Hey there, fellow voice actor! If you’re reading this, it’s safe to assume you’re looking to book more narration work. Awesome! The world of narration is vast and varied, encompassing everything from audiobooks to medical narrations and everything in between. So, here’s the thing. You might already have a compilation voice demo. That’s great! A compilation demo, where you showcase a variety of your voice acting skills – from commercial reads to character voices – is super important to have. But, when it comes to narration work specifically, a compilation demo just isn’t specific enough. Let’s dive into why a specific narration voice demo is required.
A compilation demo is like a highlight reel of your voice-acting chops. It’s a way to showcase your versatility and range. However, when it comes to narration, casting directors and clients are looking for something very specific. They want to know that you can handle the long-form and often specialized content that comes with narration work. For example, narrating an audiobook is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires the ability to maintain a consistent tone, pace, and character differentiation over hours and hours of content. Medical narration, on the other hand, demands a clear and precise voice, often with the ability to correctly pronounce complex medical terms. Simply put, a compilation demo doesn’t provide enough context or detail for clients to know if you’re the right fit for their narration project.
A designated narration voice demo is a specialized demo that showcases your narration skills across various sub-genres. It’s an opportunity to show potential clients that you have the skills to handle their specific projects. For example, an audiobook narration demo might include excerpts from different genres of books – from fiction to non-fiction, mystery to romance. A medical narration demo would include samples of medical content, showcasing your ability to clearly and accurately convey complex information. By having a designated narration voice demo, you’re showing potential clients that you understand the nuances of narration work and that you have the skills to handle their specific projects.
Okay, so you’re sold on the idea of creating a designated narration voice demo. Great! The first step is to identify the sub-genres of narration work that you want to target. This might include audiobooks, medical narration, corporate narration, e-learning, etc.
Next, you'll need to select material that is representative of the sub-genre you’re targeting. For example, if you’re creating an audiobook demo, select excerpts from different genres of books. If you’re creating a medical narration demo, select samples of medical content.
Then, record your demo in a professional studio or a quiet, well-treated home studio. Make sure the recording is high quality and free from background noise.
After recording, edit your demo to ensure it is clean and polished. This might include removing breaths, mouth clicks, and any other unwanted noises.
Before finalizing your demo, get feedback from a coach or a trusted colleague. They might be able to offer insights or suggestions that you hadn’t considered.
Once you have incorporated any feedback, finalize your demo and start sharing it with potential clients.
Having a designated narration voice demo is a crucial tool for any voice actor looking to book more narration work. A compilation demo, while important, simply isn’t specific enough to showcase your narration skills across various sub-genres. By creating a designated narration voice demo, you’re showing potential clients that you have the skills and expertise to handle their specific projects. Yes, it is time-consuming, and yes, it can be expensive, but the most important thing to have in mind is that it is worth it and it is an investment into your business. So, get started on creating your designated narration voice demo today. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you!
The Perfect Narration Voice Demo by Alan Shires
Voice Actor