just thought I would suggest it to those who haven't thought about it... try and get some voiceover work - money is excellent when you do get work. I've been doing voiceovers since I arrived in London 12 years ago and I know how hard it is to get an agent when you start but it's like everything else, if you work hard at it you can take off. And beside, you can be on the marketplace even without an agent - I have representatino but am also on www.voicefinder.biz, and like I said in another thread, it's an invaluable source for anyone interested in voiceovers. Good luck!
"Personally I was not impressed with 'Crying out Loud' and I know a few others who felt the same."
Sorry but when you post negative stuff like that as 'anon' do you really expect people to give you any credibility and take you seriously?
On the other hand, each person who I know did a demo with them were very pleased. Also, like I said, I personally was there when they produced a demo and was impressed by the way they directed and helped the artist give their very best. Plus, they don't recycle the same old Bombay Sapphire ad, each piece is matched with the artist.
I've been in the industry for 20 years, 13 of them as a voiceover artist in London, I am every day in Soho, this is how I make a living and pay my mortgage. Now you can believe 'anon' or you can believe me, your choice!
Oh, by the way, I don't have any shares in their company, just in case you wonder!
Sally I hear what you say but not everyone is a writer. Also, especially for a newbie, it's much better to be produced by someone who know what they're doing, who can give you advice - it's very hardto self-produce even for a more experienced artist, and a good producer will always extract the very best from you - at the end of the day it is an investment. As for being a lucky sausage... I guess I am ;-)
I did my new voice-over demo with crying out loud and they were fabulous.
I chose to write myself most of the material but they helped me find the type of adverts, the style of narrations etc... They also directed me during the recording, which was very helpful. The sound quality in their studio is very good and they are lovely people to work with.
Since I've recorded this new demo I've worked a lot more in voice-overs and the demo has been repaid many times already.
I highly recommend them!
Wow - Pierre you are very helpful! (and all the rest of you !) I have been trying to work out who to go to for a voice demo for ages, I think I will try C.O.L - does anyone actually know the cost tho? No on has mentioned it! And how many ads, monologues etc etc. are included? Pierre is there anything you recommend putting on and NOT putting on - I'm a newcomer to this so any more advice v v helpful. As for writing stuff yourself - any advice on what to avoid? I am not really a writer so I would be worried about getting it wrong - or even not quite right.
Thank you thank you everyone! xx
Well, I'd say listen to ads to get an idea of the structure and vocabulary. For longer pieces, try improvising something, keeping a dictaphone handy, and then write down anything useful that comes of it.
Think hard about what really suits your voice and the areas you want to work with. It's far better to have excellent samples in a limited field, than lots of ropey ones. Of course if you're brilliant at everything, please ignore this advice!
My recording session went extremely well- I've got some super bits and pieces. Once it's edited I shall let you all hear it (as long as don't make fun of me too much!) ;)
I recently received this from Showreel.com...a Christmas offer for discounted showreels.
quote.
Christmas is here and the weather is getting colder. Everyone is thinking about tightening the old belt and wrapping up warm for the festive season. Well why not, and throw another log on the fire and enjoy a large brandy and a small pipe while your at it. :-)
Well, here's the good news.
From November the 19th until December the 19th The Showreel are offering a *Christmas Special* - One Month Only!!
We have decided to re-introduce our fab Summer Madness Offer* but this time throw in loads of extras that may make it a perfect Christmas!
Xmas Madness Offer...
For £150 Inc you get :-
* Voice Producer on the day
* 3 contrasting Commercials
* 2 contrasting Narratives
* The Agent ready "House Reel"
* 5 CD masters of your reel worth £12.00
* Multimedia pack thrown in the stocking for FREE - worth £25...MP3 ready......
* Industry contacts provided for FREE
* FREE Marketing and Agent Chat.
* FREE Glass of wine and a mince pie.
A perfect Package to hit the "Voice Agents" with.......
This is also a perfect time to update your Existing Reel with new material.
So.....whether you wish to record from scratch, update your existing reel, choose to record a "Radio Drama Reel" or a "Cartoon/Animation" Reel or a "Talking Book" Reel - now is the perfect time!
If you would be interested in booking one of these sessions please act quickly, as once word gets out - They will go like "Hot Cakes".
This could be the perfect start to the perfect Xmas.
We look forward to hearing from you soon. - But Hurry...............
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
The Showreel Team
BOOKINGS - 0207 043 8660
unquote
I'm seriously considering it as Showreels have a reputation for producing some real quality work.
I got a full showreel done, spent 6 hours with him.
He has helped me no end, not only has he pinpointed areas that I could be better working in, but really got the best out of me and I now have a voice demo that i am really proud of.
His website is www.bernardshaw.co.uk.
I know it looks expensive, but for what you get it is well worth it.
I've heard good things about Crying Out Loud so i'm not trying to stop people going there, but just wanted to add my experience.
Thanks sallyclaire for yout tips! I reckon I will give the showreel people a call- thanks forbes- (it was the free wine and mince pie that convinced me!)
Michelle you're more than welcome ;-)
Everything Sally says, and also, do not put character voices (as in animation or cartoon) in your main demo except if this is your specialised area of expertise, as it is a totally different market - if you can do characters cut a different demo so that you're ready to send it if it is requested. Same goes for radio drama. Keep your demo snappy, fast-cut as producers will not go further than 7 seconds if they're not gripped by it.
As I already said, listen to demos that are out there on the professional market to get a better idea on what's on the market. Also, read the advice on this page, chances are it will help you
http://www.voicefinder.biz/?page=voices_room&subpage=your_demo
Bernard Shaw, the Showreel, Crying Out Loud, they all have very good reputation, I guess the best is to call the three of them, have a little chat and see who you get along best with - good luck!
Forgot to say - I would also advise you to practice A LOT before doing a demo - read out loud A LOT, practice your rhythm, record yourself as Sally said, ask HONEST advice, read the same script with different intentions (doc, narrative, TV promo, various types of commercials) etc - and then, when you think you're ready... practice again. A good demo isn't cheap (and shouldn't be!) so make sure you don't blow your money by going there when not ready yet!
You might want to read the advice on the pages you can accesss from this link, about technique etc - a LOT of good advice there!
http://www.voicefinder.biz/?page=voices_room
Thanks for the heads up on the Showreel offer, Forbes. Maybe I will buy you that beer after all ;o)
I haven't used them before - has anyone else and how did you find them ? They sound great particularly as they don't re-cycle scripts. I wrote all my current material and although I've picked worked up, I'm wondering if using their scripts is a better option.
Finding www.theshowreel.com was pretty easy as they have a full page advert inside the back cover of every Equity Magazine. I've have a long email exchange with Jean-Paul Orr (One of their "Big Cheeses") over the past year and I'm definately going to give them some of my money at some point. For me its just a case of scheduling as I'm not just round the corner.
I haven't actually used them yet, the samples on their site sound excellent. I just get a good feeling about them as they have been very understanding and easy to deal with.
Since I started writing this message, they have actually called me and I'm now booked in for next Monday.
I'll report back and post some material here on my profile as soon as I get the masters.
Just to give you guys the heads up on www.showreels.com...
I did a session with them recently and the results are now posted on my profile for your listening pleasure.
If you like what you hear, contact www.showreels.com and book an appointment with J-P as the Christmas special offer runs out soon. It won't hurt to mention I recommended them.
Don't forget this is a great time to get a voicereel sorted as Spotlight curtrently has an amnesty on voice clips at the moment and you can ad voicereels to your Spotlight profile for free until the end of this month.
Things are going really well for me- I've just become the voice of this month's The Londoner!
I'm also working towards a huge corporate project, a radio comedy series and a few other bits and peices.
I've got my new clips on my site now, too- which is partly why I'm getting this interest.
Hope everyone's doing great!
Things are going really well for me- I've just become the voice of this month's The Londoner!
I'm also working towards a huge corporate project, a radio comedy series and a few other bits and peices.
I've got my new clips on my site now, too- which is partly why I'm getting this interest.
Hope everyone's doing great!
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