter like mine if you wanted, but I probably could genuflect the way you do if I tried.

Also, what kind of museum do you think this could be?

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007, 19:18 (GMT) Post subject:

George, I've been wondering where you've been. You've been noticeably absent lately. Nice to hear you back here.

Yes, the lead specifically said it's for a museum in KY. I would suspect it's something to do with the history of the area, or perhaps even some sort of meteorological museum. Then again, with all the references to God in it, I have no idea. They may want a more matter-of-fact delivery such as yours, which worked just fine, or more of an emotional heart-tug piece like mine. Without having a director tell us, we can only guess.

But I thought ya done pretty good. Your accent fits a Kentucky read especially well. The ONLY part of it I just didn't care for was the stilted "It will be okay" at the end.