Looking for feedback on my demo...

Jill Tarnoff

This is the longer version of my demo...I want to show my range. What do you think?
Thanks.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006, 14:20 (GMT) Post subject:

Jill, overall your demo is good and I really like your voice a lot. Obviously one of your strengths is sounding youthful and you do it well. But even your 'hardsell', such as the Ford Freestyle, is strong. I'd say the weakest spot I heard on the demo was the Lunesta read which sounded almost like you were straining to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay down there. The insurance spot was a bit weak in that your voice sounded a bit 'wavering' (I guess, kinda hard to describe). Obviously the demo is a long one and I'm going to guess you either have, or will, cut it down to :60 for this site. If so, I'd stick with the spots where you're just being YOU, where you sound alive and young and energetic and perky. Those are terrific and that type of sound and read is REALLY hard to find from the pros.

It sounds like you have a lot of range and styles, and overall I think you sound absolutely wonderful. It's only when you try to do the more traditional reads that you seem to be be a little bit out of your comfort range.

I am a producer for an Atlanta radio station and there's a possibility I could use you occasionally for a spot here and there... we're always hurting for a good female voice. If you're interested, e-mail me at: scott@voicebyscott.com to discuss further (i.e.: pricing, turnaround, etc.)

Thanks, good luck, and you should do very well!

Julie Williams · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 06:41 (GMT) Post subject: VO Critique

voice-overs.Com

Hi Jill.
You sound great. I will offer a few observations because ending with "you sound great" isn't very helpful to you!!!

So here's what I think.
Your biggest strength is your versatility. WOW. In your reads, I would suggest the following...
YOu know how an old vinyl record takes time to get up to speed when you start it. Your first spot was kind of like that.. I was thinking... "kinda forced" and then it became incredibly awesome. I think it would sound great if you chopped off the beginning and started with, "it's a commitment we make..."
In my opinion the Lunesta spot sounded very forced and fake. I'd remove it all together. On my notes, I wrote, "sound of music spot too"... I think I was thinking it sounded forced too... consider that.
The natural gas spot was very good. I think it would be a great start on your narration demo.
Elmer's glue was amusing... and the kid voice spot made me smile. I like that voice.
The Liberty Mutual spot sounded quite forced to me. It didn't feel conversational at all. YOu also really pushed the word "unexpected" instead of coloring it. I can tell you had the instinct to emphasize it... but I don't feel it came out right.
The Ford spot was pretty good. Ihate that kind of spot... yet you fit the car spot "mold" and managed to stay conversational at the same time. Quite a feat.
Listening to your demo... you're an enigma. Some spots are so forced, and others are so naturally conversational. But you obviously have great talent... and if you can take direction well, then the sky is the limit for you!
One more thing... 3:50 is waaaay too long. I know you wanted to show versatility, but no one will hear half (or more than half) of your demo. They'll stop listening very early...and miss the natural gas spot, and the Elmer's glue spot...etc. I hear the makings of at least 3 demos... Commercial, narration, and character. Voice123 has plenty of room for demos... so just send clients the reads that best fit what they're looking for... And not a problem to have a character or two in the commercial demo as a bridge.
I hope this has been helpful to you. (Maybe you and Scott Pollack can voice a dialogue spot together... I think you'd excel there and it would showcase acting ability on both of your parts.)

God Bless!
Julie Williams “voice-over Chocolate”
www.voice-overs.com
Julie@voice-overs.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 22:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Julie Williams said:

Paxton Greene · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 23:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Jill!

you have a wonderful voice. Very clean, very bright. My only comment would be to cut this thing down to a :60. Bit long as it is now. Good luck.

Pax

Jill Tarnoff · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006, 17:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow, thanks to everyone who took the time to listen to my demo. You all offered constructive and specific advice. It is very helpful. I am posting my shorter demo so you can hear it.
Scott,
I will email you about that work.
Thanks,
Jill

Nikki Saco · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006, 21:22 (GMT) Post subject:

Jill, you have a wonderful voice, versatile and compelling; great character voices. You're at your best in your own register. The spots you left in this shortened demo are better for keeping you within your range, except unfortunately your opening words: "Growth ... and protection." You dip a bit at the end of the phrase and it frankly sounds a bit strained. The consensus on this forum, and I agree, is that the most important delivery in your demo is whatever happens in the first few seconds. That opening spot is nice if you can pull up on the words "protection," "trade off" and "partnership" - not dip down on them. I like the Lunesta spot and I'd move the "Incredibles" spot to the number 2 or 3 position on your demo. IMHO, you'll want to show some of that great versatility up front.