Read without an accent when the remarks said I didn't need one?
Hey there!
I just submitted an audition for a project that didn't REQUIRE an accent. It requested, if possible, to have a Latin accent, but said (and I'm copy/pasting from the remarks here), " If your Latin American accent isn't very strong, don't force anything. Read as professionally and strong as you normally would."
and,
"However, if for some reason you get selected to provide us an audition for this current script and you feel that you don't have a latin american accent at all... I would say don't worry about it. Just try to read naturally and think, "Professional, upbeat and fun!" These three keywords are more important that a forced accent :)"
So, knowing this project had already had a contest going for it before and it was unsatisfied with the auditions received, so it was going for its second casting, I decided to give it a shot, giving my best, most upbeat and professional audition, knowing full well I didn't have an accent and didn't want to force one. They said in their remarks that not having an accent, but providing something natural, upbeat, professional, and fun was most important.
The rejection I got stated, "Hmmm... I wonder if you've spent some time reading the client's remarks...??? For now, let us assign this job to others with more authentic "Hispanic" accent... I am sorry! but we look forward to collaborating with you soon ;-)"
I understand that the client is looking for someone with a Latin accent if possible, but given that the previous contest they held received a bunch of fake accents they didn't like, and were trying again for something more natural and were okay with a non-accent audition, I was giving them what they wanted.
I felt this was a very, very rude rejection, as clearly the QA person did not read the remarks, certainly not me! I'm very frustrated and am wondering if it's possible to contest this rejection? Even if not to be selected as a winning audition, but to have the rejection removed from my stats as I did exactly what the client asked, and the QA rejected it because they didn't read the client's request thoroughly.
Here's the link to the project: http://voicebunny.com/projects/2-mod-2F-2F-folic-acid-vo
Thank you for your consideration! :)
-Katie
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Hi Kate,
Sorry about the remarks. I have already spoken with my team member about the tone. He did not mean any offense. Please accept our apologies. I have also removed the rejection from your stats.
The client said,"Most important: we need a voice with a Latin American accent. Not "Spanish from Spain," but someone who knows and speaks Spanish with some of our friends who might have come from the country right below Texas. :) This spot will air on Telemundo in Texas."
But then, later in parentheses said, "However, if for some reason you get selected to provide us an audition for this current script and you feel that you don't have a latin american accent at all... I would say don't worry about it. Just try to read naturally and think, "Professional, upbeat and fun!" These three keywords are more important that a forced accent :)"
This was quite confusing to the quality control team as we strive to only send auditions that 100% match the client's wishes. We wanted to send as many LatAm accented auditions as we could get as he stated this was "most important." Again, sorry for the confusion and I will personally ensure my team pays more attention to detail.
Thank you, Tara. I feel your response was very respectful and I'm very thankful you took the time to look over my audition and the project details. I understand they were looking for a Latin accent, and that was fine, which was why I let the project sit open on my dashboard for a few hours. When no one had auditioned, I figured I'd try. Usually projects get snatched up within a matter of minutes, so I just assumed there weren't that many people willing to try with a Latin accent, and mine would be passed through.
Anyhow! It looks like they received all the auditions they needed, which is awesome. :) Thanks again for looking after us voice actors.