Princess Tutu - Episode One

[deHavilland]

Scarlet Pimple Productions Presents:
"Princess Tutu: Series Fandub"
Episode One

Episode 1 - Part 1
http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/ca...840780tPTW4JYn

Episode 1 - Part 2
http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/ca...840828NkDAjkgT

Episode 1 - Part 3
http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/ca...840839jhcdkAgr

CAST
Duck: Damaru
Fakir: RoninRaccoon
Myuto: Majinboo0111
Rue: Shudo-Ranmaru
Pike: Dragonknighttara
Ririe: Kissy-Sensei
Mr. Cat: Mukluk
Drosselmeyer: Blue Leader
Narrator: Usako

Additional Vocals: OmegaOptimusSupreme, Ria, Starlight Casi, OutoftheInfinity

Casting by Mindelan
Mixed and Produced by deHavilland
--> all sound effects either from the episode or foley-recorded
--> music from Princess Tutu OST

[Damaru]

Yay, it's out! ^^ Sorry for holding this up... >_>

Alas, my Duck voice is very raw and unpolished, but I had fun with this character. Perhaps I can blend more with the role in time. :3 Everyone did good, and I especially liked the narrator, Fakir, Drosslemeyer, and... MR. CAT! XD The video quality is alright, but otherwise it's pretty well mixed! I recently just got into Princess Tutu because of this, so yay! X3

[deHavilland]

The video quality is alright, but otherwise it's pretty well mixed!

Oh God, this is the one thing I hate most about it. (Plus the one line that just refuses to be heard and the one sound effect that works fine on playback and then once rendered as a video file magically disappears.) When I started mixing this was the only non-subtitled video file I had. And it SUCKS.

Not to worry, later episodes have much cleaner video already in place. I swear.

[hyperknees91]

Damn damaru you really nailed duck. Probably the best performance I've seen from you outside of aerith. But honestly you play younger energetic characters the best anyway so It's to be expected.

Ronin you also gave a very good performance (like always) I really like how intimidating you made Fakir. Really just a good job all around.

I believe myuto was suitably monotoned and emotionless as well so good job on that.

I did like Drosselmeyer but I felt like he wasn't quite creepy and overexaggerate enough. It was still a suitable voice and had pretty good energy but I just felt a bit more oomph was all he needed.

Some of the girls around duck sound far older than her despite being the same age which was a bit jarring but still they played their characters well. Just a more childish and cutesy approach would work a bit better in my opinion.

I loved Mr. Cat when he was being creepy but I felt like during his normal talking it lacked a bit of energy and his voice seemed to dull in parts, it was almost like he was preparing himself to do his more creepy lines or something like that. But like wise a good voice and I'm quite fond of it so good job.

Overall this was a lovely fandub and for one I can say I really enjoyed the amount of effort everyone put into this ^^

[dragonknighttara]

Ooh! This is out?! So excited :3

(commencing with blow-by-blow review/thoughts)

Narrator: Usako - I love the energy you brought to the narration - I think this is the best I've ever heard you. The voices were extremely fun too and just overall an excellent performance. I think this is a great way to start the episode =D

Duck: Damaru - Quaaaaack. My first thought was "omigosh SO CUTE". You are really a joy to watch as this character - the energy at the beginning was really believable and so easy to watch. Great singing by the way too ;D If I really want to pick, I would have liked to hear a little more longing whenever you were thinking/talking/inner dialoguing about Myuto. Also, her really happy over the top moments were great, but I was hoping for a bit more extreme on your panicked ramblings. You talked fast enough and you the acting was really fantastic, but again, just reach to a little more of an extreme to fanatical shrieking and panic and you really have the joy that is Duck ;D. The voice reminded me a lot of the english version, but you seemed to have dropped the annoyingness of it and really made it very cute (I watched the series in Japanese after episode 1 for that reason XD) Awesome performance - I have a feeling you're going to carry this dub with flying colors.


Fakir: RoninRaccoon - I know you know this character well and it really shows. You had great characterization here and overall conveyed his general sense of disdain throughout very effectively. There were a few times when I would have liked to hear a bit more levels to the performance though and occasionally your mic quality did stick out a bit compared to everyone else. But the voice is good (maybe a tad higher) and again, you acted him extremely well. I'm looking forward to seeing more.


Myuto: Majinboo0111 - I was really sad you didn't get a lot of chance to show off in this role yet, but you carried the short and unemotional monosyllabic lines... well? Totally a crack on the character and not you I promise ;D For the little bit I got to see of you, you really did do a good job though, and I am looking forward to seeing you more in future when you get to express yourself more =D


Pike: Dragonknighttara - I honestly have to say I was really surprised when I got cast as this character, but it was really fun to play something out of my stereotype for a change ;D I think there were a few times when the lip flaps didn't quite match up or were just a smidge off, but I don't think it was too terribly drastic. Other than that, this was a really fun character to play =D /sucks at self critiquing and skips over

Ririe: Kissy-Sensei - So cute <3 I think you were a bit breathier on this character than I would have liked and you might have been able to a few of the bigger reactions a little further (like on her "Go!!!" line about halfway through), but otherwise I really enjoyed your take on the character and your expression as well. I think as with me, there were some lip flaps issues that weren't quite matching up quite right (that might be a script problem though), but overall I think this was a strong performance. However, I was absolutely in love with your takes of "How cute!" because they were indeed, very cute.


Mr. Cat: Mukluk - I love your switches to the demonic Mr. Cat - they were extremely fun to watch. I think the voice worked for the character, though like Drosselmeyer this character is extremely nuts and over the top and I kept hoping you'd push it a little further when he was in normal voice (you were fine once you hit demonic Mr. Cat XD) Occasionally, I think you struggled with ennunciation on this character so a few words every so often were a bit difficult to make out.


Drosselmeyer: Blue Leader - Kudos to you for actually sounding old and really matching a good voice to the character design. Overall, I think you acted the part well, but I did want to see you do more with him throughout since he really does seem like he's out of his mind after watching the series. Your second scene where you were just being creepy, came across much better than the first to me and I liked the more sing song quality you added to the voice. But especially when you're talking about your story, I would really like him to sound more into what he's saying as well since he knows his work and is really excited about his book and just how good it really is (at least he thinks so) XD Again, I would just stretch a little higher to hit the emotional and crazy peaks, but that aside, this has a great start and a lot of potential.

Mixing: I've never seen anything you've produced before, but this really was an excellent way to start out if it's your first project. The overall quality of this was definitely good, though there wasn't a lot of chance for it really stand out with any intense or tricky scenes yet. A few times I did notice that effects seemed a bit short or on the quiet side and sometimes I would have liked to hear the music brought out a bit more beneath the dialogue, but that's beginning to get down to nitpicks. A few other things I noticed to be a bit more exact as I watched this included:

-The Skip in the Sugar Plum Fairy waltz during Myuto's first appearance was a bit rough and noticeable.
-It seemed like the first footstep of very specific or noticeable parts with walking always stuck out a little more than the rest to me.
-The volume of the lines about halfway through really suddenly got louder and began to drown out the music almost completely.
-Fakir slamming the door shut on Duck was really soft and sounded like it came from a much smaller door.
-There was a weird skip/blipping sound at about 1:52
- Really liked how the music swirled during the transformation sequence.

Overall this is a really great production and I'm very pleased to be a part of it - awesome job you guys, you have a lot to be proud of =D

[Majinboo0111]

Glad to see this is out ^_^

Duck: Damaru: This was a really good rendition of Duck. I enjoyed listening to your performance. I think you could of gone a bit more over the top on some moments but overall with having the most lines and having to do so much with a character, it was amazing! I can't wait to hear more!

Fakir: RoninRaccoon: Dude I loved how your lines worked with my lines for Myuto. I thought they flowed pretty damn well when he found Myuto in the second part. I loved what your doing with this character and want to hear more.

Myuto: Majinboo0111: I really, really, really don't know what to say. First I was amazed I got the role in the first place, so really I just tried while having fun recording outtakes. I just like how my lines flowed with Ronin's Fakir. I really want to hear when Myuto stops acting so monotone in later parts and see what people think of that ^^;

Pike: Dragonknighttara: This was very interesting to hear. Nothing like characters you usually play, but overall I didn't think it was too bad ^_^ kinda makes Pike sound like the big sister character to duck, weird to say XD. But I do like it ^_^

Ririe: Kissy-Sensei: I also liked this, matches with Tara's Pike. I don't know I just think with the two different voices it was awesome. Could of been bigger at times (I like over acted stuff XD) but still awesome.

Mr. Cat: Mukluk: Probably my favorite performance, you balanced the normal and demon sides very well. I can't say much more than that ^^; sorry, but it was very very awesome.

Drosselmeyer: Blue Leader: This made me jizz it was so freaking epic XD not really but I love it. It sounded very fitting and awesome. Your performance was very enjoyable and I want to hear more.

Narrator: Usako: Every entertaining to listen to. How you told a story you kept my attention the whole way through and it was very well told. Awesome job Muffin Butt! =P

Mixing: It feel like a lot was missing SFX wise. Levels were alright. I think this is your first project it's pretty good. Overall I enjoyed watching and can't wait to see more. The SFX thing is probably the only thing that got to me. Other than that nice job.

Can't wait to see more!

[deHavilland]

Thanks for the critiques on the mixing, guys! It's not my first time out, but it's my first time doing something of this magnitude - so we can call it my first time out. *feeling ambitious* But I don't feel like a total failure, now! >.> just a partial one.

Overall this was a lovely fandub and for one I can say I really enjoyed the amount of effort everyone put into this ^^

You, sir, need a sticker that says "VAA's Top Critiquer" or something. You magically manage to say something for literally everything on here. I'm glad you found time to say something for PTT, and that you enjoyed it.

The overall quality of this was definitely good, though there wasn't a lot of chance for it really stand out with any intense or tricky scenes yet. A few times I did notice that effects seemed a bit short or on the quiet side and sometimes I would have liked to hear the music brought out a bit more beneath the dialogue.

Thanks, but yeah, there isn't anything especially crazy in this one. (Thank goodness.) You're definitely right on the music, I too would have liked it to be up, but several of the people I showed it to beforehand felt it was too loud, so this was the balance I came up with. Weird skipping sound, courtesy of Youtube, felt they needed to give me a hand, I guess. But the blip in the Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairy before Myuto's dance was all me.

It feel like a lot was missing SFX wise.

I don't disagree that the episode is an awful lot of dialogue and music and minimal amount of sound effects. But there isn't an awful lot of specifics to put sound to. /end whine. I'll keep this in mind for future episodes, though!

By the by, my thoughts are on my blog, if anyone is interested.

[Blue Leader]

Ah, so this is finally out? Nice. I've been anxiously awaiting this one.

I think the voices turned out pretty well, though the volume of them seemed to fluctuate strangely throughout the episode. In one line a character would be really loud and easy to hear, but the next line the character's voice was extremely quiet and difficult to make out-- sometimes I couldn't even hear what some characters were saying.
Perhaps the volume needs to be "evened out" a little bit.
I noticed this a few times with Myuto and Fakir, and even with Drosselmeyer. Most notably for Drosselmeyer, at the beginning of part 3 where Drosselmeyer was laughing, some of the laughs were really soft, others were somewhat louder, than soft again, fluctuating abnormally. They also seemed to cut off abruptly... I know I didn't record them that short.

Besides that, some scenes sounded like they had been muted and really didn't have any sound at all. While a minor annoyance, I did notice it on a few occasions. Perhaps there was sound but it was simply too light to be heard?
Likewise, I feel some of the music needed to stand out a bit more. Even when a character was speaking, I felt that some of the music needed to be a bit louder. While the music shouldn't overpower a character's voice, it should be loud enough to stand out and to be dramatic, to draw the viewer into the scene. (Though I notice that this was already commented on.)

All-in-all, though, I think it turned out pretty well and I think the voices tended to suit the characters.

I'll take heed of the advice for the Drosselmeyer lines and try to improve upon them for episode four (or is it three?). Though I have to admit, Drosselmeyer isn't an easy character to play as he has such a great range of emotions that fluctuate so frequently; it's going to take me a little more practice to get him down pat. Hopefully I'll do better next time.
To componsate for this, though, I usually record each line numerous times with varying emotions, pitches, and so on, hoping that I hit a favorable tone. Most times I'll send off a line with at least ten or more takes to it. I guess I still didn't manage it, though, heh heh.

[RoninRaccoon]

Awesome! I listened to this at 3 am in the morning, so kindly ignore anything that doesn't make coherent sense. Without any further ado...

Damaru (Duck): I thought you did an excellent job! I noticed you're saying "MYOO-doh" while everyone else is saying "MYOO-toh", so for consistency's sake, it'd be best if we're all saying his name the same way. I thought you did a great job on the freaking out parts; I laughed at many of them (in a good way!) You're by far the best Duck fandubber I've ever heard. Nice work!

RoninRaccoon (Fakir): Epic fail! Seriously though, I apologize for the mic quality. My mic needs to be buried alive (or at least sent to bed without dinner... or something). I'll be getting a shiny new mic soon (once my beloved paycheck finally arrives after a decade of waiting), so that should alleviate things. As for my performance with this first episode (for those not in the know), I totally cheated and used the lines from my solo Fakir fandub that I did back in September! XD Back then, I was brand new to VA, and I pretty much just copied Chris Patton (not knowing any better). Of course, I quickly learned that copying is the worst thing an actor can do. So for Episode 2 and onward, you're going to be hearing brand new lines where I gradually add my own interpretation of Fakir. I'm really enjoying adding my own characterization of Fakir, so hopefully you will too!

Majinboo0111 (Myuto): ZOMBIE!!! All right, seriously, that's how he's supposed to be, and you did a sweet job! I actually think your vocal quality suits Myuto better than Jay Hickman (his voice sounded too deep and old). You've got a younger, more frail sounding voice going for Myuto and I think that compounds nicely with Fakir's harsh discipline. It's going to be a fun bromance, yo!

Pike (dragonknighttara): I like how you're voice is a lot different than what I expected. You've got a deeper voice that contrasts nicely with Kissy's Ririe. I think you could have upped the energy in parts; you sounded a bit subdued. But I like the dynamic you've got going with Kissy(great timing, too) and overall it was splendid!

Ririe (Kissy-Sensei): Okay, first off, I have not forgotten about our scene dub together! Like I said, now that it's after New Years, I will find some time to put it together as soon as I can. All right, anyway, great job! You have the perfect amount of energy and spunk for Ririe; that super-happy tragic voice when Duck fails at something; classic! Your best work yet!

Mr Cat (Mukluk): Dude, I envy you. This is such a fun role! I think you did a spot-on job when he freaks out and goes on his "Marry Me" rants. I do think you could have gone more over the top during his regular talking though, because I think Mr. Cat is always sort of that intense, passionate teacher, even when he's explaining things. But that's just a slight thing, and really just a small nitpick. Hats off to you!

Drosselmeyer (Blue Leader): Just to let you know, I always wanted to be Green Leader in Return of the Jedi. He had the most awesome of martyr deaths (go A-wings!) Aaaaaanyway, you did a sweet job as the ol' creepy dead writer dude! I really like the little trills and flourishes you'd put on his words; gave him that sort of articulated and proper evilness that really defines him.

Narrator (Usako): Freaking awesome! I want to sit down in front of a fire and hear a creepy story from you. I really like how, unlike in the official dub, you did a Raven voice and a Prince voice instead of just using your narrator voice. It added a lot of character and made it that much more entertaining!

Mixing: Really impressive work here! Like others said, there seemed like a few sound effects missing (I didn't hear the sort of slapping sound when Fakir grabs Myuto's arm, but maybe that's my speakers). But overall, it sounded professional and legit! I really like how you did the intro with all of the characters and their voice actors, too!

This really is, by far, the best PTT Episode 1 fandub I've ever heard! I'm really excited to be a part of this, and I can't wait for when things start to get real interesting!

[Damaru]

Thank you so much for the critiques guys--I hope I improve with my Duck. X3 And yeah Ronin, I didn't watch the series before but I finally heard it in English, so I will be sure to say Myu-TO next time! :3

Since everyone else is passing out critiques I shall copy them. XD

Duck: A very new sort of role for me, but extremely fun and probably my favorite role to play so far!! I will definitely hold the advice in mind and give her more energy, and hope I can do better for the next episode! ^^

Fakir: It's so hot. XDD I heard your rendition of Fakir before and I loved it already--it's natural that you received this role. I love how you gave him a cool and jerk-ish edge, just as this character is styled to be (at least in the beginning I think). If only your mic quality was a bit better it would be really great.

Myuto: I thought that he could've sounded a bit younger and delicate, but otherwise good job on keeping the emotion (or lack thereof o_O) in key! He didn't say much but I look forward to hearing more in the future~.

Pike: At first I thought the voice was a bit too old and mature, but along with Ririe I think it's a good contrast. The more grounded and teasing nature of this character was captured very well, but if it sounded just slightly younger I'd enjoy it even more so!

Ririe: ADORABLE! X3 I love the high airyness brought to Ririe, and I love it when she cooes "that's so cute~!" Some deliveries on phrases were a little awkward but overall a sweet choice for a sweet character. I also loved the blending teamwork for both Pike and Ririe when they chant "Fight! Fight! Fight!" XD Very cute!

Mr. Cat: ... Lol!! XD I thought this was hilarious and very fitting. Some lines were delivered kind of weirdly but overall it made me laugh lots. I especially loved it when he was interrupted, "I'll have you MARRY M--...!" XD

Drosselmeyer: Quite a good old man voice! The chuckle was dark and creepy, too. I thought it was well textured and nicely executed; I don't really have complaints about it. ^^

Narrator: I really liked how you not only narrated the prologue, but added characterization when the crow, prince, and old man spoke. It was nice and flavorful! Good job!

Mixing: Yay you worked out the kinks! X3 This turned out very good! Again the video quality is not so hot and there were a couple volume inconsistencies, but overall you took this production to great heights by selecting a fitting cast and mixing this well. I also loved that you had added credits in the beginning! *O* I thought that was cool. XD

I like how this turned out, and shall watch more Princess Tutu and hope for the best in the next episode! ^_^