New talent looking for feedback!

Donna Scheffki · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the wild world of voiceover --just got my demo produced and have started promoting in the past few weeks. I'd love to get some feedback from some folks in the business.

Thanks much!

Donna

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006, 21:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi, Donna! Welcome to the world of uncertain income, personality disorders and destroyed egos! Other than that, it's a blast.

Let me take first crack at your demos...

- Commercial demo: Overall VERY nice although I didn't care much for the Meow Mix. All of your other spots have some real life to them but the Meow mix just sounds like a perky read, and lacks the real feeling you're putting into the others. Would rather have heard more of the preceding "Italian Chef" spot. Your five years of voice training really shows in this demo. Great length, good variety, good pacing. Kept me interested enough to listen thru it 3 times.

- Narrative demo: I love the production on the S.S. spot with the Vince Guiraldi style music. It REALLY complements your voice, which has that somewhat 'Peanuts' sound to it (that's a compliment here). There are parts of this demo that just blow me away, like the General Mills spot. You have a fabulously natural, conversational voice on spots like that. I love the timbre and the slight edginess that just occasionally creeps in. It REALLY sounds like you're telling me a story. Even there, though, I'd shorten the General Mills clip. Just a bit too long, methinks. Then there's the Meerkat and neutron spot. The neutron spot especially is NOT you. It sounds like you're trying to be something you're not. You're NOT a deeply dark and serious scientific reader, Donna. You're a relatable, young, energetic, hip lady and I really did not believe you for a moment doing that bit. Plus it just went on and on with an ending that left me wondering what was next (nothing). Ditch that one completely, and probably the meerkat, and put another one or two like the Social Security and General Mills spot AND cut the whole thing down to about 1:00. Your commercial demo had me wanting to hear more; your narrative demo had me ready for it to be over, despite your outstanding high points within it.

I'll skip the Bertolli frozen dinners piece for now so I can wrap up my critique.

I think you can do FABULOUSLY well in this business. You have an amazing voice, terrific training, great emotiveness (that I only WISH I could have!) and a unique sound. Recognize your strengths (things like young and hip and the relatable spots) and don't try to be a deep, introspective narrator. I just don't hear it in you. I think you could be a national talent; I really do. Can I be your agent? Laughing

Best of luck, welcome to the biz, and I can't wait to see where you go with this.

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

Hey Donna!

Good voice. I agree with the above about the Meow Mix. That spot grabbed me the least. Best to you.

Pax

Donna Scheffki · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Scott,

Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement!

I really appreciate the comments and suggestions.

Thanks again!

Donna

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

Donna:
Took a listen. Took a like.
You have a pleasantly strong voice, and to my ears the Commercial demo is by far the best. The others are undermined by some weak spots wherein the delivery seems a tad unnatural.
That is a big torpedo.
Also, on a couple of occasions, an outdated Valley Girl lilt creeps in, as on "Linguini Al Dente" and "with them" in the Juicy Juice snippet.
I liked the Brawny and General Foods bits, which leads me to surmise that your no-nonsense voice is best suited to project a sense of subtle power and authority.
So my humble suggestions would be to massage the text a little more, evoke, watch the lilt, and - at least to start - focus on corporate, instructional, and brass-tacks type text that play to your considerable strengths.
I liked. But puff don't pay the groceries. And everyone's a tough critic in this business. Just wait 'til you don't hear from the clients.
Voice On!
Robert Jadah

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

Donna:
OK, OK, mea culpa.
I don't read other comments before giving my 2 cents worth (Canadian currency: 1.5 cents worth US), so I was surprised to note that Scott and I heard your demo so differently.
I mean, he's number 163 on my list of heroes. And since he's perceptive and talented and all, we usually agree on basics.
So I went back and listened again. And I stand by my initial, curmodgeonly reaction.
Except that the Bertolli piece is very, very good.
On the narrative, only the General Mills spot works. The read for nuclear fission, for example, is much less lively.
I would squelch the Fruit drinks spot on the commercial demo; it sounds a mite muffled compared to the clear granite of the rest.
And check out the Valley Girl lilt again on the words "break through" in the Nice n' Easy snippet.
So go to it. Scott is right-on when effusive about your possibilities.
As to the rest, he says that to all the girls,
Robert Jadah (again)

Donna Scheffki · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Robert,

Thanks for your comments--I appreciate ALL the feedback, whether good, bad or indifferent!

Donna