Question?

[Michael Murphy]

When you submit a Lead submission, do you always record the whole demo script they submit on the site? Also do you do anything other than just voice on your audition? I just joined Voices.com but haven't submitted a lead yet.


Thanks in advance?

Mike

[JoeActor]

Hey Michael,

It depends on the script and the purpose. Some will post the whole script for long projects, so I'll just read less than a minute for those.

Other scripts are very short, so on those I may to several takes if it is warranted.

Small projects like "intro my podcast" may be a scenario where you should change the company name in the script, or watermark to be sure they don't use your audition as the final. This is normally only a concern on low-budget projects posted by individuals.

So, you can see the answer is very dependant on the job and copy posted...

Hope this helps,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

[Michael Murphy]

Thanks! That does clear it up a bit.


Mike

[videochas]

I'll echo Judy. Beware of rip-offs. Change the name. Don't do production, that's their job. Dry is best.

[Julie Williams]

I will not usually do the entire script. But if it's really short...ya kind of have to... so I'll sometimes change the name.

Occasionally I'll put music under part of it. I don' tlike receiving watermarked VO submissions because they're so distracting so I won't do that...

But occasionally, I'll slate...

"Hello... this is Julie Williams in sunny California... and it's so beautiful out that I've got the windows open! So if you hear a dog bark, or my bird starts talking in the background...you will NOT hear any of that on an actual job!"

Sounds kind of like making an excuse, but it's worked for me. I may have lost a few jobs that way...I'll never know... but my income has NOT gone down since I started slating like that.

[Amanda Geyer]

Originally Posted by Julie Williams

"Hello... this is Julie Williams in sunny California... and it's so beautiful out that I've got the windows open! So if you hear a dog bark, or my bird starts talking in the background...you will NOT hear any of that on an actual job!"

And considering that my current setup does not permit me to close my window, that'd be a great thing to include in my slate! It's like watermarking without distracty-watermarks... if I land a job before we get that stupid window fixed, I can probably rent some studio time, or use my friend's place that has good soundproofing in place already (a nice, interior closet that housed the old water heater, but has since been carpetted and is used for holiday decor storage).

[Lee Gordon]

Originally Posted by Michael Murphy

When you submit a Lead submission, do you always record the whole demo script they submit on the site? Also do you do anything other than just voice on your audition?

If a seeker posts a fairly long script, I generally read no more than about one minute and then fade it out. I then explain in the text box that for demo purposes I recorded only that first minute. I also do not add anything to the dry voiceover unless the seeker asks for it or implies that the finished product will require me to add other elements.

[Julie Williams]

I don't just to the first minute... I read over the script and find a minute of the script that I like... If it's well written, there's usually a part that I can make sound really different... to differentiate me from other talent. And I pick a part the I'll sound good on.

Then when client listens... 90%+ are all reading that first minute. I'm reading the 5th minute. It may be one that showcases my ability to reach tech terminology, or that I can especially use some of my vo techniques on, or something... but it makes me different...but still on their copy.