DEMOS: “Joe Loesch produces a great Commercial Demo! I have had the pleasure of listening to several demos produced by Joe and I have been more impressed each time by the overall production value and clarity in the voices. It’s obvious that his direction helps voice talent reach their full acting potential, which ultimately brings work.” Voice Actor Rodney Saulsberry - You Can Bank on Your Voice
Important First Demo Tips: Have your demo produced by a spoken word producer, not a music producer. A producer who specializes in spoken word is your best bet for a demo that will actually get you work in this industry. I'll be glad to direct you. If you can take direction, you're half way there!
Together, we'll determine that you are indeed ready to do a demo. I will be honest with you. You've taken classes and/or workshops to get you to this point. Your first demo is your first impression. It must be your very best performance. I do not want to place a demo in the marketplace that would reflect negatively either of us. Be leery of those offering to record your demo who are unaware of your abilities.
Your First Demo: I recommend a commercial demo for your first demo, as this is where you'll find most of your work just starting out. I will create your (approximately) 60 second to 80 second commercial voice-over demo in my ProTools Digital studio. Bring your own scripts. You’ll need five to six, 8 to 15 second bits of various commercials. A good place to find copy is in magazine advertisements. Make certain there is a good mix of spots, from serious to fun and vibrant subject matter. You want to take your listener on a veritable roller-coaster ride. Do not select two of the same subject matter. Don’t just tear your scripts from a magazine, hand write or type them to another piece of paper so they are all on a single sheet of paper. Make sure you have a copy for yourself and one for me. Make certain each commercial bit is not over 15 seconds in length. This will avoid editing in the studio. If you need more training before your demo session, click on ‘VO Classes' 'Workshops' or ‘One On One.’
Demo Number Two, Half Price! If you record another demo in the same session, I'll cut my fee for your second demo in half. Half the rate of the first demo. For example, after recording your tracks for the commercial demo, record an audiobook demo, a narration demo or an on-hold messaging demo at half the cost of your first demo. Have two demos ready to go and save!
Demos From The Work You've Done: Once you begin to get work in this field, bring those commercial clips to me and I'll piece them together into another demo for you at a considerably lower rate than if we were starting from scratch. It's simple, you've done the work, I'll put your work together in a way that will mean more bookings for you!
Together, we'll determine that you are indeed ready to do a demo. I will be honest with you. You've taken classes and/or workshops to get you to this point. Your first demo is your first impression. It must be your very best performance. I do not want to place a demo in the marketplace that would reflect negatively either of us. Be leery of those offering to record your demo who are unaware of your abilities.
Your First Demo: I recommend a commercial demo for your first demo, as this is where you'll find most of your work just starting out. I will create your (approximately) 60 second to 80 second commercial voice-over demo in my ProTools Digital studio. Bring your own scripts. You’ll need five to six, 8 to 15 second bits of various commercials. A good place to find copy is in magazine advertisements. Make certain there is a good mix of spots, from serious to fun and vibrant subject matter. You want to take your listener on a veritable roller-coaster ride. Do not select two of the same subject matter. Don’t just tear your scripts from a magazine, hand write or type them to another piece of paper so they are all on a single sheet of paper. Make sure you have a copy for yourself and one for me. Make certain each commercial bit is not over 15 seconds in length. This will avoid editing in the studio. If you need more training before your demo session, click on ‘VO Classes' 'Workshops' or ‘One On One.’
Demo Number Two, Half Price! If you record another demo in the same session, I'll cut my fee for your second demo in half. Half the rate of the first demo. For example, after recording your tracks for the commercial demo, record an audiobook demo, a narration demo or an on-hold messaging demo at half the cost of your first demo. Have two demos ready to go and save!
Demos From The Work You've Done: Once you begin to get work in this field, bring those commercial clips to me and I'll piece them together into another demo for you at a considerably lower rate than if we were starting from scratch. It's simple, you've done the work, I'll put your work together in a way that will mean more bookings for you!
Can I use copyrighted material for my demo?
Yes, you can re-record copyrighted material for your demo as long as you don't plan to sell it. If you use your demo as a marketing tool to obtain work, then this is perfectly acceptable. Voice actors will eventually accumulate recordings they've been paid to record and can add these excerpts to their demos. When just starting out in the business, you'll create a demo by recording copyrighted material. Research indicates that copyrighted material can be used without the author’s permission. The "Fair Use Act" law, indicates that copyrighted material can be used, without permission, as long as it is not being directly used to make a profit. Again, I have found that the best place to find the short clips you'll need would be in magazine advertisements.
Once You Begin To Get Voice Over Work, I'll Turn It Into A Demo!
Yes, you can re-record copyrighted material for your demo as long as you don't plan to sell it. If you use your demo as a marketing tool to obtain work, then this is perfectly acceptable. Voice actors will eventually accumulate recordings they've been paid to record and can add these excerpts to their demos. When just starting out in the business, you'll create a demo by recording copyrighted material. Research indicates that copyrighted material can be used without the author’s permission. The "Fair Use Act" law, indicates that copyrighted material can be used, without permission, as long as it is not being directly used to make a profit. Again, I have found that the best place to find the short clips you'll need would be in magazine advertisements.
Once You Begin To Get Voice Over Work, I'll Turn It Into A Demo!
My Demo Fee: NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, it could cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. My fee for your demo is $295. which includes recording, direction, editing, music and/or sound effects, mixing and mastering. This session should take about 15 to 30 minutes in the studio, but I allow up to an hour. You have been taking classes to get you to this point, here's where you'll know that you are indeed ready. After you’ve left the studio, I’ll need a few days to do my magic. Every Spot will sound as though it were a broadcast commercial. Then I’ll create your master and prepare an mp3 of your demo for web distribution. Discounts: A $50 discount will be extended to students who take at least a three week class or all day workshop from me.
Different types of demos: Many types of demos are, Commercial, Character Voices, Narration, AudioBook, Healthcare, Sales Training, On-Hold Messaging and the list goes on. Never mix (for example) your commercial demo with your character voice demo, etc. Prospective buyers do not want to have to listen to character voices when they’re listening for what you can do with their commercial and visa versa. This applies to every type of demo.
Artwork & Copies: I’ll be glad to design your CD cover (see examples above and below.) There is a one time $60. art design and/or layout fee. Unless your design becomes complicated or takes more time due to excessive changes your fee could increase. My duplication process allows me to burn and print directly to your CD for a professional appearance. Never hand out a demo that looks less than professional. Your first impression sticks.
Copies are $3.50 each, which includes, printing to CD, burning, case and color insert. I recommend you start with no more than 20 copies.
Different types of demos: Many types of demos are, Commercial, Character Voices, Narration, AudioBook, Healthcare, Sales Training, On-Hold Messaging and the list goes on. Never mix (for example) your commercial demo with your character voice demo, etc. Prospective buyers do not want to have to listen to character voices when they’re listening for what you can do with their commercial and visa versa. This applies to every type of demo.
Artwork & Copies: I’ll be glad to design your CD cover (see examples above and below.) There is a one time $60. art design and/or layout fee. Unless your design becomes complicated or takes more time due to excessive changes your fee could increase. My duplication process allows me to burn and print directly to your CD for a professional appearance. Never hand out a demo that looks less than professional. Your first impression sticks.
Copies are $3.50 each, which includes, printing to CD, burning, case and color insert. I recommend you start with no more than 20 copies.
Creative License, Inc.©2012 all rights reserved. - joe@joeloesch.com
