New IMPRESSIONS reel!!

Darren Altman · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008, 12:43 (GMT) Post subject: New IMPRESSIONS reel!!

Hey all,

hope all's well with you in voiceover land! I've just finished making this Impressions showreel, so I thought I might as well stick it up on here for you to check out and let me know what you think.

I'm based in London and made it using Garageband - amazing what you can do with a free bit of kit!!

Anyway... hope you enjoy it and I look forward to your comments. Laughing

Darren x

Bob Bergen · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008, 15:44 (GMT) Post subject: Re: New IMPRESSIONS reel!!

Deby Cedars · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008, 23:59 (GMT) Post subject:

I liked the old fashioned patriotic announcer news real spot....The first spot was awful. Using the pan button does not create two characters.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008, 00:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Darren, Darren, Darren:

Kudos on jumping into the fray, Sir. It's a great place.

Since my impressions are only slightly weaker than yours, I'll leave it at that....
I truly hope to hear more from you.

Voice On!

Darren Altman · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008, 09:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008, 13:52 (GMT) Post subject:

Impressions are really hard to do well, and most people don't. Or, as is very often the case, many people can do a small handful 'okay', but that's about it.

Making a living doing impressions is for a very select few, and those who can do it are truly genius at it. As far as the leads that come thru here for 'impressions', typically it's either for one of a very few recognizable voices such as Morgan Freeman or (of course) James Earl Jones, OR, more often, someone who is currently hot in the news such as Paris (bleccch) Hilton, or a political candidate. And how on earth do you REALLY impersonate Barack Obama??

You have a couple of decent ones here, Darren, and I encourage you to have fun playing around with your impressions. But this demo won't compete against the guys who make a living doing it.

Darren Altman · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008, 14:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow, cheers for your honesty Scott, I appreciate it.

Just to let you know that off the back of my reel, Virgin mobile have recruited me to do a couple of impressions, Michael Jackson, a Ryan Seacrest, E! News type announcer and & Pete Doherty (UK Rock singer) for the downloads section of their mobile phones. I have recorded them and sent them off to be added to film. (They're dressing up dogs to look like celebrities!) I take your point about perception being the key: As Bob said, what may be spot on to some maybe unrecognisable to others.

I know that it's a very tricky thing to even attempt doing, but as long as there's a market and I'm landing gigs I'll keep at it!! I do however take all your points on board and value all feedback, so thanks... keep it coming!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008, 15:21 (GMT) Post subject:

"It's funny - if you impersonate somebody, they have no idea it's them."

--Tracey Ullman

Deby Cedars · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008, 05:12 (GMT) Post subject:

I for one, would love to hear your winning Michael Jackson spot. Please post that! strichauge