Voice Over Idol Information and Rules

05/20/13

*Update 5-21-13

Voice123 has graciously offered to sponsor a major prize for the top winner of Voice Over Idol this year! The winner will receive a full year Premium membership to the professional voice acting website. This is an amazing opportunity as it could potentially open the doors to a professional voice over career!

Advancing to the 2nd round (in no particular order):

Ethan Emmer

Max Slasher

Bryan Payne

Cori Templeton

Chris Waters

Daniel Bernardo

Thomas Lefler

Katie Carpenter

Kristofer Pride

Mark Carr

Devon Ashcraft

Devin Kelly

J.W. Adams

What is VO-Idol?

VO-Idol is a competition for amateur/aspiring voice actors to put their acting skills to the test. Contestants will be asked to perform different aspects of voice over – not just anime. There are three rounds total. Auditions will be submitted prior to the convention, while the second and final rounds will take place at the convention.
General Rules

1. The contest is open to all registered convention attendees. You must have a valid member badge for the days of the contest. There is no additional cost to register for the contest.

2. No professional vocalists/actors may enter the VO-Idol competition. If you are found out to be a professional, you will be disqualified. A “professional” is monetarily compensated for his or her work as a singer or actor in any form.

3. The contest will be split into three parts for both divisions: Audition, Second Round, and Finals. In order to compete, you must be able to attend the second and final rounds at the convention if you advance to second round. If you are involved in multiple events or panels, we will try our best to work with you. Contestants are not required to stay the entire time, and are welcome to leave if they need to run to another event. We will also shift the order of contestants if they need to be somewhere else at a certain time or arrive late. The rounds will be scheduled as follows:

Audition: Must be submitted by May 10th
Second Round: Friday – 3:45pm-5:15pm in Coral
Finals: Sunday – 12:45pm-2:15pm in Sapphire

4. Contestants must be at least 13 years old.

5. All monologues must be in English.

6. This is a solo contest. Groups/duets will not be permitted.

Audition Rules

1. Auditions for VO-Idol will be sent in prior to the convention.

2. Contestants must choose a monologue at least one minute but not exceed two minutes. Any monologue running over two minutes will be disqualified.

3. Monologues must be from an anime, video game, manga, or visual novel.

4. Contestants must record and upload their monologue to YouTube or other video website. Contestants are not required to be in the video, just their voice.

5. Each video must be slated with the following information:

Contestant Name
Convention Name & Year
Name of Monologue
Monologue Information (For example: Series, episode, exact point in the episode the monologue begins/ends)

Contestants will be disqualified if they fail to provide this information in their recording.

7. Contestants may use the corresponding video for their monologue, but it is not required.

8. Audition Monologues much be fresh. This means you may not submit something recorded weeks or months ago. You may not submit anything used at a previous convention.

9. Contestants may submit their audition only once. Make sure you are 100% happy with your work before you submit it.

10. Judges understand not everyone owns top of the line equipment. As long as the monologue can be heard clearly, it will be accepted.

11. Any entries received after May 10th will not be considered.

12. Winners of this round will be announced in the A-Kon website/Facebook page within two weeks of the end of the submission date. Those who advance will also be notified via email. Those who advance must be prepared to compete at the convention.

All Auditions must be emailed to VOIdolContest@gmail.com by May 10th, 2013

Advancing to the 2nd round (in no particular order):

Ethan Emmer

Max Slasher

Bryan Payne

Cori Templeton

Chris Waters

Daniel Bernardo

Thomas Lefler

Katie Carpenter

Kristofer Pride

Mark Carr

Devon Ashcraft

Devin Kelly

J.W. Adams

Second Round Rules

1. Contestants who advance to the Second Round may check in 15 minutes before the Second Round begins. It is highly suggested contestants arrive early or on time for this round.

2. This round will be used to demonstrate how well contestants can adapt to cold reading. Cold reads are a normal part of professional voice over and should be a skill all aspiring voice actors should learn and experience.

3. All contestants that advance to this round will be given a script to read by the judges. Each contestant will have 10 minutes to look over their script and make any notes they wish. After 10 minutes, all scripts will be taken up by the judges and will only be handed back to contestants for their turn.

4. Since this is a cold read, do not attempt to memorize the script.

5. Scripts will be pulled from various places as chosen by judges. Scripts may cover anything from commercials, audio book narration, games, etc.

6. Monologues should run one minute to two minutes. If the contestant runs over two minutes, they will be politely cut off by the judges.

7. Contestants will read their script twice. The first time will be the cold read with voice choices made by the contestant. After the first read, contestants will be asked to read the script again but with direction chosen at random by the panel of judges. Contestants will be judged on the first read as well as how well they adapt to the direction for the second read.

8. Second Round will be open to the convention public which means there WILL be an audience. Contestants are encouraged to bring in family or friends for moral support.

9. Winners for this round will be announced at the end of the event as well as posted at the Mu Epsilon Kappa booth.

10. Judges will have score and comment sheets for you available for pick-up after the contest at the Mu Epsilon Kappa Booth in Exhibits.

Final Round Rules

1. Contestants who advance to the Final Round may check in 15 minutes before the Final Round begins. It is highly suggested contestants arrive early or on time for this round.

2. Contestants who advance to finals will be required to perform one character and one commercial script from the scripts provided.

3. Monologues do not need to be memorized. Contestants may read from their script.

4. Monologues should run one minute to two minutes in length.

5. Each contestant must slate their monologue with the following information:

Contestant Name
Script Name

Contestants will be disqualified if they fail to provide this information during their turn.

6. Contestants will perform their monologues once. They will then be directed live by one of the judges on the panel. After being directed by the judge, the contestant will perform the monologue a second time.

7. Contestants will be judged on their first performances as well as how well they take direction for their second reads.

8. In the event of a tie, contestants will have a cold read. Contestants will be given a script and perform for the judges.

9. The Final Round will be open to the convention public, which means there WILL be an audience. Contestants are encouraged bring in family or friends if required for moral support.

10. The winner of this round will be crowned the VO-Idol for A-Kon 24. Voice123 has graciously offered to sponsor a major prize for the top winner of Voice Over Idol this year! The winner will receive a full year Premium membership to the professional voice acting website. This is an amazing opportunity as it could potentially open the doors to a professional voice over career!

11. Judges will have score and comment sheets available for pick-up after the contest at the Mu Epsilon Kappa Booth in Exhibits

Judges and Judging

Judges for VO-Idol are chosen from a pool of people who have an extensive history or professional career in voice over and theatre arts. In some cases, judges may be voice over guests of the convention.

Contestants will be assigned a numerical score from 1-10 by each judge based on different criteria relating to voice over and performance. The scores from each judge are then tallied to come up with a total score for the contestant. The winners will be determined by the total sum of their scores.

All decisions made by the judges are final.

In each round judges will receive a judge sheet for each contestant. Along with scoring area, there will be areas for judges to write down constructive criticism/suggestions, and anything else they feel is helpful. After each round is over and judging is complete, contestants can pick up their sheets at the Mu Epsilon Kappa booth to keep.

Additional Information

First place winners of VO-Idol may not compete in another VO-Idol contest run by Mu Epsilon Kappa for two years. For example, if you win at A-Kon 24, you may not compete at A-Kon 25 or San Japan 6, but you may compete at A-Kon 26 .

During the contest, Contestants may not touch or approach the judges’ table

All aspects of the act, including but not limited to costume, conduct on stage, and script, may not exceed a PG-13 rating.

The only persons allowed in the performing area are the MC, convention staff, Mu Epsilon Kappa staff, convention special guests, judges, and contestants.

Decisions made by Mu Epsilon Kappa or the convention are final and non-negotiable.

All rules for the VO-Idol Contest are subject to change without notice. While we attempt to keep you up to date of any changes via the convention website, these changes may occur at any time.

For ALL questions, suggestions, issues and/or requests for confirmation regarding VO-Idol, please contact Britt Myer at VOIdolContest@gmail.com .