Professional vs Amateur Voice Acting

[Fiona C]

Okay, yes I know there's a thread where this was being discussed before (Mr. Stephanovich's thread). However, I'd like, if Messrs TamTu and Oriculum and of course, Miss Nikki and Azu-San, would consent, to move the discussion about professional voice acting and amateur voice acting, into this thread, where we can discuss it without the whole "Stephanovich's claims are valid/invalid/stupid/LET'SLOCKTHETHREAD!" stuff going on. XD However, if they feel I am in the wrong, then I will of course stand corrected.

In the meantime: Good and bad sides to professional? Good and bad sides to amateur? Any guidelines you would go by in choosing whether or not to accept a job, or for that matter, on discussion of pay?

Discuss. <3

~Fif

[Azure]

Ok let's give this a shot properly this time. What are the guidelines the rest of you use? I tend to say if the production makes no money than I don't ask for anything, if it makes a little then until the costs of the production are met don't ask for anything. The only thing that's unfair is if the production makes money that doesn't go to charity.

Most of the AVA stuff should be done for love of it and love alone. Even those aiming to go pro and looking for voice credits should only even start out if the love VAing.

[Icypopcorn]

Professional- You get paid. You're in an ubercool studio. You get your name on a DVD :D And in a cartoon/anime/movie/ect. You get to try for new roles every time, so you don't go to a million auditions for the same character.

Amateur- It's not as much pressure. You get roles more often. It's probably more fun. You get to really know the other voice actors. You can do your own non-profit productions, regarldless of liscences and such. :3

[TamTu]

You're in an ubercool studio.


But...my home setup is ubercool too ;.;.....and I've seen some pro studios that look like shit.

And small closets work too. Check out Cedering Fox' setup.

http://voiceoverresourceguide.com/media/fox.html

[SeiyruRenaih]

Alrighty, finally I can stop spamming the other thread and get serious. XD

Professional- I think the definite big-one is the money. Some people can make a small living off of being a pro VA, and others do it as side work, but the fact is, you still get paid. Also, you get to have a bit of coaching from a director on how to do a certain line. This also helps in the fact that you can't 'halfway' do a line like you can with AVAing (unless the director just isn't that good. XD). The roles you get professionally are given to you because the director thought you could pull off a certain voice or character voice/personality, so the chances are a lot lower of you auditioning and getting a part just because you thought you could do a cool new voice. The studios would be interesting as well, because like a lot of AVAers, I have trouble finding the time to do lines because people are around or maybe I'm just too busy. Professionally, you're given an allotted time to go in a record, and you have no need to worry about screaming your head off around people, because they know what you're doing. Plus, most studio mics are tres bien.

Amateur- Being an AVAer before attempting to jump into the pro world is, to me, necessary. I remember back when I thought I was so cool because I could do a low voice, over a year ago. And now, I listen back to those clips and just laugh at myself. Unlike pro-dom, you don't have your own director, so you have to figure out how a character would say a line. Plus, you get to interact with people who share your hobby and dreams and be in productions with them. Sure, only a few people may watch it, but you'll always remember those one or two fandubs or radioplays that you're proud of. No money involved? Oh well! It's for fun, and for practice to become a pro, or just to become a better VA. I started out with a Logitech USB Headset mic from my SOCOM game, and now I've moved up to a mic that is near the level of a Shure SM58, and plus, I'm in a comfortable environment, and I don't have to drive miles and miles to go to a studio. I pick my time to record and I can sometimes miss the deadline, but I'll eventually get them in.

So, overall, I really can't decide. If I did go pro, I'd hate being in a union, because I'd still want to voice act with all of you guys.

[Autumn]

Yay!

I second everything Fatima said.

Except that I add that it sucks during professional that you have to live in a certain area, but in amateur you can do it from your home. Less intimidating.

[Batgirl]

So, overall, I really can't decide. If I did go pro, I'd hate being in a union, because I'd still want to voice act with all of you guys.

I think you'd still be able to do the free stuff with us if you were in the union, as long as no one is getting paid, its okay. But if its something thats going to make money and isn't using Union Rates, then they get all pissy at you.

>> at least, thats what I've gathered. I'm not part of the union yet though.

If they were evil about it though, there are...ways... around it >>

[Autumn]

I think you'd still be able to do the free stuff with us if you were in the union, as long as no one is getting paid, its okay. But if its something thats going to make money and isn't using Union Rates, then they get all pissy at you.

>> at least, thats what I've gathered. I'm not part of the union yet though.

If they were evil about it though, there are...ways... around it >>
But what about Lila? I remember her posting that she can't voice act here anymore because she joined a union. ;-;

[ClymAngus]

That would depend on which union and the extent of their punative action against their members. I always found punishing actors for acting to be something of a strange paradox.

It's the price you must pay for making this kind of work your main income.

In unions, the needs of the many vastly out weigh the presidents set by the few or the one. These "needs" are enforced with something of a draconian zeal that asures the orgainisers of that union jobs for decades to come. Fear of retrebution is something of an old chestnut, but it works. They can get very nasty (The blue man group are currently having a fight with the Canada union). They usually take a % of actors yearly earnings and exist to stamp very hard on producers.

[Maynz]

Professional: A definate pro is the street cred. If you're also still doing AVA auditions and such, then it's easier to get roles. From experience, sure... but also just cause of the name alot of the time. People will automatically have more faith in you because they know you can do it.

AVA: More flexibility with time. You deal with more assholes. It's a nice hobby. Great place to learn how the trips work. Great stepping stone-I know I needed it.

[SeiyruRenaih]

But what about Lila? I remember her posting that she can't voice act here anymore because she joined a union. ;-;

:O

::covers your mouth quickly::

>.>;

::whispers:: We're not 'spose to talk about that. ::looks around as Ocean bots scan the area:: XD

From what I heard though, if you don't use your regular name and you're not getting paid (and don't get caught XD) then I guess it's okay. ^_^

::slowly uncovers your mouth::

[ILuvHeijiHattori]

Eep! I want a say in this

Pro VAing- You get recognized by the people who love anime/other! I mean, I know who Vic Mignogna and Jerry Jewell, etc. are, and I bet they love the recognition they get. Of course, there is the money too like other people said. Most people do it for part-time jobs and such.

AVAing- You get to do alot. People don't really call your house over and over to get you in the studio. Actually, most people don't even have to leave the house. You don't get paid, but you are recognized by a couple people and they say "Hey, shes a Voice Actress in training!". Its also more fun and such and you can express yourself more. ^_^


for Pro VAing, I wouldnt do it for the money, heck, gimme the job and I'll work for free. I just wanna let the world know that I don't have to be a supermodel to have a bit of fame!