VA coaches for the VAs

Just something I thought of while checking out the illustration vice-head topic but...
Should we think about organising some voice-coaches for the voice team?

I mean, right now whenever someone auditions for a VA part, many people comment on ways to improve their acting and etc, but I was wondering about after a person is accepted, as they still might need support on getting just the right tone, emotion or pitch for certain scenes.
Handing out VA scripts like the ones Rain tried to do is a good start, but some VAs (like the Dexholders and other mains) might prefer having someone advising them directly on how to do the scenes that are a bit difficult to perform (high pitched screams, etc) or how to improve certain emotions in their voices.

Anyway, just wanted to suggest this. I don't have much of an idea of how the VA coaches would be chosen or how it would all be organised but I thought it would be good for the VA Team to consider this.

So... Any thoughts?

That sounds like a good idea. Some of the music team might want to do that as they're obviously very musical people and know much about how to do stuff with your voice. Of course I am a musical person as well and I can provide good con-crit as well as pointers on stuff like screams. This sort of thing though would be great for Skype, at least for normal lines. It would save the voice team continually asking for redos, the bane of every online VA. So I tentatively volunteer.

Well...I don't know exactly how I feel on this...on one hand it can be a good thing, as you said, in order to help our actors improve in character. On the other hand, it's someone elses single opinion, that may or not be right by the majority. I guess I'm in the position that if Dirks and Kam are okay with it, then so am I. Both of you give really great critiques, though...so as far as I'm concerned either one of you would be a good candidate.

VA coaching could be a good idea, but then again, just one central opinion may or may not be. But to be honest, the people who critique often, like Kazaazz and dirksies will make good coaches, since their advice is accurate. I'd love to coach too, but...I dont think I would have the time to review a person's recordings and giving them thorough critique. ^^; (that and I dont know how qualified I would be.)

I feel really honored that you think I would be a good VA coach and I absolutely love the idea, but I don't feel quite qualified to actually coach someone else. I'm still fairly new at voice acting. But if someone really wants me to coach them, I can =]

There'll be a lot of pressure on us to get it right too. Maybe on the auditions we have offer them to get onto Skype or something so we can give advice when and where they need it. Dirks and I could coach at the same time then. PMing can be used as well I guess, with the auditionee sending in attempts they want opinions on but don't want to audition with. But I don't think I'd want to do it with anyone who's first audition wasn't accepted because then it might just be a waste of time...

Well we can get into the actual processes of this before we start actually recording. It could be where the cast could send in their takes to the two of you before finally sending them to aki (or whoever), that way they can make any changes before final recording.

Hmm, that may be a good approach for this. In that case we're not gonna be coaches as such, we'll be directors! It would give us a chance for us to go through and double-check before the animators take over. Especially if we decide suddenly that one particlar line isn't good and everyone's groans cause then they have to reanimate everything.

Overall, I think we should go through with this idea! I think most online VA directors don't actually give advice on how to improve the lines and just say 'do it again'. If that's the case, maybe to save a bit of time, the VAs could send in multiple takes of the same line and we pick the best of the bunch?

I think it's a great idea.

If any thing more resources like these would help:

https://pokespeanime.forumotion.com/resources-f21/voice-acting-and-audio-tutorials-i-found-t455.htm

You can always (assuming you can VA yourself) record yourself saying the lines in the tone and emotion you want them to use, and then sending it to them, have them listen, and try to imitate.

Another good idea, especially for a VA hopeful like myself! (Why didn't I think of that?!) Of course though, this is based on dependable opinions. Maybe another person besides Dirksies and I could help. Three people I think would help debating about lines a lot. It's the magic number after all.

Well, I'm already on the staff (being a vice head and all), but I'm not sure I'm good enough at critiqueing...perhaps Raven...

I could help? I mean, if you think the critique I give it any good, constructive, or helpful. xD I wouldn't mind. It fun to help others with it! (I'd VA myself...but my voice...it doesn't have the sound that fits any characters, and I can't make animalistic sounds. :B )

Erm well I've seen you Alexie do some pretty good critique so you would be great but I'm just wondering whether it would be better if we had someone from the voice team. (Not that I'm much better, a least music team is closer tan animation team...lol)

But I need dirksies here for a second opinion...yup can't do one single decision by myself XD

*is summoned* Whu-? Oh, yeah

I think alexie could help, especially when it comes to the song auditionees, because you're a singer yourself. I can sing as well, but I'm mostly untrained and I'm also an alto. This song is more in your range, alexie, so I'm assuming you would know some tips to sing it better than me as an alto. And that's my two cents

Lmfao yes dirksies you were summoned by Lady Kazaazz!

I'm not a singer, but I got a little something called perfect pitch. -.0 I can hear the notes that are sang off key, and can warn people about how to fix them(NOT ALL, since that would be tedious and really rude of me.). I know a lot about how to sing well, from my friend who never stops blabbing to anyone who asks for singing tips. While I can't always hit every note perfectly, I understand how I can, so I think I can help?

This song works best with sopranos or extreme (oh darn the term for bass totally slipped my mind). What was it, barotones? Yeah. Singing altos is tricky with this song, since at one point, you gotta choose high or low, regardless of place you choose to start.

So I guess that means Alexie, Dirks and I are the...(un)official VA coaches? I'm not sure how much coaching Kamuro or chuck will need though. They're pretty awesome by themselves. But maybe minor actors such as ElvisDitto? Either way looks I may have another job besides my storyboarding. (Not that I mind but being a VA hopeful too makes me wonder whether I'm putting too much on my self. Gotta be realistic and all.)

Glad somebody thinks I'm beyond coachable, lol.

Jk, I need all the help I can get. (I still don't know if I'm happy with my Green voice or not )But I think 3 is enough. Kazzaz and Dirks on acting, and Alexie on singing/acting where needed. Since we're starting to record for the first half, be expecting my takes shortly you three I don't know if we're gonna set a deadline yet or not...I'll have to talk to dirks (and maybe Kam if I can get a hold of her )

Cool, communicating via PMs'll probably work best (MSN/Skype? I dunno.)

Looking forward to them :>w<:

You can add my skype. I'm Alexie828. xD
Cool so...is this only for oficial VAs or are we extending our coaching to people who are auditioning?

Well this is for both, I guess. The review process is for already accepted VAs...but continue to critique auditionees as normal.

Yeah I mentioned earlier that I didn't want to do proper coaching for people who weren't official voices anyway. Could be a waste of time you know? Anyways, added you on Skype, Alexie >W<