Albitz, Kikta, Roberts, Barrett, Stone Combine
to Demystify Demo Process at February Conservatory Presentation.
Click here for list of handouts.
PITTSBURGH, February 10, 2004 -- Last evening, AFTRA Pittsburgh held the first of a two-part series of Conservatory presentations to help members prepare for their free Talent Guide Website listing.
As previously announced, AFTRA is offering all Pittsburgh members in good standing a FREE one-year listing on the Talent Guide website, www.thetalentguide.com, including bio highlights, picture and audio demo. Last evening our experts tried to demystify the process of preparing an audio demo for general use and for the website.
The panel included Fred Albitz, of Albitz Studios, Tom Kikta, of Digital Dynamics Audio,Inc., Mark Roberts of Mark Roberts Associates, Ed Barrett, of Ed Barrett Studios, and Steve Stone, of Stone Creative Productions.
After a brief presentation on the benefits of a listing on the Talent Guide Website, the highlights of which are outlined below, the group covered topics ranging from the basics, such as, "What should I include in my demo?" to more complex issues, such as digital formats and mp3 conversion.
The question-and-answer session which followed provided more detail, and hopefully covered some of the finer details of the process. A Frequently Asked Questions list for the website is included below, followed a list of printable handouts from the meeting.
FAQs
Who should take advantage off this offer?
All members of the Pittsburgh local, broadcast and freelance should be represented. The larger our representation, the more seriously producers will take our membership, and the more useful a casting tool the Guide will be.
What do I have to do to get online?
We've tried to make it as simple as possible. There's an online application available at www.thetalentguide.com/enroll.htm.
What if I don't have a headshot?
AFTRA Recommends that all members have a current headshot. The AFTRA Pittsburgh Conservatory will present a special program on Monday, March 1, at the Steelworkers Building. Local photographers have been invited to attend.
How about audio demos?
The website requires all audio demos to be no longer than :60, and they must be in the mp3 format. If you don't have a demo, or yours isn't an mp3, you'll find a list of local recording studios at the bottom of this page. They'll be able to help you.
I know a member who doesn't have computer access. What should they do?
Have them call Suzanne at the AFTRA office (412) 281-6767. She'll send a paper application.
Here are some handouts you may have missed. Regan Harris' Do-It-Yourself Guides. Ed Barret's Studio Names and Questions.
Nancy Mimless' Photographer's & Reproduction Companies List
Fred Albitz, Tom Kikta (DDAI) and Mark Roberts
listen as Ed Barrett demystifies the demo process.
DIY Guide #1
DIY Guide #2
Studios that Produce Demos
Questions You Should Ask
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