1st Voice-acting Course in Singapore

[MavericK]

77 STAR (http://animev.77-star.com/indexe.html)

Singapore's first ever voice-acting course - Master Animation Course/Voice Acting Course!

Finally, we shall await the day for decent dubbing on our TV programmes!!! :D

I'm so very interested...yet so very broke...:(

[Ramen Rider]

Hi all 77 STAR is holding a voice actor/actress casting audition for roles in their own original anime production titled 'A Thousand Stars & Squalls'.
The audition is open to the public so aspiring voice artists don't miss this
opportunity!

The details are as follows:

Date: 5th April 2008(Saturday)
Time: 9am to 6pm
Venue: Japanese Association Singapore (Update)
120 Adam Road, Singapore 289899
*Venue is subjected to change
Registration Fee: $20/person
Age Requirement: 13 years old and above

The Audition will cover the following:
* Script Reading
* Talent Performance (anything you would like to showcase)

There will be refreshments after the casting.
For more information please contact 77 STAR @ 64109770 or email them at info@77-star.com :D

Btw here is our updated website link (http://animev.77-star.com/) with information on our courses.
Firefox users might not be able to navigate in flash, please bear with us as we will try to resolve the issue. Thanks.

[MavericK]

OMG!

This is so interesting indeed!
But talent performance...? Hmmm...:red:

[kazuki]

In Japan usually only the female seiyuu get big wan leh.

But in sg, looking at the no of animes available and probably mainly by that coy hated by many...

[MavericK]

In Japan usually only the female seiyuu get big wan leh.

But in sg, looking at the no of animes available and probably mainly by that coy hated by many...

77 Star is associated with the disgusting company meh?

Well, true...the big names are usually female seiyuu...but there are still some well-known male ones, like Seki Toshihiko, Suzumura Kenichi, Sugita Tomokazu etc....
Also...the market in Singapore has been ruined by that disgusting company...:thinking:

[kazuki]

77 Star is associated with the disgusting company meh?

Well, true...the big names are usually female seiyuu...but there are still some well-known male ones, like Seki Toshihiko, Suzumura Kenichi, Sugita Tomokazu etc....
Also...the market in Singapore has been ruined by that disgusting company...:thinking:


I didnt say that lah.
But imagine actually the local anime market is monopolise by them le. U can think of 1-2 more local coys that bring in animes and dub themselves meh?

[MavericK]

I didnt say that lah.
But imagine actually the local anime market is monopolise by them le. U can think of 1-2 more local coys that bring in animes and dub themselves meh?

Haha...ok, got the wrong idea. :D

Indeed, the anime is monopolized by them, but it seems like Blue Max is catching up with anime as well. Though they dun do dubbing though (which I prefer to be so :red: )

Who knows, maybe 77-Star would start distributing anime too? :thinking:

[bingren]

Woah ... I want to be voice actor! =D Face cannot make it. But when I sing, heard of 沉鱼落雁？

[redknight]

anyone out there joining the course? i seriously wanted after consulting the manager there. currently looking for mates who share the same interests.

probably not this year. need more time to save money though. so, anyone?

[MavericK]

anyone out there joining the course? i seriously wanted after consulting the manager there. currently looking for mates who share the same interests.

probably not this year. need more time to save money though. so, anyone?

Here, here!

Well, me thinking of joining too...but asked several questions about the payment of fees and schedule (cuz the link on their webby is broken)...no answer from them yet though (today's a holiday).

To me, most importantly would be the schedule of their lessons. Dun wanna have too many things clashing together after joining the classes.

[kazuki]

anyone out there joining the course? i seriously wanted after consulting the manager there. currently looking for mates who share the same interests.

probably not this year. need more time to save money though. so, anyone?

I am quite interested.

Actually I saw this ad abt 2wks ago in my japanese sch le. But till date still no time to email them to enquire further.

Problem is attend their lessons liaoz. What can they "promise" to give students?
I dun mind doing it as casual lah, but dun tell me pay for lessons liaoz then the sch just vanish...

[redknight]

i went to the school and met their assistant manager. they set their HQ at Shenton way area because they are conducting class at the Singapore Conference hall.

-you are already able to make a debut after the first four months of training. they do have jobs like narrating and stuff like that which can earn about 50bucks per session (one session last about 4-6 hours). meaning, you can 8 to 10 bucks per hour.

-class schedule from tues to sat i guess. mainly in the evening, between 6 to 9pm (depending which day you choose. one lesson last for an hour).

-i did have this thought that they might con our money and then just run away. but they do allow installment payment for students with no income (they gave me exception at least) but for working people, it should be a no. just that if you add up the total, you just end up paying 50 bucks more. money transfer, cheque and cash payment are allowed (i guess. they showed me the application form but i just took a quick glance).

anyway, what makes me feel reluctance was the class is conducted in full English. im more aspire to become a seiyuu though. they assured you that at the end of the one year course, they will do selection for those who are aspired to become a Japanese seiyuu and will write to major companies. but something just somehow pulls me back. maybe its the money? or the language?

[MavericK]

i went to the school and met their assistant manager. they set their HQ at Shenton way area because they are conducting class at the Singapore Conference hall.

-you are already able to make a debut after the first four months of training. they do have jobs like narrating and stuff like that which can earn about 50bucks per session (one session last about 4-6 hours). meaning, you can 8 to 10 bucks per hour.

-class schedule from tues to sat i guess. mainly in the evening, between 6 to 9pm (depending which day you choose. one lesson last for an hour).

-i did have this thought that they might con our money and then just run away. but they do allow installment payment for students with no income (they gave me exception at least) but for working people, it should be a no. just that if you add up the total, you just end up paying 50 bucks more. money transfer, cheque and cash payment are allowed (i guess. they showed me the application form but i just took a quick glance).

anyway, what makes me feel reluctance was the class is conducted in full English. im more aspire to become a seiyuu though. they assured you that at the end of the one year course, they will do selection for those who are aspired to become a Japanese seiyuu and will write to major companies. but something just somehow pulls me back. maybe its the money? or the language?

Thanks for the detailed information. :salute:

Good to hear that there's an instalment for the fees...but only for students? That's really a downside.

Class conducted in full English? Sounds kinda 'dull' indeed, but dun think it will be much significance in the language part for basic course, since only the basic techniques of voice-acting are taught. Just my idea.
As for the Japanese part, think it will cost a lot more if they provide language lessons too, or if they work together with language schools. Well, I'm taking Japanese lessons on my own...so it should eventually pose no problem to me on the language barrier part. :)

But voice-acting in English isn't that bad in Singapore, you can make a breakthrough here...seeing that how bad the cartoons/anime/tokusatsu are dubbed locally (watch Yu-Gi-Oh!, Kamen Rider series and you'll get what I mean).

[redknight]

anyway, anime with English dub has always been no good (dont sound natural and stuff like that) to start with (at least i havent encounter any actors who sounds natural and good). after all, dubbing is something "second hand" and is kind of impossible to to sound perfect as compared to "first hand" people.

okay, i've decided to join. but money is still an issue. im trying to make friends here who share the same interest with me. just couldnt find any friend who is interested within my social line. after all they might say "what?! what the hell... $3000?!!!! are you crazy?!"

and, from what i heard, most of the people who took up voice acting course has got their own Japanese language course on-going also. which means, most of them are aiming to becoming a seiyuu more than just dubbing anime and narrating or whatsoever.

compare to english dubbing, i find Chinese slightly better. after all, sentence structure and pronounciation are silimilar in mnay ways. just that Singapore's chinese standard a bit... ahem*

ohya, most of the staff there are nippon-jin...from what i see. and the president of the company is the acquaintance of Ishida Akira--> know him? (man, i got a shock of my life when i heard it)

[MavericK]

somehow, thats what they offered me; $300 for the first week, and $250 for the rest of 3weeks. meaning, ive got to pay a total of $1050 within one month.

anyway, anime with English dub has always been no good (dont sound natural and stuff like that) to start with (at least i havent encounter any actors who sounds natural and good). after all, dubbing is something "second hand" and is kind of impossible to to sound perfect as compared to "first hand" people.

okay, i've decided to join. but money is still an issue. im trying to make friends here who share the same interest with me. just couldnt find any friend who is interested within my social line. after all they might say "what?! what the hell... $3000?!!!! are you crazy?!"

and, from what i heard, most of the people who took up voice acting course has got their own Japanese language course on-going also. which means, most of them are aiming to becoming a seiyuu more than just dubbing anime and narrating or whatsoever.

compare to english dubbing, i find Chinese slightly better. after all, sentence structure and pronounciation are silimilar in mnay ways. just that Singapore's chinese standard a bit... ahem*

ohya, most of the staff there are nippon-jin...from what i see. and the president of the company is the acquaintance of Ishida Akira--> know him? (man, i got a shock of my life when i heard it)

Oh...so it's $1000 for one month...? Whoa...:o

Anyway, agree with you on preferring Chinese dubs over English ones...can't forget how I enjoyed Digimon anime series with Chinese dubbing, and then got shocked by the seriously disgusting English dubs. :beatup:

And Ishida Akira!? Who dares to not know his name!? :angry:
Haha, joking...for people who do not know, he's the seiyuu for Cho Hakkai in Gensomaden Saiyuki...or Gaara in the more popular (or notorious) Naruto...or, appealing to Gundam fans, Athrun Zala in Gundam SEED. Well, this is only 3 of his many roles. :D

So, you've (redknight) joined this year's classes?

[kazuki]

U guys werent expecting to learn japanese seiyuu were u???

Cant be leh, unless we can show them we can converse very fluently in japanese language.

[MavericK]

U guys werent expecting to learn japanese seiyuu were u???

Cant be leh, unless we can show them we can converse very fluently in japanese language.

Eh...I believe many people who enrol into this course hope to eventually become seiyuu in Japan...'cuz the market and demand for voice actors here is kinda too small. :thinking:

Enrolling into this course is a step to a much bigger, but difficult, dream. :D

[redknight]

nope, probably next year...unless theres companies. seems like they are quite desperate to recruit people...

i do see the market for Singaporeans who wish to become seiyuu. see, currently voice acting schools in Japan demand students to go through basic English vocal trainings. well, for us, as compare to other chinese ( China, Taiwan etc...) we are of higher standard in our English language. yeah.? acquiring Japanese is just a matter of time. im not being confident but, i seriously think that Chinese has got very versatile tongue. err...im not trying to become racist but its not surprising for Chinese to speak Malay, Japanese, English etc. but when you see an Englishman speaking our language many people will just go "wow!" agree?

sorry, if ive offended other people from other races.

[kazuki]

Eh...I believe many people who enrol into this course hope to eventually become seiyuu in Japan...'cuz the market and demand for voice actors here is kinda too small. :thinking:

Enrolling into this course is a step to a much bigger, but difficult, dream. :D

But that only make sense if u are able to speak fluent japanese language from start lor.

Its like I have interest, but i dun speak japanese language. Now i take up this seiyuu course, they will arrange me to take up japanese speaking roles.
WAH SEH! U even save the money to learn japanese language huh???:|

MAYBE, if anyone in the class is lucky, can be selected to be the "official english dubber" for those big seiyuu in Japan. But thats a big IF lah. Dun forget there is still the US market out there...
U know like that tw guy being the official chinese dubber for all Stephen Chow's roles.

U see many chinese artistes trying to "invade" the Japan's entertainment industry and kana rejected also.

When I knew abt this course, I was more like curious what english speaking roles they will be getting for the students.

[redknight]

good US dubbers are just very very very limited. you can count within...err...5 fingers? see how much they are being crit? even for major dubbings like games and movies, they still did a "WTF...!" kind of job.

oh no. reminds me of Zack's English VA in FFVII: crisis core. utterly disppointed. if this current course offered by 77 star make us do such dubbings, i cant imagine if we are able to take the crit.

[MavericK]

nope, probably next year...unless theres companies. seems like they are quite desperate to recruit people...

i do see the market for Singaporeans who...

I agree with you that people are more amazed when they see Caucasians speaking Asian languages than Asians speaking Western/Euporean languages. :laugh:
So you're joining next year? They confirm have new course? :D

But that only make sense if u are able to speak fluent japanese language from start lor.

Its like I have interest, but i dun speak japanese language. Now i take up this seiyuu course, they will arrange me to take up japanese speaking roles.
WAH SEH! U even save the money to learn japanese language huh???:|

MAYBE...

77-Star will arrange for their students to take up Japanese lessons meh? :thinking:

Indeed, the 'official english dubber' in Japan-thingy is indeed quite possible, but seeing the mentality of the Japanese, the 'throne' would most likely go to a Caucasian, since the face can somehow assures the proficiency (dun ask me why). :D

Chinese artistes? Like who? Think the Taiwanese artistes who expand to Japan are working rather well over there...think F4 (never understood why), He Jun Xiang (dunno wat's the English name for this guy)...

As for English-speaking roles, firstly would be their own animation works, secondly...let me guess, they will try to get local dubbing rights to animes/tokusatsu themselves? (Dunno if this type of phrasing is correct or not)
Imagine, Kamen Rider and other tokusatsu programs with decent dubbing, on TV...there's no need to watch Power Rangers anymore! :supz:

[MavericK]

good US dubbers are just very very very limited. you can count within...err...5 fingers? see how much they are being crit? even for major dubbings like games and movies, they still did a "WTF...!" kind of job.

oh no. reminds me of Zack's English VA in FFVII: crisis core. utterly disppointed. if this current course offered by 77 star make us do such dubbings, i cant imagine if we are able to take the crit.

Izzit?

haha...not very sure about US dubbers...

Just know that the English voice actor for Edward Elric in FullMetal Alchemist is pretty famous for his performance.
He's got his official fanbase. =D>

[redknight]

think i heard before that this Egnlish VA just happen to make his breakthrough. if you happen to play Crisis Core Jap version. you will know that Zack is some one give is kind of playful, a bit flirt, and a man who took pride with loyalty. Suzumura Kenichi did an excellent job upon voicing for Zack.

but the English VA. omg. nightmare. Zack sounded so damn old inside the game. man, hes still a mere teenage boy at the very start. that VA didnt bring up the liveliness within Zack also. argh~ dont want to think about it either.

I agree with you that people are more amazed when they see Caucasians speaking Asian languages than Asians speaking Western/Euporean languages. :laugh:
So you're joining next year? They confirm have new course? :D



:

new course? like what? maybe i can go reflect to them. LOLS.

[MavericK]

think i heard before that this Egnlish VA just happen to make his breakthrough. if you happen to play Crisis Core Jap version. you will know that Zack is some one give is kind of playful, a bit flirt, and a man who took pride with loyalty. Suzumura Kenichi did an excellent job upon voicing for Zack.

but the English VA. omg. nightmare. Zack sounded so damn old inside the game. man, hes still a mere teenage boy at the very start. that VA didnt bring up the liveliness within Zack also. argh~ dont want to think about it either.

Oh, I dun have a PSP...so I didn't play Crisis Core...:red:
Suzumura Kenichi is the seiyuu for Zack? Haha...somehow, I cannot imagine Zack with Ryuutaros' voice. :laugh: But indeed, Suzumura-san is a talented seiyuu.

Anyway, I visited their office just now...like what you (redknight) had mentioned, it does seem like they are looking hard for more students, due to fundings for this new course. Well, just a basic summary of what Sunami-san and me had talked about:

$1000 for 16 lessons (one level), conducted weekly. Thus, $1000 for 4 months...and a total of $3000 for the entire year. Enrollment fee of $50 not included. (Thus, total=$3050)


There are only 3 levels, meaning you should be able to complete the entire course within a year.


Due to the current course being the first one, the students are able to go for job auditions no matter what level they are in, thus earning some income at the same time. 2nd course (possibly next year) students will not have such privileges, and have to wait till after completing Level 2.


They are going to have a second office in Raffles Place.


According to Sunami-san, this year's intake is an estimated 100 students, but next year's only 30, thus fierce competition is to be expected.


Well, that's all I can remember...will add on if I remember them. :D

[redknight]

Oh, I dun have a PSP...so I didn't play Crisis Core...:red:
Suzumura Kenichi is the seiyuu for Zack? Haha...somehow, I cannot imagine Zack with Ryuutaros' voice. :laugh: But indeed, Suzumura-san is a talented seiyuu.

Anyway, I visited their office just now...like what you (redknight) had mentioned, it does seem like they are looking hard for more students, due to fundings for this new course. Well, just a basic summary of what Sunami-san and me had talked about:

$1000 for 16 lessons (one level), conducted weekly. Thus, $1000 for 4 months...and a total of $3000 for the entire year. Enrollment fee of $50 not included. (Thus, total=$3050)


There are only 3 levels, meaning you should be able to complete the entire course within a year.


Due to the current course being the first one, the students are able to go for job auditions no matter what level they are in, thus earning some income at the same time. 2nd course (possibly next year) students will not have such privileges, and have to wait till after completing Level 2.


They are going to have a second office in Raffles Place.


According to Sunami-san, this year's intake is an estimated 100 students, but next year's only 30, thus fierce competition is to be expected.


Well, that's all I can remember...will add on if I remember them. :D

so, you are joining...next year? it might be fierce in a way. but no worries. as long as im able to fulfill original motive, it will be good. i'll be in my upper- intermediate/advanced level in Jap by next year. im not a very good English speaker i admit (i mean with the English essence). so, i seriously want them to start up a course cater for people who aspire to becoming a seiyuu without going through this English-based course.

[MavericK]

so, you are joining...next year? it might be fierce in a way. but no worries. as long as im able to fulfill original motive, it will be good. i'll be in my upper- intermediate/advanced level in Jap by next year. im not a very good English speaker i admit (i mean with the English essence). so, i seriously want them to start up a course cater for people who aspire to becoming a seiyuu without going through this English-based course.

Yeah, most likely.
I expect myself to do that anyway. Haha. :D

But I dun think students can bypass the English course before taking the possible Japanese one. :D

[kazuki]

Yeah, most likely.
I expect myself to do that anyway. Haha. :D

But I dun think students can bypass the English course before taking the possible Japanese one. :D

So is it cfm they will teach all this voice acting in English only? Or they will even do it in Japanese in the later part?


1) Find it weird to learn English from Japaneses...
2) Find it weird also that the Japaneses MIGHT teach non-Japaneses voice acting in Japanese language, and these ppl might not have strong foundation of the language.

This two are my concern.

[redknight]

there will be native Japanese teaching you the technique and Singaporeans teaching you correct pronunciation of words and breathing. the full will be in English. but if you are keen to becoming a Japanese one, they will provide this "Japanese part". i "" it because they only talk about it verbally. so... ahem* i didnt want to doubt it either,

[MavericK]

Level 1: taught by Singaporean, in the proper pronunciation of English (due to Singlish) :laugh:

Level 2: taught by (I dunno), in the field of acting and expression

Level 3: didn't ask until that far...:red:

Just remember that one level will be taught by a combo of Japanese and Singaporean teachers. :salute:

[redknight]

i was told that female voice actors stand a better chance to make their debut. is that true? apparently females seiyuus are higher in fame?

[MavericK]

i was told that female voice actors stand a better chance to make their debut. is that true? apparently females seiyuus are higher in fame?

In my opinion, yes.

Female seiyuu are more versatile with their voices, as they are able to do voices for characters of both genders. Examples would be like Edward Elric from FullMetal Alchemist, Naruto from Naruto (duh?), Satoshi/Ash from Pok�emon etc...the list just goes on.
They are especially good at doing voices for adolescent male characters, it seems.

On the other hand, male seiyuu are, well, stuck with doing male roles...the only shift possible for them would be young to old, but I've never heard of them doing female roles. :)

[redknight]

lols. i heard. Ishida Akira. he did the..(shuck forgotten the name)'s voice. i was in shock when i heard the voice. it was a female character in sailor moon sequel actually (i suppose).

too bad for guys then. lols.