subject: Why Is It Important To Plan Your Demo First? [print this page] Would an aspiring singer perform in a recital before taking any lessons?
Would an entrepreneur go to a banker asking for money without a business plan?
Would an agent want to receive a demo CD from a voice actor who doesn't have any training?
There are steps every voice actor needs to take when starting out in order to get where you want to go in the world of voice acting.
What is the likelihood that a parent would hand the the car keys over to their teenage child before instructing them on how to drive?
If you've ever been in a car with someone who doesn't know the first thing about gearshifts, how to steer, indicate, or parallel park, you know just how difficult it is to achieve the desired objective when the person at the wheel has little to no experience driving a car.
The same could be said for cutting an audition or voice over demo without any training or direction.
In fact, any respectable audio producer will refuse to produce a voice over demo for someone who has not undergone any professional training.
Obtaining solid training, acquiring knowledge and skill are the primary objectives. Applying what you've learned is the next step but this shouldn't be rushed.
In essence, investing resources into making a demo prematurely would be a waste of time, money and also it is important to note that the performance would be shy of where it could be without the application of specific techniques and a polished performance.
Making a good first impression is key, as it is difficult for agents and casting directors to go beyond that first impression.
The initial results may be somewhat disappointing, so it would be within your best interest to hold off on making a demo that you promote to agents until your skill level is truly marketable. A voice over instructor is the ideal person to help you determine when you are ready to take that step.
7 Steps to Take Before Making a Voice Over Demo
1. Invest in regular vocal training with a professional voice over coach
2. Practice
3. Have confidence
4. Set achievable goals
5. Have realistic expectations of yourself
6. Listen to the demos of established voice actors
7. Take advantage of every free resource you can find
There are many elements of interpretation and performance that when combined create the presence you are aiming to achieve in order to make a killer demo. Practicing the steps above will help you venture out into the world of voice over.
