New Promo Demo

Doug Parks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 227

Let me know your take on this, thanks!

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Hi Doug!

Very, very, very, nice! I like it a lot and it has a great flow to it. Well done! Did you create this yourself or did a studio do it for you?

Maxine

.

Doug Parks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 227

Thanks. I used Fresh Tracks Studio in Philly. Really glad you liked it. Please also if you get a chance, check out my narration/industrial demo I put up yesterday, and I also have yet to post my commercial one and also three whole spots I will be putting on my V123 web page and my website.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008, 21:47 (GMT) Post subject:

I think I hear more range in you than you're showing here.

What if you put in a power read like the teases on the Animal Planet shows about mighty predators. Those can sound a little silly, I know, but I think you could pull it off. And maybe an almost snarky or wry read. I think some of the NatGeo show promos and lead-ins utilize a little more attitude than the traditional promo read. The promo sound is more varied than it used to be. Maybe you should explore some of that variation for your reel's next incarnation.

As far as logistics on this one, just a couple of things to my ears you might want to double check: I had to listen to the phrase on Survivor "medics are called in to treat the injured" 4 times to understand it. I'm not sure it was your read -- may have been the music/voice balance. I also had a hard time understanding the name of the Jibe records group on clip 2 -- is it "Bowling For Soup"? I am an old fart, so that may not be a problem for aaaaanybody else, ya know. "Oh so cool" made me laugh -- I appreciate what you're doing, but your choice on the read may sound not so cool. (I actually got a picture of Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons!) Try that read again sometime with a blase approach. Sometimes reading the phrase in a manner which is opposite to what the words say is really effective. Try it. I liked the AI clip. Nice energy. I think I'd stay away from things like the 20/20 lead in if you didn't actually do it. It's just a little too high-profile and specific and casts a pall of inauthenticity on all the other clips. I mean, unless you really do the 20/20 lead ins. And if you do, what the heck am I giving you a critique for? Laughing

Whew. I never write this much. I'm tired.

Doug Parks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 227

Wow Melba, that's quite a critique! Thanks! Well, at first re-re-re listen I thought I heard that the music under "Survivor" might have been a touch too hot--I thought the same spot you mentioned was a little hard to make out--but I wonder if what REALLY was going on was I might have been running out of air?...And yes, it was Bowling For Soup in that very narrative "promo"...Just as an FYI, the style I went with on "oh so cool" was just like the original...You mean I'm NOT the guy who promos 20/20? Aw, man!

Thanks for the super thorough feedback!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008, 22:20 (GMT) Post subject:

Doug Parks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 227

Yeah, I hear ya, can you forgive me for keeping it in (so far)? I kinda like it...and the tax refund is not only expected, it's been spent already...

By the way young lady, I was on your page listening to your demos. You are one immensely talented lady and I am an instant fan.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008, 22:44 (GMT) Post subject:

Pshaw. You're kind...thanks for that encouragement.

So. When you get the 20/20 gig, we'll think up some secret code word you can work in, which will actually mean, "hey there, mel": I like "rutabaga" -- you think you can work "rutabaga" in there?

Nice evening, Doug.

Doug Parks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 227

You got it. And you might take a minute to see if you can come up with something you like even more than rutabaga, hard as it is to top. Just a hunch.

You have a great night, Mel.

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008, 01:15 (GMT) Post subject:

Doug,

FWIW, here's my first impression of this demo: I'm not nearly as old as Melba (just kidding Mel Very Happy

) but the music on the Bowling For Soup was a little hot compared to your voice...(maybe it's just my speakers) and everything started sounding the same after the Russo thing. I like your voice and delivery... I'd just like to hear a little more variety... or maybe a "less is more" approach by cutting one of the tracks like the 20/20.

Thanks for posting and being open to suggestions... even from a guy who enjoys "Veggie Tales". Laughing

Doug Parks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 227

Dave,

You're probably right about Bowling For Soup. I was actually thinking about axing it anyway, since narrations don't really belong in promo demos. As for 20/20, don't you think it provides a little variety?

Thanks again for your help, sir.

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008, 04:06 (GMT) Post subject:

I don't know if I'd take out the Bowling, but if you could recut or remix it would help. The 20/20 provides variety topically, but the overall delivery sound like the cuts that surround it. You could cut the Idol one instead since you've already got the Survivor thing in there.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008, 04:17 (GMT) Post subject:

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008, 04:20 (GMT) Post subject:

I sense another Doug critique threadjack in the making! Laughing

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008, 04:27 (GMT) Post subject:

No..I'm done. Tag. You're it!