Demos are a subject we discuss in everyone of our live Voiceover Classes, and even though our Guest Teachers all have their own unique take on the subject, the questions students ask are always the same:
“When am I ready for a Demo?”
“Can I make a Demo on my own?”
“What should I put on it?”
“What should I not put on it?”
Making the “right” demo isn’t as easy as it sounds (no pun intended!).
DEMOS FOR EACH AREA OF THE VOICEOVER INDUSTRY include:
- Animation
- Video Games
- Narration
- Commercial
- Promo
- Audiobooks
- Singing (character)
- Creatures
- Industrial
- E-learning
- Explainer
Depending on what areas of the Voiceover industry you want to work in, you’ll need individual demos produced by a professional, and specifically designed to showcase your talents in those areas.
If you’re just starting out and don’t know what area of VO you want to work in, don’t stress! Commercial is always a good place to start, as it’s one of the most varied and accessible parts of the industry. You may not book huge national commercials at first, but you can often find work in local radio spots, online ads, community announcements, etc.
I’ve certainly done my share of commercials, but placed my focus in areas where I had more natural ability. Some people are built for commercial work. It’s ok if you’re not. But it’s also something you can learn.
MY PROMO DEMO
I’ve had a long and rewarding career in Voiceover, especially within my favorite areas… Animation and Video Games. It’s where my natural strengths led me, but still took years to develop those skillsets. I love to learn – and recognize the importance of growth, so when I decided a few years ago to pursue more Promo work, I knew I’d need a demo that showcased my abilities. Other than Toonami, I didn’t have that much experience in that part of the industry, so I knew I’d need to study, up my game and that I’d also need a demo that was current and accurately represented my range, technical ability, and sense of timing.
Enter the legend that is Chuck Duran, of Demos That Rock.
SETTING UP AND RECORDING MY DEMO
I had a preliminary meeting with Chuck. We worked out what I was looking for and what he thought I needed to include. He identified what we specifically needed to target and/or improve and he set me up with a coach to smooth out some areas that needed work. I did my homework. Chuck and his brilliant partner Stacey Aswad wrote some great copy, and we were ready to go. We set up a session, Chuck and Stacey shot video of the whole thing, then uploaded the recording to Youtube.
I encourage you to watch the video, it’ll give you insight into the process of demo production and how the right coaching, from the right demo producer, can make all the difference in the world:
As someone mentioned in the YT comments, Chuck “lives for this and it’s beautiful.” No matter who you get to produce your Demo, finding someone who is not only great at what they do, but passionate about the process is key. Studio sessions can be tedious, time-consuming, and sometimes downright difficult to get through, and you might need a lot of coaching (like I did!) to get the best result. Collaborating with an invested expert can make all the difference.
FOR THE LOVE OF IT
If you’re working with people who love what they do, and you love what you get to do, it’ll be so much easier, a LOT more fun, AND everyone ends up with a better product!
“Do it for the Love of it” is my #1 Tip in Voiceover. There’s no other way to be in this business if you want longevity and fulfillment. That includes who you choose to produce your demo.
THAT INNER GAME THING
As you’ll see in my session with Chuck, I had to stay coachable and open to constructive criticism. You absolutely have to do that in this business, so long as your coach is reputable and has a track record of success of course!
Voiceover isn’t just about making voices, or making demos. Technical know-how is awesome, but being successful in Voiceover means a whole lot of “inner game” work too.
How will you handle “failure” so that you can turn it into success?
How will you handle “rejection” when (not if!) it comes?
How will you balance your life, your job, and your burgeoning Voiceover career?
Understanding that the audition process is the biggest part of the job, and learning to take that as seriously as the booking will make all the difference.
Also, being able to do the audition (or send out your demo) and to move on without expectation will save you years of heartache. Having an excellent demo is a critical step to getting an agent and/or exposing you to the people in positions to hire you.
IT’S A BUSINESS
And it requires WORK! Not just the doing, but the being, and the becoming. The demo is a necessary tool, but it ain’t gonna do the work for you. Think of it as a business card. It gives an indication of who you are and what you can do, but that’s only the beginning to play at a world class level. You will need to develop discipline and time management skills, and you’ll need to make SURE you’re really, really ready before you invest in a demo. For a lot of people that’s long after they first say “I want to be a Voice Actor!”
Here’s a clip from my free masterclass that discusses this in greater detail, including some very important insights from Chuck.
“If you aren’t ready to cook, stay out the kitchen!” as they say. If you ARE ready to cook, or in this case ready to do that inner and outer work that Voiceover requires, we’re here for you, every step of the way.
This is a business of opportunity. The trick is to be ready when it knocks on your door.
See you in the Booth,
Steve