Hello everybody!

Doug Parks · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007, 22:55 (GMT) Post subject: Hello everybody!

My background is the dreaded radio! Noooooooo! Yes, it's true--I did radio for around 10 years, and I've probably recorded over 100 spots. Usually I got the announcer type reads, namely forced to fit :75 of copy into :60 seconds of high energy. It was all up to me, completely undirected. If the cart showed up in the rack still bearing my name and not another disc jockey's, it passed muster! And my spots usually did.

I went to a seminar of Dan Levine's (now Such a Voice) probably 15 years or more ago, which resulted in a demo tape I never sent out. I don't know if I still even have it. Oh well, so much for that $900.

Some eight or nine years ago, I tried to hook on with Mike Lemon Casting in Philadelphia, where I met Joanne Joella. Very nice, very caring lady. She seemed to think I had what it took to make it in voiceovers. Again, I did a demo, this time at her husband's studio.
But, alas, again I did nothing after that. And all I ever did through Mike Lemon was one role as an extra in an NFL Films spot featuring the late Tom Landry (longtime coach of the Dallas Cowboys). And I was edited out.

It seemed like at the time the main way to become a success in the business was showing up for their open auditions one Wednesday afternoon each month. Can you say inconvenient? Who can just up and leave work like that?

So here I come again, out of the mothballs. I believe, with every fiber of my being, that I have the talent to do this. I would like to think I am DESTINED to do this. But, already, I find myself at another crossroad after reading how hard it is to make it in this business. It would seem that my best option would be a home studio. But that can get expensive in a hurry. I don't know what my chances are if I decide to really go for it this time.

Anyway, I have been reading everybody's input on this forum, and I must say it is the most straightforward, common-sense advice that I have received so far. Please if you would be so kind, check out my demo. (It's also under my name here on Voice123). All honest feedback is welcome, especially because I wasn't 100% pleased with the result (especially the first segment where I sound like I'm screaming, and the second to last, in which I butcher the word "life" toward the end). Of course, I realize I will need to update my demo, and maybe do several.

Thanks, Doug Parks

Maureen (moe) Egan · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007, 01:15 (GMT) Post subject:

Doug,

Welcome. Read all you can on this forum and others - there's a lot of knowledge to be gathered. One comment about your demo....don't send it out...a promo for 'Coach', 'Rosanne', and 'Home Improvement' is far too dated. Your demo needs to be a current representation of your talent and all reads contained in said demo need to be current.

best of luck.
moe

Doug Parks · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007, 02:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Moe, appreciate the feedback, actually I figured you might say that about the dated aspect of the demo.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007, 03:02 (GMT) Post subject:

And - after a few listens - I have good news, Doug.

While your radio-type stuff (ABC and GSX) were - unsurprisingly - the strongest to my ears, I thought the slight departure on 'Better HMO' was pretty solid. That indicates you may be quite well able to slip out of some of those Radio bonds.

On the two emotive pieces (Columbia Homes and Egypt), you did sound like you were out of your comfort zone. Neither struck me as convincingly sincere; more like "trying real hard to hit you where you live."

Practice your narrative reads and the buddy-to-buddy delivery that's so in vogue today, would be my advice.
Hold off on the Earth-shaking Demo for a while yet.
Acting lays a fine foundation, too: amateur theatre, or even emoting around the house when nobody's around.

You've got the voice (sigh; so do 22,345 others) and the enthusiasm and perseverance.
That's 20% of the trip right there.

Voice On!

Doug Parks · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007, 03:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanx for the feedback Robert, I really appreciate the honest critique. If you were me, knowing my above background, what would you do? Take classes? Make another demo and market it (how)? How about the home studio concern?

Doug Parks · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007, 05:41 (GMT) Post subject: Sorry

I just found the demo critique thread. Sorry to take up space here.