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VOICE OVER TODAY - April 12, 2003

published by edge studio
www.edgestudio.com
888-321-edge

demos * training * guidance * CD duplication * resources

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Published by EDGE STUDIO
     New York training - 212-868-edge
     Washington DC training - 202-398-edge
     Connecticut training - 203-374-edge
     Tele-Training - 888-321-edge

established 1988
member Better Business Bureau

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THIS ISSUE INCLUDES:

1.)... Punctuation Marks. “To pause…or not to pause.”
2.)... Results have been great, so another Free Marketing Expo and Co-op begins!
3.)... Should popular music be used on demos?

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Armando Plata - One of the top 5 Spanish Voice-over in the world - Corporate, warm, upscale, conversational - CNN-TBS-TNT-Discovery - Neutral Accent - Translations - Emmy Winner - Own State of the art recording studio - ISDN - Iaff, WAV, Mp3, CD or DAT - Same day delivery –

You can reach Armando Plata anytime at 213-458 0816 or 888- 380 7616 - please visit his page at www.armandoplata.com 's or email to platavoice@aol.com

Armando Plata's clients include: USA Marines, Yahoo.com, Best Buys, Visa, Toyota, Sony, Western Union, Erickson, Mc Donald's, FedEx, At&T, Primerica, Alamo Rent a Car, Visa, Delta Airlines, Coca Cola, IBM, The Ritz Carlton Hotels, Paramount Pictures, Orkin Chemical, and many other Top 500 Corp.

Next time you will need some help in Spanish Projects do not hesitate to call or refer Armando Plata

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1.) PUNCTUATION MARKS. “TO PAUSE…OR NOT TO PAUSE.”

Punctuation marks are very important in scripts. First, punctuation marks help the voice-over artist read the script with the timing that scriptwriter intended. Second, punctuation marks break up long passages into small phrases, as opposed to long run-on sentences. This allows the voice-over artist to stumble less often, while also making the script easier for the listener to understand.

A good scriptwriter will use many punctuation marks in the scripts.

However, sometimes you will come across a script without sufficient punctuation marks. This is because many scriptwriters write the script originally for printed text (such as a brochure or magazine advertisement), and therefore it is not as essential for them to use as many punctuation marks.

As a rule of thumb, add punctuation marks between phrases when reading voice-over scripts. However, make sure your pauses are not unnaturally long – instead they should sound natural.

Read the 2 following examples WITHOUT punctuation marks.

“Breakthroughs in technology have made it possible for automotive designers to create for the driver one of the safest environments ever. The Talon from EAGLE.”

“Since the beginning of time man has been compelled by the wonders of the universe to comprehend the existence of God.”

Now insert punctuation marks and read them again. Notice how much better they sound this time.

“Breakthroughs in technology have made it possible, for automotive designers, to create for the driver, one of the safest environments ever. The Talon...from EAGLE.”

“Since the beginning of time, man has been compelled - by the wonders of the universe - to comprehend the existence...of God.”

Make sure to use a very small pause (called a “beat”) before and after a quoted phrase – without the beat, the quoted phrase will not be separated for the listener. Try this following commercial.

“Car and Driver Magazine called the all new Lexus the “best sedan” in its class.”

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2.) RESULTS HAVE BEEN GREAT, SO ANOTHER FREE MARKETING EXPO AND CO-OP BEGINS!

* offered only in New York City *

OKAY, YOU FINISHED YOUR DEMO…

NOW WHAT?
Attend a FREE Marketing Expo. This is only for artists seriously interested in a voice-over career.

WHERE AND WHEN?
Tuesday, February, 4, 2003 from 7-9:30, Located at the Creative Acting Building, 122 West 26th Street, 10th floor - Suite 1000, New York, NY (between 6th & 7th avenue). BRING YOUR DEMO. Class only available in New York City. Feel welcome to just show up – there’s no need to call first.

WHAT IS COVERED?
Marketing information, including a clear overview of getting signed by an agent with the intensive Marketing Co-op class.

WHAT IS THE MARKETING CO-OP CLASS?
This 10-week class’ only objective is to get voice-over work. Getting your demo into the hands of over 300 casting professionals and agents completes it. This class begins Wednesday May 7, from 7-9:30pm and runs Wednesday evenings in May, June, and July at Creative Acting Company.

IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Come to the free Marketing Expo, meet Scott Glasgow, the instructor, and decide. MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR DEMO.

RESULTS?
Historically over half of participants are called by an Agent or Casting Director before the class even concludes.

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EDGE STUDIO RECOMMENDS: www.opt-inPROMO.com

Promote your talent online directly to thousands of buyers of talent who have opted in to hear from you!

No more hassle and costly expenses of mailing demos, postcards, flyers.

Let www.opt-inPROMO.com create and distribute your individual, distinctive announcement to your choice of any of their exclusive opt-in lists of buyers of talent and/or to your own lists of contacts.

Target market your website--Promote your new Demo or CD--Send a press release--Announce new representation-

Get on and keep on the minds of buyers of talent looking specifically for your category of talent at www.opt-inPROMO.com

Amazingly low prices-each announcement less than the cost of a stamp—and excellent customer support: admin@opt-inPROMO.com

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3.) SHOULD POPULAR MUSIC BE USED ON DEMOS?

question:

I’m making a homemade demo. Can I use popular music for the background?

answer:

Regarding demo music, popular music should not be used on every excerpt. This is because it is generally not used on professional commercials and narrations. Therefore if it is used on your demo, it will indicate that your demo is created with artificial excerpts -- and that signals that you have no "real life" experience.

Instead, use “library music” for your demo. This is what our studio, like most production studios, use. To purchase a complete library would cost thousands of dollars.

To eliminate this cost, most voice-talent who make homemade demos, send their vocal tracks to us to add music and sound effects. We also master the completed excerpts so that they sound like "real" commercial and narration spots.

Please let us know if you have further questions -- reach us weekdays, 9-5 EST at 203-374-3343.

Thanks.

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The 2002 edition of the Audiobook Reference Guide, from the publisher of AudioFile magazine is worth checking out. This comprehensive sourcebook to the audiobook industry, the guide provides contact information for 600 audiobook publishers, wholesale and retail distributors, creative, manufacturing and support services.

Check out the new section on Voice Talent--and sign up for YOUR listing in the 2002 Edition.

Call 800-506-1212 or visit www.audiofilemagazine.com to order your copy now. Just $24.00 (inc. s/h). For info on the Voice Talent listings email jennifer@audiofilemagazine.com.

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"I have spent a lot of time and money. I have a great demo! How can I get agents and casting people to notice it . or even listen to it?"

The outside of your demo should be as interesting as the inside.Get your demo noticed before it is thrown on a pile or in the trash without even being heard!

WANT CUSTOM CD DEMO CARDS?

"What's a Front-Card?"
That's the insert-card on the back and sides of your CD demo case.

"What's a Tray-Card?"
That's the insert-card on the front of your CD demo case.

"Why do I need cards?"
This determines if your demo is heard, tossed in a pile, or thrown away!

STILL INTERESTED?

NYC area - I come to you! Either your place of business or home to set up artwork. Together we'll listen to your demo and create Artwork suitable for it. Everything is stored on file for future duplicates.

CD Front Card - $1 per card
CD Tray Card - $1 per card
Cassette J-Card - $1 per card
One time Set-up fee - $40
Cutting Charge - $10 per order

Paul Liberti (212) 229-7856
voiceoverPaul@aol.com

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Are you tired of reading off of cue cards? Memorizing long scripts only to get to the job and receive changes? Then this is for you.

EAR-PROMPTER--The ability to speak, simultaneously, pre-recorded material from a micro-cassette recorder, while hearing it through an earpiece, giving a flawless performance.

This extraordinary on-camera class comes from a leading ear-prompter proficient actor and trainer. Receive a nation-wide list of "Ear" agents at the end of the course and open the doors to more moneymaking opportunities.

Call Andréa Urban 917-664-7777 for private or group lessons

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HAVE A DEMO?

We're always searching for new talent. Please mail us your CD demo to:
Edge Studio, 251 West 30th Street, suite 9-fm. NY, NY 10001 USA

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Voice Over Today is an Edge Studio publication

- advancing voice-over careers since 1988 -
www.edgestudio.com
888-321-edge

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