Steven Mane Rants

Twenty-One: Maturity, or How To Handle Criticism Without Really Trying

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Steven Mane
on 02-16-2010 at 11:59 PM (752 Views)
Travellers, I had actually written a very nice blog about a week ago on the subject of handling criticism. Unfortunately, when I pressed the "Post Now" button, I was unaware that I was disconnected from the Internet, and it was sent into the great unknown. I shall briefly address the issue of criticism before moving on.

Ignore it.

Moving on, it's been a while since I was twenty. I was looking forward to the future, just starting out on the VAA (not exactly on the right foot, but it was a foot). My first audition was for a radioplay for the entirety of Final Fantasy VII. It never got past the audition phase (as did about a thousand other projects I auditioned for). My first project that was completed was World in Danger. After that, it just kind of blurred past. I don't remember half of the stuff I've voiced.

That said, it's time for you newbies (and a few oldbies) to listen up. 95% of the projects you voice for WILL NOT BE COMPLETED. Here are a few warning signs for projects you need to stay away from:

- If the post loks sumthin lik disLOL.
- If the post says that the entirety of a video game is going to be voiced for a radioplay.
- If the poster posts their project somewhere OTHER than the Auditions and Casting thread (like the General Chat area)
- If the poster claims this is their first time doing a project
- There's no deadline for auditions
- If the producer is under 20 years old

No, that last one is NOT age discrimination. It's fact. Reason: Younger producers typically are high-schoolers with lives outside of the audio world. While there are some exceptions, those that are still in high-school will either:

1) Have homework that takes up their entire time.

2) Spend their time with friends rather than working on projects.

Either way, younger producers generally have distractions that prevent them from getting anything done.

As you grow older, if you're unemployed and out of college, you need to keep your mind and hands occupied. That's generally when you can choose to be a producer. You'll have the time and, if you took the right courses in high school, skills to be able to pursue it.

One final thought: wisdom comes with age, but enjoy your high school days while you can.
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Comments

  1. Tomoyo Ichijouji's Avatar
    I've been on here for a grand total of 28 days, and I can already see how the guidelines of "stay-away" projects can be accurate. At the same time, I've come across several projects already that defy that norm entirely -- ones where the grammar is fine, the format is spic and span and it's for someone who's experienced in doing a project and a set deadline -- never heard back from them. While a certain Rozen Chronicles might have fallen under some of these at the outset (you don't have to state it's your first time, your join date and post count can say it for you), but I trusted my intuition and just gave my honest input and oh boy I'm glad I did, that's my favorite ongoing project on here so far =D First-timers, claimed or not, I don't think are much of a warning sign. (The no deadline one may be more so, but I think it's more of one when the producer explicitly states they won't give a deadline, rather than if they simply don't have one -- sometimes if you suggest having a deadline, they'll give one, specially the newbies who just don't know that specific norm here)