Any recommendations on who to see for a professional demo

Craig Koepke

I am finding a Grand Canyon type chasim in the price of demos. I realize that some will be "you get what you pay for." I have seen prices range from 1250.00 to upwards of ten grand to help you get started. Well needless to say I don't have that kind of money sitting around.

Any suggestions from the experience of my friends here at voice 123?

Thanks,

Kep Very Happy

Craig Koepke · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007, 19:18 (GMT) Post subject:

What I meant as to not having that type of money sitting around was the ten grand.

Let me refine this a bit. Any recommendations for two grand on the top end of the scale?

Kep Very Happy

Amy Snively · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007, 20:02 (GMT) Post subject:

All my recommendations would be here in L.A. I assume you're looking for someone in Iowa...

Here in L.A., cutting a demo means having a script meeting with your demo producer and deciding which spots to cut, and which (if any) spots you've done in real life should be included.

Then your recording session takes place (on another day) in a studio. Your producer will be there to direct you, and usually a separate sound engineer is on hand to do his magic.

Then your producer and engineer or a sound editor will slap music beds and sound effects onto the spots as if they are going to air, then slice it all up, make the cuts nice, and get your approval before mastering. This might take a week, two, or more depending on their schedules.

You can get a good demo for between $1500 and $2000 in L.A. for sure; might be less in Iowa.

And, of course, one should refrain from cutting a demo until he or she has received adequate training specifically for voice over from someone who is a brutally honest coach-- not someone who is happy to tell you you're great so you'll keep writing checks.

Craig Koepke · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007, 21:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Amy,

Thank you for your response. That's good to hear on the demo part. The Twin Cities, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City are all within range so Iowa is not a prerequisite.

Thanks,

Kep Very Happy

Deby Cedars · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007, 08:35 (GMT) Post subject:

You can get a professional demo at The Edge Studio in Fairfield, CT for less than $500. Although I don't know how much the airline ticket would cost

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007, 22:24 (GMT) Post subject: Chicago

I would probably seek out someone in Chicago. It is generally considered to be the #3 location in the country behind L.A. and New York. My recommendation would be to call up Leo Burnett Advertising Agency and ask them what studio they usually use for broadcast production, and then call that sudio and ask a senior engineer or owner about getting a demo produced. They will generally know who to use.

Alternatively, you might want to call up Arlene Wilson Talent Mgt in Chicago or Atlanta and ask for a recommendation. You can tell them that J.S. Gilbert reffered you.

Consider also that there are numerous disciplines in v.o. from voice mail to storytelling to imaging to broadcast to corporate narration and gaming and so on. There's a lot involved in making a good demo for any and all markets. If you haven't already checked out any of my gloom and doom posts, then realize that less than 5% of the general voice over population in this country is expected to make over $5,000 this year and realize that V123 is very competitve and is only one tool in a comprehensive marketing program that should include obtaining a talent agent and developing a personal business plan.

Also, if you haven't built a home recording environment yet, realize there is an expense and learning curve associated with that. Even after all is said and done you should aks yourself the question "Why would someone want to hire me?" If the anser is "My best friend works at MTV Networks", then you might have a really good shot.

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

Ooh man. I'd actually stay away from Leo Burnett, because you're going to end up with Audio Producers Group, and they will arbitrarily charge you whatever they decide you can pay for a VO demo. Their audio work is well-produced. Wish I could say the same for the way they do business. Just my experience . . . your mileage may vary.