Santa Clarita Magazine readers continue to send in pertinent questions about the voice-acting business. This is the fifth part of my answer regarding voice-over demos:
Q: I’ve voiced a number of commercials, and think I’m ready to make a demo. But do I really need to? Any suggestions as to how to go about it? — Roberta K., Santa Clarita, CA
A: There are many things to consider and remember before plunging into the project that will be your audio calling card, help you find an agent, introduce you to casting directors and producers and help get you work — providing you have achieved proficiency in voice acting. Here are a few tips to insure a successful outcome:
• If you’re in L.A. or New York City, get the Voice-Over Resource Guide to find a list of demo producers to help you with your new demo, CD duplication companies for when your demo master CD is complete, and graphics companies to help you design and package your demo. Ask your teachers and other people in the business for their recommendations, and then shop around if you wish. Don’t go crazy — 50 CDs to start with is fine. Burn any new ones after that, especially if you add more categories and/or update the one(s) you have.
• Don’t make a demo until you’ve developed all the necessary skills to enter and successfully complete a voice-over session. Your demo shouldn’t exceed your abilities. Whatever types of reads you put on your demo you should be able to perform flawlessly at a session. Unless you’re emotionally prepared to walk into a studio with the confidence to read and deliver a piece of copy to five people in the control room and another five people phone-patched in from another city and not be really nervous, you’re not ready. I know of too many instances where actors were booked off their demo, but couldn’t perform anywhere near that quality in the actual session. To reiterate: don’t do a demo until you’re really ready.
• Don’t do impressions on your commercial demo. Most advertisers that want a celebrity voice book the celebrity. But if you’re really good at impressions, put them in a separate category on your demo.
I hope this information helps. I’ll have more to add regarding your question next month. Good luck!
Cashman Commercials © 2008
Marc Cashman creates and produces copy and music advertising for radio and television. Winner of over 150 advertising awards, he also instructs voice acting of all levels through his classes, The Cashman Cache of Voice-Acting Techniques in Los Angeles, California. He can be contacted at cashcomm@earthlink.net or his website, www.cashmancommercials.com .