VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

mllong · Guest

Mary Lou and Im a soon to be voiceoveraholic...
I havent done any work yet..mostly just recording myself and sending demos on voice123..Ive read most of the comments on this site so Im not getting my hopes up.

My first intro to this field was back in high school when we did a promo for a school project. The radio guy said something to the effect that my voice was nice and he liked it. Well being 16 and silly and stuff I never pursued it then. I joined the military a few years later and became an instructor, I absolutley loved that job..I would joke that I was getting paid to talk for 6 hours a day!! Personal circumstaces and 20 years later I am now a single stay at home mom.
I have taken one 5 week intro to voice over, it was a positive experience and I feel that I can at least take a major stab at getting some jobs. I would like to take more classes, I live in central (valley) California, so If there is another good workshop that is recommended I would love to hear about it!!!
I also look forward to contributing(what little experience I have)to this board, and asking lots of advice. Everyone here seems to be supportive and love what they do!!! I do have some demos on voice 123 at http://marylong1.voice123.com/ I am interested in your comments!!!
I have my ticket and am waiting for the ride to start!!!
Mary Lou

COURVO · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:05 pm Post subject:

Welcome Mary Lou,

We look forward to your contributions, 'cause we all have those to make. Watch out for a guy named Banksey, and a rascal who goes by "Doc", and you'll be OK (kidding).

I listened to some of your demos on V123, and there's much promise. Others here are more qualified to give you specifics, probably, but I'd say your biggest immediate improvement could be made in the technical quality of your recordings. (my humble observation).

All the best!

Dave C.
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mllong · Guest

Thank you for taking the time to listen to me Smile

. I am working on the technical..would you belive my set up is a computer mic set on an upsidown ceiling light fixture??? I even made made a pop screen out of some nylon material wired around a coat hanger..thats when I knew Id gone off the deepend...
I did some research and have purchased a usb samson CO1U mic, and a REAL Popscreen and a stand (although the light fixture has the sockets to make it a cool looking lightup mic stand). I have downloaded Audacity and have used it for all the demos so far...Ive been reading all about making a booth or soundprooofing my area..thats what Ill be working on next..finding a place in the house to record...This has been fun..my son even has recorded a few things, most of the movies he watches have the behind the scenes that feature the voiceover artists. He thinks its fun too!!
Mary Lou

Bailey · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:28 pm Post subject:

I would like to "ditto", Dave’s comments. I listened to your demos on V123. Did you make those recordings at home or in a studio? One thing I noticed was the lack of range in your voice. I'm trying to find a word, but it isn't monotone. I myself am not good at narrations. If the speaker doesn't make the words interesting, my mind tends to wander. You seem to have made some strides to get into the VO mainstream. If you hang around the VO-BB long enough, you'll find a goldmine of advice and information that money can't buy. Welcome to the forum... and don't let people like me scare you off.
Smile

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Frank F · Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:59 pm Post subject:

Welcome aboard MaryLou, you have the cream of the crop here to give you the right direction in how to present your VO talents.

Dave and Bailey have pointed out a couple of things which will help you take some of the next steps. I would like to further your learning experience with the suggestion that you might start listening intently to other Women in the business. You show the promise it needs and the drive, now hone what you have...

Each of the 'demo' pieces had what I call 'a need for some excitement', some varied delivery. Each of the 'demos' lacked a presense - make the spot yours. How do you 'hear' the spot in your mind? Now sound like what you hear in your head.

Get angry, speak fast, speak slow, speak sexy, speak like you were talking with a friend, and then do it until it becomes natural to you. Along with the above, you should look into the audio levels you have on V123, they are too varied, some are almost inaudible, some are fine...

Here on the VO-BB, you have some of the toughest critics in the world, but they are also the nicest, none here are out to stifle your progress in the business. All here are honest in their opinions and will help you where they can. And remember: the opinions offered are just another persons opinion.

Also, it might be a good idea to post your demos in the Critique section here on the board. There you will get a more detailed overview of what you can do to 'take the next step' in the world of VO.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

mllong · Guest

Thank you so very much for your guidance!! I can feel the restraint in my voice sometimes..I dont want to go over the top but then not be dead in the water either...I know on my part and as you have said its going to take more practice and listening and patience. I am looking into more workshops..there is one called voice one in San Francisco I may attend next month.
Again thanks for the honest advice....
(ok I do have one question..who is the nice looking man in the moustache that you all have as avatars???)

Deirdre · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 3:31 am Post subject:

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:23 am Post subject:

We're proud to have more than one god (a.k.a. doG) in Utah!
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mcm · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 7:38 am Post subject:

BenWils · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 11:45 am Post subject:

--
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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

mcm · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:08 pm Post subject:

Here's the history of Frank's ubiquity:

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1149

He hasn't quite reached Elvis stature but give him time. I fully expect Martin Handford to publish a Where's Frank? series any day now!

Frank F · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject:

ahhhh, shucks... Blushing (N3)

Thank you one and all... it is fun...

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Deirdre · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 12:38 pm Post subject:

I

Mary McK for using the word "ubiquity".
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DBCooperVO.com

Yugure · Guest

nice to meet you! I am also a beginning voice actress, I have a (soon to be) agent, and a new great quality microphone!
I live in Southern California.

For a great microphone, I recomend Altec Lansing brand... that IS NOT what I used in my demo, what was in my demo was a 7 year old microphone that came free with a singing program, (the program didn't even work by the way...when you clicked record it made loud highpitch noises)

BenWils · Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 8:42 pm Post subject:

--
_________________
Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."