Thread by @morglea, So, obviously, I'm listening to a lot of demo reels as of [...]

So, obviously, I& #39;m listening to a lot of demo reels as of late. And I, uh... have a lot of general notes. I& #39;m going to go ahead and get this thread started with some.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 1" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 1"> Each clip should be roughly the same length of time. Don& #39;t ramble. The only reason a clip should ever be longer than others is if there is a wide range being showcased, be that emotional or vocal. Even then, don& #39;t overstay your welcome.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="2⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 2" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 2"> Demos need energy and rhythm. You don& #39;t want directors to listen to them and skip voices because the same notes are being hit. No one wants to listen to a sad line in a high voice and then a sad line in a low voice.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="3⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 3" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 3"> If audio production isn& #39;t your strongest suit, have someone else mix your demo or ditch backing tracks altogether. If you think your demo is lackluster without music, that& #39;s an issue with performance and scripting, not audio.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="3⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 3" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 3"> (cont.) Music needs to be supplemental. It should sound like YOU are the one guiding it rather than it propelling you forward. Remember, as a voice actor, the product you need to be selling is YOU.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="4⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 4" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 4"> Your first line and voice needs to be your strongest performance. This should go without saying, but honestly, the first step is always the hardest, so I get why this is a common problem.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="5⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 5" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 5"> Avoid "over-acting" that first ten seconds.

Characters that should almost never start a demo: shy, timid types that stutter, excessively angry types that scream unholy rage into your ears, and dramatic characters that are sobbing their lines.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="5⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 5" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 5"> (cont.) These are just poor choices for the start of a reel for two reasons. They are hard to listen to without momentum leading into them, and honestly, they just give a bad look overall, IMO.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="5⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 5" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 5"> (cont.) Keep in mind this little bit IS sort of personal, but real talk, if your demo starts off with a line that just screams at me "Look at how good of an ACK-TOR I am," I have to fight the urge to skip the demo.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="6⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 6" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 6"> Please. Please avoid self-referential humor in your demo reels at ALL costs. None of this "One man, one voice, one dream" or "Hire me, Funimation!" crap. This is probably more embarrassing and "cringe" than the "Look at me, look at me! I can act!" takes.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="7⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 7" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 7"> Don& #39;t over-produce your reel. Please. If I hear more audio production than I do your voice, I& #39;m not going to know what to do with you. Hold back on the filters and sound effects. Dial back heavy music. This is YOUR reel, your spotlight. Take it up.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="8⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 8" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 8"> Don& #39;t speak Japanese in your demo reel unless you& #39;re fluent. Even then, consider having different reels to showcase your multilingual abilities. Your character/video game/animation reel should include potential characters (or characters you have actually played.) Not weaboos.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="9⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 9" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 9"> /

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="4⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 4" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 4">.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="5⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 5" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 5"> Really, REALLY think about whether you want your demo reel to sound like you& #39;re bored and don& #39;t want to be there in your first line. Really think about how your first line is your first impression on the director.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="9⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 9" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 9"> (cont.) If they& #39;re listening to hundreds of demos, you want that first line to make sure they& #39;re awake and listening to you. If you come off as bored, unimpressed, uncomfortable, or tired, they& #39;re just going to skip you.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 1" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 1">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="0⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 0" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 0"> This one& #39;s specifically for the masc. voices out there. Don& #39;t shy away from having a youthful voice! Not all of your voices need to be hyper-masculine. There is still a need for young male roles, and there are a wealth of characteristics and types that you can show off.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 1" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 1">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 1" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 1"> And for the fem. voices. Don& #39;t shy away from a voice you think is "boring." Motherly voice types come in a range of expression (think: Pearl from Steven Universe to Angella in She-Ra) and you need to take advantage of that. (The competition is weak. Trust me.)