US Producers, Dubs, and Voice Actor Selection...

[Esn.AkaiShatsu]

I'm just curious how US producers select which voice actors they use when making dubs. I've noticed that lots of companies use the same actors over and over (for example, Sylia Stingray's voice from BGC:t2040 is the same actress who plays Flair in Dirty Pair: Flash, and Jet Black's voice actor from Cowboy Bebop is the same voice as the Narrator in Outlaw Star) and yet I never have noticed "cross over" actors, who's voices are heard in dubs from several different producers.
Is there a "talent pool" which producers draw their VA's from on a per-project basis? Or are most voice actors permenant employees for specific producers?

[Cowgirl Josey]

In regards to ADV, they have an inhouse dubbing studio called Industrial Smoke and Mirrors. As a result they wind up recycling a lot of their voice actors, and you'll hear them over and over again, Take Spike Spencer who was Shinji in Eva, Majic in Orphen, Akito in Nadesico, Maki in BGC Tokyo 2040, etc...etc...

Most other distributers, like Pioneer and Viz stick to one dubbing Studio. I believe both of these companies tend to use Ocean Group.

I think USMC has started to use Carolina Coastal, and I also believe that Bandai uses CC for most of their works.

I think it most companies end up with good working relationships with dubbing studios and they just stick with them only changing if scheduling requires they find a different studio. As a result, you hear a lot of the same voices over and over again.

[altym]

Esn, there are several websites that contain voice over talent pools and resources for the voice acting industry. One of the best I've found is http://voice123.com/

Check it out and producers can't say they always have to use the same voice talent because there is a lot from where to choose.

[Suiko Eiji]

In regards to ADV, they have an inhouse dubbing studio called Industrial Smoke and Mirrors. As a result they wind up recycling a lot of their voice actors, and you'll hear them over and over again, Take Spike Spencer who was Shinji in Eva, Majic in Orphen, Akito in Nadesico, Maki in BGC Tokyo 2040, etc...etc...

Most other distributers, like Pioneer and Viz stick to one dubbing Studio. I believe both of these companies tend to use Ocean Group.

Even though most companies may stick with one or perhaps two companies, or even use thier in-house brand, I believe all actors/actresses still have to audition for parts in order to gain a specific role. The American production staff are usually in control of who gets what, but I believe some dubs even have some input from the Japanese creators in a case-by-case basis.

I think USMC has started to use Carolina Coastal, and I also believe that Bandai uses CC for most of their works.

I thought Coastal Carolina went out of business about 2003, didn't they?

[Victory]

this thread is over NINE THOU-I mean over 5 years old

[Suiko Eiji]

Holy crap, I missed that. Thanks for pointing that out...

[Levon]

Wow, I'm surprised such an old thread isn't deleted.

[Hexon.Arq]

I wonder what other treasures lie at the bottom of the sea? This place could be like a time capsule.

[Levon]

It seems like John's forum doesn't get deleted threads like the others. Maybe because they keep messing with the other forums but never mess with this one.

[Matsu'o Tsurayaba]

I can imagine there is a sort of pre-selection database with a samples of english voice actors and if they are currently open for work.From experience Funimation and Pioneer usually make good dubs.

[Levon]

The ADR director has auditions where actors try roles & are casted that way. This is an old thread, back then it was mostly true that:

I never have noticed "cross over" actors, who's voices are heard in dubs from several different producers.

But now its different. VA's are going to other studio's rather than just sticking with one.

[Dessa]

They probably don't prune this forum 'cuz the same questions come up over and over, and we can just link to the old answers.

[KatayokuのTenshi]

Even though most companies may stick with one or perhaps two companies, or even use thier in-house brand, I believe all actors/actresses still have to audition for parts in order to gain a specific role. The American production staff are usually in control of who gets what, but I believe some dubs even have some input from the Japanese creators in a case-by-case basis.

While it is true that there are 'talent-pools' which a company might draw actors from (especialy ADV). There doesn't seem to be any thing stopping an actor from working for a different company. Like Amanda Winn Lee working on the ROD OVA. How does it work in Japan? Also does anyone actualy know what ADV stands for?

[Levon]

While it is true that there are 'talent-pools' which a company might draw actors from (especialy ADV). There doesn't seem to be any thing stopping an actor from working for a different company. Like Amanda Winn Lee working on the ROD OVA. How does it work in Japan? Also does anyone actualy know what ADV stands for?

Amanda Winn Lee has worked with ADV, PCB Productions, Gaijin Productions, Animaze & Bang Zoom(with video games I think). And shes not even really an active anymore & hasn't done much. Shes great though, even though EVA fans love to bash her.

[Suiko Eiji]

How does it work in Japan?

My understanding is that individual actors and actresses still audition for parts, but since most belong to a troupe/company, the troupe/company probably actually uses their contacts to find the auditions or supplement staff in case of an emergency. So, I wouldn't say its really all that different than in the US. However, most acting troupes/companies usually aren't tied down to a specific animation studio or anything like that.

Also does anyone actualy know what ADV stands for?

I don't think it really "stands" for anything. IIRC, the companiy's full name is still AD Visions, which gets shortened to ADV both in the professional and fan communities.

[Ken-Ohki]

I bet the A has to do with anime, just need to figure out the D.

I absolutely love to hear the voice talent from Robotech still making anime. My roommate and I just watched Planetes and there was plenty of characters we recognized from other shows. I think they're getting big enough that they have the choice of anime much more then previously.

[Levon]

:lol: Yeah, Tony Oliver who voiced Rick Hunter has gone a long ways. He is one of my favorites by far. My favorite roles from him are Harry(Gungrave), Lupin(the TV series), Hibiki(Vandread), Sorata(X TV) & Hajiki(Gad Guard).

I remember in the Gundam F91 commentary where he was talking down about Robotech & how much better anime gets treated today when it comes to edits & dubs.

[Suiko Eiji]

I bet the A has to do with anime, just need to figure out the D.

It might; in the early days, I think they licensed more than just anime, though. Don't take this as gospel or anything else, just something that jumped out at me...

I absolutely love to hear the voice talent from Robotech still making anime. My roommate and I just watched Planetes and there was plenty of characters we recognized from other shows. I think they're getting big enough that they have the choice of anime much more then previously.

Based on just the voice acting, I would have to agree, most of the RT voices I remember weren't too bad. Reba West just irritates me to no end and a lot of that is just me being a fanboy, I'll admit.

I remember in the Gundam F91 commentary where he was talking down about Robotech & how much better anime gets treated today when it comes to edits & dubs.

And he's completely right. I may not even be a dub fan but one would have to be completely ignorant of the Industry as a whole over its lifespan in the United States to admit otherwise. Sure, I would say its far from perfect, but let's give credit where credit is due.

[KatayokuのTenshi]

Its not that they hate her acting just the 'Commentary of Evil' i.e. 'there is no Japanese word for I' ... Sure Amanda... back away slowly.<_<
She was propably the best actor out of the 'three children.'

Maybe AD is short for AD Lib...

Or Anime Dubbing.

Or Anno Domini.