Demo CD Order Help

Jenna Sharpe · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 46

Not sure which forum this fits into best but here goes.

I'm about to send my CD out to agents and I have two tracks, an animation reel and a commercial reel. But I keep changing my mind as to which to put first on the CD.

I would have said put the strongest one first but in this case that is my animation reel and I don't think as many agents cater for that market as they do commercials.

So do I

a) give them what I am best at and what makes me stand out

or

b) what is illustrative of the kind of jobs they cast most often

Aghhh. I know this probably sounds like a stupid thing to worry about but I want to make a good impression and would love to hear your thoughts.

Erik Sheppard · **Voice Talent** Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1317

I would lead with what you want to do most. If you package yourself as more of a character person, then lead with the animation demo.

If an agent is actually taking the time to listen to your demo, they will probably skip to the next track if they are more concerned with commercial talent but you want to sell what makes you unique or stand out and that is usually what you are most passionate about doing.

It's not a stupid thing at all to worry about. Little details like these make a big difference.

Greg Houser · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 174

Erik makes a valid argument.

Here's my thought (mainly because I never can choose). Put the demos in order of market viability. That is, most VO is commercial-based, so I put that one first. In my area, narrations are almost as large a % of work, so that goes next.

So on, and so forth.

/just an opinion... worth as much

Michael J. Schoen · **Voice Talent** Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 198

Jenna,
My $.02
I think commercials should go first.
That's the main focus of the business -- with the animation sector more segmented.

Jenna Sharpe · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 46

These are all really good points.
I decided to go with the animation reel first.
I think some agencies will reject you straightaway if you sound too much like another person they currently represent.... even if your actual demo is good. With the animation reel there is less risk of that happening than with my commercial reel. I also feel it is more
'high energy' and would maybe put a smile on their faces heh.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Bill Campbell · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 106

Burning CD's is so cheap these days, why not have two or three different ones you can send out?

Just change the order for different types of potential work.

Bill
www.asapaudio.com

Jenna Sharpe · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 46

Yeah I did think of that but then that means changing the CD cover art too (CD insert and design on the disc itself).
I think when all else fails I go with my first instinct Smile

Greg Houser · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 174

Jenna,

depending on how they did it, and whether you have the ability to print your own CD labels or directly to the CD itself, this isn't that big of a thing.

Though honestly, I don't go to that much trouble. Most VO work is commercial, so that's my first track. Industrials are really big in most areas where I work, so the narration track is next. So on, and so forth...