Looking for that one break....

Paul Sleboda

Maybe if you folks out there had a listen to the 60 second demo to let me know if I have a snowballs chance in hell of getting any VO work. I've got to much invested to turn back but maybe I need a new direction. What do you think?

All comments welcome!
Paul

Robert Jadah · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007, 03:06 (GMT) Post subject: Idol..not Idle

You're gonna be fine.
There's a nice, smooth texture to your tone: a warmth.
Now for the bad news: unfortunately, that isn't exactly in commercial vogue right now.
But the good news: it's still rare enough to garner the occasional well-paying gig, especially in narratives and audio books.
But you have some work to do. What I heard was far too obviously read. It lacked the OOMPH of attachment.
YOU MUST associate yourself with the text. If I could hear that you were simply reciting, others can too. Get over the sound of your own voice.
Feel the words. Be the copy.
Listen to site-demos by JS Gilbert, Amy Snively, Sid Whatley, Colin Campbell, Nikki Saco. Go to the Demo of the Day threads and listen to and read all the critiques of every posting.
Practice being there.
You've got the stuff.
But have you got the tough?
Voice On!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007, 03:08 (GMT) Post subject:

Paul,

Yeah, I'd say you have MORE than a snowball's chance in hell. You have that big, full, rich tonal presence that the Colin Campbells and Sid Whatleys on this site have. Very rich and nice and professional. Your delivery is - overall - not bad. But the demo left me feeling a little flat. Mind you, compared to about 98% of the demos you'll find on this site it's killer, but when I hear a voice like yours that is full and trained and can conceivably be doing national spots, I'm expecting a demo that has the same impact. I think it may be because there's not much variance in your demo in terms of energy levels or variations. For example... the Claratin commercial sounds SO much like the following Ford spot that it's hard to tell them apart. Also, I did NOT care for the 2006 Mint set read at all, or, for that matter, the "Kids... they can be so demanding".

I'd say; start answering leads, but proactively work on polishing your demo and making it have more diversity, more forward momentum, etc.
Try to show some variance in subject matters, movement, delivery, etc. Also, work just a bit on making your 'natural' deliveries more natural and not quite so announcer-ish or stilted.

But you have the pipes! You can do this pretty easily, and, I think, well.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007, 20:20 (GMT) Post subject: A nice sound...

Paul,
I went to your home page here to listen to a little more. Yes you have a nice "sound", but your instincts for the copy aren't way up there and generally come from working and auditioning and being around industry folks with experience. For example on the set of demos you post here, the words Newman's own blend into a single word of new mansown. On your posted demos, you don't pronounce Direct T.V. correctly. You also pause a lot, a problem I have and constitently work on. Mark up your scripts in advance with a mark at the fewest, but most natural places you can pause. The alternative is tighter editing, or both.

I'd also like to remind you that V123 is a highly competitive arena and is only one tool out of many that you can use in an overall campaign to get work. My suggestion is that you also spend as much time as possible in securing a local talent agent.

I would also suggest that you are beyond much of what voiceover classes can offer. Taking regular acting classes to develop an emotional attachment to the copy is a great next step as would be imporvisational acting.

Good Luck

Paul Sleboda · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007, 22:01 (GMT) Post subject: Looking for that break...

J.S., Scott and Robert,
Thanks for the constructive support after reviewing my demo. I was not expecting such detail but was happy all of you provided helpfull insights. I'm very new to the whole V123 forum, in fact this was my first time on it. You have been an inspiration to this new comer (newbee) and given me a ray of hope in my persuit of being a voice talent.

Thanks again
Paul Sleboda