Grant's First Demo

Grant Holmes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 265

Hey gang, Ima Newbie here.

This is my first demo (ever) to post. I'm almost ready to go "pro", but want to see if this is close. Some of these are "real" ads from my past and some are ones I made up.

I also do voices and character work, but I'm told its best to keep those to separate demos??

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

PS: SEE UPDATED FILE DOWN BELOW!!

Dina Monaco-Boland · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 671

Hey Grant...
I can't seem to get it to download. That happens to me sometimes. Must be my computer... maybe I'll try later.

Hail Wilson · **Voice Talent** Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 78

Good projection of your voice, conveys confidence and an easy going style. May want to edit out or control breath sounds. But overall good delivery.

Grant Holmes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 265

NOthing like having someone else listen. The one huge breath in there was terrible. YIKES.

Anyhow. Update posted.

Victor Harris · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007, 14:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Well Grant, it's a good start. You still need a lot of work bro. No doubt the production value is not good. I hear tons of poping and mouthnoise. Several times it sounds like you are moving around the mic. Take some time and listen to other pros demos. You will notice a smooth flow with even volume modulation, nice music back tracks and awesome production. Take your time in the learning process.

I think you have tons of potential and a nice relaxing voice. It doesn't sound like that "in your face" type voice. More of the guy next door...or instructor type. So, work with what God gave you. Dude, you'll get there. I mean heck, you're an actor! So, you have a huge advantage on most. Use it. Wink

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

Yup...it's all right to mine ears, Grant.
But only that.
I couldn't shake the feeling that you weren't into most of those reads, which is no surprise considering the universal blandness of those ads.
It would have been a decent compendium for the run-of-the-mill $15.99 (2 for $30!) conveyor belt voicer, but you want to be more.
Find some more compelling pieces; witty copy, charity heart-tuggers, audio book drama, anything with which you can wring some feeling to grab my attention.

This demo didn't : it was like listening to Johnny Depp read a grocery list.

Ooomph On!

Stephanie Deis · **Voice Talent** Joined: 02 May 2007 Posts: 38

You comment on mine, I comment on yours! Smile

I really like your voice. I agree with Victor that it has a friendly guy next door feel to it. I wouldn't mind listening to it for something longer in length like instruction, narration or something like that.

I did notice that your transitions are really abrupt, and sometimes cutting you off in mid sentence. It might be a good idea to fade some of those down to make it sound smoother, like a segue on the radio. I like your variety of pace, because it shows versatility, but it seemed Ichannel Direct was a little slow, and the one right before ring of iron was really fast and I didn't understand what it was. I also noticed some silence that was added in. It sounds different than your live mic silence. I have the same problem, and I'm not sure how to fix it. Maybe record silence to add in so that it matches. I'm sure someone with real production experience will know exactly what to do with this.

You do have great potential, and it should show. My demos were produced by someone else, because I am still learning that aspect. I understand that many jobs will want dry reads anyway, not something fully produced. I know auditions are that way. Maybe having someone else do the production will free you up to learn but still have an awesome demo. jmho.

Keep up the good work! We can do this...Ohioans, unite!

Debbie Deutsch · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 1338

Well Grant...I really like the tone of your voice.
Easy, friendly, earnest,

Just some production problems as mentioned above.
I think the music was too loud in the first spot.
And would love to hear your read some interesting scripts. You could be big brother/mentor, father, guy next door, young man, authority voice too!
You seem versatile...let"s hear it! Very Happy

Grant Holmes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 02 Oct 2006 Posts: 265

Thanks, all!!

I have a brand new mic used on some of the clips, so there is a differential there and just learning what its going to pickup. This wasn't intended on a "final", so this gives me great stuff to listen for and correct.

Keep it coming!