Character Voice Acting Demo Reels: Avoid These Mistakes

[@Dawjinc]

"You're limited only by your imagination." I will take this as my motto. Thanks for this very helpful video. I feel like I'm late to the VO party but I'm just getting started.

[@GaryTerzza]

It’s never too late to dive into the VO world - good luck with your exciting new passion!

[@kentlofgren]

Tossing in a section with one's unaltered voice, that both unorthodox and clever. Thanks for sharing!

[@GaryTerzza]

Glad the video was helpful Kent.

[@LauraLovesNY]

Ha! I just did this for my animation VO demo! My "real" voice is in there. :)

[@CaraHillVoiceoverArtist]

Never thought to just use my own voice as one option in a character reel. Great idea!😃

[@GaryTerzza]

It’s the best asset you have!

[@JulenMartenVA]

Sound advice from someone with a clear passion for the craft. I'll be recording my first demo in a few hours and was looking for some last minute advice. Stumbled upon this video. Your last note put a smile on my face. I'll take it to heart!

[@GaryTerzza]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Good luck in finding your voice.

[@valeriazunzunvoices]

I love and agree with all these advices! (And as a casting director, I profoundly dislike fake accents - people who know me know that :)...). Be yourself with no limit to your imagination, yes xo! Subscribed :)

[@GaryTerzza]

Well said - authenticity is essential in voice overs.

[@andrewforbes5923]

I clicked on this video not expecting to get much out of it. I was wrong. I have already decided to change up my reel based on these pieces of advice.

[@GaryTerzza]

That’s great - good luck with your new voicereel.

[@ChimeraLotietheBunny]

this is so good!!!...As an aspiring VA since childhood..Glad to keep this in mind also..I have a avery STORNG imagination and I'm glad o atleast have a bit of guidance or knowledge on this

[@GaryTerzza]

There’s no substitute for a good imagination… it will be one of your best assets.

[@brianstewart605]

Gary, I would say that I have learned from your videos, without a doubt- so, thank you. But, sometimes, I feel, youTubers, like yourself, who give out masses of advice to people - often very good advice, are existing in a different bubble. They started sometime ago - the market has changed - the world has changed - mainly through Covid. Quite often, people don't give you a script - they just say' Looking for voice actors'...so, it really is a shot in the dark. And, although I would agree with you that you need to stand out - there are many occasions where people just say ' Yeah - just do it like this - you know, a typical witch ' can you give me a cackle'. You can't win.

[@GaryTerzza]

Good points Brian - you are quite right, a witch may require a typical cackle, but (and I generalise) these tend to be low budget or even freebie jobs. The key is to keep an open mind, be nimble and always be prepared to give the client what they want.

[@NiRo_90125]

I'm not even a voice actor, but what I often tell others regarding accents is to listen to native speakers of said language speaking English. Listen to interviews of artist or actors who don't speak English as their first language. For example, I learned to do a less stereotypical and more subtle French accent by listening to interviews of Jean-Michel Jarre.

[@GaryTerzza]

Great advice… and I love the music of Jean-Michel Jarre; Fishing Junks At Sunset is sublime.

[@Spoot401]

On spontaneous, spurr-of-the-moment prompts, it's important to avoid going with the first thing that jumps to mind. That's what lands most people in thinking/sounding the same. Creativity is stepping back and going, "Hold on a minute, I can play with this." Then, from there, you can improvise and go where it takes you.

[@GaryTerzza]

Wise words indeed 🙏

[@Jesoysauce]

Thanks for making this, hopefully I can put this info towards my next voice reel!

[@GaryTerzza]

Good luck producing your new reel👍

[@LauraLovesNY]

Thank you, Gary. Super helpful stuff! I love when I'm working on a character - doing all the acting work of backstory, motivation, who-what-where-why - and a voice just bubbles up out of me! So much fun!

[@GaryTerzza]

It sounds like you are dedicated to your craft Laura and I wish you every success.

[@LauraLovesNY]

@@GaryTerzza thank you so much! Thanks for sharing your sage advice.

[@GaryTerzza]

@@LauraLovesNY My pleasure!

[@mrjoes]

Very helpful thanks a lot!

[@GaryTerzza]

You are welcome Mr Joes.

[@marysaraha1580]

Thanks!

[@GaryTerzza]

Many thanks 🙏 It is much appreciated!

[@AmadoWildlifeVideos]

Thank you! I'm a newbie with an Attenborough accent but he's got the market covered. Nice match of mic puff with practical in background. Merry Christmas!

[@GaryTerzza]

You will be amazed at the number of voice over clients looking for David Attenborough soundalikes!

[@AmadoWildlifeVideos]

@@GaryTerzza Have messaged you on your site.

[@GaryTerzza]

Thanks Alan - I have replied.

[@colinwattsvoiceovers246]

Great advice as always, Gary! I used my own voice for a central character of an audiobook recently, and the author said 'who did you base the voice on? it sounds good!'........

[@GaryTerzza]

Ah that just goes to show our own voices are more ‘lived in’ and genuine than ones we create. Interesting story Colin, thank you for sharing.

[@mysteryman1234567a]

This is an amazing video! Thank you so much for the tips

[@GaryTerzza]

My pleasure 😇

[@laurencet2841]

Helpful advice for the start of a new year!

[@GaryTerzza]

Thank you Laurence. Good luck with your voice overs in 2021.

[@ryusoulger9127]

This just makes me feel more comfortable with the voice I have and what I try to do. I do want to practice being a VA but my voices have always just...made me afraid to see if I fit anybody but I do think I have the imagination to do it.

[@GaryTerzza]

You make a very good point about using your imagination - it is invaluable in voice acting.

[@ryusoulger9127]

@@GaryTerzza My imagination runs wild even at my current age, had it since I was a kid. I'm just more confident in hearing to just be myself rather than to try and force myself to voice in a way that I don't need to. This whole video gave me much more insight and I feel like I learned a lot.

[@averynb1218]

Thanks a lot for the tips! I have been acting for years, but just putting together my VO reel now. Do you use an intro for the character reel?

[@GaryTerzza]

You are welcome. I would avoid an intro - this is called ‘slating’ in the biz and my recommendation is you dive straight in rather than saying who you are and what you’re doing… the listener can find that out for themselves if they like what they hear.

[@Hellfreezer]

Thank you for your advice.

[@GaryTerzza]

My pleasure.

[@BromoProductions]

very very helpful. Thank you

[@GaryTerzza]

I am pleased you found the video useful and thanks 🙏 for the comment.

[@CmdrTyrael]

I spent a long time trying to someone else. Once I started to be myself. I found MY niche

[@GaryTerzza]

I am pleased you found both your niche and your voice.

[@CmdrTyrael]

@@GaryTerzza your videos helped me greatly in that. So thank you!

[@greenjuicegirly]

Love these videos

[@GaryTerzza]

I hope they prove useful in helping you get voice over work.

[@Gacha-gr9jo]

Thank you! I wanted start my voice reels soon at another channel so I need tips. This helped a lot, Thank you so much! Great video😊😊

[@GaryTerzza]

Glad I could help - and here is some advice on planning your showreel kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWbanatrip6Nfqc

[@nickygello9105]

thank you sir

[@GaryTerzza]

I am glad to be of service. Thank you for taking time to write your comment, I really do appreciate it 🙏

[@-joltrast]

Great tips again, Gary!

[@GaryTerzza]

Thank you 🙏

[@FindingTom]

Hey Gary!! Love this video and your channel. Would love to interview you for a project of mine. Is it okay if I send you an email?

[@GaryTerzza]

Hey Tom - yes of course, please do. Thanks for the comment,

[@internetuser3578]

Thank you. :)

[@GaryTerzza]

You are welcome James 🙏

[@gabrielmichael3701]

Hello! I am just now finding your channel. My sister and I have recently got into voiceover, I was wondering if you offered classes.

[@GaryTerzza]

Yes, I offer voice over classes online, or in person in the studio. Please fill in the form to find out more vomasterclass.wufoo.com/forms/z10fpjuc0nro8a7/

[@sickjash]

Great video Gary! Can you do a video with the equipment you use. Does that mic have.a built in pop filter?

[@GaryTerzza]

Thank you Ash. The mic I am using is a TBone XLR condenser and if I was doing a voice over recording - as opposed to video - then it would need a pop shield.

[@kingbabynate1231]

👍🏽👍🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@GaryTerzza]

Thanks for the thumbs up 👍

[@devdeepa7]

Very informative video with great tips. I’m currently taking acting classes to pursue voice acting one day. I want to create my own voice demo but afraid of copying other people’s work. Any tips on how to come up with lines?

[@GaryTerzza]

Thank you. When you are creating a VoiceOver showreel, it is your unique voice and performance that matter the most. The words, to a large extent, - are insignificant - if you think about it, when you come to do an audition everyone will be using the same script anyway! If you would like more information about my one-to-one VoiceOver coaching, please fill in the form vomasterclass.wufoo.com/forms/z10fpjuc0nro8a7/

[@LUGENBÜHLSTÜDIOS]

Thanks!!!

[@GaryTerzza]

Glad to be of service.

[@painkillerjones6232]

Yea, you're about my age... Are we actually still using the term "Reel" as the tangible product's end result, in this "digital" world??? (I actually have a couple of old reels, but no reel-to-reel machine, but the tape's probably too old and brittle to chance it to begin with).

[@GaryTerzza]

A voicereel, showreel or just reel (the terms are used interchangeably) has its roots in the physical spools of tape from our day, but you are right it is all digital formats nowadays eg Wav or MP3. I explain the difference between the two in this video here kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWSviaJ7abNobtk

[@oliverfischer6967]

This is a helpful video. Thank you Gary. I've subbed. I'm looking to break into the voice over industry. If you have time after the hundreds of other requests you receive, I'd love some feedback on my demo reels. Stay well.

[@GaryTerzza]

Thank you for subscribing Oliver. I am happy to listen to your reels. Please fill in the form so I can get your contact details vomasterclass.wufoo.com/forms/z10fpjuc0nro8a7/

[@ImS1eezyYT]

What is a voice reel

[@GaryTerzza]

‘Voicereel’ is an alternative (and more accurate) name for a voice over showreel - a collection of short voice samples. In this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWbanatrip6Nfqc we discuss how to plan a reel.

[@kumudmishra84]

Mujhe bhi voice over ke baare me janan hai

[@GaryTerzza]

Apologies, I do not speak this language. I am happy to answer questions in English about voice overs - just enter your query in the comments section and I will do my best to provide advice.