Scripts for the Voice-over Demo
The Art of Voice Acting Newsletter notification arrived in my email box last night. I always enjoy reading it and hearing about what other voice actors have been up to in the last month, and I especially enjoy reading Penny Abshire’s advice column. Her suggestions are always wise and her perspective is always one of “you can do it”, which is what everyone needs to hear. I have no use for those who say deflating things to people with dreams (although if the dreamer does nothing but dream, a well-placed kick in the trousers may be salutary), and it’s refreshing to hear Penny’s old-fashioned and much-appreciated optimism. She’s absolutely right – you CAN do it if you put your mind to it.
This month’s column was about the assembly of the demo – all really important stuff and right on the mark – except I must disagree with one part of it – the advice about where to get scripts for the demo. Penny suggested the script vault at Edge Studio.
The Edge scripts are great for those starting out who don’t have material at hand or who aren’t sure what to do with the material they do have at hand. I don’t think the folk at Edge intend for these scripts to be used for demos. I feel VERY strongly that demo copy should be as unique as you can muster – it could be something from the media edited by you or someone else expressly for your demo, passages from books, magazines or newspapers, from placards at museums, anyplace you can find words, there you can find material for your demo. I have heard people say, “I can’t be bothered finding magazine ads and editing them; where can I get scripts?” You had jolly well better be bothered – this is your career we’re talking about. Nobody is asking you to write a dissertation, but you should care passionately about the words you choose to showcase your voice and talents. You’re competing against 40,000 other voice artists in the U.S. alone, and this is now a global marketplace. Your interpretation of copy and the way you use your voice need to stand out. Give yourself the advantage and give producers and casting directors a break – choose copy that is interesting to listen to! When I hear demos that have old worn-out copy I think, there is a VO with no imagination. I ask you, would you hire an actor with no imagination?
I rest my case.
The Art of Voice Acting Newsletter notification arrived in my email box last night. I always enjoy reading it and hearing about what other voice actors have been up to in the last month, and I especially enjoy reading Penny Abshire’s advice column. Her suggestions are always wise and her perspective is always one of “you can do it”, which is what everyone needs to hear. I have no use for those who say deflating things to people with dreams (although if the dreamer does nothing but dream, a well-placed kick in the trousers may be salutary), and it’s refreshing to hear Penny’s old-fashioned and much-appreciated optimism. She’s absolutely right – you CAN do it if you put your mind to it.
This month’s column was about the assembly of the demo – all really important stuff and right on the mark – except I must disagree with one part of it – the advice about where to get scripts for the demo. Penny suggested the script vault at Edge Studio.
The Edge scripts are great for those starting out who don’t have material at hand or who aren’t sure what to do with the material they do have at hand. I don’t think the folk at Edge intend for these scripts to be used for demos. I feel VERY strongly that demo copy should be as unique as you can muster – it could be something from the media edited by you or someone else expressly for your demo, passages from books, magazines or newspapers, from placards at museums, anyplace you can find words, there you can find material for your demo. I have heard people say, “I can’t be bothered finding magazine ads and editing them; where can I get scripts?” You had jolly well better be bothered – this is your career we’re talking about. Nobody is asking you to write a dissertation, but you should care passionately about the words you choose to showcase your voice and talents. You’re competing against 40,000 other voice artists in the U.S. alone, and this is now a global marketplace. Your interpretation of copy and the way you use your voice need to stand out. Give yourself the advantage and give producers and casting directors a break – choose copy that is interesting to listen to! When I hear demos that have old worn-out copy I think, there is a VO with no imagination. I ask you, would you hire an actor with no imagination?
I rest my case.
Labels: demo scripts, voice-over, voice-over demo
posted by MCM Voices at
4/08/2006
4 Comments:
Great article Mary,
I'm pleased that you found our article at VOX Daily pertaining to this issue and commented.
I'd love it if you stopped by again and shared your thoughts. You are very wise and people would love to hear your voice on VOX Daily :)
Cheers,
Stephanie
Mary,
Excellent thoughts. I agree. No one is going to want to hire a voice actor with no imagination.
Be well,
Bob
Hi, Mary,
I just stumbled upon your blog while trying to find information on making a demo (because I am still at a loss at this point), and I have to say it was so nice to finally find something, anything at all, regarding scripts and materials one should use. I find what seems to be holding me back the most is how overwhelmed I get in just thinking about where to start, and your article was a light at the end of a very long tunnel. I will definitely be stopping by here often.
Thank you very much,
Keenan Schneider
Keenan, I'm so glad this post was helpful. Also, you can click on the "demo scripts" keywords for more on this subject. Take care - Mary
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