Demo VO Production
Professional Demo Voice Over Production
Your demo is your business card as a Voice Over Actor. It is the audio equivalent of an actor's head shot. It represents the essence of who you are, so a prospective buyer knows about your vocal quality, age range, attitude, style and unique personality. Your voice over demo should run about one minute to a minute and 15 seconds and reflect your "Signature Style" (which is your most natural performance) while also showing your range for agent representation or work.
Why Do I Need A Demo
A demo is the first means by which an Agent, Casting director or a Producer can get a quick, bite-sized understanding of who you are, what your voice sounds like, and what your perspective is on the world. Some call this your “voiceprint” or your Signature sound that is unique and what makes You, well, YOU.
If you manage to get an Agent to sign you without having a demo, you are still doing yourself and your Agent a disservice because not only is your demo what nearly everyone must use to shop for an Agent, it is what the Agent uses to prove to a Casting person that you merit an audition slot.
How The Process Works
Most every Coach and Demo producer I have come across will pick your scripts and give you 2 hours of their time to record your demo. I produce demos differently: It is an interactive process with me guiding the way. Before we record, I make sure that all of your equipment and the recording environment is good enough so that your recordings could “Go to air”. This is important for post-demo auditioning and working in the VO field.
When everything is set, we do 1 hour sessions to record (sometimes half hour by the time we are almost done), and you will record on your end. I will give specific instructions on exactly what to do. It sounds daunting, but literally every single student has thanked me and said that the process is invaluable.
When we record your demo it is not part of the demo fee. It is considered a session at my regular rate. That is done purposefully as it is both a learning experience combined with being directed as if you were in a paid session. The demo itself is a separate fee ($1300). Usually recording takes approximately 2-4 hours depending on the individual. When you do the math, it is in the exact ballpark of other coaches that produce demos.
Demo Production
This will be the creation of a full professional recording resulting in a professional demo. Demo Production is an interactive process whereby I will work with you to create a professional quality recording of samples of your own voice over styles and interests. It includes:
4 Hours of direction and coaching with Alyson.
Professional engineering with licensed music, sound FX and mastering.
Results will be a professional quality demo that meets industry standards
About your Engineer:
Bryan Showalter and I have worked together for 20+ years. He is a Full Time Engineer in Los Angeles currently at Storyopolis and has worked in Some of the largest studios in LA. For more on Bryan and his outstanding work: Allthingsvo.com
Want the opportunity to watch or listen to Alyson during a real world directed session?*
You can! In a scheduled Zoom session, you can witness her process in recording jobs or auditions in real time.
* For current students only.
Demo
FAQs
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After you coach with me, at whatever speed it takes you to get to the point where I say – you're ready! The average person needs about 3-4 months of 1 hour privates before they are ready to make a demo. Some people will be demo ready within a few weeks and are on the Fast Track. Other people take longer. I deal with each person individually. (For example, if you have an accent that we reduce). You can bake a cake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes and it will come out perfectly, or try and rush the process by baking it at 500 degrees for 15 minutes. Then the cake doesn't come out very well. Voice Over is an artistic process and you can't rush the process. Some people are ready immediately upon meeting me, but that is most often NOT the case. You will be spending a lot of money for the demo and I have my name associated with it. Most likely you will be sending it to agents and producers that I have worked with, so it behooves me and you to make the demo when you are ready.
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A demo producer only produces demos. There is no coaching involved. They direct your reads into the best possible read for the demo. Demo producers usually take a few hours to get to know you, pick your scripts and then record you for usually 2 solid hours at one time and then mix the demo. This usually costs anywhere from $2,000-$5000. A coach that produces demos will coach you until they know you are ready to make a demo, pick your scripts for you and direct you in a 2 hour session.
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A fantastic commercial demo is actually all you need to sell yourself to the commercial buyers and even to animation, e-learning, narration... buyers. Yes, there is an eventual need for those other Demos, but commercial is always the first and foremost as the standard in the industry.
Recently a student who recorded his commercial demo with me 3 years ago created a stellar animation demo. Several agents that heard it were interested in signing him, but they ALL asked him: ”Do you have a commercial demo we can also hear?” Thankfully he did and got signed.
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As a sales tool, this demo is analogous to your on camera head shot. You would not send out a selfie taken in your bathroom.
You (or the friend that offers to make you a homemade demo) does not know what makes a great commercial voice over demo.
The production of your demo is your number 1 marketing tool, therefore you should hire a professional to coach you and produce it with you.
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A fantastic commercial demo is actually all you need to sell yourself to the commercial buyers and even to animation, e-learning, narration... buyers. Yes, there is an eventual need for those other Demos, but commercial is always the first and foremost as the standard in the industry.
Recently a student who recorded his commercial demo with me 3 years ago created a stellar animation demo. Several agents that heard it were interested in signing him, but they ALL asked him: ”Do you have a commercial demo we can also hear?” Thankfully he did and got signed.
