How To Make A Smashing Voiceover Demo, Darling

By Author: Priscilla Groves
Total Articles: 93
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The biggest mistake VOs make when they go and record their demo is rocking up to the studio without having done any preparation. Most depend on the sound engineers to provide the scripts for them. So now they're using valuable studio time finding their feet with an unfamiliar script - something they could have done at home.

No ladies and germs. That studio time is costing you a fortune and you've got to make it count. The key is to have all your material in advance - and practice your *ss off before you ever get to the studio.

Here's how you can get your material together:

1. Listen to the radio and take note of the ads that you like. Keep a pen and paper handy, and copy the script. Then practice the script over and over. Not just in your head - but say it out loud. It doesn't have to be
an entire ad - it could also just be a snippet, like the announcer bit of an ad.

2. This is probably the best way to go about getting script material.
Go to advertising awards websites that have radio sections. For example: www.bestadsontv.com would be your best bet. Then you can also look for ...
... winners results in the radio categories on www.radio-awards.net as well as www.dandad.org and www.canneslions.com. There are tons of mp3s online of great international ads to choose from.

3. Another way of finding material is to go onto advertising agencies websites and look at the work they've done. Go to their TV or radio section and take sections from those scripts. See page 12 for a list of ad agencies in Dublin.

4. You can also ask your sound engineer to send you a few mp3s of scripts he has recorded in the past. You can choose a bit you like, copy down the script, and practice, practice, practice.

And that's all there is to it. The sound engineer will help you and guide you on the day, but you've got to bring something to the party. Otherwise It's just like flushing your money down the bog.

IMPORTANT: Make sure that your sound studio is one that is used by the top agencies. Don't try to do your demo on the cheap - find the right guys for the job. Look for some good Dublin sound studios that you can enquire with to do your demo.
Spamming Your Link

The first thing you need to do is get a list of ad agencies in your area.
See page 12 for a list of Dublin ad agencies. Once you have their details, pick up the phone and start calling them. Speak to the receptionist and request an email address of a copywriter and radio producer in the agency. (Not all agencies have in-house producers, but many do.) This is how you build up a database. It's a bit of a slow and painful process, so one solution is to work together with another voiceover and share your information.

Once you have your database, think of something short and snappy to say in your cover email. Remember, you're talking to advertising folks.

Attention-span: zero.
Something like: "hi Mr. X, i'm so shit-hot right now. Here's my voiceover demo to prove it. Next time you're looking for seductive temptress, please give me a call."

Or something like that. The key is SHORT AND SNAPPY. And include one short explanation of something of your voice - the example given "seductive temptress" could also be something like "a down-to-earth straight read" or something else specific.

Spamming is a bit of a lottery - it might or might not result in work. However, it is free and it is promotion for you. Stuck record here, but the more ways you have of promoting yourself, the better.