Question for August 9-15, 2010

[Amby Leigh]

Suggestion from Subaru-camui.

With so many productions out there to choose from... how do you decide what you will ultimately submit an audition for?

[Y. Chang]

so many productions out there to choice from
I choice the ones that look like A) they'll actually happen B) have exceptional producers who really know what they're doing and C) have killer audition lists.

[Para_bolic]

I choice the ones that look like A) they'll actually happen B) have exceptional producers who really know what they're doing and C) have killer audition lists.

This. Plus, it has to have at least decent writing. If I see an audition line that's just "Yes..." or "You have to save the princess, Johnny!", I'm out.

[Y. Chang]

This. Plus, it has to have at least decent writing. If I see an audition line that's just "Yes..." or "You have to save the princess, Johnny!", I'm out.
I dunno. If one of the lines was "Sailor Moon, it's my Mom, help," I think I'd try out in a heartbeat. You would too. :T

[Para_bolic]

I dunno. If one of the lines was "Sailor Moon, it's my Mom, help," I think I'd try out in a heartbeat. You would too. :T

You have a point, there.

[Amby Leigh]

I dunno. If one of the lines was "Sailor Moon, it's my Mom, help," I think I'd try out in a heartbeat. You would too. :T

The mom would need to be a princess as well for me to care enough to audition for it.

[Y. Chang]

The mom would need to be a princess as well for me to care enough to audition for it.
Well, but in that episode the mom is a monster.

[S h u d o - R a n m a r u]

I'm really picky about thread layouts, I usually only audition (for visual projects anyways) if there are at least pictures of the characters. Good grammar and spelling as well definitely makes or breaks it for me. The better looking and more organized the thread, the more eager I am to send in an audition. Even more so if it's a producer I know who puts out quality work, or is known to complete things.

I tend to do a little stalking if it's someone I've never heard of or seen around, and check their thread history to see if anything's been finished before and if so what quality it was.

For audio projects, an organized layout with good writing, an interesting story and descriptive characters is what I look for ideally. If it's a producer I've heard who does quality work, or I've seen some of their stuff before - it seals the deal.

There are other factors of course, but those are the main things. And thread layouts, again. If I see a sloppy thread with bad spelling and grammar I'll just click out and move on.

[Ovarku]

A thread layout can speak out loud to me. It tells me that the person wants to get something done and done REAL good....ok, doesn't have to be flashy, but organised enough for me to go "I could audition for this". It's hard to explain too.

[Jefferz]

A lot of times I go with a producer's history and how their past projects have faired and if they indeed finished what they started. Sometimes if it's a project or story I really like I might overlook this a bit, but generally this is the biggest thing I go by. I also pay attention to the audition post and whether it follows the basic audition format and guidelines.

When it comes to new producers, the main thing I look at is how much they might put into the project. Although excessively bumping is awful, if the producer is consistantly bumping the topic every several days or so, to me it shows that they really care about the project and want to get it done. Things that kind of kill it for me is if they are recruiting staff for the production while auditions are going on, since that stuff should have been taken care of before auditions. I also don't like it when there is no deadline set or if there just isn't enough information on the characters or story.

[VoiceVSP]

For VAA auditions:

1. Is the producer/director experienced?
2. Does the producer/director use/know how to use quality software for editing?
3. Does the producer/director produce quality work?
4. Is the producer/director mature and easy to work with?

Generally I'll do any project though, if I think it'll give me good material to work with and practice. Sometimes these projects are like an out of tune piano. You can still get good practice out of them, but they're not going to sound good.

Also, I'll look into the producer's previous works, their own voice acting (if they've done some here), as well as any pre-cast cast members demo reels. I need to know what kind of cast I'm working with. And as Kamuro said in the post below me, thread name does matter. I probably would stray away from an uninviting thread. Something properly labeled like "Anime Name - Auditions (Open)" is more attracting than something like "xXxX * * * ANIME AUDITIONZ!!! * * * * * COME INSIDE!!!". Also, what's inside the thread matters too. A description of your work/goals, deadline, how you plan to communicate with your voice actors and direct them, production calendar, and so on are positives. Pictures and descriptions of characters are a plus, but not necessary.

Oh and producers, try not to make character auditions 2 lines long and only like 4 or 5 words each. How can you tell exactly what kind of voice we've got if you're only hearing 10 seconds of a character? Professional reels are generally 2-3 minutes, and theatrical auditions can be a monologue or scene ranging from 30 seconds - 60 seconds, or even up to 5~10 minutes. Remember, you're looking for character, not just voice type.

Unless you don't care. Then just do things however you want.

[Kamuro]

To be honest, thread title does have an impact. If it's something simple like "Suchandsuch [?M/?F/?MF]" I'll take a peek, but if it's something silly like "suchandsuch!!! plz audition!!!" I'll ignore it. Part of that is the grammar, which is another factor, of course. I need pictures in the thread and a clear structure, and Simbaga Graphics are good too~. I'll also check out the history of the user. However, my main factor is of course, voices I can do. Manlytastic? Shoujolicious? Generally those don't have boy voices in them so I'll ignore it.

So the grammar, person, thread layout and title are the defining factors, unless it's something I've wanted to audition for forever.

[Menchi]

not that I really audition much anyway these days,

but yes it helps if the producer has a good track record, but I'm always up for a Final Fantasy project or someone's created game,

and it helps if it's laid out right, with correct Grammar and all that,

though I usually try and stay-away from Multi-person projects, 'I'll do the mixing, and he'll do the scripting, and she'll take care of the music, and I need another mixer just in case' if it's not co-ordinated it'll never get done

[Steven Mane]

The big thing for me is, "Will it look good on a resume?" If the answer's no, I don't do it (the reason I never do fandubs). This is also why I'm seeing a lot of video game work.

[Sh3rl0ck]

Alot of mine has to do with the layout of the thread. If the producer took the time to organize everything, make good descriptions and decent lines for auditioning, there are pictures for each individual character, and the text isn't all 'rainbow-tized', then I'll audition.

It definitely has to do with presentation. If your serious about producing something your gonna wanna take the auditioning process just as seriously.

I also go through and check a persons thread history.. (stalker-hime) If they have quite a good amount of decent quality completed work then I'll audition. (Usually 1-2 projects for myself)

And I usually check the number of posts the producer of the thread has before auditioning.
If they have 1 post, and that lone post was used in the making of that particular thread I will definitely not audition..

[Notebookface]

The first two things that grab me are the project's title and the layout of the thread.

Second, I check to see if it's an original project--fandubs/fan dramas aren't my kind of thing.

Third, I look through all of the dialogue that was posted for audition purposes. If it's considerably well-written, and the premise has potential, I'll bring out the recording gear and have a go.

I'm not terribly picky about track records (pot calling the kettle black here). It doesn't help that I'm still not terribly familiar with the VAA community and everything that goes on here.

[paraparamore23]

I'm just getting started as an actor, so any job will do.

But generally, I gravitate towards parts where I feel comfortable as far as acting is concened.

But I'll gladly take on any singing project that interests me.

[Ishtar]

I decide on a few factors:

First, is it visual in nature or purely audio? I am a visual person. There are very few audio only projects I will be a part of. So, if it's audio only- probably not auditioning. This means I tend to aim toward fandubs, video games, flashes, etc.

Is the audition deadline really really far away? If so, probably not auditioning... just yet. I don't like to wait for the cast list >.< Also, if its really far away, I am also likely to forget to submit the auditions... that's a big problem even for things I really wanted to submit for.

Is the audition thread nicely organized? I don't expect special art prepared to shock and awe the auditioning public, but I do expect things to be neat, organized, and information. If there are no pictures of characters, probably not auditioning (unless I know you and REALLY know the show). If the lines are all spread out, confusing, poorly presented, or otherwise just annoying - likely not auditioning. Do you required 10 hours of reading just to get to the necessary information or fail to update the main post? Probably not auditioning. Does the main post look amazing, organized, include additional information so I know exactly what you are looking for, and show that you take pride in your project? Then I likely will audition.

Are all the parts pre-casted by the producer and his/her friends right off the bat, but presented as a new project? Might not audition, unless I know you and trust in the work you can do. If I have never heard of you, don't have any samples to show what you can do (both production and acting), and all you have are random characters like Maid B and Classroom Groupy Y.... probably not auditioning.

Is it something new and interesting, you have samples to show you are knowledgeable in production and have an ear for casting, and the thread is organized... likely to audition.

Is it something EVERYONE and their grandma is producing? I may still audition, as I like what I like whether its done one time or 1600 times.

Have you burned me in the past? (and by this I don't mean, not finished a project or not casted me... I mean, done something right out mean, hateful, and/or severely unprofessional -amature or not-) Not auditioning.

Are you brand new, but show some promise - whether by how you post the auditions, the practice samples you post, and the creativity and originality of the show you choose to dub? Likely to audition.

Are the parts for anything but what I can pull off? Well... I will TRY almost anything. That doesn't mean I will succeed, but I won't know if I don't try. I've even voiced men... kids, teens, adult, and elderly... I can't say they were good, but I tried them. :p

Is it an all boy show? Likely not auditioning - despite what I said just above :p - unless its something I already Love.

Do I have the time to follow all of the directions required of me? If it's complicated and requires me to go extremely out of my way... likely not auditioning. Going out of my way for a paid project - sure. Going out of my way for a project I am casted in - absolutely. Getting really specific and making me take hours just to finish a couple auditions, nah. I'll pass.

Want me to audition by submitting a video audition? Nope, I'll pass. See above.

There are more... yikes... I am not picky but I sure do have a lot to think about when I browse the boards lol

So you see, lots of factors go into this. In the end (and most important), first impressions are big with me. What I think when I first visit an audition thread affects how I feel about auditioning.

(ramble ramble... I am sleepy so I ramble lol Sorry.)

[TheCheetoBandito]

There's a few factors for me. I don't always have a lot of free time to record as I work and I don't have a soundproof space so I can't record when people are home, so I kind of need to be choosy about what I audition for.

1. I generally pick one audition a week (when I perhaps get my area soundproofed that number will skyrocket). Though I'll take as many scouts as I am offered.

2. I usually look into projects that are related to an interest of mine (like a fandub of a show I like, or a radioplay in a genre I'm fond of), but I also like to keep an open mind and spread my wings for things I've never tried before.

3. Even if a project doesn't totally catch my eye, I'll check it to see if there are characters I would be appropriate for.

4. I'm not too picky about who's directing it, though a person with experience and renown for their work does always catch my interest. Even if the production is run by somebody I've never heard of, if the project itself looks cool, and the director is running auditions and such in an orderly and professional manner, I'll gladly give it a go. But if the director isn't following audition format and being difficult (not giving character descriptions, giving unclear direction, etc...) I won't even give it a second thought.

[Tonberry King]

Well, these are my general criteria for choosing projects. Personally, I keep my acting schedule pretty light compared to most people in favoring of producing, so I'm especially critical of what I try out for. It sort of breaks down into two stages:

I. BEFORE I CLICK THE THREAD
-- A. Is this even a project that I'm interested in?
-- B. Is the producer reliable?
-- C. Does the producer tend to put out quality work?
-- D. Is there still even time to audition?

II. ONCE I'M IN THE THREAD
-- A. Is the thread organized in general?
-- B. Did the producer offer up images / samples / information on characters?
-- C. Are there characters that I can actually audition for?
-- D. Are the guidelines clear and easy to follow?
-- E. Is it a project that I can commit to?

[Jordan]

Simply if it's a fandub I would be interested in being a part of, I will audition only if I know that the producer is good and reliable.

[Monotori]

I tend to shy away from fandubs since I've probably never seen any of them and can't waste my time learning every character from every anime I'll never see. I just recently started drifting into the visual section of auditions, although besides fandubs the same rules apply to audio-only:

Is the thread title comprehensible? Does it say something other than 'Voice Wanted!'?
Do they have a deadline?
Do they stick to one, at most two fonts (that I can read)?
Do they know how to spell?
Is 'casted' plastered across the screen?
Do the characters have audition lines? Are they unique and seem likely to define a character?
Is it a one-shot, or just a few episodes?
Do they understand what 'zip' means?

For the most part directors don't matter (I've worked with first-timers before, sometimes they can really surprise you), but if their thread seems unprofessional I probably don't want to be involved.

Honestly, sometimes I'll just look at a project and it just won't interest me, but I'll try to come back later and at least try the lines to see if I would actually enjoy the project if I were to audition. If not, forget it.

[ValkyrieCeles]

Mine is a combination of a few things:

1. If the audition thread is poorly written grammar-wise, I stay away. Bad grammar in my mind equals a careless producer/production.
2. If the plot sounds waaay too cliche (i.e. In a fantasy world far far away little Johnny gets transported and has to save the Princess' world while the evil magician submerges it in darkness) I don't even give it a second glance.
3. If the lines are porrly written or just one liners, or there's just one line for each character I stay away.
4. And of course the producer is a huge factor. If the cast list is partially up and the actors I see are good I'll try auding for a re-cast. Also if the producer is known for good projects and known for following through with their projects I'll audition.
5. And sometimes, if I am a huge fan of the genre or show I'll audition.

...think that's about it XD

[hinatarocks88888]

I always look for some little things. Little things like spelling and grammar can really make a project look more friendly and as though the producer takes his job seriously. Most of the time I think, "Well if you can't even spell your title right, how do I know you won't use the same sloppiness in the actual project?"

The next thing really just tends to be whether or not I think the project will turn out well. For fandubs, that mostly means that I either like the show or I don't.

For original projects, I always get a little skeptical. I'll be asking for plots, details, dialogue, and half the time feel unimpressed. But sometimes someone will actually have something really good on their hands and I'll usually try out for those.

[TriPredRavage]

When I first started on the VAA, I auditioned for anything and everything I could remotely do. I stayed away a bit from Fandubs just because of all of the legal red tape, but there were a few that I tried for.

Now, I will actually look at all of the threads created by the producer in order to see if anything they held auditions for actually makes it out. If they've held auditions for five productions, and nothing has come of them, I won't audition. If the producer is a newbie, I generally won't audition but I will make exceptions. Truth be told though, I don't really audition anymore and have pretty much been VAing exclusively on scouts and long-running productions my whole year here.

I used to accept every scout I was given, but now that I'm starting work, I may not have much time, so I'm a lot pickier about what I accept scouts for. Clip dubs, sure I'll do 'em 'cause they're generally just one shots, but radioplays I've gotta weigh the level of commitment needed to how much I'm able to give these days. (Growing up is hard... =_=)