Happy Birthday, VO-BB Peeps!

Deirdre

Here's a rundown from Forces of Geek

This includes the whole casting notice and the casting director's email address.

This casting notice is a poison swamp! I hope no one with any ability is tempted to make a run for a place in a bogus Futurama vox family.
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JeffreyKafer · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject:

I know of at least one VO who proudly posted on Facebook that he auditioned.
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Dummkopf · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject:

I've noticed this everywhere - I got an audition email from my agent with all the sides, and it's up on Actor's Access...are they doing a huge nation-wide search?

Funny, I assumed from first glance that this was for some video game or non-TV spin-off. One of the commenters said anyone who took that job would become a "pariah in the industry."
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Bob Bergen · Contributor IV Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 104

Gang, this is a negotiation ploy. The cast of The Simpsons have gone through this several times.

The studio and network make zillions more than whatever amount the cast of Futurama is asking for. And whatever they are asking, they deserve!!

I've been on these actor's side of the negotiation table many times. I recently had to audition for Porky Pig again for the 4th time in 19 years.

I know we all want to work. But I beg everyone to stay clear of these auditions! There will be more jobs, I promise! You don't need this one!

Put yourself in these actor's places!! You know how you'd feel if the VO world went after your job.

I believe in karma! And I believe in character and ethics over a gig.

Many in the cast are friends of mine.

Please support them by refusing to audition!!

Thanks!

James Lorenz · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 4:59 pm Post subject:

Well said Bob!
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DougVox · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:14 pm Post subject:

What Bob said!
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bobfromboulder · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: Variety Article

Here's a more in depth article at Variety.

tackerman · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject:

Bob's right... it's a scare tactic. BTDT w/ my current job more than once. My bet is they'll eventually come to an agreement with the original cast.

Lance Blair · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject:

Bob's right, and I specifically know the name of somebody who did a Simpsons impression commissioned by Fox that was used to beat back the cast. In essence, Fox got perfect impressions recorded and then demanded to know why any of the talents' demands ought to be met.

I wonder if the New England Patriots show to Tom Brady films of Peyton Manning and demand explanations why he deserves a raise?

There is no way in hell I'd audition for this gig if it was a possibility for me.

Billy West is an idol of mine. The original cast made that show, made it worth bringing back, and deserve another go round.
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ccpetersen · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject:

I think I'll send some pictures of rocks in to the company and suggest that since the rocks are smarter than their executives who are pursuing this stupid course of action, they might want to hire the rocks for less. That way the company can pay the actors and probably give the stockholders a big fat dividend with the money they save on executive pay and bonuses.

Talk about cutting off the company's nose to spite its face!

Sheesh, as a producer myself I can't see how it's possible to screw over the talent that helps make MY works sound good... and be able to sleep at night.
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Deirdre · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

Indeed! This ploy is so freakin' brainless— as though the "voice" is separate from the "actor".

If this was such a hot idea, why not get look-alikes for Tom Cruise and Matt Damon? Think of the savings.
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imaginator · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:25 pm Post subject:

i've known plenty of people who could accurately imitate famous cartoon voices. i've met very few who could inhabit their character.
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Frank F · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject:

The real laugh is the ploy is soooo transparent, and yet some talent fall for it every time.

You would think the oldy moldy negotiation tactics used by the "suits" would change as artists wise up to the bad techniques.

Since I know my place in the food chain I would not have auditioned for the characters voices in the first place, but I do think it is a sad state of affairs. I guess they might get someone from the P2P sites to tryout...

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bobsouer · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:06 pm Post subject:

My reply was a single word: pass.
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:19 pm Post subject:

Very well said Bob! (both Bob's) Only one word comes to mind...Ick.
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