To DEMO or NOT TO DEMO?

[Julie Williams]

Hi Guys,
I found this post on a forum... thought you might be interested in it.

It's a duck, right?
Posted by: "Mike Harrison"
Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:40 pm (PST)
It is partially scams such as these that make me sick of the many purveyors of voice-over 'smoke and mirrors.' Those calling themselves
'coaches' or 'trainers' who have, maybe, taken out a single book on
voice-over from their public library and skimmed through it just
enough to remember a few facts and statistics, and then hang out a
shingle and call themselves 'voice-over coaches." However, let me be
clear by stating that NOT ALL coaches fall into this category.

Those who teach that it takes only a couple of lessons before one is
ready to produce a demo (thereby theoretically leading the student to
believe they are legitimate contenders in this highly competitive
field) are, many times, the same ones that prod their inexperienced
students to build their own studio, thereby making it easier for them
to compete. This is clearly putting the cart before the horse, and
like buying a car with no gas tank.

When those with little experience (and, in many cases, even less
potential) vying to enter the field are enticed to pay several hundred
(or more) dollars, and are further manipulated into thinking that
joining the ranks of long established voice talent is as simple as
working the drive-thru window at the local fast food establishment,
they are the ones who wind up getting hurt, because they look for the
smaller, less-paying jobs to kick-start their career and wind up
getting burned by unscrupulous people and their scams.

If you're one of those 'Smoke-and-Mirrors'-type voice-over
instructors, save some oxygen for the rest of the planet, and keep
your miniscule experience (if, indeed, you have any) to yourself.

If you're one who's looking to start a career in voice-over, don't let
anyone tell you it's easy. First, it takes true passion: you have to
truly WANT this. Remember how hard you had to work for an 'A' in a
required school subject? Your passion is then followed by hard work,
practice, and listening to the competition to hear for yourself what
it marketable and what isn't. You must have some acting skills. At
least decent acting skills. You must be at least a good reader. You
must know how to come up with 'the backstory' and 'be in the moment.'
Maybe then it's time to make a demo that's marketable. Make no
mistake: Unmarketable demos that are sent to agents are thrown in the
trash without a single word. And THAT's the truth. And that also goes
for demos whose production values (music and sound effects) are
designed to over-shadow your voice. Those looking to hire voice talent
will be listening ONLY for vocal quality and are NOT fooled by
production value.

If and when you do reach the point where your demo is marketable (by
this time you've found a legitimate coach), and you do land an agent
(or more) and, ultimately, your first gig, you must know how to take
direction (translated: you will be expected to deliver what the
director/producer asks of you without questioning or throwing a
tantrum.) And there's more.

Yes, without a doubt, the work CAN be fun if and when you get the type
of jobs you want and like. But don't get picky too early in your
careeer or your phone will stop ringing, and you'll find it hard to
change that. ALWAYS remain a professional service provider. No
attitude, no ego. Be likeable.

But, above all, if you really want to pursue voice-over, be ready to
spend the time to learn and work to hone your skills. I grew up during
the 60s and 70s when the mantra was 'always question authority.' If
someone says they can get you started in this profession for just a
couple of hundred bucks, find out what makes them think they are
qualified to teach you. Pump them with questions about their
background, education, track record, etc. Ask to see diplomas and
certifications and, possibly, awards. Don't just throw your money away
on smoke and mirrors. Would you want to be operated on by someone who simply paid $1000 to become a surgeon? Think about it.

Sorry for what some might consider a 'rant.' I'm just so tired of
hearing about people being burned and having all their money taken by
pure, unadulterated phonies.

There. I feel much better now.


And here was my response to it:

MIke,
I hear what you're saying about producing demos too early... however, I don 't agree with all of it. I don' t like producing demos...as they take so much time, but I do them (only for those who take my workshop, if they elect a demo and I have time) and here's why,
No one can work without a demo. There is only so much improvement a talent can make without working... and with a demo they can join services like voices.com and accept whatever "bottom feeder" jobs come in...to get experience and a little income while learning. That said, I don't believe they should send beginner demos to agents... not till they're ready. But when they are ready, they can approach agents as an experienced professional.
Not every coach who is willing to produce a demo after one workshop is a scam artist. I did one for a talent who became full time within a couple of years... after taking the demo I produced and getting regular work at the Discovery Channel. Granted, she was a natural talent and a dream to direct. But by your standards, I was wrong to produce her demo! I disagree.

[KaraEdwards]

Good article, and a good response Julie!

I think the most important things to look for in a coach is...if they are a voice talent...what are thier credits...who are their clients. Are they clients you would like to have someday?

Also, who have they taught in the past? Did those people move on to become successful in the business?

Don't be afraid to ask LOTS of questions!

[Julie Williams]

The biggest think I look for...is why they teach.

Do they teach because they can't get work?
Or do they teach cos they got tired of people hounding them to teach? (guilty! Plus, I love teaching)

[Michael Murphy]

Should I put any of my voice files on Voices.com before I get a professional demo? I Just feel like I have a very incomplete page there with no samples of my voice. I didn't want to make a fatal flaw.

[KaraEdwards]

Julie will probably have the best answer for this question...but I think a voice sample is a must! What is holding you back? Do you have a place you can record auditions and audio...like a local or a home studio?

Demos are often a long work in progress. I add to mine and update it regularly. Just because you put something together now, doesn't mean you are stuck with it forever!

Good luck!

[Jon Morss]

ulie,

Great post and I completely agree with your reply. I can really relate to this personally. I had taken pretty much every VO class I could find in the Sacramento area and then sought out help via email/phone and the internet. Once I felt I was ready and was encouraged to create a demo I sought out a local studio that was suggested to me by a VO coach and proceeded to make my first demo. It was okay but I still do not think it was the best I could do. One issue was that I was basically placed in a both, told to read some scripts (as well as my own for a character demo) and the engineer/producer/owner recorded a few takes with very little coaching. This unfortunately was not the best way to cut a demo but it was the best option I had at the time. If I knew then what I know now, I would certainly had paid to have a real coach/VO pro assist in putting the demo together.

Another issue I am now facing is that it appears the same engineer that helped me with my demo, used almost the same copy for another VO talent listed on Cast Images; our commercial demos actually start with the same copy. Is it standard procedures to use the same copy in basically the same order for multiple VO talents when creating demos? If so, how can one avoid this?


Thanks,

Jon

[Michael Murphy]

No Kara nothing holding me back, I just have read posts about not posting a demo until I have one professionally made.

I had posted samples, but I took them down just because of reading about not posting one until professionally made. I don't have any professionally produced with any other sound then my voice though.


Mike

[Colin Campbell]

I'd suggest finding your own scripts. They're everywhere. Magazine advertising for example. Also, the voice casting sites are good for being a "script factory." I've produced many demos for people over the last several months and recognize many of the scripts they chose as coming from Voice123 and Voices.com. My demos in fact are largely made up of the custom auditions I've done for the casting sites. A lot of the scrips are not so good but there are many "diamonds in the rough." If it's fun for you to read, it's a good script for you. I myself enjoy documentary copy so when a good one comes along, it eventually makes it to one of my demos.

[KaraEdwards]

Mike,

Everyone is different, and will offer different advice. I could be wrong, but I think if you are just starting out- you should have some work on your site that showcases your talent. You can create your own demos (both of my demos were produced by me using past work- I've never had a demo professionally produced in 11 years...ok, that may ruffle a feather or two...) That said, I will be having my commercial demo tweaked by a professional in the near future. So yes, it is good to seek the pros with help for this.

I say find or create some great copy that is appropriate for your voice and record about :60 of copy (about 5-7 different scripts) and put something together. The folks on this board will be happy to critique and help you along the way. As you get work, you can save money for the big demo you will have produced. Plus, you will gain experience along the way.

I'm guessing no one will hire you without a voice sample. Good luck!

[Grant Holmes]

I just had Colin Campbell drag my newbie demos into this century. We're making a last change to my commercial one, then I'll post later in another topic.

Here's my take. Others will hear things in your voice/delivery that you won't hear. In my case Colin pretty much started cold with mine, maybe hearing one or two demos. He hasn't heard my voice for 48 years like I have.

He was able to pull out stuff that I ended up thinking, "That's me??"

So while you may be able to produce your own demos and they may sound great (Like Kara's), but I did one and it wasn't.