VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

imaginator

greetings all

after an initial round of feedback, which ranged from 'perfect as is' to 'why did you do that?', i've re-tooled my commercial demo. i would value any further constructive comment.

my first new effort was most often cited as being too long, and too un-focused. so i've moved the more extreme character voices to their own separate demos and condensed/replaced other elements. a more focused narration track has also been created.

all are now :60, and all are available at this link:

www.voices2go.com/transfer/newdemo

since they show up alphabetically, the commercial demo is the second to last on the list.

any and all comments will be seriously considered and gratefully acknowledged. maestro bob souer has been guiding me along to this point and he, as is his way, has provided much encouragement.
_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

Brett Mason · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:19 am Post subject:

Great job, Rowell! At the risk of slighting the "maestro" himself, I thought that maybe...perhaps...(clears throat)...it might be that spot #4 about the deck could go second, with the rest following. To me, the Big "E" super circus spot is a little confusing as far as trying to get a grip on your "money voice". With a 1-2 combination up front before launching into the more ranging variations would work for me. Other than that, you've got a good solid demo....and I like the way the symphony spot ends it on a classy yet humorous note...despite the slight on a certain nationality....Sacre bleu!

Voice on!
_________________
Brett

"Dare to be Yourself" - André Gide
Merry Merchants of Voice Over!
Mendicant

imaginator · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:10 am Post subject:

thank you, brett

i'm sure bob's not slighted.

and, yes, i wondered about the sequencing too, but was wasn't sure if it would make the first two voices sound too much alike. i was a little worried about having the older voice in the number 2 slot, even though i get a lot of work in that "senior" catagory. and bob and i talked about the "french connection" initially as well....eventually put down as a calculated risk mitigated by it being the last cut on the demo. (it is a real spot in an ongoing campaign.)

i will try another mix with your suggestion and listen to it.

again...i appreciate your viewpoint. i had the great good fortune to spend four hours visiting with bob on saturday and one of the many quotes i wrote down as we talked was his observation that "it's hard to read the label from inside the bottle." thanks for helping me figure out what i've got here.
_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

Bruce · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:37 am Post subject:

I think it's a nigh on perfect representation of your work and your straight commercial range. Yeah, one could nit pick over which chicken or egg comes first, but I think it's a great marketing piece for you.

OK, a small suggestion...I'd put one or two of snippets of character-ish pieces in there for a little spice...such as the cow flatulence bit on your other demo. It will make them pay even more attention, and if it's the only demo they hear at least they get a quick idea of the breadth of your creativity.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

imaginator · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:11 am Post subject:

thank you, bruce

that had been my formula for years, but i got a lot of feedback this last time around saying the voices bordering on cartoony didn't belong.

believe me, nothing would please me more than being able to show someone i can also do that stuff, if the commercial demo is the only one they listen to.

will be interested to know what others think. i've already done an edit with brett's suggestion and it does seem to work, but i'll leave what i posted in its original form for now so all suggestions are referring to the same edit.

again, my thanks.
_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

donrandall · Guest

The order is probably something that won't matter a lot to someone looking for a man with the skill, talent and ability that you so obviously possess in copious quantities.

It is apparent in the first few seconds that Rowell Gormon is a very professional, very talented voice artist.

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:24 am Post subject:

Don,

I quite agree with your assessment. And that was a delightful 4 hours we spent together, Rowell and I and his buddy and fellow voice actor, Jay. But, let me hasten to add that the quote Rowell attributes to me above is actually from my friend and mentor Roy H. Williams.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:39 am Post subject:

The best of critique

I've heard some demo's in my time but yours takes the biscuit (cookie) so you've started off badly leaving my dog without a cookie (biscuit).

Technically the audio is 5db maximised in the limited zone so the 16-23khz frequencies roll off as the peaks trough. 2-1 compression is ok for most verbs and 11 of the most used consonants but it does over mod' flattened vowels.

The order of clips is good except in terms of the beginning, middle and end. Using wide surround sound settings perhaps the audio could work from the center(centre) outwards in both directions.

Over all, taking the essential elements into consideration, from the perspective of demo's posted on this site I feel compelled to say that yours is the most recent.

Hope that helps.

imaginator · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:47 am Post subject:

so, philip, if i translate your post correctly, "as demos go, that certainly was one".

and with apologies to your dog, i return the biscuit/cookie.

_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:07 am Post subject:

Tell people to whom you send the demo that you gave my dog a cookie, it'll give you an edge!

imaginator · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:13 am Post subject:

it shall be my new slogan, sir.

(and, thanks to help from bob, i fixed the photo link)
_________________
rowell gormon
www.voices2go.com
"Mr. Warm & Friendly Voice...with Character!"
Rowell Gormon's Clogged Blog - http://voices2go.com/blog

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:15 am Post subject:

This thread gives new meaning to the term dog biscuit.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

Brett Mason · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:42 am Post subject:

...and approaches...a dog's breakfast! Wink