Is It Just Me, Or Do I Suck?

[Jessica Adnee]

Okay, the title is not meant to be as negative as it sounds.

It's only this... just seeing some people's resume's and they joined after me, but have voiced like 10 roles and I've done 1.

Is this weird? I started on July 20th and I've done 1 role. Do I suck or something?

Sorry about this thread! Rather embarrasing that my moment of self-pity and self-doubt is located on this site for future viewing.

I hope that you all don't think of me as some whiny, selfish little girl. I don't want to make a bad impression!

I posted this out of self-pity but I hope that people can just read this when they feel doubtful about their abilities at VA.

I want to make friends here and not seem like a stupid idiot and I hope I didn't make a bad impression! I chose not to make a reply to this so that it's not highlighted more but I just hope that whoever is reading this doesn't think that I'm some pathetic girl wanting to take short cuts.

Then again, apologizing like this might be some form of self pity... ah... this won't end if I continue to try and think! ><

Anyway, continue with your reading!

[Amby Leigh]

Oh bah! Never say that you suck! It's just gonna bring you down. It's a common thing to not get cast right off the bat. And sometimes it can be a while between things.

Me for example... It took me about a month before I got my first real role and even now, sometimes I go awhile without getting cast in anything. I have only been cast twice since I came back in May.

There are allot of people on the boards nowadays therefore there is allot of competition as well. Don't let not being cast often get you down, it doesn't mean that you suck. It means that there was someone out there that was a just a little more fit for the part.

[topleka]

Heh. Not really. Some people may have more experience or more friends or the right type of voice, or some such other thing. It takes perseverence more than anything, and the easiest way to discourage yourself is to compare yourself to others. There have been times when I've been really depressed because this person has more roles than me or that person always gets scouted for characters I like or this person is always praised for being so amazing or another one of many complaints I could have. In the end, though, it's about improving yourself and working hard. Hey, getting one role between July 20th and today is good stuff. I go through dry spells all the time where it seems that no matter how much I audition for, I never get cast in anything.The competition around here is pretty fierce though, so I accept that other people are better than me and I work hard to get better myself.

I actually was going to contact you about your auditions, because there are some things I'd like to help you with. If you don't mind, that is. ^-^

So in short: Don't compare yourself to others, because you'll be discouraged. Keep working hard, and do your best!

[Jessica Adnee]

I don't mind! I could use the help! (Though I admit, my Bleach auditions were total crap. It's what I get for auditioning while I'm throwing up...)

[Cefaclor]

It's what I get for auditioning while I'm throwing up...)

That was a tad bit too graphic XD
Anyway, I remember when I joined. I hated my voice, actually. And it took me atleast a month or two to learn all its possibilities and although, my acting skills are not bad. Im still learning how to act as I do more RPs. I think its a life long experience actually. Meh. Anyways, keep trying you have a great voice!

[Windy*]

^^ Yea, don't be discouraged at all. You win some, you lose... a lot. At least in this business. Unless you're REALLY good and well-known, you won't get into much right away. Eventually more people will become interested in your voice as you are heard more. Sometimes, there's just another person who does better, and that isn't usually something you can help.

It's good not to get cast in too much right away, anyhow, so you don't get overly busy. Keep auditioning, do great work with whatever you do get, and earn a good reputation from the start. It'll take a bit of time.

Honestly, I've been here for over two months and have only received a few small roles. We're all learning here, though. :D

[ClymAngus]

I really don't see what your worrying about, I've been here for way too long and I can still count the number of things I've been in on one hand. That said I'm keeping in practice and slowly planning the complete distruction of the world, but that's a separate issue :)

It took me an age to get my first part (and that was a mockney vampire hunter) Since then I've done a reasonable trade in one shot bad guys, narrators and the odd skit for Matt. Hardly earthshattering. There will come a time, when you'll have lots to record and not a lot of time to do it. Remember posting this thread when you do.

I wouldn't be worried about not getting cast for everything right away. I'd be worred about staple digestion and throwing yourself at the floor.

[Azure]

There's always an element out of your control and thats what the producer is looking for. So it might just be the people with more roles have voice types more in demand. I can go months without being in anything then get several roles at once. Keep practicing and extending your range.

[S.A.]

Aw dude you shouldn't think like that. Or if it makes ya feel better think that there are people who haven't done anything yet, like me! Even if you do suck ya should just keep on goin like you're the best thing since sliced bread. Btw you so DON'T suck. Jes give yourself a lil more time, next thing ya know everyone will want ya!

[ILuvHeijiHattori]

Hey, I was here since May, and I still havent gotten a role T^T (LMAO)

[Xzelion]

Okay, the title is not meant to be as negative as it sounds.

It's only this... just seeing some people's resume's and they joined after me, but have voiced like 10 roles and I've done 1.

Is this weird? I started on July 20th and I've done 1 role. Do I suck or something?

lol no you dont suck ive been around since 2004 and u never seened me in any work besides mine, i only get casted in my own productions trust me u dont suck lol.

[Charil]

You don't suck! ^^ Just keep working at it; you'll get up there soon :)

[still_standing2004]

... some people can be so lucky...

I myself haven't had any complete roles finished. Then again, I never have a working microphone after I get a role so... I say it's pretty much my fault that I never get roles...

[Erica]

If you think you're bad just because you don't get any roles I'm going to give you just one litle piece of advice: Don't give up.

I'm sure the majority of the people on this board had rocky starts when they first joined the board. I'll be the first to admit that I hated the way I sounded when I first started and I understand why I didn't get very many roles. But I didn't give up because of it. I've been around the AVA community for 4 years now, granted I probably don't have a many roles as some people, but I do appreciate every role I get. It's getting harder and hard to get cast these days since we seem to be getting so much up and coming talent =)

Just keep auditioning for as much as you think you can handle. Eventually you'll find a voice type that you're good at and not to mention auditioning is really good practice for your voice! And if you want more practices, I suggest trying to mimick other voices you hear on TV or in video games. Or if you have a baby in your family, use different voices to talk to the baby and see how the baby reacts. [I have a three year old sister and she gets a kick out of my high pitched voices =p]

And don't go around assuming that you don't get roles just because you suck. Blame others for being so damn talented! XDD

[cheetahd586]

I am just echoing what everyone has said so far, I hated my voice when I first came here. I did this on a whim, mostly to laugh at myself. I really had no idea how much I would enjoy what I do, or how much I would be active on this board. It took me a while to get my first role too. I do consider myself one of the luckier ones, however, because I do have a pretty sizeable resume for only doing this a year. Just keep working at it, and you will get roles soon enough.

[wpt1031]

No you don't suck. Heck I've been here since April I have been casted in quite a few roles but something tends to happen where they don't ever get finished but I have had one role recently finished. So it just takes some time kiddo.

[Haushinka]

It's okay hun. There is a LOT of competition on the VAA and roles are becoming harder and harder to get.

Your demo reel didn't work to download so I can't give you any constructive criticism, but one thing you might want to check is your sound quality. A lot of producers (including myself) will not cast someone, even if they are a good VA, if their mic sounds awful, because it is highly noticeable in a production. I'm not saying yours is 'cause I haven't heard you but that could be a big part of it. If you get really serious into VAing and you have problems with noise + static, you may want to look into buying a new sound card.

One thing you could do while you're waiting is look into producing. It's fun, helps you get more established and known around here, and if there's a certain character you really want to play, you could always self cast. Ha ha. XP

If you're looking to improve your vocal range and emotion I'd be glad to give you some constructive criticism. Add me on AIM sometime Haruko96~

[fairuza]

When I first came here, I had to learn how to voice act, broden my variety of voices (which I had a hard time doing in the beginning.It took me awhile).
So, I tried practicing, and sending out alot of auditions at first to
get a feel for acting. There were alot of times I wasn't casted for things. But no matter what I tried again, and again until I started to get casted in a few productions.
I think the best thing to do is to never give up! Even though there may be parts you might not get, it's always best to try again!

[soundcage]

Just to go a little more into the soundcard issue, a really good quality and inexpensive soundcard is the Creative Labs Soundblaster 128 PCI card. however, if money is not an issue, then I would go and splurge on one of them newfangled doodads that have better sound than a home theater. i had the same issue with downloading your demo, so I really can't give you any feedback. Sorry. Just keep your chin up.

[Kat Avery]

With me, it was a little slow at first, but after about a month I picked myself up and started auditioning like crazy, and stopped being so shy. NEVER let yourself down like that; as an actor/actress, give yourself an ego! Err.. don't let it inflate to bad, but have some self confidence.


.... and don't audition when you're puking. n_n;;; That's not healthy and you should be in bed if that's going on.

[Allison Rose]

Don't be discouraged! It seems like a lot of the projects that have come up since you've joined have audition deadlines in mid-late August. (I know this because I joined a couple of days after you.) So just try to be patient and keep auditioning for new things while you wait for those cast lists. I listened to your demo, and I think you have a cute voice. :)

[ChrisDark]

:( I wish someone would put me in a role.

Other than Margo. She's awesome and all, but reminding her about working on the script reminds me of my old friends, who I muchos hate.

... So... how 'bout them Bears?

[La Sailor Luna]

Gurl, gurl, gurl, I've been here since July 14th, I just got a microphone about a week ago, I still don't have the software *I don't think* Audacity or whatever to audition. You have at least gotten a part. You know how angering it is to sit here and see all those productions every 5 seconds coming up and you can't audition for one of them? NOT EVEN ONE? :nonono Now look at that and tell me how much you suck now. You can't.

You don't suck, you just need to be patient and wait your turn, everyone has one, your will come soon. Shoot, at least you get to audition for something. Consider yourself lucky sister because you are.

~Have a cookie ;-)

[Tregster]

Yeah.. don't feel bad. It took me at least a year or so to even get noticed that I exist on this board. That and I didn't audition like constantly.. can't really do much now ::sigh::.. but anyway, I've felt like that from time to time.. like the fact that people that have been here for less than a year have 3 times as many roles as I do now. But don't let stuff like that bother you.. it just brings you down. The amount of roles someone has doesn't necessarily make them a better VA than you. Keep auditioning, make great samplers and I'm sure you'll get noticed around here.

[Windy*]

I still don't have the software *I don't think* Audacity or whatever to audition.

You don't need Audacity (which is a free download, by the way). ^^; Windows Recorder works just fine. Fancy software isn't needed for auditions. You can get started with what you have. ;)

[Jessica Adnee]

Yea! It's taken me a while to find out what things to download. Like Winzip, Wavenet, and Audacity.

I used to use the Sound Recorder and I still do since it records my voice well but I use Audacity made my demo tape because you can actually see it and all this other stuff...

Where was I going with this?

Oh yea! I don't really feel that bad anymore. It was a bit discouraging at first and I kind of posted this out of self-pity. That and for advice for all the other people out there that get that terrible emo disease known as self-loathing.

[topleka]

Audacity helps, though. I used to use Windows Sound Recorder (I even mixed RPs with it), but I prefer Audacity because the sound is better quality and there are more options. And hey, it's free. Mind as well try it out.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[soundcage]

I know quite a few people use Cool Edit Pro 2.X. The program was bought out by Adobe and re-issued as Audition. The Only real difference is the brand name. The program is the same, offers the same controls, not enough to include the $300 price jump Adobe put on it. Those eager enough to attain this program, their are ways.


:mj :rocket
Damn! Stop moving!

[michelleann]

Don't be discouraged. There is a LOOOOT of competition for your voice type. Your voice is absolutely adorable. ^_^ Just keep practicing and audition for everything you possibly can! Also work on expanding your range. There is less competition for more "mature" sounding voices.

I'm sure you'll do great. Just keep your nose to the grindstone and keep working hard. It just takes practice. :)

If you'd like to work with me sometime, send me a PM. Maybe you and I could do a little project for practice or something? I'm no pro, but I've been doing this for a looong time and would love to help out. :)