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Post by megamike on Sept 25, 2017 20:53:40 GMT -8
MICHAEL LEE MENDEZ
(Mega Mike)
michael.lee.mendez@gmail.com
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Western Bass
Member
Posts: 9
I Am A(n): Semi-Professional Voice Actor
Pronouns: he/him
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Post by Western Bass on Sept 29, 2017 0:54:19 GMT -8
What I am about to say is with the intention to see you grow as a voice actor, but it may come off as harsh. This is not a Demo Reel of Voice Acting that you have done, this is just a video of you making funny voices while playing video games. I suppose this is what you meant by (Gaming) but I feel that is slightly misleading. While I would never discourage anyone from submitting their creative works, and voice acting often does stem from making funny voices this cannot, in my opinion, be considered a Demo Reel for very particular reasons.
A Demo Reel must be of either jobs, or creative works you have been a part of or created not from copyrighted material that you were neither a part of nor voice acted in other than recording yourself playing them. Even just using your microphone, writing a quick script and then recording and editing it together to make a cohesive voice reel to show off different voices you can do would be perfect; a creative work. Something that takes time and yes multiple takes sometimes as it would give the proper examples of a Demo Reel that you want to put forward. I of course know it took time to edit these scenes together but that is not what I mean. By time it is taking time with your voice, re-recording lines that did not sound the best. Things like that.
While you -are- making voices in this video and you could claim it is showing off your voices I would also avoid trying to submit that implication to call this a Demo because of the simple fact it involves copyrighted works you were not a part of. I do not believe anyone would believe you were a voice actor in these, as they most definitely do not have voice acting in them in the first place, but it would almost incline someone to think that you were. Again, I understand this may come off as harsh or impertinent, a little uptight even, but I believe in a proper order to these things. And I do not want to see you stunted by something like Copyright. I would love to hear the voices you can create outside of given copyrighted intellectual properties.
If you have been a part of projects, paid or unpaid, you could ask permission to use select snippets of voice clips from the project. Most bosses, at least the ones I have had, are very lenient when the project has already been finished and published.
I do not post usually ever but I felt spurred to say these things before someone who was not with the intent of helping or giving constructive criticism came along before me.
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Post by megamike on Sept 29, 2017 18:18:26 GMT -8
Thank you so much, this being my very first step into dabbling in the field. I was unsure of what to name the reel, let alone where and how to post it. Having a degree in the entertainment field I have done numerous paid and non-paid live theater shows, comedy shows, as well as screen plays on camera, but I have NEVER done anything remotely close to voice over work so the advice is appreciated! I will rename the title of the work to be less misleading and HOPEFULLY be able to use this community to get a foot into the door. So far the only feedback I have is from supportive friends, family, and other actors of my caliber, but getting feedback from someone in the voice acting community is nice. Having a degree in theater constructive criticism comes with the field so I actually appreciate it alot. I do have many of my own written scripts as well as friends with original material I can work with to form a proper reel now that you have shed some light on what an actual "reel" entails. Also, please pm any other advice you may want to give to an aspiring newbie! Thank you again!
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Western Bass
Member
Posts: 9
I Am A(n): Semi-Professional Voice Actor
Pronouns: he/him
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Post by Western Bass on Sept 30, 2017 3:51:13 GMT -8
Thank you so much, this being my very first step into dabbling in the field. I was unsure of what to name the reel, let alone where and how to post it. Having a degree in the entertainment field I have done numerous paid and non-paid live theater shows, comedy shows, as well as screen plays on camera, but I have NEVER done anything remotely close to voice over work so the advice is appreciated! I will rename the title of the work to be less misleading and HOPEFULLY be able to use this community to get a foot into the door. So far the only feedback I have is from supportive friends, family, and other actors of my caliber, but getting feedback from someone in the voice acting community is nice. Having a degree in theater constructive criticism comes with the field so I actually appreciate it alot. I do have many of my own written scripts as well as friends with original material I can work with to form a proper reel now that you have shed some light on what an actual "reel" entails. Also, please pm any other advice you may want to give to an aspiring newbie! Thank you again! Well I am very happy to see how much grace you have shown taking in what I said. I can admit I was nervous it would be taken the wrong way. As for advice I think I'll not try to go too far but keep it simple. I'm always learning myself and often do not feel I can give more than basic knowledge. I'll leave it here just in case it might be beneficial for anyone else reading it. If it helps I honestly didn't create a Demo myself until I had gotten through quite a few jobs. I am not saying you have to do this yourself, heck I'm not even saying this is a good idea. But I wanted to wait until I felt what I had created truly showed what I was capable of. Even if just at this time. Even if defied by constraints of equipment. Which means I will most definitely make more Demo Reels as I grow in my craft as anyone should. I definitely wanted some of the audio in my Reel to be some work I could point to and say, "This came from somewhere that I was paid to do." Again I'm not saying you have to do this yourself. You'll find your own way to go about it. A Demo is to provide examples on range, styles, and many different changes in inflections and mannerisms your voice can pull off. Be it accents or speech impediments the character might have or what have you. Something you can give alongside your audition like. "And for your convenience to see what I can do if any of these voices are closer to what you're looking for..." That might also be a line to throw out that might lead them to cast you in a different part that suits you better. I have had that happen to me. If it helps at all here is my Demo Reel Here. And no Demo Reel is perfect. But just like anything else it is a craft. Like a painting or a beautiful chair it represents the ability, time and effort we put into it. This took time as I got to intimately understand the microphone and equipment I use and am still learning. It is a never ending process sometimes, in my experience at least, learning new tricks and different things to make your audio sound better as many times those of us who do not have a person we rely on for editing we become our own editors. I do not think I am much of a teacher but if my experiences can help you even a little then I would love nothing more than to be useful in that regard. I am sure those much more suited to teach and provide tutoring than I would be more than willing to help. If you poke around the chat box on here during the busy hours of the site you are sure to find a helpful individual or even a Moderator who might be willing to help. I also see that you are using a Blue Yeti. It is a rather infamous microphone sometimes but a good starting point. I am currently using one myself but I am looking to upgrade to a Rode NT1 Condenser Microphone. The only thing I could say in my experience is to turn the digital gain down for it on the computer and use the direct gain meter on the microphone itself. I've had the best results that way. I don't know how much help I am or have been. But I hope I helped if just by a small part so that you can have the great creative passion and drive to Voice Act just as I have! Voice Acting brings life to already great art! It ties it together with a bow and says. "We have a voice and you will hear it now!"
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