**MUST READ!!!!** RE: Audition Deadlines

[Rina-chan]

When told to put a deadline, many people ask why they need such a thing, so I think it's about time for a topic to clarify.

What's a deadline? Does that mean when I'll submit to Newgrounds? Because I don't know!
A deadline is NOT "when do you intend to finish the animation"---we know you probably don't know when you're going to release it because there are many factors which influence that. By a deadline, we mean a date when you will stop accepting auditions from voice actors.

So, why do I need a deadline?
Because, chances are, voice actors will see your thread and be interested in the project, but may not have time to audition right that minute. The deadline lets them know how long they have to submit something in order to be considered.

Why can't I just give the parts to whoever sends me something first?
If you cast your characters "first come first serve" and give roles away to whoever sends something in right then, it kind of cheats other voice actors out of a chance to try (particularly those who live in a different time zone than you) and your own project results may not be what you're hoping for because you're not allowing any time to find the best voice for each character. So in other words, allowing some time for people to get things in before you cast works out better for BOTH you AND your voice actors.

Now, if you're really going to cast that way and put up the obligatory deadline yet disregard it...it's ultimately your project and your decision, and we're not going to hound you about it. But at least have the courtesy to edit your thread as to which roles are already taken so that you don't waste people's time having them audition only to find out the role is taken and there was no such notice added to the first post. This is in the audition rules---read them.

I need the voices AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. How long do I really have to give?
A deadline can be whenever as long as it's SOMETHING and you stick to it. So if the deadline is, say, "midnight tomorrow", that's valid. We understand that sometimes you need something right away, so just make it something specific even if it's short.

Okay, so I set this deadline, but I didn't get enough auditions or anything that sounded like what I was looking for. What can I do?
Deadlines may be extended! You can always do a partial cast and then leave the rest of the parts open for, say, another week. You can always make it longer. Or, if you didn't find anything you like, you can look through demos and scout someone.

If I didn't find any voices that were good enough, can I just cast myself in the role instead?
That's your decision as the producer. You might want to first try extending the deadline and providing some clarification or YouTube audio references for how you want the voices to sound. If you -still- don't find what you're looking for, I don't think anyone would fault you too much for casting yourself in the role. But if you know you want to play the role from the beginning, self-cast beforehand instead because people may be upset to waste time auditioning only for the role to be self-cast.

OK, so I set a deadline... but I just found a voice that was OMGPERFECT!
Wait for the deadline anyway. You can still of course cast that person in the end if their audition does indeed turn out to be the best, but it is mandatory that you wait to make a final casting announcement until your posted deadline date.

[Mystic]

Great topic Rina. I hope it's not as overlooked as the rules section. Thanks for the posting it.

[pokejedservo]

I do understand why Deadlines can have a value and that going by a "First come first serve" basis is often frown upon. Unfortunately I do also have a complaint about it as well. Namely on how it works best when the aud spot gets plenty of auds before a deadline occurs.

But alas I have had to extend deadlines SEVERAL times in the past granted not having enough auds I am particularly looking for has been an issue but its often due to not having enough auds for certain characters at all. I know we all have lives outside this site but trying to stick to deadlines does not always make the folks here want to send auds as soon as possible and mind you I have scouted for people SEVERAL times in the past. (Granted I am speaking more about my experience with the VAA but still.)

I don't really want to call the deadlines concept a really bad one. But I thought I make a warning that it does not always help you get enough auditions in time.

[Rina-chan]

How will first-come-first-serve get you MORE voice actors than if you have a deadline and end up having to extend it?

I mean, if you don't get anything when the deadline passes... you could always just scout people for those characters.

[kageh]

As a comment to Rina-Chan's post, First come first served is just like having a house with sixteen people in it, and a box of a dozen doughnuts. One person is asleep, one needs to go use the restroom, and the other two are cleaning in the attic. The other Twelve are able to get to the doughnuts before the four others. The four don't get to eat a doughnut, but only twelve do. And the four people might be hungrier than the others.

Take this, and let's say your project needs a dozen voice actors. You let the first twelve people automatically be voice talents for your project. But, four other guys want to be part of your project, but they're busy at the moment, so it'll be about a day or week later. And those four guys might be better voice actors or voice actors who are just what you need.

But extending deadlines is okay, and scouting is just as good.

[Mystic]

kageh said:

As a comment to Rina-Chan's post, First come first served is just like having a house with sixteen people in it, and a box of a dozen doughnuts. One person is asleep, one needs to go use the restroom, and the other two are cleaning in the attic. The other Twelve are able to get to the doughnuts before the four others. The four don't get to eat a doughnut, but only twelve do. And the four people might be hungrier than the others.

Take this, and let's say your project needs a dozen voice actors. You let the first twelve people automatically be voice talents for your project. But, four other guys want to be part of your project, but they're busy at the moment, so it'll be about a day or week later. And those four guys might be better voice actors or voice actors who are just what you need.

But extending deadlines is okay, and scouting is just as good.

Yeah, it kinda like that, except a good amount of those guys might suck at eating lol

First come first serve is silly in my opinion. I would want voice actors who are very talented and have great quality audio as well.

That's a big thing for me, personally. If you think you're pretty good, get a good mic, you'll be wanted more.

[Weiss Draconis]

True, and somehow, I believe this thread results out of your rant on Bad Grammar and spelling in a certain audio production. Nevertheless, I have to agree here.

[Tinker Jet]

This sounds a bit more like an FAQ... hm...

[pokejedservo]

Oh no I had no intention in arguing with the value on casting by first come and first serve in fact I agree with it. Going by the first come first serve is indeed not a good idea. I fully apologize for any misunderstanding there...

I was just mentioning on how in my projects I often extend my deadlines on a regular basis. Whether if I don't have auds that are good enough or roles that don't get enough auds at all it still happens. I will admit that yes having to extend a deadline for several times can indeed be annoying. But I do know that it must be done in order for it to get done.

I do apologize if I offended anyone but I did want to mention that deadlines have not worked for me in getting plenty of quality auds in a timely manner. And IIRC I am not the only one who has ever needed to extend deadlines in a aud spot well more than once. I know there are plenty of projects that required few or no extensions whatsoever but there are those that didn't.

[Weiss Draconis]

In any case, the topic here is how the deadline is a necessity for audition threads here on the VAC. It allows for some choices that otherwise would be difficult to be made more easily.

Example (NOTE: This Example is entirely ficticious, but demonstrates what I think, after reading the How To Post An Audition thread, is close to the bare minimum of acceptable by the VAC's standards.) With an audition for a radioplay idea I found recently, I noticed that the deadline was non-existent until a moderator reminded the starter of the thread that a concrete deadline was needed.

This situation needn't be completely mechanical, as an idea of when you'll stop will work out just fine. This person subsequently put that they'd stop accepting auditions by the last week of Februrary, but didn't have an exact date in mind.

Due to time constraints of the producer, however, the finally agreed-on date was around the 28th of the month, but all roles endeed up being filled to satisfaction two days before the date. The producer, however, due to a busy work schedule, was unable to announce that all roles had been cast until the 1st of March. No major repercussions were felt, as the producer's postings as to who was cast were very well detailed. End Example.

So, an exact date is basically a guide roughly as to when we, the VAs, need to stop sending in auditions for roles, either stopping a day before, or just on midnight of the deadline date in question.

As for the producer, this date is a time to begin making decisions, listen to the auditions for roles you have one at a time, and decide who is best for the role. A modicum of respect and understanding is called for on both sides, as without respect, the VAC cannot function.

Well, that's my rough interpretation, seeing as I forgot to give it when I posted in the thread earlier.

[Aramek]

suck at eating

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

[Mystic]

aramek said:

suck at eating

Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.

;D Thank you

[iamnoir]

*sigh* I can't believe you have to post something like this

[Rina-chan]

iamnoir said:

*sigh* I can't believe you have to post something like this

It's because people were not following it, and kept asking why they need a deadline and this and that over and over.

[Mystic]

xxkibakunxx said:

is there any opening auditions i want to do try do a voice acting

wow...look under this thread. there are countless amounts of open auditions. Go audition and have fun. Good luck.