Acting : Voice over reel production by Jerrell Pippens

Jerrell Pippens

Voice over reel production

Hello all my name is Jerrell Pippens and I was looking into putting together a respectable voice over reel for commercials. Most places I checked are charging anywhere from $1000 to almost $2000 bucks. I wanted to find someone who knows how to put together a respectable vo reel but for much much cheaper. I have a vo talent that would come in with me and help coach me through it being as though I already have a script that matches my skill set, of what wanted to record. Please let me know if you guys know someone. Thanks in advance

Jess EB Stinson

If you find someone let me know, I need the same help!

Jim Sanders

Edge Studio fully produced Demo reels come in at just under $800. This is your calling card, don't assume cheaper is better, you are investing in your number 1 product, you. In my Honest Opinion.

Jess EB Stinson

Awesome, thank you!

Sandrene Mathews

Joe Loesch in Nashville produces high quality demos. I'm not sure how much they are, but I know they're a lot less than most places. I've been to his studio several times for classes and it's great, and he's also a working VO talent, who self produces, so he knows how to make demos sound the way you need them to. www.joeloesch.com

Jess EB Stinson

Thank you I am in Philadelphia so trying to find someone closer but great referrals!

Sandrene Mathews

You're welcome! He knows VO talent all over so he may know of someone in Philly.

JD Cannon

Jess l, I can help you. I'm in NJ, 20 mins from Philly. I self produce and have access to music and effects. My V/o website is www.JDsVoiceWorks.com and you can contact me from the site. I'll create a demo for you at a reasonable rate.

Jess EB Stinson

Hey JD thanks I will check it out let's look in December? The next few weeks are hectic xo

Jess EB Stinson

The crazy thing is that a guy at a restaurant last night got up before he left came over to me and said, "you have the most unusual voice I have ever heard".. I get familiar... can tell it's you by your voice... I think this could really help some brands?

Sandrene Mathews

Jess, are you actively doing VO work now? It's generally not recommended to record your demo until you're ready, since you will spend a lot of money on something that's not strong and can prevent you from getting VO work. Also, what type of demo do you want to do? A unique voice may get you noticed but unless a brand is looking for a spokesperson, it could hurt your chances, at least in the commercial world, and possibly audio books, unless you have a variety of character voices. But there are many other areas, such as radio and animation/video games. But each area requires its own demo. I haven't recorded my demo yet just because I don't feel completely strong in what I want to do, which is character voices. I'm part of a voice over group in Nashville and have taken a few classes with Joe. Over half of the people in our group are VO professionals and this is the advice they've given to everyone. I'm not sure where you are in your career, so you may already know this, but I wanted to share in case you didn't, so you didn't spend a lot of money on something you won't see a return on.

Jess EB Stinson

Sandrene, you are an angel, thank you. I am not sure, I used to be very in to the scene, I have my own VO equipment, but with my full time recruiting job and my family I slowly phased out. I feel that the demo I have is okay, I don't have a lot of breadth, I am also looking for more classes to brush up the muscle! thank you again for your guidance!

Sandrene Mathews

You're welcome! I would recommend talking with a coach or another professional. They can give you an idea of whether or not they think you're ready. In the meantime, there are pay to play sites like voices.com and voices123.com where you don't necessarily need a demo. Most of the jobs there, at least on voices.com, ask for a custom audition. Even if you don't get a lot of work through them, doing lots of auditions helps develop your craft.

Jess EB Stinson

funny I was on voice123 did all the jobs submitted was never "chosen" but someone heard my voice a few times on commercials lol

Brian Gerson

Hey Jerrell, I might be able to help you out. I can record your V.O. Direct message me for further details. I'm in the L.A. area.

Tom Dheere

Hey Jerrell! I'm a full-time voice talent and I coach for Edge Studio as well. I don't do demo coaching (I teach the Business and Money 201 class and do private VO business coaching) but there are some great coaches at Edge, and I'm not saying that just because I work there. To echo some of the sentiments posted here; if you are going to invest in a commercial demo, do it right the first time as you will rarely get a second chance to make a first impression and you don't want to throw good money after bad. Also, be wary of someone who offers to produce your demo without a coaching background. They may be well-intended (or not) but you need someone to help you find your voice, detect and minimize bad vocal habits, and ensure you're telling a story, not just sounding "good" (whatever that means). Feel free to PM me or just post on this thread if you have specific questions. I can also send you a "form letter" that I send to aspiring voice talents that can give you a lot of info about what you need to know about starting your voiceover business. I hope that helps. Break a leg!

Sandrene Mathews

Jess, that's terrible! If you have a copy of your recording you can provide a cease and desist to the company who is using your voice. I always worry that something like that will happen, but I suspect it's written somewhere in the ToS that that's not allowed. Tom, would you mind sending me that letter? I still consider myself a novice and you can never get too many tips and advice (unless it's bad advice, but I know enough to weed that out, ha!)

Tom Dheere

I'd be happy to, Sandrene. I sent you a connection request so accept that then I'll send you the letter.

Ronald M Allen

Check out Ron Bowen on linkedin. Ron Bowen PRESIDENT of ZEBRON MEDIA, CEO of RBL GLOBAL MEDIA PRODUCTIONS. Read his recommendations. I am currently working with him.

Monica Ballard

Jess, just so you know, anytime I've ever used Voices 123 for auditions, I've always changed the name of the company in the script. That way the talent KNOWS I'm not going to cut and run with their audio. Good luck!

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