What do I include in a production portfolio?

[nisrent]

Hey all,

I'm working a production job at my first station. It's an independent family owned FM/AM and it's not part of a cluster. I got the job through an internship. I love working there, but eventually I want to move to a station/market that might pay a little better and would offer more opportunities. (I know that the money isn't great at most places, but I'd like to be able to pay my rent.) Can any of you old pros tell me what I should include in a tape of my production samples? I do VO and I have done alot of copy writing, promos and station imaging. I just don't know how much stuff to include, what stuff I should include. Do I send the copy I've written with the spots or just let my production stand alone. Any advice you guys can give would be great.


Thanks

B

 

[VODood]

Your VO and station imaging, unless it's your VO on the imaging, should be on different tracks of the cd, if not separate cd's altogether.

Imaging demos keep the demos to 3min or less. Best stuff up front. No need to include full promos.

Personally I think that different genres of imaging should be tracked separately. Otherwise one has to wait to get to certain genres on the track. PD's don't like to wait.

Spot demos, 90sec max, no wild sfx. Just have the audio segue one to another. Alternate the reads, up to down. 10sec max of each read. If you can do characters - really well - then include one or two. If you can't do them well do not include.

Writing samples in word doc form. Careful of what you submit. Someone always wants to "borrow" someone else's work. No need to include more than 3 samples of spot work and/or 3 samples of promo/liner writing.

Be sure to label ALL materials properly, printed label. No handwritten cd's.

I would not email demos. Snail mail is a better way to get your demos to a decision maker. Too many people, myself included, too easily delete emailed demos.

A colorful, professional package will get attention.

An old trick... send it (properly sealed) taped to the inside of a pizza box (with pizza). You feed the decision maker, and he/she will most likely give your submission more attention than normal. Whether you actually get the gig will still be dependant on your skills.

 

[Coronaextra]

I always send my packages as priority mail. It doesn't cost that much more and you're guaranteed that whoever it goes to will open it up to see what's inside.

Make sure everything is professional looking. I second the no handwritten labels. A turn off.

Demos with your strongest stuff first, and don't overproduce. They want to know what YOU sound like.

Include writing samples and even a good photo if you have one.