Do the Tighten Up

Chris Mezzolesta · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 12:22 (GMT) Post subject: Do the Tighten Up

In re-editing my demos for various sites around the Net, many of them are asking for a minute or so max, so am wondering if these sound effective enough...any thoughts? am I hurting myself in any way? Thanks for any input.

Lance Blair · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 15:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Man you've got a lot of good reads. You could even do a demo for each of your personalities (mix of com, narr, promo) instead of each of your content types.

Demo 7 is of course simply brilliant.

It's all good. And yes, the Tighten Up is a good thing. Even when a sample is perfect I want to scream if it's longer than :10. When somebody's good I want to hear more ASAP, not more of the same.

Clip's good. Great. next one.
That one's good too. Great. next one.
Another good one? Great. Next.
Good. next.
Again, good.
Done.

Smile

Chris Mezzolesta · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 17:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Seems my reply didn't go thru, so.....

Holy Shnikies! Thanks upon thanks, glad you think they're effective. Though not "professionally" produced, I was hoping they'd stand up, now to get some potential clients to agree!!

Thanks once again.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 20:40 (GMT) Post subject:

What do you mean, "not professionally produced"? I take it you did it? Then it's professionally produced. I mean, have you not listened to yourself??? Laughing

Now. No more of that or I'll come up there and go all American Ninja on you...catchy by the way. My son and I are singing it right now. Though, not as well as you.

(BTW, your character range is mind-boggling. In a good way.)

Chris Mezzolesta · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 22:00 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, o-tay then! Very Happy

A few of the spots sprinkled amongst the real ones are my own creations, but a good deal of it is from real work (ex., all the jingles are real save one which was a 1st version of one later used)...I know conventional wisdom sez not to use real work but not having had the bread to do a real demo I've always cobbled together from what I had collected from gigs! Only the "kids playing in the yard" snippet is from a VO class I took (turns out I was the "ringer" of the 3 of us).

So it must be that I'm simply not doing enough with these demos, then. Means I have to grow a pair, and get on the horn I guess......

Thanks Melba!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 22:44 (GMT) Post subject:

I think I must have not made myself clear...or maybe I don't understand what you just wrote. But to clarify: I was complimenting you all the way through, bud. You sound pro, you work as pro VO/songwriter/singer/producer -- at least to some degree, right?....so what you produce is professionally produced. Right? Right. No, not every VO has the ear to produce themselves, but clearly you do.

You said: "I know conventional wisdom sez not to use real work"

What conventional wisdom are you talking about? Guess I'm conventionally foolish! Laughing

I'd much rather hear clips from actual work than "fabricated" -- I mean, when possible. That shows what you've done, what you do, what you can do for me.

You rock!

Chris Mezzolesta · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 22:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Well sometimes in trying to be glib and funny I just come off weird (which is not always a bad thing!!!)...Definite thanks as I said; I was referring to some posts a while back about demo production that say not to use real work to show what you've done, but to fabricate spots to show what you *can* do...which I'll admit doesn't make 100% sense to me, as long as the spots used are indeed representative...

I was also alluding to my particular situation, not having very much work (and absolutely 0 thru 123 and TOS), it's becoming clearer that the deficiency lies not in my VO skills but in my marketing acumen, which is why I alluded to needing to grow a pair! Laughing

getting out there and getting ready for whatever rejection comes down the pike...I could have been clearer on that.

Sometimes with the rather opinionated posts from various participants here, I find myself questioning whether I belong in the game since I'm not able to be doing this fulltime after 18 years trying (though other stuff has been going on)- some people blow their own horns so loudly that often it leaves me wondering if I can compete...

I've been mulling over replacing my current crop of demos (all 90 to 150 secs or so) with this round, on the various sites. Which is why I was initially wondering if "doin' the tighten up" made em more effective. I think I got my answer...

Thanks again very much, it's good to rock.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008, 23:17 (GMT) Post subject:

And you do. Check your inbox. I've PM'd you.

JC Haze · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008, 00:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Chris,
You're an AMAZING talent. With great style, and super production. DAMN you're good! You've inspired me to refresh all my demos!

Your characters are awesome. I also LOVE the singing stuff...whether it be TV promos, etc. You're so clever.

The only criticism I can offer(and it's MINOR), is that you don't sound as passionate in the industrial piece.
But that other stuff is your sweet spot...man! Did I say you're DAMN good??!!!!! Way to go.
JC

Chris Mezzolesta · Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008, 15:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Got a little busy with life the last few days, wanted to thank everyone for the observations and the kudos! I've gone ahead and used those demos for new-talent submission to a new agency in SF, will see what they think.

Here's some free music, recently released on the Funny Music Project, if you like it you can get it free at

http://www.thefump.com/fump.php?id=1060

Thanks once again, and onward!!