VOICE DEMO PRODUCTION

First Scott will schedule a free 15 minute Zoom or phone consultation with you to discuss what genre of demo you’d like and what you hope to accomplish with it.

If you’re new to the industry and have only limited experience performing voiceover this may not be the time to be making a demo. Scott will guide you as to which paths to take to get you where you need to be.

For those with VO experience it’s important for Burns to hear samples of your work to get an indication as to where your voice and skill sets align with what’s marketable today. You’ll be sent three scripts to record from your home studio or iPhone if you don’t already have material to share.
After those assessment audios are reviewed Scott will let you know whether it’s a good fit to move forward or perhaps consider gaining additional training prior to investing in a demo.

The last thing you want to do is present yourself to creative directors, producers, agents and other industry professionals as a novice. They can hear it…trust in that.

Should the planets align with all lights turned green, then a flat fee of $2300.00 (US) will be requested prior to production processes begin. Please see “The Investment” section of this page for complete details.

Having a great voice and masterful delivery is one thing, but it’s often the content of what you’re saying that keeps the listener engaged and keeps their finger off the “NEXT!” button.

Creative copy to key for demos, and Scott has amassed a wide variety of intriguing scripts for Commercial, Narration and Characters to provide for your consideration.

Going above and beyond with customized copy just for YOU is at his fingertips as well. All the details will be offered from the get-go.

After your scripts are completed a preliminary rehearsal is scheduled to get a feel for how each piece could be approached. It’s a loose meeting with nothing set in stone, just an opportunity to take notes and make adjustments prior to scheduling the actual recording session.

Think of this session as a “Table Read” where the scripts are read aloud rehearsing the material. Not OVER rehearsing though…the last thing you want to do is allow your brain to re-hear itself into a rut.

The optimum preference for recording should be performed in a professional recording studio setting. The sound of your voice should replicate what actual advertising agency or production houses would produce utilizing high-end microphones.

That said, an equal amount of voice work for ad agency and production houses are being provided by talent with their own home studios. Thus, their DEMO should reflect the audio quality the client would expect to hear once hired.

The good news is BOTH scenarios are do-able. Recording in studio can be arranged as well as performing a directed session via patch (phone/Skype/Zoom), Source Connect, ipDTL or ISDN. Details to be worked out on an individual basis.

In either case, wearing loose, unrestrictive clothing is advised to aid in comfort while performing. Starched clothing is a definite no-no as sensitive microphones can pick up every movement. Hydrate the night BEFORE your session. Most recordings last an average of 90 minutes. If not properly warmed up or sufficiently hydrated ones voice can get raspy as a result of continuous use. Drinking room temperature water helps, but it’s often the case of too-little, too-late.

Avoid caffeinated beverages as well….and by all means, no dairy products or chocolate prior to the recording session.

A complete list of vocal care and warm up exercises will be provided early on in the demo construction process.

Once every nuanced conversational, “non-announcery” read or animated video game battle chatter is captured in it’s pristine digital wav form, the editing process begins. Mouth noises, clicks and assorted other displeasures are removed and “best-of” takes are assembled.

The sound design of each individual element comes next, with special care taken to assure effects and music are incorporated to connect with the tone of the piece and not overwhelm it. Scott utilizes only contemporary licensed music from over 2,7000 global digital libraries to assure your demo is contemporary.

Individual mixes are then sequenced into a dynamic montage of your best YOU…ready for review!  Demo lengths may vary.  Industry standards dictate, ‘No longer than :90 seconds.  Many professionals suggest :60 seconds to be the maximum length.   Others are fine with splitting the difference and agreeing that somewhere in the middle is fine too…say 1:12 or 1:20.   Scott will provide both a full :90 and cut-down :60 to make sure you’re covered to appease the Industry Gods.

Once your demo is sent to you for review you’ll be asked for approval within 7 days to qualify for a free revision. Revisions include adjusting order or removal of spots at the request of agents or trusted industry professional. Full scale revisions involving re-recording of voice performance and/or production elements will be charged at the rate of $175.00/hr.

Scott can happily assist you with your marketing endeavors. To schedule a one-hour ($125.00) consultation guiding you towards obtaining agent representation, traversing the terrain of online casting sites and self promotion campaigns please email:scott@bookscottburns.com.