What do YOU look for in a VA when casting?

[D-Mac Double]

- Pays attention to instructions
- Good instincts with acting choices (word emphasis, inflection)
- Emotional versatility
- Ability to take direction

I will cast the smarter actor over the one with the slightly more appropriate voice, virtually every time.

[R4v3nbr4in]

Sorry for not replying to anything, I've been busy.

These are all interesting points everyone brings up. And good things to keep in mind as well.

Thank you all for posting (:

[hadohado319]

If the VA and loosen up and have fun with the role without totally goofing off they're fine with me. I only shoot for comedy, so as long as it doesn't feel like "Wow, this guy's totally reading off of a Microsoft Word document", it's passing the my bar in terms of acting. In the DRRR parody I did last I had a Australian kid playing walker and a Scottish kid as Izaya, the latter of which recorded his shit in what sounded like some sort of wind tunnel. No regrets for either of them, those guys were a blast to record.

The ones that did kill me were the guys that were strung too tight about it. Didn't project themselves, didn't speak into the mic, hardly put out any effort because of shyness. The only thing I could do effectively for them is to have them read the line over and over again until they got the "Ah, screw this" attitude and just spilled their guts into the line for the hell of it. It's really not a fun directing technique, it's.... time consuming.

[Geist X]

- Pays attention to instructions
- Good instincts with acting choices (word emphasis, inflection)
- Emotional versatility
- Ability to take direction

I will cast the smarter actor over the one with the slightly more appropriate voice, virtually every time.

Pretty much this.

[DylanB]

- Pays attention to instructions
- Good instincts with acting choices (word emphasis, inflection)
- Emotional versatility
- Ability to take direction

I will cast the smarter actor over the one with the slightly more appropriate voice, virtually every time.

If the VA and loosen up and have fun with the role without totally goofing off they're fine with me. I only shoot for comedy, so as long as it doesn't feel like "Wow, this guy's totally reading off of a Microsoft Word document", it's passing the my bar in terms of acting. In the DRRR parody I did last I had a Australian kid playing walker and a Scottish kid as Izaya, the latter of which recorded his shit in what sounded like some sort of wind tunnel. No regrets for either of them, those guys were a blast to record.

The ones that did kill me were the guys that were strung too tight about it. Didn't project themselves, didn't speak into the mic, hardly put out any effort because of shyness. The only thing I could do effectively for them is to have them read the line over and over again until they got the "Ah, screw this" attitude and just spilled their guts into the line for the hell of it. It's really not a fun directing technique, it's.... time consuming.

Kind of a combination with these two. Really I Have these actors in my head I.E. Kate Oxely as Zelda. i would want to pick someone who can deliver their original take, but could have the certain quality, Texture, emotion, enunciation,Tempo, and fun. As long as they hit the deadlines, participate with the other actors in read through, and don't miss a meeting or screw me over, i'm fine and they are perfect for the role. They also should have.. "it".

[SonicTheVA]

People who can't act for crap.
People who don't have fitting voices.
People who can't show voice inflection very well.
People who don't know the character well.

Spoiler:     

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I mean the exact opposite of what I said.

[Marpix]

I look for consistency. If I hear a voice I like, and the person on the other end of the interent can continue to do it after auditioning/casting/scripting/re-dos/whathaveyou, then I am a very happy camper.

[hyperknees91]

The patient actor mainly, man do I love actors with a good attitude. Even if they don't quite have the skill set right away, if they are willing to take things slowly and learn from direction it makes all the difference in the world hah.

But if I'm lucky I'd like to get people with qualities like D-mac and Sarifus mentioned as well xD

[Mrwest16]

Well, really, the simple fact is: "Are you any good?" That's what I look for with an AVA. I mean, this is an open forum and anyone is welcome to join and even improve with time but I have noticed that before you hear someone REALLY good you hear a lot of... well... less then desirable auditions. Simply put I ask that you don't waste your and my time with an audition that is both VERY lacking in the acting department whilst also prevalent with varying pops and clicks.

Is there an effort? Can you convey a semblance of natural emotion? Are you not just reading texts as if you're reading a video game manual? The question is: is it at all possible for you to sound as if you are NOT reading what's written in front of you?

There are many variables to consider when I look for someone who I think works well in a project. First and foremost, can you actually sound convincing?

[Sarge Ray]

I primarily look for versatility, but the golden rule for me is delivery. If you don't have a lot of versatility, you can still win me over by giving a powerful and moving performance.

Platinum, though, is someone who has both: versatility AND delivery. If they can come off as someone else entirely and not sound like they're just reading lines, THAT'S what I aim for.