Did I get good voice-coaching?

Esther Law

Hello.

I have paid for and taken a couple weekend courses from a local professional in the voice-over industry. I also paid for her to produced a professional demo for me. SHE says my demo is great. I want to double-check with others in the field because, honestly, I don't know enough to tell whether or not I've really got a great voice coach.

I am willing to put in the time, effort and hard-earned cash into developing the necessary skills for voice-acting work, but only if I'm getting excellent value in return. (As a professional piano teacher, I have seen first hand what can happen when a student is taught poorly. Some of the students coming to me from other teachers have many bad habits and don't even realize it. I have to spend months re-training them. I don't want that to happen to me with my voice-acting!)

I welcome your feedback. IS this a good demo? Why or why not?

Thank you all so very much for volunteering your time and talent to help out us newbies. I just LOVE the community!

Lucas Nugent · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008, 20:11 (GMT) Post subject:

Ha gonna be honest here, I opened your demo expecting to hear plosives, zero delivery, bad fades between cuts, and the usual stuff. But wow... that demo is good!!

It shows range, versatility, and it shows acting. Good stuff Esther!
The only thing I would ask is, do you have access to the high quality studio you recorded this in? Because if you get hired, they will expect the same quality.

Also, others might disagree, but I would uh... change your picture in your profile. It's a tad bit on the creepy side. Not very inviting. However it is very 'outside the box' and since there is no right way, it could definitely work.

Just my two cents.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008, 20:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Seems like I've been saying this a LOT this week:

Wow!

Esther, you not only got your money's worth, and not only got a TERRIFIC demo, but damn you're GOOD!

Wow, again.

I can't think of one single thing to say except I'm so glad I'm not a female v/o having to compete directly against you. From what I heard here, you can absolutely be one of the top-earning, heavy hitters in this industry.

Now regarding the picture.... Lucas was a bit blunt, but I do NOT understand why everyone keeps putting their pics on their pages here. Maybe they think it makes some sort of 'emotional connection' with the clients, but I disagree. Most of us aren't that great to look at (and I'm on TOP of that list) and unless you have a flattering, professional headshot, I say DON'T PUT YOUR PIC OUT THERE. Esther, this isn't a slam at you, it's at the thousands of folks who can't objectively look at their own mug the way others do.

With such an ASTOUNDING voice as you have, you need to accentuate your marketing by wrapping it all up in some neat type of imaging or branding. See Nancy Wolfson (www.braintracksaudio.com) for help there. Why do you think I went with a puppy dog on mine?

Again: You freakin' ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom Pagnotti · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008, 20:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow! Ester your demo blew me away... if you only took "a couple of weekend courses" then you certainly had a great amount of innate talent. Keep focused on this and you will be HUGE!

Esther Law · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008, 22:01 (GMT) Post subject: THANKS!

Hee! Hee! I'm tickled pink! Thanks for the feedback.

And for the feedback on the photo too. Lucas, you're right, I need a new photo. (But "creepy"?? Razz

) Scott, thanks for the link to Nancy Wolfson's site. I get what you mean about branding. Let me think on that and see what I come up with.

Meantime, in response to Lucas' other comment, I've attached an MP3 to show you what I sound like in my home "studio". I have no technical training in this area and could really use your ears.

Tom, yes, it was only a couple weekend courses....AND, I did all the voice exercises in the course workbooks and I have had three years of singing training. All of that probably helped.

Thanks again!

Esther Law

P.S. Am I the only one here with an easy to spell last name? Laughing

Lance Blair · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008, 02:06 (GMT) Post subject:

Esther,
I think this is a good demo, and I like your voice and style a lot.

I think they did a good job building the demo and working with you, etc...but I'm not crazy with the sound quality of their mic...on second thought, maybe it's way over compressed (more likely). That's further evidence of how much I like your voice, because I think I'd find some one else with lesser talent sounding slightly annoying from these sessions.

That's the only negative. This is a great first step. Good luck!

Sid Whatley · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008, 02:14 (GMT) Post subject:

What Scott said....except the Crystal Cruise Line (low and warm) isn't your nitch. My opinon.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008, 02:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Esther, there are going to be many female talents reprising the old song lyrics, "I fought the Law, and the Law won."
You've got stuff. Well done.

But syrup don't paint the barn, you know, so I'll chime in that I strongly disliked the sequence. I thought you opened with a risky sort of over-produced bit that just might have too many fingers reaching for the STOP button.
I mean, that wasn't really you.

In a perfect world, I'd switch that one with the 'Woman-Car' spot towards the end, or even with your strongest: The Piano Piece.

But it's very, very workable. I especially salute your subdued delivery; a sort of vocal sneak-attack.

Kudoes.

Voice On!

Esther Law · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008, 06:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Esther Law

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008, 15:39 (GMT) Post subject:

I can't believe I never saw this thread 'til now. You've got a great voice...believable, warm, funny, wry, a smile to it. Lots of character to it. Stick with character and friendly conversational...that's your groove. Even though you'd be a direct competitor (we have some voice similarities) I say welcome and best of luck.

Doug Parks · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008, 15:40 (GMT) Post subject:

Esther,

I listened to the demo, read the comments, then went back for a second listen. STILL...I have nothing but good impressions from the segments. I even liked the cruise one! Good, good, good job...

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008, 16:22 (GMT) Post subject:

Esther (which, by the way, is my mom's first name!)... I think your avatar is definitely an improvement over the photo, but don't stop with what you have.

I like the whimsical style of the lettering but feel like the whole image is mostly dominated by the blue background.

Don't worry about rushing out and trying to create a brand just yet, though. Take your time. And honestly, I would NOT solicit feedback on your branding on this forum. For every answer you receive you'll get a different take on it. You'd be MUCH better served to spend the time and money with a branding expert such as Nancy Wolfson (www.braintracksaudio.com) to really create something that reflects your unique style. You're headed in the right direction. When time and money allows, go to someone like Nancy to really help hone your marketing identity. There ain't gonna be no stoppin' you, girl!

Doug Parks · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008, 00:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott,

I just checked out this Brain Tracks Audio site. Must say, it doesn't impress! And how brutal to misspell "advertising" in your advertising...But it might be better than my first take, guess I can't be too quick to judge?

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008, 02:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Doug, I understand your hesitation. Nancy's site itself is underwhelming. However, she has a very strong reputation in the industry as a first-rate coach whose specialty is helping her students 'brand themselves' and was responsible for helping me steer towards the branding I'm using now. Plus a number of her students have won voicey awards for best branding.

Certainly there are other avenues one can use to develop a v/o identity and Nancy is by no means the only one, or perhaps even the BEST. She's simply one with a good reputation that I personally am familiar with. I'm open to any suggestions as I'm sure Esther is, too.