How can I improve?

Ruth Brown · **Voice Talent** Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 3

Keen to get any thoughts on ways to improve this demo? Smile

Brent Halfyard · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 6

I think you sound pretty good right now-Perhaps a little too 'over the top' on some of the reads. A sublte hint: End your phrases and or sentences on different notes-not always 'down'. A trick my coach taught me was to warm up with-do-re-me-fa-so-la-te-do-before each VO. If you sing this in your natural vocal range -the 'fa' or 4th note should be roughly your starting point. the other 'notes' can be used in variance in your reads randomly to keep the listnener engaged. Remember not to go too low or high! keep it comfortable and flowing-like a song with an unwritten, yet pleasing melody. Otherwise-keep up the good work! I hope this helps!

Brent

Julie Williams · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 168

Hi Ruth,

YOu're very good... but the demo doesn't show that. In fact, I didn't know how good you were till the demo was almost over... and if I had been casting, I wouldn't have listened that long. I'd have tossed the demo early.

My suggestion... kill everything before the supermarket spot. It's very good. The last spot is OK, not as good. Then do more VOs that are real and not fake. That's what was so endearing about the supermarket spot. It was sooo real. You didnt' get high and fake like on some of the earlier spots. A good spot like the supermarket one can't be done by a mediocre talent... so get together a demo that showcases how good you really are!

Just take it easy, and be real. You have so much talent. Remember that one bad apple spoils the whole bunch... better to have fewer great spots than lots of less than mediocre with a couple of good ones.

Good Luck, Ruth!
God Bless.
Julie Williams
www.voice-overs.com[color=indigo][/color]

Paxton Greene · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 91

Hey Ruth!

Good voice. I agree with Julie to change the demo up a bit. You'll be great.

Pax

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

Very nice natural reads. I would probably kill the tones at the beginning and end of the demo and in the segues; while I like them as a sound engineer, if I were casting, I'd just consider it a waste of my listening time. Let the client hear you sooner. I agree the supermarket spot was your strongest. You really do want your stronger spots up front. The seduction spot was also nice.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006, 00:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Ruth...

I just listened to your demo and having read the other bits of feedback prior to listening, I was expecting something pretty bad. But it wasn't at all. But before I critique, let me caution you by saying I'll always defer to Julie Williams over my own gut feelings, being as how Julie actually instructs v/o classes and has been kind enough to share many helpful hints with moi.

For starters, I love your voice. The accent is great. Some British or Aussie accents can be almost too much. Yours is like the slice of lime on top of the meringue. I personally think it's gorgeous.

I have mixed feelings about the demo itself. I don't mind the beeps at the beginning. It's a nice change from the standard demo. I DO agree that many of the opening spots are not your best. The 1/2 off Kitchen center spot is a stinker in my opinion because it's not what you do best. I think we voice talents want to be all things to all potential clients. I DO agree with Julie that the supermarket spot and the spots after are far and away your strongest. And like Nikki I liked the seduction spot. When you come dowwwwwwwwwwn and are quiet and personal, or real (as in the supermarket spot) you shine. When you try to 'sell' me something, it's better than most of those hard-edged voices out there trying to sell me, but I don't think it flatters you.

And the engineering sfx at the end didn't bother me personally, either. It let me know the demo was over.

Finally, again, I agree with Julie that you DO have SO MUCH talent. You're really good. I'd suspect you're about 87.32% of the way to being GREAT and with a bit of practice, coaching and work you'll be at 104.5% at least. alien

P.S. Note that in my deference to Queen Julie I also must use a smaller font size than she does! Wink

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006, 00:24 (GMT) Post subject:

ooops, sorry, Julie. I was thinking of another reply you made with a Queenly font size! Laughing

Louis Tristan · **Voice Talent** Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 266

You they are all great demos, but the bedding commercial didn't really do it for me..

All in all great voice. You know it;s good when there is nothing else playing in the background and the voice captures you.