Trending Lounge Discussions

Hi, Morgan Aitken Ipg. Stage 32 has a webinar called "Voice Acting 101: What You Need to Know to Get Started" (www.stage32.com/education/products/voice-acting-101-what-you-need-to-kno...). One of the things Van Gunter covers is "Preparing Your Voice."

Try spacing your speech into uneven rhythms, pauses, some faster, some slower, and find the key word to hit. Sentences follow a melodic pattern that arcs high pitch 2/3 of the way through and drops to the end.

You should definitely get compensated for your time making test samples. And for paid work, adapt to what the client wants in regards to art style. Ideally, the client would have contacted you because they like your art-style, but if you want to break new ground, I guess you need to adapt. But free samples do not do you any favour, especially if you have to put together something half baked, that doesn't put you in your best light.

It is a common (BAD) practice in the industry. Even though you have a portfolio, studios have been burned in the past hiring people that have talent but just cannot match up to their style of animation in the timing department, fluidity, aesthetic or deadline requirements. So, they give you tests to do to answer all these questions before they decide on using you. They essentially want to know, if they give you a load of work, that they can predict that you can finish it to their standards within a time frame they find acceptable. This mostly takes place with TV series and web series because they need to put out episodes in a regular frequency. Features are not as strict. While features still have deadlines, it's not an intense week to week output that places undue pressure on the team.

With that said, when it comes to freelance client, insist they look at my portfolio and make a decision or pay me to do the designs and storyboard as a sign of good faith that they will actually pay up before I embark on anything further. Why I stand my ground on this is because the tests take up very valuable time. Whether you are a solo animator or a team, that's time out of your week that you could have been working on something that actually pays. Suppose you get 4 clients this month who want you to do tests and each test takes a week, that's 4 weeks of working for no pay, with no guarantee you will get hired.

If your team has to work on that test, that's 4 weeks you are putting them through the ringer, with no pay. It will only be a matter of time before they leave you.

Cyrus Sales it's unfortunately a standard in the industry. I would say limit the test to one character and a 10 second test. Anything more than that is a lot of work.

The other option is to find the right clients that suit your standards. Easier said than done.

Patrik Gyltefors thank you for your insight. I do feel like the time to sample can be a waste.. most times. Our first animation client did secure us for their project based off the animation we sent however since then it does seem like a bit of a waste of time. Especially when we have an entire website showing we are capable of animating in different art styles.

Kevin Jackson beautifully said and maybe somewhere in there I was looking for some sort of glance that I'm headed in the right direct. I feel like at this point standing firm on, we can do a sample however that sample will need to be paid OR you can trust that I can accomplish what you are looking for. The amount of time it takes alone comes with a rollercoaster of emotions, add in it being a free sample and them not going with you... oof. Thank you so much for the feedback.

Hi, Kaye Sereneveil. Welcome back. It's great to see you again. Stage 32 is having a free Community Open House on November 25th. It'll also help you connect with creatives and industry pros. It's a fully interactive event where the community gets to guide the discussion. You can sign up here: www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-ho...

And it's Stage 32's November Write Club. It can help you reach a goal(s), it's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc., and you can get support for your goal and projects. Week 3's blog came out Monday. There's three prizes you could win this week! www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-3-how-to-make-a-strong-fir...

Welcome back, Kaye Sereneveil

Welcome back Kaye!

Hi Kaye Sereneveil - welcome back! Your decision (and instinct) to come back to what you love is a sign that you can already be proud of your journey - even Michelangelo toward the end of his life said "Ancora imparo" ... "I am still learning." Enjoy the journey! :) cheers

This looks like a great opportunity! Its easy to see what you want outof an agent, but they are their own people that have careers, aspirations for their company and demands on their time, so knowing how you can best demonstrate your value to them is essential!

Hi James, I'm attending on the 11th. I'm an actor, and I know what it's like to have an acting agent. I have no idea what it is like to grab the attention of a literary agent. I have written a lot of screenplays and stage plays which are at different levels of completion. Some are finalized. Some were shot. I have been told I have a distinctive voice. So, I'm looking forward to this.

Hi, David!

Thanks so much for sharing this with me, what a fantastic question for our host during the live Q&A. I love hearing where you’re at in your journey, and I think this session is really going to speak to you. I hope you can join us for the webinar!

Congratulations on Buffalo 8 requesting your script, JPatrick Baker!

They don't have to defer payments, they have to invest in you and your project. It's their good right to ask for payments, but it makes you an investor or money hustler and not the screenwriter or creative you probably want to be.

Willem Elzenga 2 you're not wrong but I also don't understand the point of your response

Congratulations and good job!

thank you very much Banafsheh Esmailzadeh

You’re welcome, Meriem Bouziani~

Great Job! Not an easy task.

thank you very much John Fife

Hi, John Reizer! Welcome to the community. Stage 32 has a blog that'll help you navigate the platform and connect with creatives and industry professionals all over the world. Screenwriters, producers, directors, executives, actors, and more. www.stage32.com/blog/how-to-successfully-navigate-the-stage-32-platform-...

Stage 32 is having a free Community Open House today. It'll also help you navigate Stage 32 and connect with creatives and industry pros. It's a fully interactive event where the community gets to guide the discussion. You can sign up here: www.stage32.com/education/products/stage-32-s-november-community-open-ho...

Here’s a blog for up-and-coming screenwriters I suggest checking out: www.stage32.com/blog/the-questions-up-and-coming-screenwriters-need-to-a...

Stage 32 has other screenwriting resources:

Screenwriting Lounge: www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting

Screenwriting Blogs: www.stage32.com/blog/tags/screenwriting-25

Screenwriting Education: www.stage32.com/education/search?term=Screenwriting

Script Services: www.stage32.com/scriptservices

The Writers’ Room: www.stage32.com/writers-room (you can sign up for your first month of membership free here www.stage32.com/writers-room/plans-vip)

And it's the last week of Stage 32's November Write Club. It can help you reach a goal(s), it's a chance to connect with writers, directors, producers, etc., and you can get support for your goal and projects. There's three prizes this week and a grand prize drawing at the end of the month! Week 4's blog came out yesterday. www.stage32.com/blog/november-write-club-week-4-the-art-of-the-pitch-wha...

Hi John and welcome to Stage 32! Congratulations on your film. Maurice already gave you the rundown, but I wanted to add my hello!

Welcome, John Reizer

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You're right, Clinton Oparaocha. Another great way to come up with original ideas is combining different life events.

Thanks, Dwayne Williams 2. And thanks for the offer. The comparables are The Purge, 30 Days of Night, and Blade right now.

Wow, that’s a perfect blend of comparables, Maurice Vaughan. Both are actually my favorite vampire films, so that mix hits right away. With those influences, are you planning to bring in a signature weapon style like Blade had?

Blade is my favorite vampire movie, Dwayne Williams 2. I came up with weapons, traps, etc. for Vampire-Proof. Really unique weapons and things.

Oh nice, that sounds very interactive Maurice Vaughan. I love it when a world has its own unique weapons and traps; it really pulls the audience in. I’d love to hear more about what you’ve created whenever you want to share.

No problem, Dwayne Williams 2. I might start posting about the weapons, traps, etc. to build hype for my script.

Hi Marc. I’m interested in finding out more. Please reach me at cheryl@cherylchase.com. Thanks!

I've written an adult animation series too! Would love to connect!

Cheryl Chase welcome to Stage32 and happy hunting for vo collaboration. Happy networking!

Hey Cheryl Chase - honored to meet you. My daughter and I loved watching Rugrats together. I also write animated screenplays so would love to connect. Glad you’re with us.

hello cartoon creative, I’m trying to pitch my adult cartoon as we speak!