VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Any thoughts on how you know when it's time to add a demo?

I'm currently using only one--a commercial demo. It doesn't need replacing (I don't think) but since about 75% of my work is long-form, I'm thinking about adding a narration demo.

But after just completing my taxes and cringing at the 2009 expenses, I'm really taking a HARD look at any future outlays. (and a self-produced demo is not an option IMO)

Any thoughts you have to offer are greatly appreciated.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:11 pm Post subject:

Do you think you're missing narration gigs because you don't have a demo? If so, then you should consider making one.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:21 pm Post subject:

It's always worth making time to create an aspirational demo. You should certainly make a demo to attract more of the work you're getting at the moment but never abandon your dreams. What would you like to be doing at 10am tomorrow? Make a demo to get THAT job or more importantly THOSE jobs.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Hmmm....good input on both counts.....guess I'm still figuring out "which crayon in the box" I am...(and not)

flaspots · Contributore Level V Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 191

If you feel you have something to offer in the narration field, then make the demo. But, if you are getting narration work without one, there's no rush, and you have a good supply of source material to make one.

A self-produced demo isn't an option? Is this due to lack of experience running an editor, or the perception that you need to hire someone to make it for you?

ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:17 pm Post subject:

If you have any finished stuff from all the narrative work you are doing, grab a few pieces of the best and put them together into a demo. Not every long form has music and effects though, so you may not need to have the finished piece. I am assuming that the recording was done in your studio and not ISDN.
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DougVox · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:06 am Post subject:

What Connie said.

If you can have some clients send you finished copies of some of the narration stuff you've done, I'm sure that there are a few folks here on the VO-BB (myself included) who wouldn't mind editing them down into a narration demo for you.

One nice benefit of getting the finished pieces from your clients is that the EQ, processing, etc. on each piece will be somewhat different, and it may not sound as though it all came from the same studio.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Great suggestions, thanks!

To be honest, I'm not sure that the narration work I've been doing (for the most part) would make compelling demo material.

But then again....? Anyway, that was what I had assumed. Maybe I'm wrong.

melissa eX · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:56 am Post subject:

You can also record some things you'd like do - the more compelling stuff - and send it out to a producer to be finished. Then put it together with some of what you've already done. That'll be less expensive. Not all material is supposed to be compelling. If your performance was right for the job it should be there.

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:19 am Post subject:

For the "Jobbing voiceoverist" stuff it is well worth finding something dull to include on a demo. If you don't have anything let me know and I'll send you something I've done. It won't matter that it's not you as people will have lost the will to live long before they realise.