LEADS AND READS - WEEK OF 3/31 TO 4/06

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008, 13:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Funny story on when a client asks for an 'impersonation' or, more often 'a voice that sounds like... so-and-so...'.

My Atlanta agent sent me an audition several days ago where the client was specifying a Patrick Dempsey feel or sound. I went to YouTube, pulled up some videos with the guy and thought "Well, that's about as nondescript of a sound as there can be," and just submitted a demo using my own best interpretation of the script, not even attempting to emulate Dempsey.

My agent e-mailed me back and asked if I'd even listened to any Dempsey samples since my audition was a higher pitch than his voice (boy, I SELDOM get told THAT!). I told her, yes, I had, but if I'm not comfortable trying to 'emulate' a style of voice, I just go with my gut instinct. I also mentioned that so often we hear of a seeker saying "This is what I want" and then in the end they pick something totally different, since often they don't really want what they THINK they want.

She submitted my audition (probably with some reticence!) then wrote back a few days later to say the client loved it and was considering it.

Laughing

Lance Blair · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008, 17:58 (GMT) Post subject:

That's a valuable lesson, Scott. Guidelines do not necessarily equal impersonations unless specifically requested.

Here they're asking for Letterman's Announcer, but that seems to be a guide, not an impersonation request:

Michael J. Schoen · **Voice Talent** Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 198

Here's my attempt at that Horse racing thing...
I too took that as a guideline but tried to put a little "B-S announcer" into it.

Lee Gordon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 1549

Last week, a bunch of us posted our demos for "The Chairman." I know Scott wanted us to go a week without checking our ratings but I peeked (or maybe the week was up anyway). I see the average rating was a lofty 2.4 so I'm guessing I'm not the only one who got a 2.

Colin Campbell · Bruck Asphalt-15-04-01-08-2.mp3

Here's a couple of short "spec" spots I did today with long distance help from Cira at work....

Travis . · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 55

Here's my "Horse Racing", and another one from yesterday.

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008, 20:16 (GMT) Post subject:

This was a spot put together here at the station I work at. The main talent is Rick Stevens (who also produced) but the other one-liners are some Savvy All-Stars... can you identify who they are?

David Love · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008, 20:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Here are a couple of auditions from today. I welcome any comments / criticism.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008, 20:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, since you asked, David...

You can ditch the Hyundai spot since you mispronounced the name. It's HUN-day. I'm honestly amazed that anyone still mispronounces it.

I like your voice, I don't care for the slate. There has been a TON of discussions here on slates and personally I use one myself. But for one thing, the slate on yours is really muddy and hard to understand and I don't think it works particularly well for your demos. It sounds falsely sexy and I think it just doesn't work.

On the first bit, the mouse support, you have a pleasant tone, but it's still just a nicely done 'read' as opposed to you really TELLING me about the product. Also, I'd have tightened up the pauses and breaths to make it flow more smoothly (listen to the attached).

I jumped to your page here and it looks like you're a recent sign-up. I think you have a voice that can work well, but I suspect you need practice and training to take the good tool you have into the realm of competitiveness.

Now bear in mind this is just ONE lowly person's opinion, so balance it out with the other feedback you get here. Best wishes!

Dave DeAndrea · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008, 20:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Colin,

Is it just me and my harman/kardons or are you saying ASH-fault on those spots?

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008, 21:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott -- obviously you're right on the accepted Americanized pronounciation of Hyundai (which is what would be expected and used in the spot the guy posted above) but I think the actual pronounciation (used in Korea and in most of the world, I believe) is more like what he used. I auditioned for an English-speaking spot for Hyundai that was to air in Africa and parts of Asia, and though I was obviously American, I was made to pronounce it much the way he pronounces it.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008, 22:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Travis . · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 55

There's a spot running in Los Angeles right now - The first time the announcer says "Hundai" as"Hun-deye" (long I), the second time, it's "Hun-Day". My guess is that it's someone's attempt to compromise after a long argument on the topic.

David Love · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 00:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008, 01:10 (GMT) Post subject: