Animation Demo Length

Pat Sweeney · 06-26-2009, 12:22 AM

Hello Bob,

I first want to thank you for all of the informative insights/comments you have posted on the previous threads. They have all been very helpful.

I am presently working with an Animation VO Coach here in Toronto and am thoroughly enjoying the experience and learning a lot. I recognize the importance of not recording a demo until you are ready for all of the reasons you have mentioned earlier, but I still have a question in my mind as to the appropriate length of an Animated Demo.

My coach recently mentioned that an animated demo should be roughly 3-4 minutes in length with a multitude of characters displaying various emotions and actions in 10-15 second spots. When I questioned that 3-4 minutes seemed lengthy, she commented that most of the other local VO Actors that do animation work have demos that length.

You mention on your web site that 60-90 seconds is sufficient and your own Animated Demo is roughly 2.5 minutes, could you clarify what the industry standard and expectations are for Animated Demos as I work towards this ultimate goal? If 3-4 minutes is too long, would there ever be a situation where a demo of that length would be of benefit.

Thanks Bob, and I look forward to meeting and hopefully working with you on the upcoming Voicelympics cruise.

arthurburton · 06-26-2009, 04:20 AM

Sounds too long to me for sure! I would make 2 different versions if you are in doubt. And pitch the longer one if the interest is already there- just add, hey- I can do a lot more too!

You are bringing back memories for me here, I made a fully hand drawn colour Cartoon animation some 10 years back. It took 6 months of HARD labour to do just 46 seconds at 12 frames per second.

It was a work of art, but NEVER again!
One day, I may even get round to posting it up somewhere!

I still have my hand-made animators table with pegs.....

Mike Sommer · 06-26-2009, 11:45 AM

If you only have 30 seconds of good solid material, then that's all you should give.
90 seconds would be about as long as I would go, but it needs to be absolutely 100% brilliant material from start to end.

Bob Bergen · 06-26-2009, 01:48 PM

Hey bud!

I can't speak for the Canadian market. Just don't know what's considered standard there.

That said, I can't imagine it's much different from LA. Most buyers and agents here wouldn't even listen to a demo that was that long. You need to hook em in fast. 1:30 is plenty!!! Most demos I believe should be no longer than a minute. You'll only get about a 4-10 second listen anyway. If they don't love you in 4 seconds they won't love you in 4 minutes. An animation demo can be a bit longer, but no more than 1:30. And audio book demos need to be even longer. Those buyers need to know you can handle long form reads.

My advice would be to ask around in your area what the norm is for an animation demo. Ask agents, other talent, etc. Hey-your coach may be right on for your market. But a demo that long won't fly here.

;-)

Pat Sweeney · 06-26-2009, 02:10 PM

Bob, thanks very much for the clarification and excellent advice. I will ask around locally and also run it by Deb Munro when I work with her next on SKYPE. Great reinforcement of how important that first 5 seconds is in making a strong impression. Not sure I would be sending the demo into the LA market to be honest, totally different league, but was considering starting local and making some inroads here first.

Arthur and Mike, sound advice, thanks very much for your input. My goal definitely will only work with solid material and that will be it, no point in putting anything else on it. If it is not brilliant, the demo won't be done, simple as that.

Thanks again guys for your help. Good voicing out there!

Bob Bergen · 06-26-2009, 03:06 PM

Deb rocks, Pat!! She's a dynamite coach! And she strives to do the absolute best for her students!!! I think she's a good person to go to for advice on this!

Keep me posted! And feel free to send me the demo when it's done!

BB

Pat Sweeney · 06-26-2009, 05:55 PM

I totally agree Bob, Deb Munro does rock! I would highly recommend her to any other VO talent. I see her every couple of weeks and I learn more from her in 1 hour than I do from others that I have worked with. She is very passionate about what she does and it is quite evident during the session. I will keep you posted, I still have some work to do though. Thank you again for your input, it is greatly appreciated.

Pat

Pat Sweeney · 07-18-2009, 09:39 PM

Bob, just as a follow-up, I worked with Deb Munro again this week and I ran the question by her regarding the length of an animation demo for the local Toronto market here. Deb strongly recommends to keep it to 1 minute but also to consider recording a 2 minute demo to meet the needs of the local Toronto clientele. She states that the local Animation Coach has 30 years of working in this market and should have a strong understanding of what the expectations are. She is highly respected by many local agents and other VO talent so the credibility does exist and I have to respect that. Having both may also provide me with the flexibility I may require moving forward, but I will investigate this further. Thanks for your help.

Bob Bergen · 07-20-2009, 12:01 AM

You bet!!!

Glad Deb could add some clarity! Like I said, I just don't know the Canadian market at all. Always best to seek guidance from folks in the market you hope to work.

;-)

Pat Sweeney · 07-20-2009, 09:58 PM

That obviously makes a lot of sense Bob. I will ask additional local talent to get a better fix on what the local clients are looking for.from talent. Thanks again for your help and I look forward to working with you in your workshop on the Voicelympics cruise. I am sure I will have a few more questions.

06-26-2009, 12:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pat Sweeney User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 143	Animation Demo Length Hello Bob, I first want to thank you for all of the informative insights/comments you have posted on the previous threads. They have all been very helpful. I am presently working with an Animation VO Coach here in Toronto and am thoroughly enjoying the experience and learning a lot. I recognize the importance of not recording a demo until you are ready for all of the reasons you have mentioned earlier, but I still have a question in my mind as to the appropriate length of an Animated Demo. My coach recently mentioned that an animated demo should be roughly 3-4 minutes in length with a multitude of characters displaying various emotions and actions in 10-15 second spots. When I questioned that 3-4 minutes seemed lengthy, she commented that most of the other local VO Actors that do animation work have demos that length. You mention on your web site that 60-90 seconds is sufficient and your own Animated Demo is roughly 2.5 minutes, could you clarify what the industry standard and expectations are for Animated Demos as I work towards this ultimate goal? If 3-4 minutes is too long, would there ever be a situation where a demo of that length would be of benefit. Thanks Bob, and I look forward to meeting and hopefully working with you on the upcoming Voicelympics cruise.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-26-2009, 04:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
arthurburton User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 32	Sounds too long to me for sure! I would make 2 different versions if you are in doubt. And pitch the longer one if the interest is already there- just add, hey- I can do a lot more too! You are bringing back memories for me here, I made a fully hand drawn colour Cartoon animation some 10 years back. It took 6 months of HARD labour to do just 46 seconds at 12 frames per second. It was a work of art, but NEVER again! One day, I may even get round to posting it up somewhere! I still have my hand-made animators table with pegs.....

06-26-2009, 11:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,161	If you only have 30 seconds of good solid material, then that's all you should give. 90 seconds would be about as long as I would go, but it needs to be absolutely 100% brilliant material from start to end.

06-26-2009, 01:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bob Bergen User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 251	Hey bud! I can't speak for the Canadian market. Just don't know what's considered standard there. That said, I can't imagine it's much different from LA. Most buyers and agents here wouldn't even listen to a demo that was that long. You need to hook em in fast. 1:30 is plenty!!! Most demos I believe should be no longer than a minute. You'll only get about a 4-10 second listen anyway. If they don't love you in 4 seconds they won't love you in 4 minutes. An animation demo can be a bit longer, but no more than 1:30. And audio book demos need to be even longer. Those buyers need to know you can handle long form reads. My advice would be to ask around in your area what the norm is for an animation demo. Ask agents, other talent, etc. Hey-your coach may be right on for your market. But a demo that long won't fly here. ;-)

06-26-2009, 02:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pat Sweeney User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 143	Bob, thanks very much for the clarification and excellent advice. I will ask around locally and also run it by Deb Munro when I work with her next on SKYPE. Great reinforcement of how important that first 5 seconds is in making a strong impression. Not sure I would be sending the demo into the LA market to be honest, totally different league, but was considering starting local and making some inroads here first. Arthur and Mike, sound advice, thanks very much for your input. My goal definitely will only work with solid material and that will be it, no point in putting anything else on it. If it is not brilliant, the demo won't be done, simple as that. Thanks again guys for your help. Good voicing out there!

06-26-2009, 03:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bob Bergen User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 251	Deb rocks, Pat!! She's a dynamite coach! And she strives to do the absolute best for her students!!! I think she's a good person to go to for advice on this! Keep me posted! And feel free to send me the demo when it's done! BB

06-26-2009, 05:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pat Sweeney User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 143	I totally agree Bob, Deb Munro does rock! I would highly recommend her to any other VO talent. I see her every couple of weeks and I learn more from her in 1 hour than I do from others that I have worked with. She is very passionate about what she does and it is quite evident during the session. I will keep you posted, I still have some work to do though. Thank you again for your input, it is greatly appreciated. Pat

07-18-2009, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Pat Sweeney User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 143	Bob, just as a follow-up, I worked with Deb Munro again this week and I ran the question by her regarding the length of an animation demo for the local Toronto market here. Deb strongly recommends to keep it to 1 minute but also to consider recording a 2 minute demo to meet the needs of the local Toronto clientele. She states that the local Animation Coach has 30 years of working in this market and should have a strong understanding of what the expectations are. She is highly respected by many local agents and other VO talent so the credibility does exist and I have to respect that. Having both may also provide me with the flexibility I may require moving forward, but I will investigate this further. Thanks for your help.

07-20-2009, 12:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bob Bergen User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 251	You bet!!! Glad Deb could add some clarity! Like I said, I just don't know the Canadian market at all. Always best to seek guidance from folks in the market you hope to work. ;-)

07-20-2009, 09:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Pat Sweeney User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 143	That obviously makes a lot of sense Bob. I will ask additional local talent to get a better fix on what the local clients are looking for.from talent. Thanks again for your help and I look forward to working with you in your workshop on the Voicelympics cruise. I am sure I will have a few more questions.