Give It To Me Straight; I can take it (I think)!

Laura West

DDD... (be) Direct, Discerning, Discriminating
BBK... But Be Kind

Thank you... Seriously!

Laura
http://laurawest.voice123.com Wink

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006, 15:00 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Laura,

For starters, please ditch the booming male announcer up front! You do NOT need it and it really distracts from the demo. Sounds like he's trying to imitate How-uhd Coh-sell and it doesn't work. Especially since the demo just 'ends' at the end.

I like the energy, variety, and brief snippets. The whole demo sounds a bit muffled to me, though. As if all the highs were pulled back. Don't know if it's a very low sampled file or what, but it's not very sharp.

From a personal perspective I don't think the 'power sell' spots are your strong point. On your v123 page you even bill yourself as:
Deep, Rich, Warm, Smooth, Distinct, Approachable - NOT as hardsell. The VIP club spot, and the 96.9 spots simply didn't work for me. I think you opened with your strongest spot and I wanted to hear MORE of it. The closing Trinity spot isn't bad either and I think you should put more on there.

I think the problem here is that you're wanting to be too much of everything AND you're wanting to showcase it all on this demo. You do sultry and sexy well. You're weaker on hardsell and the 'touch my heart' stuff. Play to your strengths. Don't worry about the hardsell... I just don't hear it in you. Instead of 10 snippets on your demo, give us 5 of what you do best. And check the EQ on it.

Hope this helps. It's offered in a constructive and encouraging vein!

All the best!

Laura West · Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006, 15:15 (GMT) Post subject: Scott Rocks!

Whew! Your insights are amazing Scott! I will go back to them again (and again). I believe you have objectively given it to me straight and I greatly appreciate your expertise and insights! I had a bad feeling about the VIP spot - it's about to be gone! And again, you're right... I was trying to be all things. It's time to narrow it down... I feel a new, sharper-sounding demo, with fewer samples about to be born.

Bless you Dear Sir!

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Donna:
Far be it from me to disagree with Scott, who is number 103 on my lifetime heroes list, and climbing fast.
And I do not disagree with him about the opening guy voice. It don't belong there. I also agree that the demo should be clearer.
But, after a few good listens, I thought the VIP clip works well, as does the Trinity Oaks.
I hear the demo's weakness as lacking ooomph. You need to caress and work the words and intonation more. For example, the Beauty and the Beast is just pancake-flat, and the phrase about radio and ..."I might get his attention" was a great opportunity to flex some emotion.
But I didn't hear it.
Similarly, you left O'Doull's flat, which is especially bad with beer.
In short, act it out more. Quite a lot more.
Your semi-husky, semi-sweet voice is captivating. Now use it.
Voice On!
Robert Jadah

Laura West

Hi Robert,

Your writing is brilliant! "...flex some emotion" is priceless! I'm going to work on the things you and Scott have suggested. My favorite part of your advice was: "Your semi-husky, semi-sweet voice is captivating. Now use it." I'm breathless! You have managed to put into words something that has swirled around in my mind (Go figure, he's a wordsmith!). I do have a semi-husky voice, and I'm going to use it all I can...WITH FEELING!

Mark Nigma · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 8

Scott,

I quite agree with your comments, The Booming voice at the start of the demo, has enough projection to start a war..... Unfortunatly the voice that follows doesnt. On the whole Laura you have a great voice, not too sure about that hairstyle though, lol.

Seriously, Loose the power voice, dont try to be something your not, stick to what your good at, you'll go a long way....

Be Happy

Nigma

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006, 21:54 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Go West

Laura West

Hi Guys,

I took both your comments into consideration and got to work on a new :60 demo. I have eliminated the male announcer (thank you Scott) and the VIP spot (the spot sounds too poke town and is poorly written). I'm going to try and brighten the whole thing up with some EQ and I plan on producing one or two small clips that EMOTE (thank you Robert) more.

Any ideas other than EQ or reproducing the entire thing to get a crisper sound???

I am so diggin' this forum and you guys! And thanks to Nigma, who essentially echoed your thoughts Scott and Robert.

Blessings,

The Husky-Voiced Laura
(just don't describe me as "Husky"... THAT would be baaaaaaad)