Some questions regarding my dream.
1
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
So like, I've been dreaming to be a voice actor in Japan for quite some time. I know that I've made a thread about it on the Dream and Aspirations forum.
But on this thread, I'd like to ask how to get in on it.
I'd like people to share the info they know; how do one, especially a foreigner, become a voice actor/actress on Japan?
I've heard that voice acting doesn't usually pay the bills and doesn't cover for your living expenses. But do you think that's not the case in Japan?
I've also heard that there are voice acting schools in Japan, around 130 of them, in fact (from Wikipadia). Any idea how much they charge for attending those?
Google did me no good for information... to be honest. So I've made this thread in case people here knows more about it. Also, I've made this thread here instead of creating it on the Anime General forum, since it may not get many replies there. Random has more people and is far more active, unfortunately.
But on this thread, I'd like to ask how to get in on it.
I'd like people to share the info they know; how do one, especially a foreigner, become a voice actor/actress on Japan?
I've heard that voice acting doesn't usually pay the bills and doesn't cover for your living expenses. But do you think that's not the case in Japan?
I've also heard that there are voice acting schools in Japan, around 130 of them, in fact (from Wikipadia). Any idea how much they charge for attending those?
Google did me no good for information... to be honest. So I've made this thread in case people here knows more about it. Also, I've made this thread here instead of creating it on the Anime General forum, since it may not get many replies there. Random has more people and is far more active, unfortunately.
0
Step 1... be Japanese. This is a must.
Step 2... acting school and voice coaching, then look for VA roles.
But if you can't pass Step 1 (aka you are just a VA otaku who wants to learn Japanese and move there on a dream-filled whim), you're not going to get far.
Step 2... acting school and voice coaching, then look for VA roles.
But if you can't pass Step 1 (aka you are just a VA otaku who wants to learn Japanese and move there on a dream-filled whim), you're not going to get far.
0
gizgal wrote...
Step 1... be Japanese. This is a must.Step 2... acting school and voice coaching, then look for VA roles.
But if you can't pass Step 1 (aka you are just a VA otaku who wants to learn Japanese and move there on a dream-filled whim), you're not going to get far.
Wrt step one, you would be wrong. There are anime where people are bilingual! If you can speak Japanese and your intonation is good then who can tell you're not Japanese without looking at you.
step two is true though, acting school/voice coaching would be mandatory.
Try out dubbing samples of anime/tv shows that you like-test it out on people that you know who know and do not know japanese to give you feedback.
but it's true to say that if this is a whim you aren't going to get far. Many people say they want to voice dub, but it's a long long process. If you're a good singer, try a cover of a song and you'll see how long it takes to make just one song!
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+68511
this may help, but some of the comments are incorrect also. Many people can have accentless Japanese after they are 19yrs old. voice coaching with someone is key.
0
Kaimax
Best Master-San
yahoo answers wrote...
It's entirely possible, so the answer is yes.
Now, there is one thing you should realize. Even for Japanese voice actors, voice acting in anime is just one part of their career. It's still the same for a foreign voice actor. You need to realize that voice acting will be only one part of a career as a voiceover professional.
For example, here's an agent in Japan that manages 76 American voice actors (voiceover professionals):
http://www.narrator.jp/narrator/narrator…
And they want more: "We are seeking native narrators of various languages such as English, Chinese, Korean, French, Italian and etc. working in Japan."
You have to be realistic and accept the fact that most of these voice talents do narrations, corporate videos, English lesson recordings, and commercial voiceovers. Some of them might get voice work for anime and video games once in a while.
The bad news is that you're still on your own for getting a work visa in Japan. Agents like these don't sponsor your work visa. As a (hopefully) full time voice talent, your visa category would be for an entertainer visa. An entertainer visa requires a minimum of 2 years of drama school and 2 years of work experience. You also need to make at least 200,000 yen a month (about $2,000) to keep your visa.
A drama background is a good thing to have as a voice talent anyway. The work visa part is best consulted with an immigration lawyer in Japan.
4 years old answer though.
another Yahoo answer wrote...
I wouldn't count on it. Even the anime I watch with non japanese characters (English, American, etc..) they still use Japanese people even when they're speaking English. With the exception of live action Nana movies where Reira could actually speak english, they're pretty awful at it too. Japan is a xenophobic country and its very hard for non japanese people to live and work there. The non japanese people I do know that live in japan are all teaching English.
Also, talent in Japan is not like the US. Voice actors are also required to be able to sing and dance and do regular appearances. Its a very hard lifestyle to maintain.
this one is 1 year old.
0
Cinia Pacifica
Ojou-sama Writer
gizgal wrote...
Step 2... acting school and voice coaching, then look for VA roles.But if you can't pass Step 1 (aka you are just a VA otaku who wants to learn Japanese and move there on a dream-filled whim), you're not going to get far.
Hmm... I wanna know more about those schools.
Nope, I'm not.
gabaruni wrote...
gizgal wrote...
Step 1... be Japanese. This is a must.Step 2... acting school and voice coaching, then look for VA roles.
But if you can't pass Step 1 (aka you are just a VA otaku who wants to learn Japanese and move there on a dream-filled whim), you're not going to get far.
Wrt step one, you would be wrong. There are anime where people are bilingual! If you can speak Japanese and your intonation is good then who can tell you're not Japanese without looking at you.
step two is true though, acting school/voice coaching would be mandatory.
Try out dubbing samples of anime/tv shows that you like-test it out on people that you know who know and do not know japanese to give you feedback.
but it's true to say that if this is a whim you aren't going to get far. Many people say they want to voice dub, but it's a long long process. If you're a good singer, try a cover of a song and you'll see how long it takes to make just one song!
http://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+68511
this may help, but some of the comments are incorrect also. Many people can have accentless Japanese after they are 19yrs old. voice coaching with someone is key.
Gotcha. I'm gonna check out the link. Hopefully there will be useful stuffs.
Kaimax wrote...
yahoo answers wrote...
It's entirely possible, so the answer is yes.
Now, there is one thing you should realize. Even for Japanese voice actors, voice acting in anime is just one part of their career. It's still the same for a foreign voice actor. You need to realize that voice acting will be only one part of a career as a voiceover professional.
For example, here's an agent in Japan that manages 76 American voice actors (voiceover professionals):
http://www.narrator.jp/narrator/narrator…
And they want more: "We are seeking native narrators of various languages such as English, Chinese, Korean, French, Italian and etc. working in Japan."
You have to be realistic and accept the fact that most of these voice talents do narrations, corporate videos, English lesson recordings, and commercial voiceovers. Some of them might get voice work for anime and video games once in a while.
The bad news is that you're still on your own for getting a work visa in Japan. Agents like these don't sponsor your work visa. As a (hopefully) full time voice talent, your visa category would be for an entertainer visa. An entertainer visa requires a minimum of 2 years of drama school and 2 years of work experience. You also need to make at least 200,000 yen a month (about $2,000) to keep your visa.
A drama background is a good thing to have as a voice talent anyway. The work visa part is best consulted with an immigration lawyer in Japan.
4 years old answer though.
another Yahoo answer wrote...
I wouldn't count on it. Even the anime I watch with non japanese characters (English, American, etc..) they still use Japanese people even when they're speaking English. With the exception of live action Nana movies where Reira could actually speak english, they're pretty awful at it too. Japan is a xenophobic country and its very hard for non japanese people to live and work there. The non japanese people I do know that live in japan are all teaching English.
Also, talent in Japan is not like the US. Voice actors are also required to be able to sing and dance and do regular appearances. Its a very hard lifestyle to maintain.
this one is 1 year old.
About the first yahoo answer: Link isn't working. =\
And damn that visa sounds expensive.
