more Voice Over Today past issues
VOICE
OVER TODAY
July 18, 2007
This issue contains:
1.) Upcoming Classes at Edge Studio
2.) Top Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Demos
3.) Edge Studio's Audiobook Workshops
Read this issue and PAST ISSUES at:
www.edgestudio.com/voiceovertoday_past.htm
==================================
Published
by EDGE STUDIO
Helping Voice-Talent Build Careers
www.edgestudio.com
New
York - 212-868-edge
Washington DC - 202-398-edge
Connecticut - 203-334-edge
Toll Free - 888-321-edge
SINCE: 1988
MEMBER:
Better Business Bureau
RECOGNIZED: Voice and Speech Trainers Association
SPONSOR: National Public Radio, Recording For The Blind & Dyslexic
WHAT IS EDGE STUDIO?
1)
VOICE OVER CAREER BUILDING
training
evaluations
demos
marketing resources
audition prep
guidance
2)
AN ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION FACILITY
Recent Productions:
Lee French Toast Uniforms
Disney
Al Gore Podcast
Glomobi
Klaffs
Brown Shoe Company
==================================
1.)
Upcoming Classes at Edge Studio
No matter what your skill level is, dozens of workshops and seminars are
being offered for all levels of voiceover experience!
Just
getting started?
Try our Evaluation Placement Workshop, for a wealth of information on
the voiceover industry, as well as a private, 1-on-1 evaluation with one
of our experienced voice coaches!
Need
audition experience?
Our Act-Up and Ringer Classes offer training and confidence building for
a variety of different types of scripts, as well as actual audition experience!
Do
you have, or are about to finish recording a demo?
Don't know what to do next? You need a Marketing Foundation class to learn
the basics, and a Marketing Forum for even more information on how to
market your voice, and get yourself work!
Interested
in Character/Animation work? How about Audiobook narration?
Gain a wealth of experience in workshops which deal exclusively in these
specialized fields of the voice over industry!
SCHEDULE THROUGH AUGUST 2007
_______________TELE-TRAINING_______________
--------------Call 888-321-edge for details-------------
*Intensive
Foundation Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159
July 23, 6pm-9:30pm with Kerry Miller
*ACT-UP
Workshop "Silent Warm-Up": $35
July 25, 7pm-9pm ET with Eric Rath
*Marketing
Foundation: $79
July 30, 7pm-9pm with Kristin Price
*Marketing
Foundation: $79
August 6, 7pm-9pm with Kristin Price
*Intensive
Foundation Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159
August 13, 6pm-9:30pm with Kerry Miller
*The
Ringer Workshop: $35
August 21, 7pm-9pm ET with Bruce Bayley Johnson
*ACT-UP
Workshop "Million Dollar Read": $35
August 22, 7pm-9pm ET with Eric Rath
_______________CONNECTICUT STUDIO_______________
------------------Call 203-334-edge for details------------------
*The
Ringer Workshop: $35
August 25, 10am-12pm with Bruce Bayley Johnson
*The
Ringer Workshop: $35
September 29, 10am-12pm with Bruce Bayley Johnson
______________NEW
YORK CITY STUDIO________________
-----------------Call 212-868-edge for details-------------------
*ACT-UP
Workshop: "Voice Over's Best Kept Secrets!" $35
July 21, 3pm-5pm with Paul Liberti
*Intensive
Foundation Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159
July 25, 9am-12:30pm with Kristin Price
*The
Ringer Workshop: $35
July 28, 3pm-5pm, ET with Paul Liberti
*Marketing
Forum: $79
July 30, 7pm-9pm with Paul Liberti
*Intensive
Foundation Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159
August 4, 2-5:30pm with Kristin Price
*ACT-UP
Workshop: "Doubles" $35
August 6, 7pm-9pm with Paul Liberti
*ACT-UP
Workshop: "Doubles" $35
August 18, 3pm-5pm with Paul Liberti
*The
Ringer Workshop: $35
August 25, 3pm-5pm, with Paul Liberti
*Intensive
Foundation Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159
August 29, 9am-12:30pm with Kristin Price
_______________WASHINGTON
DC STUDIO_______________
-------------------Call 202-398-edge for details--------------------
*Intensive
Foundation Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159
July 23, 6pm-9:30pm with Kerry Miller
*Intensive
Foundation Technique Evaluation Workshop: $159
August 13, 6pm-9:30pm with Kerry Miller
To register for any of the above classes, do not hesitate to call our
offices at:
New York: 212-868-3343
Connecticut: 203-334-3343
Washington DC: 202-398-3343
Or toll free at: 888-321-3343
==================================
2.)
TOP TEN MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING DEMOS
As both a training and production facility, we at Edge Studio receive
a variety of questions about demos on a daily basis. To help spread the
word, we have compiled what we consider to be the top ten most frequently
asked questions, along with some helpful answers! So here they are, in
no specific order.
1.) HOW LONG SHOULD MY DEMO BE?
This is a question we receive on a constant basis. In most major markets
demos receive the greatest response when they're between 45 seconds and
1.5 minutes in length. Anything longer than this is too long. Why? It
only takes a producer seconds to decide if you are right for what they
are looking for. If you are thinking, "What if my I want to demonstrate
character work, narration work, commercial work, and more? Then create
a separate demo for each style, this is industry standard practice. If
you market your demos in mp3 format, send the demos that will satisfy
the styles of voice over that the casting professional casts. That is,
if the casting professional casts all styles of voice over, send all your
demos.
If they cast only corporate work, then only send your corporate/narration
demo, because the don't need more. Alternatively, you can send them your
corporate demo along with your other demos, as they may appreciate this.
When putting your demos on a CD, the entire demo CD itself can be longer than 1.5 minutes, but each individual track on a demo CD should be no longer than that. If you do work in more than one area, ie commercial, narration, character, ect, you should have separate, clearly labeled tracks on your demo CD, one for each different demo.
2.) WHAT TYPE OF DEMO SHOULD I MAKE?
Always a tough question to answer, because it also depends on your specific interests, and what types of materials you read best with. First, here is a definition of the three types of demos:
*Commercial demo - Due to the "glamour" of being heard on national television commercials, this is the most popular type of demo, even though only about 10% of voice over work is commercial. A commercial demo demonstrates a variety of different kinds of commercials; conversational, hard-sell, nonchalant, public service announcement, etc.
*Narration
demo - To work full-time in this industry, it is generally necessary to
have a narration demo, as narrations are 90% of the work.
A narration demo demonstrates a variety of different kinds of narrations.
For example, audio-book, documentary, voice-mail, website narration, children's
educational film, etc.
*Specialty demo - This is a demo that serves one niche of the industry. This type of demo makes it easier to obtain work in one specific segment of the industry. For example, a "nature-film voice- over demo" increases the chance of being hired by a nature-film producer. However, its difficult to obtain other types of work with this type of demo. Specialty demo types include: character demo, audio-book demo, foreign language demo, nature film demo, children's work demo, etc.
In
most cases, we suggest marketing at least a commercial and narration demo
- this is what most professionals market with. This allows you to obtain
both types of work, and not limit yourself.
Adding a specialty demo can give your marketing efforts a head start in
a specific sector. Once you gain this experience, it may be easier to
obtain other types of work.
Fortunately
when duplicating your demos, it costs no more whether you have one or
more demos on it. And fortunately, it costs no more to mail a prospective
client a demo with one or more demos on it. This is because most professionals
put all of their demos onto one CD. For example, track
1 may be the commercial demo, track 2 the narration demo, etc.
Really the only consideration when choosing to produce one or two demos is the one-time cost of producing them. However if you obtain even one additional job due to multiple demos, it will probably pay itself off.
3.) WHERE DO I GET SCRIPTS FOR MY DEMO?
Any producer, who specializes in the production of demos should have a vast supply of scripts. However, make sure they have a large enough supply, so that everyone who uses them does not have the same scripts on their demo. It is essential that the material on your demo show a range, for if it does not, obtaining work can be more challenging.
You can also obtain your own material. You can write your own scripts, but ensure that your writing skills sound professional by reading your scripts for many others and asking their opinion. Also, most professionals use material from magazines, commercials, documentaries, etc., without needing the author's consent. (see question #4 for more information on this)
4.) WHAT REALLY GOES ON A DEMO?
Demos
contain small segments of work called "spots." Each spot
showcases a different style of delivery. For example, one spot may show
an upbeat style, another spot may show a serious style, and so forth.
By demonstrating a greater variety of spots on your demo, there is more
chance that a producer will hire you. This is because you show the producers
that you are capable of varied types of work.
A spot is generally 5 to 15 seconds worth of an original recording - regardless of whether the original was a 60-second radio commercial or a 3- hour-long documentary.
5.) CAN I USE COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS ON MY DEMO?
While
professional voice-over artists use excerpts of professional jobs on their
demos, newcomers must create a demo by recording artificial excerpts.
And unless you are an excellent copywriter, you will need to use copyrighted
material.
The question as to whether someone else's copyrighted material can be used on your demo is important, especially from a legal perspective. So we did some research. What we found indicates that most material can be used without requiring the author's permission.
The most compelling reason for this is the "Fair Use Act" law, which indicates that copyrighted material can be used, without permission, as long as it is not being directly used to make a profit.
To confirm our findings, we asked someone in AFTRA's legal department (a voice over union) if it is okay to use copyrighted text on demos -- she said, "No problem at all."
6.) WHO SHOULD RECORD MY DEMO?
Well, you must work with a producer who specializes in voice-over. In fact, it goes beyond that - there must be a synergistic relationship between you and the producer. If you are not 100% relaxed and confident with the producer, your demo will not reach its fullest potential.
Just any producer will not do. You need a producer who specializes in the production of demos. Some producers produce voice-over but do not work on demos. Other producers specialize in music production, and they will probably not possess the skills necessary to put together a voice-over demo.
Ensure
that the producer is easygoing and will not become upset if you make mistakes.
Ensure that they are willing to work with you - in other words, that they
realize your opinions count too. The producer must also have extensive
script, music, and sound effect libraries, as well as a digital recording
studio.
We of course recommend Edge Studio!
7.) WHAT FORMAT SHOULD MY DEMO BE?
Your demo(s) should be on a CD, and you should also market it via the internet in mp3 format. Not cassette, not reel-to-reel, nor any other unpopular format. This includes vinyl records and 8-tracks. Popular digital formats include MP3 files, Real-Audio, Windows-Media, and other digital files. Demos, short for "demonstration," should not be called a "demo-tape" (from the old days of cassettes) or "reel" (from the days of reel-to-reel tapes).
8.) HOW MANY COPIES OF MY DEMO DO I GET WHEN I RECORD?
With most studios, when the mixing and mastering of your demo is completed, you will get two copies. One will be for you to keep in a safe place. The other is for you to send to a duplication house. A duplication house is a business that works specifically in mass producing media, such as demo CD's. Prices for duplication will vary, but having a few hundred copies of your demo to send out to casting agencies and production facilities will greatly increase your marketability.
9.) WHAT KIND OF ARTWORK SHOULD GO ON MY DEMO?
This one is all you. You want you demo to stand out, but you don't necessarily want it to scream. Your artwork should describe who you are, and how you feel your voice sounds. It should look clean and orderly, so that your name and contact information can still be easily read. Your design can be simple, or it can be detailed, so long as it is yours. As to who should do the artwork, you can do it yourself, you can have a consultation with a voice coach who knows their marketing, and many duplication houses can even help you choose artwork for the cover, spine, inside jacket, as well as the CD itself. Having said that, you want to make sure the artwork on the CD matches the artwork on the cover, at least in style. Maintain consistency.
10.) WHEN SHOULD I UPDATE MY DEMO?
This is a tricky question, as it depends on the specific talent. If your demo is still getting you the amount of work you are looking for, DO NOT CHANGE IT. We have a large number of voice talents who are keeping themselves busy with the work they get from their demos, but for some reason, want to spend money re-doing that demo. You should really do this only when you are looking to record a different type of demo, or if your voice has changed. Remember the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
One reason you may want to update your demo is to add in spots from jobs you have recorded. This is something that is less expensive than recording an entirely new demo, and something that can show the different types of work you can get. Remember, any old spot you recorded should not be on your demo. These spots have to reflect just how good a voice artist you are, and the range you are capable of. A cheaply recorded, poorly produced spot does not belong on a demo.
==================================
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==================================
3.) Audio Book Workshops at Edge Studio - September 8, 2007 Taught by Audiobook producer, coach, and engineer Bruce Kitovich AUDIOBOOKS - ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING SECTORS IN VOICE-OVER
Edge
Studio has offers one of the premier Audio book Workshops in New York!
Learn from a professional who has worked in the audiobook industry for
over a decade! Join Bruce Kitovich for an Intensive session, where you
will learn the differences between audiobook and standard narration. Then
proceed to the Advanced session, where you will go further by learning
specific techniques and tricks of the trade for audio book narrators!
INTENSIVE
WORKSHOP: 10am-2pm: This highly specialized, four-hour workshop has three
objectives:
- An overview of the audiobook industry. How are audiobooks produced and
recorded? How are narrators selected? How can a voice-over artist
market themselves for this specific area?
- Audiobook narration skills and techniques. Audiobook narration differs significantly from other types of voice-over work. Discuss the special skills, techniques, and demands of audiobook narrators, how to develop them, and how to create an effective demo aimed at audiobook producers and directors. Also discuss the specifics of the recording process and what to expect at a typical audiobook recording session.
- Practice and evaluation. Would you make a good audiobook narrator? Some people have the knack, others have to develop their long-form narration skills. In this workshop, your potential will be evaluated, and steps recommend to make audiobook narration an effective part of your voice-over repertory.
ADVANCED
WORKSHOP: 3pm-7pm: This three-hour workshop has four objectives:
- Advanced Narration Technique
Enhance your current skills, we cover: creating character, maintaining
consistency, interpreting copy, dialogue technique, as well as tips the
renown narrators use.
- Maintenance, Practice, and Furthering Your Career Learn how to self-practice to retain and enhance your abilities.
These
workshops will be offered at our New York studio.
Intensive Workshop: Sept. 8, 10am-2pm
Advanced Workshop: Sept 8, 3pm-7pm
Our New York Studio is located at:
307 7th Ave.
Suite 1007
New York, NY 10001
==================================
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Session takes up to 2-1/2 to 3 hours. No pay, but good practice cold reading
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bob@bobslaymaker.net with "Reader" in subject. If you previously
auditioned, feel free to audition again. Other tasks available for those
who don't want to read aloud but would like exposure/insight into writing
screenplays. Voiceover artists from outside New York City are welcome
if they can record to wav or mp3 files.
==================================
HAVE
A WEBSITE?
Adding active links on your website can expand your profile while increasing
your search-engine results. Take this opportunity to add a link to Edge
Studio. Visit www.edgestudio.com/link.htm
==================================
WANT
TO ADVERTISE in Voice Over Today?
Results have been great!
Email info@edgestudio.com or call us weekdays 9-5 EST at 888-321-edge
==================================
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Copyright 2007, Edge Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. This article is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be reproduced, rewritten, distributed, re-disseminated, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, directly or indirectly, in any medium without the prior written permission of Edge Studio, LLC.