A New Commercial Demo

Emorgan_Voiceovers · 04-23-2009, 01:04 PM

Alright, I am working up my new commercial demo. There are couple of pieces that you will recognize. I was told by a reputable agent that they were great pieces for me and strongly represented my style. That is why those 2 pieces are in there. Otherwise, let it rip. How is the placement? Does it totally suck? Something missing? I am open to your suggestions.

chucktaylor · 04-23-2009, 01:31 PM

Just my intial thought and I am by no means an expert, but I'd lead off with your second spot, the first one doesn't do anything for me..I'd either have it towards the middle or end or not at all...again just my 2 cents and again I'm no expert.

Chuck

Mike Sommer · 04-23-2009, 01:39 PM

All solid reads. I do like the first two spots, in that the first shows off your low range and the second demonstrates your middle range. The only problem is that it becomes a lot of the same low range reads after that.

In the Valentines read, I sense the intimacy that you are trying to convey, but you're whisper is down in your chest. I would suggest bringing it up to your head- or talk through your eyes. Pretend your talking into someone's ear.

And because you have such a mellow and deep rumbly voice it's easy for folks to drift off. You need a wake up spot towards the later two thirds of the demo. Something that would show off a batshit crazy, out of control side of you, which would be unexpected and show off some versatility as an actor.
An example of a big voice going a little crazy might be Billy Bletcher (Peg Leg Pete)

Walt Disney voice of Mickey Mouse

In this case your demo doesn't have to be about the voice -you got the pipes, and that will come through no matter what you do- you just need to focus on emoting and switching it up a just little more.

Just my two cents.

alexrain · 04-23-2009, 02:05 PM

Hi Eric,
I think the pieces are good.. and I'll echo Chuck's input about maybe leading with the second clip... I'd also move the last clip up a position or two, and maybe add a more uptempo/hardsell clip perhaps in the middle to vary the tempo... but I'm just nitpicking.... I think the demo does a good job of capturing your signature style and depth.

Best,
Alex

Emorgan_Voiceovers · 04-23-2009, 02:47 PM

OK, here is a different mix, with some different pieces, and some of the same pieces. Let me know what you think.

Edited to add yet another.

Mike Sommer · 04-23-2009, 03:59 PM

The variety is much better in these two. I would go for the second of the two.

On the technical side there is some sibilance, and I think you are way to close to the mic.
By the way what mic are you using?

JoeActor · 04-23-2009, 04:32 PM

Hmmm...

Ok, general comment from me... two words: Upper Range.

I like the "American Family" spot much better than the "Angus Beef" one. Why? Because it's in your comfortable vocal range.

I was told by a singing teacher years ago that my speaking voice was "artificially low", and I'm hearing the same thing from yours in some of these spots.

As an analogy, you're speaking in a cramped 4 foot high crawlspace, when right above is a room with 12 foot ceilings! Get up outta there, man!

You've got the range, but may not be comfortable with it. I'd like to hear more like the "American Family", and none like the "Angus Beef".

I can't recall, but are you a singer? You might try singing the copy before recording to give it a greater range and higher pitch.

Enough rambling from the peanut gallery,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com
www.SoundsGoodToYou.com

Mike Sommer · 04-23-2009, 05:44 PM

I think you're right Joe.
When you are in your middle voice "E," you're spot on. I also think you maybe getting a proximity effect by
being to close to the mic, because sometime the cones on my monitors want to jump off the drivers.

Emorgan_Voiceovers · 04-24-2009, 11:54 AM

Ok, one more mix here.

Mike Sommer · 04-24-2009, 12:31 PM

Really good.
You just need one more on the end that's in your mid range to put a button on it, and you got a winner.

04-23-2009, 01:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
chucktaylor Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 558	Just my intial thought and I am by no means an expert, but I'd lead off with your second spot, the first one doesn't do anything for me..I'd either have it towards the middle or end or not at all...again just my 2 cents and again I'm no expert. Chuck __________________ Chuck Taylor *Taylor Made Productions* "For audio that fits like a shoe!" chuck.taylor@texascountdown.com

04-23-2009, 01:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,164	All solid reads. I do like the first two spots, in that the first shows off your low range and the second demonstrates your middle range. The only problem is that it becomes a lot of the same low range reads after that. In the Valentines read, I sense the intimacy that you are trying to convey, but you're whisper is down in your chest. I would suggest bringing it up to your head- or talk through your eyes. Pretend your talking into someone's ear. And because you have such a mellow and deep rumbly voice it's easy for folks to drift off. You need a wake up spot towards the later two thirds of the demo. Something that would show off a batshit crazy, out of control side of you, which would be unexpected and show off some versatility as an actor. An example of a big voice going a little crazy might be Billy Bletcher (Peg Leg Pete) Walt Disney voice of Mickey Mouse In this case your demo doesn't have to be about the voice -you got the pipes, and that will come through no matter what you do- you just need to focus on emoting and switching it up a just little more. Just my two cents. Last edited by Mike Sommer; 04-23-2009 at 03:44 PM.

04-23-2009, 02:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
alexrain Rainman Join Date: May 2008 Location: NE Texas, USA Posts: 151	Hi Eric, I think the pieces are good.. and I'll echo Chuck's input about maybe leading with the second clip... I'd also move the last clip up a position or two, and maybe add a more uptempo/hardsell clip perhaps in the middle to vary the tempo... but I'm just nitpicking.... I think the demo does a good job of capturing your signature style and depth. Best, Alex __________________ Alex Rain www.alexrain.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "My brain has a mind of it's own."

04-23-2009, 03:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,164	The variety is much better in these two. I would go for the second of the two. On the technical side there is some sibilance, and I think you are way to close to the mic. By the way what mic are you using? Last edited by Mike Sommer; 04-23-2009 at 05:39 PM. Reason: A dyslexic moment with my homophones.

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04-23-2009, 04:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
JoeActor Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,915	Hmmm... Ok, general comment from me... two words: Upper Range. I like the "American Family" spot much better than the "Angus Beef" one. Why? Because it's in your comfortable vocal range. I was told by a singing teacher years ago that my speaking voice was "artificially low", and I'm hearing the same thing from yours in some of these spots. As an analogy, you're speaking in a cramped 4 foot high crawlspace, when right above is a room with 12 foot ceilings! Get up outta there, man! You've got the range, but may not be comfortable with it. I'd like to hear more like the "American Family", and none like the "Angus Beef". I can't recall, but are you a singer? You might try singing the copy before recording to give it a greater range and higher pitch. Enough rambling from the peanut gallery, Joe J Thomas www.JoeActor.com www.SoundsGoodToYou.com

04-23-2009, 05:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,164	I think you're right Joe. When you are in your middle voice "E," you're spot on. I also think you maybe getting a proximity effect by being to close to the mic, because sometime the cones on my monitors want to jump off the drivers.

04-24-2009, 12:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mike Sommer User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,164	Really good. You just need one more on the end that's in your mid range to put a button on it, and you got a winner.