Can I get a critique of my demo?

John Biggs · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 14

Hello:

I am in the process of getting back into voiceover work.

Here's my demo including some older and recent material.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Regards,

John Biggs

Lucas Nugent · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 131

Hey John, I didn't read your profile, but since you say you're 'getting back into vo work', I'm going to assume you're somewhat from the old school? With that in mind, this demo has "RADIO" written all over it, which is not good these days for voice work.

Contemporary voice work is so far away from radio now it's not funny. Like I've said in another post, there's a magical term called "guy next door". They don't want the big "HEY big salE TODay" radio read anymore. It's gotta be natural. Like talking to your neighbour.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008, 21:46 (GMT) Post subject:

John, welcome. Here are my thoughts:

- The volume level on this demo is really really low and also uneven in spots.
- Honestly, this is not a demo. It's a dated-sounding, mediocre aircheck.

I'm sorry, but this won't compete in today's voiceover world. The spots that ARE on here (mingled in, inexplicably, with on-air soundbytes) are old-school, "SELL ME!" spots.

If you haven't already listened to the top tier talents on voicebank.net, as well as many you'll find here, you need to.

You're probably going to have to severely change your mindset, lose your radio habits, get training and voice acting lessons, and then somewhere down the line get a good audio engineer to produce a top-notch demo for you. This one ain't it.

All that being said (with, I'm sorry, brutal honesty) I DO truly wish you all the best! From one old radio fart to another.....
Wink

John Biggs · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 14

Thank you for your honesty...that is what I need right now.

The material was from awhile back...I really didn't have much recent to work with.

Once I get some more current material available, I'd appreciate it if you would get it a listen.

Regards,

John Biggs

John Biggs · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 14

Just another note..

I guess I really need to put together a current demo.

Any suggestions on obtaining copy to use in the production of a new demo?

A voice coach is something I've been looking into and plan on doing before I even attempt to get work. Anyone know of any in Indiana, Kentucky or Tennessee?

I can use all the recommendations I can get. Even though I'm just interested in voiceover work for small markets, I want to get off on the right foot.

I am presently doing weather forecasts on weekends for several radio stations, would excerpts from that work in a demo?

Feel free to offer anything that you feel will be helpful!

Regards,

John Biggs