DEMO OF THE DAY - WEEK OF 09/24 thru 09/30

[JoeActor]

Hey Gang!

I'm declaring a brand new week... a couple hours early!

Please post your auditions for this week here, and folks will chime in with an "At-A-Boy" and maybe a bit of advice to boot...

(click here for the prior thread)

Waiting to hear from you,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

[avitoots]

Joe -- I was in the middle of posting a response to Jason's latest posting, went to post it and Aaaaah! Couldn't do it! So, I'm glad you opened up a new thread. So Jason, here goes.

Jason -- I think your voice works perfectly for this story. I love the frog voice you came up with. However, you seem to change the quality of the voice towards the end where you say something like "as quickly as he captured his prey." I don't know if you did this intentionally because you're moving into a softer part of the story but since you're telling the story from the frog's viewpoint I don't think it's necessary. The music works in the beginning but where you switch to the butterfly the music was overwhelming to me. I think it needs to be taken down a bit because it distracts from what you're saying. The pacing is good because you can follow the action of the story. I'm not sure that a female voice would work with this story since, at least to me, it seems you wrote it from the bullfrog's viewpoint. If you wrote the story from the butterfly's viewpoint, then it would make sense for a female voice.

Here's a thought. Why don't you see if you can read the story to a preschool or library. When I listened to it this time, it seems that the story would go over very well with the pre-school and/or K-2 crowd. Kids can be painfully honest and their reactions to your story and how you tell it will let you know if what you're doing is right on.

Arlene

[JoeActor]

Hi Gang,

Kicking off the week with a little Sean Connery for you:
http://voice123.com/mp3/demos/LTK910...tom%20Demo.mp3

Have at it!,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

[mirrenlee]

Young man, you really are a versatile, disciplined voice, aren't you?!

Only comment, and I bet you know this already: I think you're still rushing it a bit.

I really notice pace because it's my biggest issue as well.

I remember, at one of my very first acting auditions, about a million years ago, I did what I thought was a really great monologue, only to look up to a couple of stunned CD faces, who then said as nicely as they could, "That was great, but do you think you could do it again and, uh, maybe a bit slower, so that, uh, we could actually understand what you're saying?" I was lucky they were nice about it!

In my coaching experience, actors usually fall into one of 2 traps when doing a dialect/accent: speak so softly that they can't be heard, or rush through it. Both come from a subconscious lack of confidence in the "voice" they're doing. So I say to you - OWN IT! You've got the incredible versatility, now own it and savor it in your mouth, rather than gulping it down without chewing!

Everyone should take note of your placing versatility. And if anyone doesn't know what I mean by that, let me know and I'll elaborate.

Well done, Joe.

[JoeActor]

Thanks for the feedback, Mirren.

Yes, speed is a constant struggle for me. Believe it or not, that was already slowed down from prior takes!

I've put a post-it on my pop filter that says "Slow..." - maybe that will help ;-)

I appreciate your experience and advice, and the placement compliment!

I'll post another audition later if I've got the time.

Chicken without a head,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

[avitoots]

Joe -- I'm going to share something one of my early voice coaches (who also did a whole lot of voiceover, Sears was a big client of hers) told me: if you feel like your going too slow, you're probably just about at the right speed.

I was never able to post anything yesterday and got busy today and didn't try. Don't know if Julie's son upped the allowed space yet. I'll try to post something later today.

Arlene

[JoeActor]

I'll be outta town for a couple days, but will check in to listen

Did a great audition for my agent yesterday, but I'm kinda hesitant to post it. Anyone have an opinion on posting auditions for agents here?

I'd like to know if you think it's kosher,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

Originally Posted by avitoots

Joe -- I'm going to share something one of my early voice coaches (who also did a whole lot of voiceover, Sears was a big client of hers) told me: if you feel like your going too slow, you're probably just about at the right speed.

I was never able to post anything yesterday and got busy today and didn't try. Don't know if Julie's son upped the allowed space yet. I'll try to post something later today.

Arlene

[JoeActor]

Ok, so I can't resist an accent...

Here's a little Creole Joe before I go:
Click here for Ole' Cajun Joe

Toodles,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

[mirrenlee]

Joe, Okay, I just have to say this because you know how much I respect your vocal abilities, and love listening to your characters/accents/dialects: you confused me with this one. First, is it Cajun or Creole, as you indicated both when posting it? And second, it sounds, frankly, like neither to me. Don't get mad at me, but it sounds vaguely Transylvanian ... a bit like Sesame Street's Count Dracula! The thing is, if it's Cajun, and by that I mean Louisiana Cajun (there ARE others), there's no French influence in it, and if it's Creole (and which one?), I'm not sure what you're going for - a Jamaican influence? I'm just confused, and set me straight if I'm missing what you're going for.

As for the "kosher" question, well, I'd sure like to hear it, and don't know why it wouldn't be okay, but I'm not an expert on forum etiquette.

My home studio is almost set up - the new iMac finally arrived, and we're experimenting with everything now - so you WILL get to pick at me, too, soon! In the meantime, I hope you take my evaluation in the spirit of helpfulness in which it is given, with respect for your talent.

Mirren
www.mirrenlee.com

[JoeActor]

Mirren: yeah, you've found a weak spot. Island dialects are not my strong suit!
They'd specified "Cajun", which I think of as Justin Wilson, but often gets a substitute of Jamaican instead. Confused? Yep, so was I. Gotta start somewhere. Maybe I'll work on this one in Improv instead!

Maybe I should travel more?,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio