Clients say I'm a 2

Daniel John · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008, 23:14 (GMT) Post subject: Clients say I'm a 2

I wanted to check in and say hello, after several years as a freebie member, and almost 1 year as a paid member. The clients posting custom demo's sure have been hard on me lately, with 2's and 3's...and I know I'm not supposed to voice my dissatisfaction, but those ratings don't seem to be unique to me. I guess it's in the ear of the beholder, but I've also had some instances where voice seekers contact me after an audition, with a longer "revised" script, and I'll turn that around quickly...only to have them disappear. Can some of ya'll take the time to listen to my work and rip on me, or give me some constructive feedback so i'm not permanently getting 2's, and passed over for what few gigs I may stand a chance at while competing with everyone and a microphone on the planet.

please email me directly at : newberndan@yahoo.com

Thanks Guys/Gals!
Daniel John
voice123.com/voice321

newberndan@Yahoo.com

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 00:04 (GMT) Post subject:

The ratings seem to be more of a sorting tool seekers use rather than a definitive statement of someone's viability as a VO artist. So it's not that they think you suck, but simply that you're not what they're seeking for the project in question.

That being said, your attached demo is in the style of a radio imaging demo, meaning overproduced, heavily compressed and with power reads. It's not commercial, though you've put in bits and pieces of commercials for which you've auditioned. You also don't show in this demo that you can do anything except imaging. There are no natural-sounding reads. If you're doing these types of power reads for every audition, that's one reason you're not booking.

Daniel John · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 00:08 (GMT) Post subject: just dry

they're just getting dry reads for the auditions, but i find your feedback helpful...so, would you say lightly produced for the com demo, or no production at all?

i seem to always go to one extreme or the other...

thanks again for taking the time to listen and type feedback, i know hoe valuable everyone's time is on here...

especially those, unlike me, who are actually getting gigs...

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 00:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Produced no more than an actual commercial would be. Maybe a little less...lots of different schools of thought there. Have you listened to others' commercial demos? Check out some of these guys on this site: Dave DeAndrea, Colin Campbell, Scott Pollack, Tom Pagnotti (sp? sorry, Tom! Can't spell his name but I love his voice) and Thom Wilkins. This is not an exhaustive list here, by any means, but listen to their commercial demos and just hear how they structure. More than anything, you'll hear a vast difference between theirs and yours in pacing and range. That will explain what I'm talking about better than anything. Good luck!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 00:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Okay. Just listened to what you've labelled "industrial". Be sure you label things correctly. This is a voicemail/message on hold demo. Again, you fall into the radio guy voice...note how you're bending pitch on "two". A more natural, real guy being helpful on the phone read is more universally accepted. Just be you.

Daniel John · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 00:43 (GMT) Post subject: so...

be more real...would that sum it up? do i sound fake?

i've listened to the others, and am humbled...i'm always humbled when i hear such great talent...

i hope my hard work will pay off, and thanks again for your time and critiques..

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 00:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Daniel John · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 00:56 (GMT) Post subject: good stuff scott!

like your demo's!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 02:11 (GMT) Post subject:

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 02:21 (GMT) Post subject: Re: so...

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 02:22 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 02:26 (GMT) Post subject:

And Daniel, thank you for your kind words (assuming you were talking about my demos). I've told this story a hundred times here... I need to write it somewhere in word, save it, then just copy and paste it when the need arises. But here goes...

I was (and still am) a radio guy of many years. Actually in my, um, uh... 33rd year now I believe. But when I started to test the waters of freelance v/o work a few short years ago, I proudly sent my 'demo' to my friend Julie Williams, who is a true pro and who teaches a lot of great classes. Julie's reply? "You sound good. For a radio guy." Ouch.

I had to totally unlearn all my bad radio habits. It IS true that what clients want now - for the most part - is believability. They don't want to turn off the listener by making them think they're insincere. To deliver top-notch copy, whether for an ad, a documentary, a corporate video, whatever, you MUST believe it yourself. Then deliver it just like you would to a trusted friend. That way THEY trust you. Don't SELL me. TELL me.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 02:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Malibu??

You're such a beginner, Snott/Scoot/Scut/Scout/Spot.

Now listen, you can screw up the last name allllll you want. It belongs to my ex, so what do I care?

Besides, with a first name like Melba, you really don't need a last name.

Have we threadjacked this thing enough? Dang Bonnie & Clyde.

Tom Pagnotti · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 02:42 (GMT) Post subject:

It's P-A-G-N ... oh, never mind.

And Daniel: "Yeah - what Scott and Melba said".

I came from radio and TV and I still have a lot of unlearning to do.

I've taken acting lessons, worked with a coach (and am about to work with another) and soon will have a consultant help me re-build my demos.

Radio people tend to think "I've done V/O my whole career", when in fact voiceover is a whole other skill set. And not near as easy as anyone thinks.

One thing is for certain: You'll get great advice here and find great examples all over V123.

If we can be of any help, don't hesitate to ask.

Tom

Daniel John · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 09:33 (GMT) Post subject: wow

You guys have given me a clear picture of the..problem.

I will practace hard to unlearn all the 'isms and 'sounds likes'...

it's hard when its been drilled into your head.

i guess i'm worried that by sounding non radio- i will sound amateur..

but perhaps that's what the clients want!

thank you so much!

keep it comin'