Now Hear This! - 2010, Spring has Sprung!

[Scott Pollak]

Joe, you truly have an amazing voice! You can be smooth as silk, super-professional, or you can go waaaay out on the wildest limb as a character voice. I'm so envious. But in a good way.

Since no one has posted here in, like, forever, thought I'd throw out one that is highly unusual for me. Did this one this morning. Part of what the client said they were looking for was:

"The essence of: Patton Oswalt. Ed Helms. Danny McBride. Jeff Garlin. Craig Robinson. Maybe Michael Keaton doing Beetlejuice."

Now I don't know who Patton Oswalt or Ed Helms or any of those other guys are, but I sure know Keaton and Beetlejuice. So here's what they got from me.

[JoeActor]

Hey Scott,

Thanks man - that means a lot coming from a pro like you...

I got the "Bo" one too. Had trouble fitting it in :30. You had the unique, Keaton-esque sound down.

Here's one from Voices.com this morning for a museum (below)

... oh, and you lurkers... Post Something!

(love to hear it),
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio
SoundsGoodToYou.com - Joe J Thomas - Voice Actor

[lanceblair]

Yeah, I'm back here and I'm back at v123. Call it an attitude adjustment.

Direction was LOST Darma brainwashing video and Englishy-Americany accent.

[Scott Pollak]

Lance, VERY NICE on the Priceline read! I was thinking about you as I booked my wife's trip to NYC this weekend via Priceline. I can easily hear the influence of the Dharma dude... what was his name? Pierre Chang? Anyway, your usual good stuff.

Here's a simple little thing I booked via 123. They sent their own music, but liked mine so much they asked me to lay the v/o over both THEIR music bed AND mine to give them a choice.

[JoeActor]

Lance - glad you're back (nice audition, btw)

Scott - hey! two-fer... kudos!

[Tobias]

Hi,

My name is Tobias,

I love feedback and suggestions, so anything and everything you have to say is appreciated.

I've been piddling around a bit and thought I would throw these out on the firing range to get some feedback.

Daughtry Tickets Demo was for a Radio Spot via Voices.com (it's a little loud so be prepared) (no call back on that one)

The Western was for a quickie audition for a western narrative (still waiting to hear back)

The Continautos was for a corporate presentation and pardon the word "built" in that one, my tongue got VERY heavy for some reason. (no luck on this one, but for obvious reasons)

Let the opinions ensue!



Thanks!
- Tobias

[Tobias]

The Western was for a quickie audition for a western narrative (still waiting to hear back)

What do you know, I got a call back and they are sending scripting for a few different characters (Yay!)

- Tobias

[JoeActor]

Hi Tobias,

Congrats on the call back!

Please post an introduction in the "Welcome" area so we know a bit more about your experience and goals in Voice Over. It's much easier to give advice when we're better informed...

Ok, so 2 cents on the above reads:
As a general rule, I never do any production (effects, music, etc) on an audition. Sometimes it is asked for, and that's ok, but you really want them to hear your voice and delivery.
On the Western one, I like the accent, but the volume seems very low, and you seem a bit rushed. Take some time to think about how you would say the copy to a friend. Pauses can make or break a read.
On the Columbia one, it's very "old style" radio delivery. The current style is more conversational, less presentational.

Have you taken acting, improv or singing lessons? All of these can help with the "Acting" part of "Voice Acting". You'll need it to succeed in this very tough business.

Off for now,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio
SoundsGoodToYou.com - Joe J Thomas - Voice Actor

[Tobias]

Hi Tobias,

Congrats on the call back!

Please post an introduction in the "Welcome" area so we know a bit more about your experience and goals in Voice Over. It's much easier to give advice when we're better informed...

Did my intro http://www.voice-overs.com/forum/welcome-introductions/4294-tobias-lurking-your-forums-stealing-your-ideas.html

[Tobias]

Hi Tobias,

Ok, so 2 cents on the above reads:
As a general rule, I never do any production (effects, music, etc) on an audition. Sometimes it is asked for, and that's ok, but you really want them to hear your voice and delivery.
On the Western one, I like the accent, but the volume seems very low, and you seem a bit rushed. Take some time to think about how you would say the copy to a friend. Pauses can make or break a read.
On the Columbia one, it's very "old style" radio delivery. The current style is more conversational, less presentational.

1. RE: the Ticket Giveaway Demo - the request was for a completed promo with the music as a "Must" in their request, it's pretty much a finished product ready to go, although for all I know it did (and no pay for me), I did not know any better at the time.

2. RE: The Western, I agree on the volume, waaaay too low, but then again, I whipped that together in like 15 minutes and did not listen to the mp3 file before sending it off for the demo and uploading it (live and learn), I'll go back and readjust the tracks and see what I come up with and will repost here as well once I've corrected it. It's great that I got the call back on this one, although I really wanted to keep doing takes,and did not actually think that this would make the cut, but, I just did not have the time that day. I'm ridiculously happy that I got a call back on that, they are sending multiple parts for me to read for, I'll keep you posted.

3. RE: Columbia, I agree, it made me feel like I was on an early 90's corporate tour and the script was a bit horrid to read as well, not at all the style I normally speak in. More like talking just hear myself talk, overdone-ish. you know?

In short I agree on all counts, as to the acting lessons, I'll pass for now, no money to invest, only time, practice will help I'm sure.