Defining the "voices in my head" - Preparing for and Writing a Demo Reel

[MysticVoice]

I have over 10 years of stage acting experience, and more recently thanks to an AiVA workshop I know I have some talent at voice acting and dubbing too. I have been practicing on and off with voice acting for a few years now but the thing that has eluded me for so long is how to write my demo reel. I suspect part of this is I need to practice more and define the "voices in my head" a little more clearly. I can tailor a voice to a range of characters if given an image or prompt, but the act of categorizing 5 or 10 or howevermany specific voices is something I just can't seem to get a handle on. Does anybody have any advice of exercises I can do in practice to help refine my abilities and work toward a demo reel? Anything I should keep in mind? Also, once I do diversify my personal "vocal library" a little bit, any tips for writing my reel?

[TwoDoorCafeClub]

Without reducing the production of demo reels to just 'ticking boxes', your reel should show the fullest expanse of your vocal capabilities. So in your reel, you want to write/find lines that will allow you to show off your pitch range, tone, accent and emotion. If possible, each 'character' voice you think of should incorporate more than one of the criteria I mentioned.

As for categorizing your voices, you can label them for your own usage in your head. But what you think may be a 'medium middle aged woman' may actually be interpreted by someone else as something else entirely. There's nothing wrong with that, just that everyone has slightly different categorisation methods. What's important is that you know how to differentiate your voices, regardless of what you name them.

Take a look at the demo reel section in this forum for ideas and inspiration.

[RobotButterfly]

I am by no means an expert, but this is what I did.

If you aren't sure what voices you have, write down as many voices as you can think of. Sit down in front of a microphone and ad lib some of those archetypes. Write down the ones you do best and narrow it down from there.

As for writing your demo reel... I used things that people had already written for me (with permission of course) for about half of it. Based on guides I've read, you -can- get a friend to write your demo for you if you hand them some characters... but if you want to write it yourself, it's advised to stay away from cliches ("I say, good sir, may I have a spot of tea?") and lines with no acting ("Hi, I'm Sora"). So I guess... and interesting/funny line is a good line. :)