Courage to ask for advice and opinion

Roland Moore

HELP!!! - You know when you think you have done the best you can....................and you still get no work - I am at that point so I guess I am doing something wrong or it's not the sound clients want. I would appreciate any advice, opinions and guidance you guys can give. Sad

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Roland:
While I feel a mite unqualified to address your UK delivery, I will churn out some feedback as requested.
Firstly, the demo is overlong, especially in light of the fact that each and every read is basically the same, It's not as if you're demonstrating different takes, inflections, or styles. To top it off, you added a personal intro and closing IN EXACTLY THE SAME INTONATION.
I think the voice and tone have class and elegance. Leave it at a sharp, intriguing 20 seconds; without the foreplay.
You might also shorten the sibilant 's' sounds, and try not to swallow the middle of the words.
But that's just a colonist's take.
Yours in voicing,
Robert Jadah

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

Roland!

you have a super elegant voice. your spots for bp, bmw-mercedes were wonderful. i agree with the above post to cut it down a bit. my vote would be to hear your voice with a real energetic read to mix it up. best to you.

pax

Julie Williams · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 168

voice-overs.Com

Hi Roland

I'm honored that you value my opinion enough to ask for a critique. Here’s my take on what I heard:

Your strengths, as I see them in this short sample, are,
You have a good sound.
Your voice is really pleasant to listen to.
Good copy on your demo.

Areas in which I think you could benefit from improving are,
Be more conversational. The auto accident spot was probably the most conversational spot. You “sound” good on the others, but they’re not believable! For example, on some of the spots, the music changes, but you don’t.
The “Imagine” spot didn’t make me imagine it. You need more color in that word…and to take me to the place we’re imagining. Another example, in the astronomy spot… the word “astonishing” didn’t sound very astonishing to me.
It’s all about being able to tell the story and have me believe it… Starting with Generation X, people stopped buying because big voices told them to. They wanted their best friend to TELL them about the product… they don’t want anyone to SELL them anything. They’re a very skeptical generation…and they’re casting! The good news is… having a great voice doesn’t work against you if you can learn to be a storyteller. Don’t read it… just tell it by using the copy.

Your demo could be improved by,
Cutting it into two demos, a commercial and a narration demo.
Eliminating the intro and thank you althogether. That screems “beginner” (although you don’t sound like a beginner at all) To make matters worse, I feel you sound like you’re bored as you intro the demo.

Have you checked out my Proven voice-overs Techniques CD on
www.voice-overs.com/vostore? It’s an extremely edited version of my 11-hour live VO workshop. It covers a lot of material in a short time! Of course, I guarantee it 100% with a money back guarantee for 30 days (plenty of time for you to listen to all of it!!!)
I wish you luck in your VO career. Remember, just as a musician or professional athlete still needs to practice (if they’re not working every single day,) we need to practice our art as well!

God Bless!
Julie Williams “voice-over Chocolate”
www.voice-overs.com
Julie@voice-overs.com

Roland Moore · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 09:07 (GMT) Post subject: no surprises

Many thanks Robert - very helpful indeed and re: the intro you are spot on - I added those after I did the body of the take - and they do sound the same - and 'beginnerish' as Julie mentioned. - I thought it may have been too long but also thought give 'em as much to choose from as possible.........so I think a sharpening up is in order.........I suppose the question is - is the voice and approach commercial enough to get work, or should I plug on with a sharper image - what are your thoughts and do you get much work?
Regards
Roland

Roland Moore · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 09:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Paxton
You raised a really interesting point there - I have a problem doing energetic deliveries in a credible way - they always sound like they are over acted and false so I have stuck to more conventional reads - for safety I suppose......any advice on how to 'let go' - other than having a beer too many!! Smile

Regards
Roland

Roland Moore · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006, 09:49 (GMT) Post subject: Critique of Roland demo

Hi there Julie
Good, objective and constructive advice is usually so hard to come by so I really appreciate your experienced help - I have had some really useful feed back from others I respect as well.
Re: Believability - I read another post on the forum where the advice was to try and 'see' the image the voice was talking about which I thought was a great idea as my voice booth is quite dark and uninviting if I think about it - perhaps I should actually find a picture of the subject matter and pin it up in front of me Question

I never did like the intro and outro but a VO in the UK said it was a good idea and to include it - Robert above also commented on it - so I guess they will go - but do you think it is ever advisable to have your name or contact details on the take so the client has a record attached or just always make sure they are included in the accompanying letter? - as an aside what about watermarks as well - should they always be there.
And of course it is too long - Julie, what do you think the optimal length of demo is and is it wise to mix in different styles or have individual takes for corporate, adverts, instructions etc as I have always been in two minds about this - opting for the 'give the client as much choice as possible route' - Robert suggests short, sharp with intrigue which sounds a good idea to me as an alternative but do the clients think that way or say - 'not enough material to make a decision on' - and pass you over?
Apologies for the lengthy reply - I am now going to check out your Proven voice-overs Techniques CD - and many thanks for your feedback.
Regards
Roland

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

Hey Roland!

My suggestion would be to take a piece of copy that is geared towards a younger audience, or the hipsters, read it through, now think about things that make you excited, and take that energy, and put it into the read. Hope this helps.

Pax

Roland Moore · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006, 17:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Paxton

Simple if you think about it Idea

Roland