demo critique

Dave Foster · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 1

hi ... this is an unedited demo, no post production or music bed. Im using it for just these reasons, it's me ''raw'' and Im interested in what advice people can give for this type of reading.

thanks in advance! Smile

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006, 20:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for opening yourself up for a critique and possibly some suggestions on this forum. That's how we all learn and grow.

It's pretty hard to give you a lot here because you're not giving US a lot to listen to, what with it being one single dry read. But here's my initial impressions:
- Tonal quality: I'm inclined to think you have a pleasing voice, but in this one single read it sounds pretty nasal. Not sure if that's a function of the recording, if you had a cold when you read it, or if that's simply the quality of your voice. But the nasality of this read is a definite negative.
- Recording quality: average at best. Some popping on the 'plosives. I listened twice, once thru speakers and again thru some pretty expensive headphones and it sounded better thru my headphones. It was pretty clean in terms of noise level and what-not, but if you're not using a pop filter or pop screen on your mike, you ought to consider one.
- The read itself: Flat. You're simply reading a very dry script in a very dry manner. Your challenge - and with a script such as that one, it's a HUGE challenge - is to breathe LIFE into the script.
Question: Why this script? Surely you have others from which to choose. If not, find something else. Start by stepping back and realistically assessing what your voice is best suited for. Then find, or create, some sample scripts that play to that strength (or strengths). I don't think there are many pros on V123 that could breathe life into THAT script. Deep Six it.

Go back, find some varied scripts that work well with your style, and then practice, practice, practice on massaging some real feeling and life into them.
After that, work on building a real demo that will allow you to compete with the many other strong talents on this site. I listened to the three demos you have posted on your page, and they're all dry, one-subject demos. Those are not going to land you the jobs you want here. You're going to have to put some serious time and work into finely crafting a really strong demo.

Also, after listening to your three demos, I'm going to suggest some training for you. Invest a little time and money into some professional training that will help you learn how to feel out a script and, as Julie Williams is so fond of saying so well: "Colour your words". It's an art that takes a lot of talent, training, time, temperment, and perseverance.

Do all that, and you should be good to go.

Peace.

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Dave:
Better late than never....
My take is that you're not quite ready for prime time. I notice your V123 site also features "rough" "unedited", no "music bed" demos.
This, of course, raises the observation that a car dealership does not throw an unfinished hunk of raw metal on the showroom floor and ask, "Hey, this could be a nice car; you want one?"
You've a nice voice, but need to serious-ize here.
Your sentences all droop off at the end, and the inflections are hesitant and misplaced.
Listen well to other spots, on TV and the radio and here. Practice. Be more self-critical. Record something seriously, even if you need to rent a studio.
It's hours, weeks, and months of work. While it certainly ain't brain surgery, you can hear from other spots here at Voice 123 that it ain't exactly a whim, either.
Work it, Dave.
Voice On!
Robert Jadah