My turn, I guess...

Chris Camilleri · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Hi, gang! Relatively new here - just wanted to get some feedback on my stuff. I've gotten some jobs from other sites, but after responding to quite a few public leads (and a couple of private ones), no joy from V123. Input, please, and thanks for your time!

http://chriscamilleri.voice123.com/

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006, 17:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Chris...

For starters: PATIENCE MAN! I see you just joined v123 at the end of September! It takes a LONG time to pick up work here, or on ANY voice site and you have to be among the best of the best to get it. As in any type of audition (be it for voice, on-camera, movie extra, etc) you're up against a couple HUNDRED other contenders, many of whom are exceptional. You'll have to answer a LOT of leads to get one or two. It's just how it is.

Next... I listened to two of your demos, your demo assortment and live announce. You have a pleasing and very unique voice. Your tonal quality is a little different than anything I've heard, and that can be quite a plus. On the assorted demo, I thought your Nova read was your strongest, but even at that, it needed more realism. It wasn't bad, don't get me wrong, but it was closer to being a 'read' than a 'feeling'. I'd stay away from the hardsell: there are too many people doing it, it's in too little demand now, and it's not your strength. I honestly think you could do extremely well in any area needing a 'genuine' conversational voice WITH some work and training. I think you're probably about 80% there, but need to work with massaging the copy to bring it to life. As I listened to your demos, I felt like it was close, but nothing made it jump to life. They were nice reads, but you didn't have me convinced.

I was fairly unimpressed with the live announce. It was fine, but nothing special. Also I notice you have your billing as "Voice of God". Chris, you have a really nice voice, but it is NOT the Voice of God, nor do you want to be. As a producer who often hires talent, the LAST thing most of us are looking for is the voice of God, although occasionally a client wants a James Earl Jones style, but you're not that kind of voice.

Stick with your strength and natural ability: a genuine, guy-next-door voice. Work on breathing life into your scripts and you should do very well with it.

Best of luck!

Chris Camilleri · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks for the tips, Scott! All points well taken. I know I need to work on a more relaxed, less "read-y" read. The hard sell you mention - are you referring to the news promo? Maybe I should get that off the demo. As for the live announce spot, would you suggest I take it down and re-work it?

The Voice of God thing - I can, if fact, do a voice in that neighborhood, but maybe there's nothing on my page currently that really demonstrates that (closest being the LaFontaine-ish movie trailers). Would you suggest taking that description off, again, until there's something in my reel to show that?

Once again, thanks for your time!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2006, 18:32 (GMT) Post subject:

Chris, thanks for receiving my critique in the constructive manner in which it was offered.

The hard sell I was commenting on was the "Channel 10 News" byte you open your "Demo Assortment" with. Just didn't care for it and don't think it fits your style.

I'm in a quandry about the 'live announce' demo. I love the depth and resonance of your voice on that piece, but it's just a dead demo in that it's just one 'live read'. I'm not sure what advantage it serves you having it on the site. Do you want someone to hire you to do a live read from that? I'd take that same tonal quality you put into that read, find something else to apply it to, and then take THAT and mix it into an overall general demo. As it is the live announce demo is just taking up space on your page, IMHO.

I didn't listen to the Movie Trailers demo, but I DID listen to the corporate narration and really like it a lot. It's still a bit 'announcer-ish' but it sounds good. I'd love to see you work with that presentation (and others like it) pull it back about 50% from being an 'announcer', make it REAL and connect with the listener, and honestly, I think it'd be killer. You have a GREAT voice in that demo especially, and the delivery ain't bad. But it's just another really good ANNOUNCER demo, as opposed to a GREAT and real voice talent, which I'm betting you can deliver with a bit of work.

If you get the chance, go critique my post on this forum which, coincidentally has almost the exact same title on the thread as you gave yours!

All the best.

Chris Camilleri · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Funny - I just came from your post! I agree with everyone else's take on your demo - doesn't sound like a "read" at all. I'm working toward that, and I know I have a ways to go. Unfortunately, my regular speaking voice is a bit announcer-ish... Wink

The live annouce spot was a demo for just that, and the client was looking for that kind of delivery. It got me to the finals, so thought I'd include it. But perhaps just what you're talking about is why I didn't land it...

Thanks for taking the time to revisit some of the other demos. I can use all the input I can get!!

Jerry James · **Voice Talent** Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 11

Hey Chris!

Wow! You're the Deadwood guy! : ) Your stuff sounds great to me.

I'm in the same boat as you. I managed to get into the "top three" once, but I guess they went with one of the other two guys.

Anyway, best of luck to you.

Chris Camilleri · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks, Jerry, and the same to you! As for being the Deadwood guy - I think it'd be easier to open a saloon than crack this market! Wink

Paxton Greene · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 91

Hey Chris!

You've got a unique voice which is definitely very marketable. My suggestion to you about your demo would be to open it with the Nova or Wil & Grace piece, and end on the News read. Best to you man!

Pax

Chris Camilleri · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks for the input, Pax! Yeah, I think I'm gonna reassemble that demo reel the way you suggest. Should've thought of that myself, really - almost everything I've been hired for so far has been some variation or other of the Nova voice. Might as well lead off with what's working...

Thanks for your time!

EDIT: Under the guidance of those of you who thought my main demo needed re-sequencing, at least, I've re-cut that file. If you get a chance, please give it a listen and see if you think it's more effective now...

Chris Camilleri · **Voice Talent** Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks to all who commented - I've made some changes to my demos based on your input.

And Scott - guess I should've been a little more patient, as you suggested. I just booked my first V123-inspired job... Smile

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006, 17:17 (GMT) Post subject: