Rejected because it didn't sound similar enough to example.
Okay, I normally take rejection with a grain of salt, but this one gets under my skin.
A client provides a link to a youtube video and requests a "similar" read. So I do a "similar" read, same tone, same pacing, etc. Then the submission gets rejected for not sounding "similar enough".
What gives? Do you folks expect it to sound EXACTLY the same? In my opinion, similar means tone and pacing, not mimicry. If the client wants it to sound exactly the same they should hire a character actor who can imitate the voice over example 1:1 or, in a perfect world, hire the actor that did the original video.
Not "sounding similar" is such a vague rejection reason and a complete waste of voice actor's time. A good read is a good read, if the age, tone, pace, and overall characteristics match the example video it should be accepted.
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Thanks for your comments and I understand your frustration. Unfortunately, due to the "speediness" of VoiceBunny, we can't hold audition slots for long. If the Quality Team thinks that you could possibly fit what the client is looking for, we can ask you for a revision which usually gives around 30 minutes for you to resubmit. If we feel you were not what the client was wanting, we must reject. It's hard to give more feedback without hearing the reads in question.
Our QA Team is under a significant amount of pressure to only approve reads that the client will think is perfect, otherwise, we lose money on the project. We absolutely hate having to reject reads because not only do all of us have a background in VO, but it costs everyone time and money when we have to reject. We get it, we really do, but we have to have the client's best interest in mind when deciding which reads to send. That being said, I will make sure the rest of the QA Team sees your comments. Thank you very much for all your hard work for us.
I'm with you Rob. Normally, rejections don't bother me, but when given a sample and I do a "similar" read the way the client describes (i.e. conversational, not sales like) I'll get rejected. Then the auditions that get through are completely sales like. I don't get it. Then, you aren't allowed to submit the a new audition for the same project. That seems ludicrous to me and against all logic. If we aren't one of the "winning auditions" let us submit another try for Pete's sake!
Yup, that's another thing Jen. I really feel like they should let us try again, maybe a 3 strikes rule. If you can't nail it in 3 tries, chances are you're not going to get it on the 4th, but getting locked out after the first read for not "sounding similar" (and with no feedback as to why it didn't sound similar) seems like a lost opportunity for everyone.