The Dirty Pair Guide to Voice Acting
Well you asked for it and now you're going to get it! A hundred plus emails have begged us for the secrets to voice acting. How does one do it? How do I become a part of it all? I want to be a anime character sign me up? Well it could be that easy, but then again let's ask the pro's and see what they think! The girls are back! While they've away from Texas they live on as the Dirty Pair wherever they go. It's KEI, Pam Lauer and YURI, Jessica Calvello back online for ADV giving you the cold hard facts of voice acting. As an extra bonus we've included the first audio interview created by myself the Content'oMatic Dan and the Dirty Pair girls.
Q: How do you do it? How does one get started in voice acting?
KEI: I got lucky. Heard about a cattle call audition and I made an appointment. Then I got called back to do bit parts for various projects before catching my big break in the Original Dirty Pair.
YURI: If you are already an actor, then you will probably hear through the grapevine about auditions of all kinds out there. Sometimes you will read audition notices in the papers, sometimes you hear from a friend, sometimes on the web...it all depends.
Q: I'm from the west coast how do I get into voice acting? I wanna be a an anime character? I got a good voice. What should I do?
KEI: Check into local recording studios. Call them up and ask for an audition. Hound them for small parts, backup voices, anything they need. Show the interest and be patient.
YURI: I am on the West Coast, too! I check out the BackStage paper where all the audition stuff is posted. There is a section for voice talent. You'll want to make a demo tape with different voices on it to mail to people. There are also audition postings that you can subscribe to on the internet and have notices emailed to you. Most notices are stage and film, but they occasionally have an audition for an animated feature. I was hired for a cartoon this way. One such place that emails notices is: buzz@theglobe.com Email them asking them how can you register to get the audition notices. It's free...
Q: I have great ideas for characters and voices to play what should I do to pursue my ideas?
KEI: Not sure I can help here. Since the recording studio doesn't do any of the anime or any original recordings, I have no idea where to point you.
YURI: You'll have to forgive Kei. She is only really good at blowing up things. Basically you want to start auditioning - getting out there and making your talent known. Refer to my answer above.
Q: Did you ever make a voice reel? How did ADV find you?
KEI: I found them. Last voice reel I made was in college before graduating in radio.TV broadcasting.
YURI: No voice reel, although you busted my chops...I NEED to make one! I do have a demo tape and have received voice acting jobs from people just listening to that. The thing now is to make a CD and just whip that out to people. It is easy and professional. That is my next step!!! I found ADV. They were there, doing their thang, and I came and auditioned for them, and after a few bit parts for them I landed my first lead as Hikaru in Orange Road Summer's Beginning in '97. (dan-note: Which btw, Hikaru is babe!!!)
Q: Do I need to get into acting to be a voice actor?
KEI: It helps. I was in drama in college and have stayed involved with community theater since graduating. I certainly don't think it's manadatory, but seeing how others perform and getting direction from a pro doesn't hurt.
YURI: This is heavily disputed among voice acting panels at conventions. You will get a lot of different answers. My personal opinion, which is also my professional opinion is that your foundation is acting. Being an actor first and foremost is the key to anything in the performance arts business whether you are on stage, film, or a mic.
Q: Is it all fame and glory? Can I really make a living at this?
KEI: Depends on how well you want to live.
YURI: Yep. Kei said it. And of course being Hank Azaria and working on the Simpsons or Disney flics doesn't hurt either. There are high paying voice jobs and low paying voice jobs, and if you want to be a voice actor, you gotta take them all. You can't solely make a living at voice acting, but that combined with other acting jobs in the biz, you can. But it takes a while...
Q: All the anime companies are nowhere near me. How can I get into voice acting on my own local level? (radio/tv)
KEI: It can be very tough, so persistence will be key. Most ads on TV and radio (even in the small markets) are done through agencies. Find an agent, make a tape, have them sell you out to everyone and be persistent.
YURI: An agent is the key to radio/TV work. They get you the gigs, then you give them the 10%. So, like above, 'find an agent, make a tape,' and mail them out to the world and then once you have done that mail them out again. Persistance is a MUST.
Q: How should I present myself? Is there a certain thing Matt G. was looking for when we held auditions?
KEI: I think each director looks for different things, but voice is the most important. Dressing in a suit for an audition isn't necessarily earning you points. If you show flexibility, an interest in the art, a good sense of humor, you're off to a good start.
YURI: Present yourself like YOU. Go in there, and be YOU. Look doesn't matter. A lot of times the directors will just listen to your audition with their eyes closed, concentrating on what they are hearing. Sometimes it is something in your voice that you have no control over that they want or don't won't. Sometimes a really good actor that give the lines life and emotion will get a role over someone who has a more suitable voice. But something you have to get used to (and when you do, let me how to do it) you NEVER know what they are looking for. You just have to do the best you can and hope that you are doing something right.
Q: Do you have to get into the characters you play or is it more working the magic of the moment?
KEI: I think it's a little bit of both. You have to love the character you're playing in order to be convincing as that character. So you search for hte qualities that you like and try to make them shine through. But there are also definite moments when recording that you have an epiphany or can really pull off some amazing things. And those moments can never be recaptured or duplicated -- they're lost two minutes later.
YURI: Both. There is something so valuable about spontaneity; something so perfect about something that just happens that you didn't prepare for. And that IS the magic of the moment. And there are times when I need a moment before I start recording to think about what it is I am trying to make come across in my performance, and that can work, too.
Q: Any reccomendations of books/movies/things to do in order to get into this kind of business?
KEI: I always enjoy watching movies that require voice acting -- Disney's animated films, Toy Story, A Bug's Life, all of the anime films, etc. You can hear how others do it, pick up pointers, realize what not to do, listen for nuances, so forth. It's a great way to objectively learn about the art.
YURI: Check out that website I mentioned above - the buzz one. You can also get the Backstage online which gives audition notices for everything under the sun for the east and west coasts. www.backstage.com Those are good ways to see what is being auditioned and they also give you addresses to mail your demo or reels to or an email addresses to contact for info. There are a ton of acting books out there. I don't read them.
Q: Should I have high hopes or should I take a more realistic stance on this business? Meaning is it business in the end or magic movie making?
KEI: For me, it's magic. I think if I could make a solid living at voice acting, I would attempt it because I love it so much. But knowing that I don't have projects lined up for the next five years, I love the chances I do get. Either way, it's magic for me.
YURI: I am an actor first and foremost, so I have other stuff that I am involved in than just voice acting. I don't just want to voice act, I am trained to be on stage or in film, I also love modern dance and I ust love all performing aspects of the business. You can make a living at it. Most people drop out before they get there and it is understandable. If you feel that you can't do this - being voice acting or dancing, or whatever area you are in - that you will die, then you will stick it out. But you have to feel that passionate about it. If you are 99.9% sure that you want to do this with your life, you won't make it.
Q: What happened to Jessica, did she really move away, out of Texas? Did her and Dan really break up? What about the kids?
KEI: She moved to NYC because she couldn't handle the pressure of me moving in on her man, Dan. Dan, realizing that I was a much better catch, truly did break up with her. I think Jessica sold the kids for rent money -- things are so much more expensive in the Big Apple.
YURI: Ok, WOW!!!!!!!!! First of all, Dan is psychotic, so Pam and him should make a FINE couple. I mean, I should have known when he started boiling his socks and singing gospel hymnals that something was wrong. I do live in New Jersey, but I work in NY. I still consider myself a part of the ADV family and hope that I will still be involved in their dubs. But I am doing many voice acting gigs up here and I am loving it! I do miss Dan, though.....oh hon, remember the time we waxed the floors and danced the mambo naked while crocheting booties for the babes? And yes, I did sell the kids. They weren't pulling there weight, damnit!!! The Big Apple IS more expensive, you know...
Q: Rumor has it Dan left Jessica for Pam is that true? Pam moved away too?
KEI: True, Dan did leave that blond girly for me. However, once I realized I was now strapped with Dan's costly addiction to Pez, I had to accept a job in Seattle to support us. The distance thing is tough, but we're managing well.
YURI: PEZ!!!!!! And who started his addiction to Pez?! I gave you that Pez dispenser, Dan!!! You can't tell me it didn't mean anything! Oh!!! Blasphemy!!! Pam, Kei, how could you do this to me?!?! You betrayed me! You know, he never would have left me had you stayed out of our bathroom! All those nights, all those times you were in there, watching, waiting, and then BAM! The next thing I know Dan is making these mysterious trips to this Restoration Hardware place and buying all these new appliances and oh!!! It all makes sense now!!! I curse the two of you and......and........(breaks down into hysterical sobbing)
Q: If you could name one thing you miss most about Texas what would it be?
KEI: The FOOD!!! In Washington, people believe that there should be beans in chili. Can you imagine?! And don't even get me started on BBQ or Mexican fare up here.
YURI: Man, I hate Texas. But I DO love the Tex-Mex.
Q: Is Dan really the freak he appears to be in these kind of questionares?
KEI: No, he's actually freakier in person.
YURI: How could you speak of my Dan that way?!?! How could you?!?!? Oh wait, I forgot that I hated him. Yes! Yes, Dan is a total freak...actually, we should set up a poll to see who is freakier. I just might win...
Q: Name three websites you visit the most for whatever reasons you may have to visit them.
KEI: I should be saying sites like ADVfilms.com, right? In actuality, my life is much more boring, so these are the sites I visit most frequently for work:
- Amazon.com -- simply because I have to constantly check on my featured items.
- wellsfargo.com -- to make sure I'm still getting paid for working at the above.
- msn.com -- to check my other mail and current stock prices.
But when I have time or just don't feel like working, these are great sites:
- atomfilms.com -- get into their shorts.
- vacationspot.com -- because even I like to dream.
- http://sodaplay.com/constructor/index.htm -- total time suck.
- mcphee.com -- kitschy toys you can't live without.
- JCalvello.com -- home page of this very cool girl I know.
YURI: Hmmmm
- dictionary.com because I have an awful vocabulary.
- Japanesesnacks.com because they have GREAT snacks!!!
- Anime Web Turnpike because it is a great source for anime stuff. You go to my website, Kei? Really? Why don't we say you and I ditch Dan and become a couple! It would solve ALL problems! But I don't wanna move to Seattle....
end!
Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 (Archive on Friday, May 07, 2004)