Andi's Placeholder Demo

Andi Arndt · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 26

OK, so I can be totally honest here...I worked on these tracks with a producer at a radio station, but one who is not a director so much as a whiz with Adobe Audition. I brought scripts and music, and we put these things together.

Listening now, I can hear immediately that there's barely any REAL contrast among the selections, and it makes me sound boring, which frankly I am not. I am already in Edge Studio's evaluation process and looking forward to their recommendations about the best focus for what I have to offer. And I am saving up for a REAL demo. Still, I figured I would start by starting, so here's my placeholder demo.

I wasn't going to ask for feedback on this demo since I know I'm not going to use it after I have ANYTHING better, but someone suggested posting it...and I think I'm ready for whatever you can throw at me. The Good...The Bad...and the Ugly!

Lemme have it, mes amis...**stepping out from behind kryptonite shield and looking at what I just wrote** boy, those are a lot of disclaimers I wrote up there. Yeesh. hilfe

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2007, 19:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey, Andi...

First of all - and I KNOW this is confusing to so many folks - but this demo really should go over on the "voice over Idol" thread where folks typically post their demos for critique. This confusingly named "Demo of the Day" thread REALLY should be called "AUDITION of the day" since it's more where people post the auds they've submitted to recent leads. So post this on the "Idol" thread and you'll get better response.

But since I'm taking the time to type, I'll critique...

You were absolutely right in that the segments sound too much alike. It sounds like you pretty much have ONE type of delivery style. Plus, some cuts are WAY too brief.. you barely get two words out before moving on to the next one. You really need some semi-professional help in putting together a better demo than this and it does NOT have to cost you that much. There are several VERY talented producers who hang out on these forums who offer their services at producing first-class demos for a very small sum. Look over on the "Buy and Sell" thread for those leads.

But next, and far more important... I think you should focus on training and classes. Yes, I know from your profile you have some broadcasting experience (which can be the kiss of death for many trying to break into v/o unless you can forget EVERYTHING you ever learned in broadcasting), and your voice is pleasant enough, but from what I've heard, there is absolutely nothing about your voice or style that sets you apart from the thousands of other female talents out there. Plus, your delivery is forgettable. You're delivering a decent 'read' but that's it. I felt no heart or soul or realness in your reads. The opening one sounded encouraging (I noticed it's put over one of my favorite cuts of music by Sting, BTW), but it went away way too quickly and then into several other totally forgettable pieces.

Start by going to voicebank.net and listening to demos from the cream of the crop to see what you need to aim for. Invest in coaching. Take acting classes - because a good actor will win out over a nice voice every time. I promise you. Listen to the thousands of auditions and demos submitted on these forums and learn from the critiques. But if you don't do all of these things, I sadly predict you're destined to fade into the obscurity of the zillions of others who have a nice voice. And nothing else to set them apart.

Sorry for being blunt, but no sense in painting a false picture.
I wish you all the best.

Andi Arndt · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Jul 2007 Posts: 26

Thanks, Scott, for taking the time to listen and write really thorough comments. I produced the demo months ago before signing up for voice123 and it's a bummer to realize it's just not appropriate at all, but it's pretty much what I suspected.

Short term, I think I can use my original tracks and inter-cut them with some of my successful audition cuts over the next few months so that it isn't so totally boring and flat and ugh. Long-term, I've signed up with a professional coach/trainer to do phoners with the goal of cutting a fully produced, professional demo cd in March when I have spring break from university teaching. Luckily, my custom auditions have been getting me booked after only a few weeks on the site, so I am hoping I can hobble along, making enough $ to afford the training you so rightly point out that I need.

Re: the acting lessons, I laugh because I TEACH ACTING and I'm always telling my students to let go, be natural, spontaneous, all that good stuff, and here I am getting in front of the microphone and freezing into Mrs. Boring Slug.

Ya know?

Thanks again - you gave the gift of your time and it is not taken for granted!

Andi

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

This thread has been moved from Demo of the Day. Sorry for any confusion.