OK, I'm sitting down...let me have it!

Steve Van Beckum

Hi Follks, I've been at this for about 30 years but just signed onto Voice123 a few weeks ago. I've not had too many opportunities for other pros to critique my demos or work so I'm looking forward to this. I wouldn't mind some website feedback as well. Its svbmedia.com Thanks!

Chip Hinshaw · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 65

Steve, honestly, you don't need our help here. Your demos are spot-on pro!

The only criticism I have is a technical (and very minor) one: on a couple of your spots, the amplitude is too high and clips at the extremes. I'm betting this was due to the transition to digital format.

EDIT:

Ok, I just went to your website and I think it's serviceable, but if you're looking to change things I say go for it. It appears to be an IE only site, or at least it doesn't "render" well in Opera (I did not check Firefox).

Again, it's an absolutely adequate website - I don't think you're hurting yourself in any way with it. However, if you are wanting to freshen things up ... why not. If you have some bucks to spend, hire a designer. I looked at Scott Pollak's web-design work and it's quite good. You should see him here on the boards. I'm sorry I don't have the link to their site -- hopefully he'll respond here with it.

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

Steve:
Great job. Really swell: another part of that continuing parade which shows how great our variety and competition are. Almost makes one want to get out of the way.
Almost.
One minor quibble is that the narration demo is just too loooong, especially considering that the clips are fairly similar in tone and delivery.
You have a startling and convincing range from middle-age to senior. I can quite readily imagine you cornering the wise, warm, grand-daddy thing. Nothing shabby about the rest, mind you, but that jungle is overgrown and fierce.
You good, Steve.
Voice On,
Robert Jadah

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006, 21:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Steve, since you asked, and since I've made my living as a web designer for the past 8 years along with my voice work (see my stuff at: http://www.spasticlizard.com), I'm going to offer you feedback on your site on this go-round. Also, I haven't listened to the demos yet, but look forward to doing so.

Overall, there's a lot I like about your site. It's short, sweet and to the point. You used the K.I.S.S. principle and I love that. I have way too many clients who want to tell their life story on their site and no one cares. Your logo, while simple, is clever, bold and works well. Ordinarily I'd never choose that bright of a blue for a background color, but again, it seems to work okay on your site. Getting back to the simplicity, I LOVE the fact that someone seeking your services can find exactly what they want easily and very quickly. You put only what needed to be on the site and it's easy to find your way around with the exception of the 'techno geek' link. It's a clever approach, but I had no idea what it meant til I went there. Once there, though, I very quickly not only figured out what it meant, but I also became envious of your setup.

Now, only three very small niggling suggestions:
- the font is

WAY BIGGER
than it needs to be. I don't know why, but so many people use such massive, clumpy fonts on their sites. Keep it smaller and tasteful. It just looks clumsy. ESPECIALLY on the demos page. Size it way down.
- I like the fact that your navigation buttons have rollovers, as opposed to being simply static html links, but I don't care for HOW they rollover. They go from being one thing to something totally different. Just seems discordant to me.
- On your e-mail link: change the actual link on your contact page to say "e-mail me" instead of having your actual e-mail address on the page, and it'll cut WAAAAAAAAAAY down on spam you're probably getting. Programs go out and read e-mail addresses just like yours and spam you.

If you're at all interested, go look at a couple of voice and radio sites I did and you're welcome to provide your own feedback:
My own: http://www.voicebyscott.com
A buddy who is a BIG v/o guy in Atlanta, Randy Reeves: http://reevesvoice.com/
And one we did for a local recording studio: http://creativesoundconcepts.com/

All the best, Steve!

Steve Van Beckum · Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2006, 12:24 (GMT) Post subject: Thanks for the input fellas!

HI, Thanks for the review boys!
Robert, you mentioned the narration demo being too long. My commercial demo is actually the longer of the 3. But please tell me if you think there's redundancy in there somewere/
Scott, thanks for the check on my website. I've made a few changes based on your input and you're right! I like it better. Your work looks great! A real multi-tasker!
Thanks again guys!
Steve

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

Hey Steve!

Man, that's a fantastic voice. You've got the whole package. Conversational, refined, and friendly. Can't fix what's not broken. Cheers!

Pax