Fortune Magazine has posted online an article covering ADV Films and specifically talking with their President, John Ledford. Of several points of interest, this one in particular sticks out:
Anyone can build up a huge library. It’s what ADV does with it that’s interesting. Ledford aims his shows at small groups, knowing that if he can keep costs down—licensing properties on the cheap, basing his operation in low-cost Houston, using non-union actors to do voice-overs in his own studio—he does not need boffo box office to make money. (His average per-title margin: 25%.) As long as the otaku are nice and frenzied, the formula works. So Ledford makes sure voice actors and execs in his companies make a big presence at the fan shows. He’s also adept at creating useful controversies: When ADV thought a Scooby Doo-esque series called Ghost Stories would be a dud, it issued a version with an intentionally inaccurate translation of the script—redubbing the characters to be more American (the leader now has attitude, and the boring sidekick was made into a born-again Christian)—knowing that would stir powerful passions. Authenticity being the Way of the Otaku, fans obliged by erupting in a furor. Then they ran out to buy the DVDs to assess the damage. Some found they actually liked the show and turned Ghost Stories into a mini hit for ADV. That’s just what Ledford’s looking for. “Our company is built around base hits,” he says.
Central Park Media has revealed the second winner of their Outlanders “fan-casting” contest, announcing that Sean Schemmel will be playing the bumbling male lead Tetsuya. His winning audition and acceptance video can be found on CPM’s Outlanders website. The rest of the castmembers will be revealed monthly leading up to the DVD release on February 7, 2006.
The Geneon Lounge has an interview with Monica Rial and New Generation Pictures‘ Jonathan Klein about Monica’s guest role in Mermaid Forest.
Crispin Freeman will be teaching an anime voice acting class at Bang Zoom studios in Burbank on November 20th, 4 pm to 8 pm.
Those interested can contact Bang Zoom at voiceoverschool@bangzoomentertainment.com, or call 818-295-3939, Extension 150.
ADV Films has revealed its cast for their upcoming release of The Fuccons:
Mikey – Kira Vincent Davis
Laura – Luci Christian
Emily – Cynthia Martinez
James (Mikey’s Father) – Rob Mungle
Barbara (Mikey’s Mother) – Christine Auten
Grandpa – Andy McAvin
Grandma – Melinda DeKay
A special promotional volume 0 will be released next month featuring the first 8 episodes and some DVD-ROM content for $5.98. A regular release will follow, with the entire series on 3 discs at $14.98 each.
Anime News Network has put up an inteview with veteran voice actor and director Crispin Freeman.
At Anime Vegas, FUNimation announced that they have the Negima anime, and further revealed that Greg Ayres will voice the title character, Luci Christian – Asuna, and Colleen Clinkenbeard will be directing.
Galaxy Anime TV has put up an audio interview with veteran script adapter/voice director Marc Handler about his work on FLCL, Naruto and the new Astro Boy, and his thoughs about the current state of the dubbing industry.
Synch-Point has passed along a cast list for their release of Leave It to Piyoko, due out the 15th of next month:
Directed by Fusako Shiotani
Adapted by Stephanie Sheh
Pyocola Analogue III – Sandy Fox
Rik Heisenberg – Grant George
Ky Schweitzer – Michael Sinterniklaas
Coo Erhard – Wendee Lee
Di Gi Charat – Jessica Gee
Petit Charat – Miyuki Sawashiro
Rabi~en~Rose – Michelle Ruff
Gema – Jennifer Sekiguchi
Space Hermit – Dave Mallow
Narrator – Steve Kramer
(more…)
Mari Iijima, the Japanese voice actress for Lynn Minmei in the original Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series, will reprise her role in the upcoming English dub of the series by ADV. An accomplished singer and songwriter, Mari is fluent in English, having lived in Los Angeles since 1989.
This is not the first time an actress has played the same role in both the Japanese and English versions; Miyuki Sawashiro played Puchiko in Synch-Point‘s dubs for both Di Gi Charat the Movie and Leave it to Piyoko, before being recast due to a scheduling conflict.
