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New VA tips! Let's talk demo reels!
When you're starting out in character VO, the first voice on your demo should be your natural speaking voice, performing as a confident character. This allows casting directors to get to know your voice right away, and hear it in a good light.
When you're starting out in character VO, the first voice on your demo should be your natural speaking voice, performing as a confident character. This allows casting directors to get to know your voice right away, and hear it in a good light.
That being said, once you're a bit further in your career and know your "types" really well, you can replace that spot with a spot of you doing the voice that you book the most. That way, you're showing casting directors your most "marketable" sound instead, which is also good!
You can still have goofy/silly over-the-top character voices on your reel, but they're not good openers. When someone opens with a nasally nerd voice or scratchy gremlin, it just leaves me confused about what they actually sound like for most normal casting purposes.
Also, shelve the 'overly shy/stuttering' character, or write a spot for them where they're embarrassed/flustered and therefore talking quickly. The shy, drawn-out, stuttering performance you give may be good, but it slows the whole reel down. And you only have 60 seconds!
I believe in you guys! Get a good reel made and make that paper!
Oh, important postscript: If you're non-American or POC and you have an accent or affect that you believe makes you less bookable, my ass is not the one that can tell you one way or the other. Personally, as a CD, I want to hear you natural, but I get it if you feel differently!
I super recommend talking to professionals who faced the same booking landscape as you (or following them on social media and seeing if they're already talking about it) and follow their advice for your specific situation. The industry needs you and I hope you find your path!
All that said, putting aside accents/affects, natural pitch/tone as the first thing on your spot? Hell yeah, for everyone. Your natural voice IS one of your "voices", use it!
