Demos - Watermarking, Produced vs Dry etc.. and Acronyms

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

Maggie-
I'll be happy to tell you what those acronyms mean. Just give me the secret hand shake and we'll get started.

As for water marking and dry, it seems that those questions are constantly up in the air. Read back a bit further in the threads and you will find several discussions about it.

TOS=That other site.
TBYS=Thanks but you suck. (refers to a note sent by seekers to tell you that they are going to use someone else)
TBNT Thanks but no thanks. (See above)

Caryn Clark · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 1000

Maggie,

I submit all my auditions without production. I edit for mouth noise/breaths, but that's it. I'm hoping that doesn't put me at a disadvantage.

I don't watermark. I generally cut the script short, if it's long... only give 30-45 seconds typically.

Hope this helps! Caryn

Allen Brown · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007, 02:52 (GMT) Post subject:

Maggie - in my opinion, a "seeker" who comes on this site and complains about trust issues is a potential thief. Caution.

Brice Lewis · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007, 15:42 (GMT) Post subject: speaking of trust issues...

To answer you question, I never watermark my stuff. First of all, I still too much of a newbie to know how to do it, and second, in most cases I'm just doing a segment of the copy. As far as the "I delete any audition with watermarking" thing goes, then be honest enough to tell us who you are. And I HATE the blanks and asterisks when it comes to the client names. I'm always tempted to record the copy with "insert your name here" in those spots. Usually I just plug in "bob" or leave an ugly pause.

Maggie's Voice · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 588

Colin Campbell · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007, 20:10 (GMT) Post subject:

I saw a new one pop up the other day...

TBBM

I know but do you all have any guesses?

No fair scouring the threads.

Jim Feldman · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 77

spot on maggie.

i agree, and watermark my stuff as well. i got screwed in the past, so i now know better. unless i know the person i'm auditioning for, i always watermark.

not saying that all producers out there will steal auditions. quite the contrary, i'd say the majority are legit. but this is all very anonymous now. unlike auditions of old when you actually auditioned in a studio or someone's office, you don't know who these people are... or where they are.

and i agree with allen... if someone is complaining about watermarking, there must be a reason.

you can listen someone's read, mix it in with your music, and tell if you like it or not... even if there is a watermark.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007, 20:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Every once in a while on short copy, I just go ahead and do it verbatum. I consider it a "free sample."

Maggie's Voice · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 588

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

You`re right, Maggie. Those and other suggestions have been made before and loudly.
Personally, I believe anyone so gauche and unprofessional as to contact a client should be refunded their money and sent packing.

As to watermarks, I absolutely suggest you not use them. That, too, has been flogged elsewhere in these many pages. It will serve only to alienate possible clients.
If you and Jim worry unduly that your gems will be made off with, I recommend stealth watermarks. Simply transpose a telephone number, an address, a name, or leave out an important sentence.
It`s less intrusive, but serves the same purpose.

Voice On!

Colin Campbell · Posted: Fri May 25, 2007, 21:59 (GMT) Post subject:

I am always careful though to make it a little obvious like the other day when I said "Dairy King" instead of "Dairy Queen." I don't want them to think "he sucks, he can't even read what's on the page."

Maggie's Voice · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 588

Skip Roscoe · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 22

Downloading Not Allowed = FALSE sense of security!

If something comes over a computer it can be captured no matter what you do. That goes for Audio or Video. It can be in the same quality as you recorded it as well, so don't be fooled.

Just a suggestion so all of you talented people with great pipes keep on keeping on!

Erik Sheppard · **Voice Talent** Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1317

Hey Skip, how many of these old threads are you trying to bring back to life?