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This highlights another Sims 2 project that started off as subtitles, then became a vocal endeavor. Melle555, the project leader-ess, has been really good about making her production come together. I was fortunate to be able to do a little bit more by taking on the role of Matt a few days after being cast for the lead role of Deven.
Honestly, I’m enjoying where this storyline is going. Melle is doing a wonderful job animating, timing, and giving otherwise monotone characters life. As always, it’s a pleasure to be involved in the life-giving process and even more fun to watch when it’s all said and done.
If you liked what you saw, please help support Melle by keeping an eye on this series. A new episode should show up in my completed voice-overs playlist soon. Thanks to anyone who does [comment or otherwise].
What happens when the unimaginable comes smashing through the wall of self-doubt? For me, it means looking ahead to determine whether this unexpected entity that has made itself known in my life will amount to anything I wish to accomplish in life. To do this takes confidence, even when there is no assurance currently in sight. And then, to take hold of that requires isshoukenmei, because without it, all the improbabilities that now exist would make me weak, crippling me from moving forward in a way that could make what now seems doubtful, real.
A week ago from today, an instance of what I described above happened to me. I never saw it coming in my search for a part-time job to add onto my already non-stop, work-driven lifestyle, but it arrived. I approached this entity with caution, took a chance, and allowed myself to peek inside of an open door that I had always thought to be locked, if not non-existent. This week has caused me to make a decision that, if handled with confidence and isshoukenmei, could lead me to truly perceive this as an open door that I can waltz through without being apprehensive of what may be on the other side.
Yes, I am being elusive on purpose until the surrealism solidifies into an actual truth. Those who are close to me already know what I speak of. I have shared it elsewhere to others who I believed would care to hear and mentioned it within my Twitter network. All I will say is this:
Only recently, as I reflect on my sense of self, my motivations, and my isshoukenmei-based existence, have I been reminded of Yukio Mishima. I was introduced to this author/model/battalion leader/poet during my Japan abroad study in Fall 2006. This man was seen as someone who appears almost “god-like”, and perhaps he did believe he was in his own mind. He lived a full life, being strong in mind, body, and spirit, while wielding a broad spectrum of talents that only added onto the illusion that he was capable of doing anything. He believed in the samurai’s way of living: accomplishing all that one could do in a lifetime, then dying in a way that could only be perceived as honorable.
Will anything that I have been chasing after, whether dream, aspiration, or goal, ever fully come to complete fruition? I have faith that at least one will, and I want to believe that those who are walking with me or are aiding me in running these “races” will not let me down. I dislike relying on other people, because I know that I am just as capable of letting others down just as they can. However, I am not so proud as to say I will do it all myself…but if I must…
Currently Listening To: Armin Van Buuren – Armin Only DVD
On YouTube, there are tons of The Sims projects going on by various YouTubers. I want to say that the majority of them are done by females, but I don’t want to generalize. The point is, among all that’s going on with anime fans doing anime fandubs, there are probably about half as many Sims projects seeking out able voice actors and actresses.
I want to bring this up because ever since my first random personal message about a month or so ago, I have been posed with four consecutive offers to be involved in a Sims 2 dub between then and now. If you think I’m bragging, please think again. As someone who is avidly shooting towards getting into the anime voice-over industry, I simply find the frequency of ongoing Sims dubbing projects to be a bit staggering. I never knew it was so popular until now. Here is one of my Sims roles in which I voice the role of Kody (i.e. the blonde-haired flirter):
What is also great about having opportunities to voice act in Sims dubs is that sometimes there are certain ones that are in dire need of voice talent. Yes, this can apply just as strongly towards original animation dubbing projects, but the chances of someone obtaining sufficient voice talent for an anime-like fandub, from my point of view, appears much more likely than for a Sims project. For example, one of the project leaders that approached me with an offer to audition was under the impression that I wouldn’t be interested in auditioning because she could tell I primarily take on anime-related projects. I was pleased to gently prove her wrong. Also, through my latest Sims 2 audition, I have been able to advertise another project leader’s need for more male voice talent who would be looking to try something a little different.
So, if you’re someone who isn’t really into anime, but have a desire to get cracking on the whole amateur voice acting deal, perhaps trying out for Sims projects is a possible outlet — there’s plenty of opportunity out there. If you are as much into anime as me, however, there is one thing I have learned as I seek to grow in my voice acting ability on YouTube: Being proactively open-minded outside of what you might be used to. Though I’ve never touched a Sims game in my life, I have been having fun with these auditions.
For more previews of the work I have done, you can visit my YouTube account.
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