populuxe
05-21-2005, 02:46 AM
As most of you are well aware, many voice actors use aliases. This is especially true of actors in Los Angeles, and to a lesser extent, New York. For those that aren't aware, let me explain why.
Most of the voice actors in Los Angeles and New York belong to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). This gives them access to union work, not just in voice acting, but commercials, TV and movies. There are other benefits as well, such as a pension and the union backing them up in labor disputes. However, most anime voice work is non-union. So they use aliases to get around it. Some of the more popular VAs have several aliases. There is a form of SAG membership that allows an actor to work in both union and non-union work, but they don't get any of the benefits other than the ability to work in SAG-sanctioned productions.
As fans, it's natural for us to ask, "Is Actor A the same as Actor B?" We want to know what shows our favorite performers have been in. These sorts of questions have given rise to fansites such as the Crystal Acids database, and to a lesser extent, ANN and IMDB, who mostly just copy and paste from CA. To the credit of CA, they no longer link aliases, however, other sites aren't nearly as concientious.
As fans identify and connect the dots on various actors and their aliases, the actors are in increasing trouble with the SAG. SAG is actively using ANN, IMDB and Wikipedia to send letters to SAG members requesting an answer to the use of aliases credited to their names. Some actors are unaware of these databases until they get the letter from the SAG. I have an email from a producer who tells me that an actor who works for them is so concerned, they are considering dropping all non-union work.
This is not good for them, as it limits their ability to earn a living and express themselves artistically. It's not good for directors, as the pool of talented actors diminishes. And it's not good for us, as the quality of dubs can suffer, and our favorite VAs may quit anime voice work altogether.
As fans, we're caught between the desire to know who voices which characters, and the desire of actors to protect their careers while still working in the anime industry. VAs use aliases for a reason, and we should respect that. If push comes to shove, one person's career is more important than another person's curiosity. I actively discourage the outing of VA aliases, including not revealing the names of VAs who are uncredited in anime and game dubs. I realize that the entire purpose of a forum is the free exchange of information, but if it negatively impacts our hobby, then it becomes counter-productive and should end.
Most of the voice actors in Los Angeles and New York belong to the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). This gives them access to union work, not just in voice acting, but commercials, TV and movies. There are other benefits as well, such as a pension and the union backing them up in labor disputes. However, most anime voice work is non-union. So they use aliases to get around it. Some of the more popular VAs have several aliases. There is a form of SAG membership that allows an actor to work in both union and non-union work, but they don't get any of the benefits other than the ability to work in SAG-sanctioned productions.
As fans, it's natural for us to ask, "Is Actor A the same as Actor B?" We want to know what shows our favorite performers have been in. These sorts of questions have given rise to fansites such as the Crystal Acids database, and to a lesser extent, ANN and IMDB, who mostly just copy and paste from CA. To the credit of CA, they no longer link aliases, however, other sites aren't nearly as concientious.
As fans identify and connect the dots on various actors and their aliases, the actors are in increasing trouble with the SAG. SAG is actively using ANN, IMDB and Wikipedia to send letters to SAG members requesting an answer to the use of aliases credited to their names. Some actors are unaware of these databases until they get the letter from the SAG. I have an email from a producer who tells me that an actor who works for them is so concerned, they are considering dropping all non-union work.
This is not good for them, as it limits their ability to earn a living and express themselves artistically. It's not good for directors, as the pool of talented actors diminishes. And it's not good for us, as the quality of dubs can suffer, and our favorite VAs may quit anime voice work altogether.
As fans, we're caught between the desire to know who voices which characters, and the desire of actors to protect their careers while still working in the anime industry. VAs use aliases for a reason, and we should respect that. If push comes to shove, one person's career is more important than another person's curiosity. I actively discourage the outing of VA aliases, including not revealing the names of VAs who are uncredited in anime and game dubs. I realize that the entire purpose of a forum is the free exchange of information, but if it negatively impacts our hobby, then it becomes counter-productive and should end.