Scared 1st timer

Dina Monaco-Boland · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 17:54 (GMT) Post subject: Scared 1st timer

Hi, my name is Dina and I'm fresh, out of the box new to doing voice overs. ( I'm still pulling packing peanuts out of my hair!) Anyway, I would truly love any feedback anyone can give me. I don't think I've done my demo's right since I have just one example on each. Plus, if I sound like crap-- well, you can tell me but please be nice about it. I'm scared to death that I suck but just don't know it-- kinda like those American Idol rejects. Hope I'm not a "William Hung".
Thanks for the help,
Dina

http://dinamonacoboland.voice123.com/

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 18:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Dina....

Wow... where to begin? There's SO MUCH you need to know about this site, the forums, the business... it would take volumes to tell you.

For starters there are TONS of resources on Voice123.com that deal with demos, equipment, recommended classes, books, training, and so on. You could spend the rest of your life on these forums here alone (on voiceoversavvy.com) reading and learning.

I will try to - as quickly as possible - give you a few nuggets here:
- Spend a LOT of time listening to the really good professional demos you'll find on this site (especially on the voiceover Idol forum - although many of them are also crap there), as well as other professional voice sites.
- Get trained. Find some professional acting and voice-acting classes near you and take them. Then practice, practice, practice.
- Then find a pro and pay to have some professional demos done. Your current demos will never stand up under scrutiny. By the way, I almost couldn't hear them. I had to turn my volume up all the way just to be able to barely hear them. I'm not sure why your volume is so low on them.
- If you can't take criticism, get out of this business NOW. It's not for the faint of heart. Even if you're really really good, or even GREAT, you'll - more often than not - not get the job and never know why. You can NOT be thin-skinned in this business and you must persevere like the dickens.
- It is a BUSINESS. As such, it requires a ton of hard work, resources, investment, and talent and training. If you don't have that, you'll have to put it into it to even hope it works out for you.

The reason I'm saying all this is because way too many people come into this thinking it will be, or should be, pretty easy to make a few bucks doing voice work. Nothing could be further from the truth. I've been in professional broadcasting and/or voice work for 35+ years and still do this part-time to supplement my other f/t work.

If you have the talent (and it sounds like you MIGHT, from what little I heard on your demo), and if you work really hard, and get trained, and do everything I mentioned above, you might make a dent in this business. It IS a fun business, albeit tough, and it's filled with some of the best folks you'll ever meet. But be very clear and focused about what you're getting into here. And be honest with yourself, your skills, your expectations, and your abilities.

Best of luck!

Anthony Williams · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 19:01 (GMT) Post subject: Hi Dina

Hi Dina,

Just to add to Scotts comments

Make sure you remove the " i don't have experience from your website." Keep it to what you have experienced or don't say the above words at all. eliminate those from your site.

Welcome

Tony

Dina Monaco-Boland · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 19:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks for the input! I had trouble getting equipment-- wrong software... wrong hardware (received headphone instead of a mic) then just went full blast ahead because I felt so delayed. I'll take your advice and any other I can get. And no, I'm not thin skinned. Although I may be afraid of the truth, I can take it. I know it's important for me to accept criticism for me to develop. Believe me, I know it's hard work. I worked in the editing business for 15 years before taking a break (yeah, some break) to raise up the kids. The problem is that my experience has been video not audio. More things to learn! Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Dina

Robert Jadah · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 21:03 (GMT) Post subject: Dina Demo

Dina:
Ditto on the previous comments. The production aspect needs a lot of work.
Delivery-wise, you hang on too long to your sibilants, lending an almost snaky sound.
On the plus side: you do seem to get into your text, which is one of the keys to good VO.
That's a good start, but you've hardly taken the first steps in a long race. Hang in.
And please re-do your 'Experience' bit at your V123 site. It sounds very "gosh-gee high schooly'. And that just won't cut it either.
But do hang in.
Great name, by the way.
Voice On!

Colin Campbell · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 21:41 (GMT) Post subject:

Aside from all that Scott said (really cheered ME up) it's easy. Just kidding. One thing I think I have learned is that folks telling you that you are good doesn't get you jobs. Actually, I'm not sure what you have to do to get jobs. Slick demos, good delivery and interpretation, dedication, persistence, talent... even if you have all these, it's damn hard to get jobs. You will get to feeling that no matter how many people, even VO pros telling you that you are good and have done everything well... at the end of the day you may feel like you stink. Surely if you were as good as people tell you you are, you would get some gigs. But, alas... no gigs. I suppose it's...
1. More talents than jobs. Too much competition.
2. A willingness for many talent seekers to take poor quality work as lonog as it doesn't cost too much (or nothing at all if they can figure out a way.)
3. Talent seekers who don't really know what "good" is.

I guess in short, I'd say there is generally a lack of respect for voice talent. Hey, they're just reading after all. Anyone can do that right?

Boy, we're an optimistic bunch aren't we?

Dina Monaco-Boland · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 22:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Robert! Yeah, I've got a craptastic set-up. I'm gonna have to buy more equipment. The mic I've been using (now don't choke on your water) is labtec computer mic. I've been reading (and good golly there's tons to read!) about all the mic's you guys use. Also, guess I'll have to get a sound board. Not sure how the whole thing hooks up to the computer though and I'm guessing they don't come with instructions. Thanks to EVERYONE for taking the time to reply. You don't know how much it's appreciated.
Dina

Heather Cooper · Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007, 23:21 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Dina,

I will second and third what the guys have already written.

I have been acting and doing voice work for years. The competition is really tough (just saying that for the millionth time), you will never stop learning and dedication is a must if you really want to make it work.

I know others will/would have other suggestions on books. The one I have read and found very helpful is: There's Money Where Your Mouth Is

Plus make sure you take good care of your voice and do warm ups. Your vocal cords are a muscle just like any other.

Good luck.

Heather

Dina Monaco-Boland · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 00:52 (GMT) Post subject:

Okay guys... Production gets an "F". I guess I knew that... I've just been floundering around on my own. Wish I would've discovered this forum before I started fumbling about. Leaving in just a moment to shop for my new mic (from suggestions in that section), pre-am, pop filter, and small mixer. It took me awhile to navagate around this site but I think I'm getting it. I'll look into the books suggested and be back with a better demo. You all have been great! Thanks. Oh, should I take off what I have there now? Is it better to have that than nothing at all? Or is nothing at all better?
Thanks again,
Dina

Robert Jadah · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 01:00 (GMT) Post subject: First-timer

Take it off, Dina.
Take it off.
Take it all off.
Vice On!

Dina Monaco-Boland · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 01:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Oh, I do declare! You ARE incorrageable, Mr. Jadah. Yeah, It'll go but an editor friend said he'd listen to it so as soon as I hear from him I'll "strip" it.
Thanks for the laugh!
Dina

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 02:01 (GMT) Post subject: I tried to clean it a little

Dina,
I tried to up your production values on one of the pieces for you.

This might give you a better idea as to how it could sound.

Anthony Williams · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 03:27 (GMT) Post subject: JS

JS,

You definitely gave it life!! applaus

Tony

Dina Monaco-Boland · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 04:15 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow J.S.! That was nice of you. Beyond nice... Anyway, went shopping bought: an AKG Acoustics Perception 200 mic (wanted to buy the Shure but the guy at guitar center directed me to this) and stand, a Tascam US-144 audio interface which came with Cubase LE software, and a pop blocker. Have Sound Forge but was told to record in Cubase. Now I'm pulling my hair out trying to figure out why the audio goes in but it won't come out. And yes, I have the monitor enabled. ARRRRGGGGHHHH! Also, it can be monitored in Sound Forge but the levels are low. Okay. I'm going to bed now. Maybe tomorrow will give me new perspective on what I've done wrong. Thanks again. Scott was right when he said you were the nicest bunch of people around.
Dina

Matthew Hinman · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 04:21 (GMT) Post subject:

Dina,

I got my setup for around $250 from Musician's Friend. I picked up an M-Audio MobilePre USB, an MXL990 Mic w/shockmount, and a Nady metal pop filter. I already had a mic stand. Does the trick for starters.

One beginner to another...

(By the way, your work sounds better than mine!)

--
Matthew