Amateur Voice Acting

A Quick Guide by Azure www.voiceactingalliance.com

You may freely photocopy and distribute this guide as long as you keep to the rules of the con, or location at which it is handed out. You may not alter the guide without Azure’s permission ( contact if you wish to use in a conbook/zine etc). If you use this guide it would be appreciated if you let us know at http://www.voiceactingallinace.com ( VA Guide Version 2.0)

What equipment do I need?
You’ll need a PC or Mac with good specs to run some of the more demanding software.
Microphone: Headsets aren’t really much good nor are most webcam laptop microphones. You’ll want one with a stand built in or that clicks into a stand
For highest home quality at a low price we recommend a USB microphone.

What about audio recording software?
Adobe Audition –expensive but top of the range. ( previously known as Cool Edit http://www.adobe.com _
Audacity- Free and fairly simple recording software. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Jargon Buster
RP - Radio play/ audio drama, a big genre of production think the audio version of Hitchhikers Guide or anime drama CDs. Fan Dub - In this case dubbing means putting in your own voices usually to an anime. If you see anime on TV then it's been professionally dubbed into English. A fan dub is an unofficial amateur dub. Fan Sub - A fan sub is an unofficial subtitling of an anime often used as reference for dubs. Raw - A term often relating to un-subtitled anime.
Demo/Sampler– A file usually audio which shows off a Voice Actors skill.
Mod– Usually referring to fan made content for games such as Unreal and Quake.
Producer– The person responsible for a project.

How Do I get a Role?
A large amount of casting is done by using Voice Acting Forums such as the VAA (www.voiceactingalliance.com. Open auditions are posted in the casting section of the site. You’ll find a short description of the project and some lines to record. Record each line as a separate file, and follow the posters instructions on how to send the file to them. The producer will then weigh up the auditions and cast from it. If you don’t get cast don’t take it personally! Keep practicing.

Voice Acting Sites…
www.voiceactingalliance.com—The Voice Acting Alliance (VAA)
www.voiceacting.org—FLAVA
http://voiceacting.proboards62.com/index.cgi –V.A.C the forum for the Newgrounds VA Club