Please critique my demo :)

Michelle Kaufer · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008, 23:50 (GMT) Post subject: Please critique my demo :)

Hi Everyone.
I'm relatively new to Voice123 and am not yet a premium subscriber. I have quite a few questions on the whole process, how it works and the legitimacy of the work, but I'll post those separately. I've posted my demo for your critique - looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008, 00:17 (GMT) Post subject:

You certainly have an interesting voice. This is almost exactly how I sound when I'm sick with severe sinus problems. Laughing

I'm not kidding. That is not an insult, by the way. Promise! It's just a very specific sound.

I really like your reads, personally, but I couldn't understand some words...don't know if that's your music balance being a tad off or if it's due to a loss of volume in your voice when you pitch upward. Just for reference, the places where I wasn't sure what you were saying at first or at all are: Sears -- "athletic" (I think); Saturn -- "neighborhood" (there didn't seem to be a "b" sound in it); Beer spot at the end -- "some things ...a Euro?" I have no idea what the word is there.

Also, the "k" sound at the end of New York in clip 2 is hitting really hard. It draws attention to itself -- you should soften that on your next edit.

As to the query about v123...well, you get to see all the jobs when you can't audition for them. And when you can audition for them, you may never get the opportunity to audition for the ones you really want. It's a thorn in the sides of the talent -- the paying customers. I'd definately keep your page up, though. You've got an interesting voice and I wish you well!

September Day Leach · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008, 00:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Michelle and welcome to the boards!

I think you have a great voice. Very natural and I love the texture. In fact, I'm insanely jealous! Wink

However, I think your demo is a Stradivarius violin playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". You have a lot more talent than that demo gives you credit for. There are times when you pitch up and just lose your voice completely, specifically in the Blistex spot on the word "surge" and you positively swallowed the word "neighborhood" on the Saturn spot. Also, there are mouth clicks all through it. Of course, I can only hear those on my headphones, but they are there. The other thing that bugs me a bit is the same tonal quality throughout the demo. It sounds like you used the same mic on the same day at the same time to record this whole demo. While I totally dig the growly thing, can you turn it off at all? If so, it would be a nice thing to add to your demo.

But again, you've got a great voice and it doesn't sound like anything I've heard before Smile

-September

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008, 12:44 (GMT) Post subject:

A poor quality demo for a quite exceptional voice. How much would it cost you to get another one made?

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008, 16:56 (GMT) Post subject:

I think you have a phenomenal voice...very sexy even when you're not trying to be....i agree tho with the other comments made so far. I like your reads...to me you have a nice natural sound to your deliveries.....watch those pitch shifts that cause your voice to soften and words to get lost tho. all good feedback I've read so far. Go get em...fix those things on your demo and it will be killer.

Michelle Kaufer · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008, 21:34 (GMT) Post subject: Thank you all so much!

Wow! Thanks everyone - amazing feedback from all of you!!
Even the critiques were positive and encouraging! A new demo is something I can't afford at the moment but I'm going to save all of your notes so that I have them when I'm ready.
Do any of you have success in getting work on Voices123?
Is it worth the subscription price?
Thanks again Smile

Michelle

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008, 21:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Michelle, I've been meaning to respond to this thread for a long time. Like everyone else, I absolutely LOVE your voice AND your demo. Honestly, there's nothing I'd change. You have an amazing voice, a great range, and your demo showcases it all beautifully. I'm just glad I'm not a female having to compete against you!

As far as work here; it depends on who you ask. Some people get quite a bit of work, others get nothing at all and often it doesn't seem to necessarily depend on whether you're good or not. Speaking for myself I've gotten a lot of work from V123. But you have to be doggedly persistent about submitting auditions in a timely manner, you have to pick and choose the right leads for which you submit, and be competitive from a pricing perspective, and that does NOT necessarily mean you need to undercut your price.

You? I think you could clean up here. You'd make back your 'investment' on your first gig which would probably come about 10 minutes after you signed up here.

Diane Havens · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008, 23:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Michelle --I agree with the appraisals of your talent and demo, so when you sign up, let us know if you get that first gig in ten minutes! That would be so prophetic, Scott -- wow!!!

But seriously, there is a full refund within 30 days if you're not satisfied, I hear tell -- so what's to lose?

All the best,

Debbie Deutsch · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008, 02:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Michelle...great voice, with lots of character!
The sexy voice works with the "pitchiness" Scott talks about, but in the ad about moisture? the word surge (I think it was surge) dropped away because of the pitchiness/breathiness TOM was describing. Sort of dropped away there for a sec.
Liked your first spot for sure..... Very Happy