frequently asked questions: general

Q: How long have you been voice acting?
A: Since April of 2004.

Q: How come you don't list every production on your resume? How do I know you actually voice acted in that many projects?
A: The answer is simple; I do not have the time or energy to keep track of every single role I get anymore - not to mention keeping up with the status of each project is far too difficult. For my professional work, I have a separate resume available on request for serious inquiries.

Q: What recording hardware and software do you use?
A: I have upgraded my equipment many times, but I currently use a Samson C01U USB Condenser microphone with a standalone stand and pop filter. For recording, I use Audacity, and for mixing, Adobe Audition.

Q: Are you a professional voice actress?
A: As of January 2008, YES! I haven't done much yet, but I am continually working on improving my skill and getting more opportunities. However, I still really enjoy contributing voices for Flash movies and online games, so please don't hesitate to ask. :)

Q: Why do you voice act for free online, then? Isn't that just giving your work away?
A: I'm willing to voice act for free in non-profit productions such as flash movies because it builds up my experience and it's just a fun thing I do in my spare time. Obviously I charge for professional work outside of the Internet, but the fact is that online Flash animators generally do not get paid making their animations and it would be unfair to ask them to pay their voice actors when they aren't making any money themselves. Requiring payment for all my voice work would mean a sharp decrease in roles, because there are plenty of talented people out there who *are* willing to do it for free. In a sense, it balances out - the producer gets a voice for his or her character, and I get to build up a resume. I do accept donations, however! :)

Q: Are you the real voice actress of (insert name of incredibly popular anime or game character here):
A: No. Most of the official roles I've done are for projects that haven't been released yet, and you'll either find it on my IMDB or Anime News Network page if it's out.

Q: OMG Y DIDNT U RECOGNIZED ME ON IM!!!
A: I've worked for hundreds of producers and have lots of acquaintances besides. Please don't be offended if I need you to remind me who you are or what project you were doing.

Q: Was that you as Meryl in Metal Gear Awesome 1 & 2?
Sure was. Probably my most popular role to date. (Note: I did NOT voice Meryl in the actual Metal Gear games---this was just for a certain very popular Flash parody!)

contact/casting inquiries
Q: Do you require payment for your voiceover services?
A: I'm willing to voice act for free in "fan productions" such as flash animations, fandubs and radioplays. However, if you are planning to commercially sell your product (such as a computer game or audiobook) or are producing a commercial or other professional work, I would like either a flat payment or percentage of the sales unless a prior arrangement has been made. In other words, if YOU aren't making any money off the project, I won't ask for any either.

Q: My project requires that voice actors join my forum/have MSN meetings/etc...
A: I'm sorry, but I really really dislike having to join separate forums, Yahoo groups, Myspace groups, MSN chats, etc. etc. just to voice act for a project. An organized producer should be able to send scripts to their voice actors by way of email. I will only make an exception if your project is fairly large and there is a significant reason as to why I should join your production forum. The reason for this is that I (as well as most other online voice actors) simply do not have the time to keep up with multiple forums/yahoo groups/etc in order to do something that can easily be done over e-mail.

Q: How long do you usually take for lines?
A: Please give me 1-2 weeks UNLESS it's a last-minute project that you need right away (in most cases I can make an exception and do it in 1-2 days if it is for, say, a school project due right away or a Newgrounds collab with a fast-approaching deadline. This is more of an exception than a rule though, so please try to give as much notice as possible.) When you e-mail me, just let me know exactly when you need the lines and I will do my best to prioritize accordingly.

Q: How should I credit you?
A: Please credit me as Rina-chan, UNLESS you're posting your project on the VAA, in which case please credit me as Haushinka (my screen name on that site). I used to use Kagome for pretty much everything but too many new voice actresses began using that name and it caused confusion. You may credit me by my real name for professional work only [or with advance permission, though I do prefer a screen name for any non-professional voice work.] Q: Are you available for live voice direction via Skype?
If you are a serious animator who has produced high-quality work, OR if it is for a paid project, then yes. Normally it is very hard to coordinate schedules for things like this as everyone has real life commitments, but I've done it for people who know me personally.

Q: I'd like to cast you for something but you never sign onto AIM/MSN.
A: Due to my busy schedule I rarely have time to chat on messenger services and therefore avoid going on them. However, I DO check my e-mail account multiple times daily, so please e-mail me there with casting requests, scripts, etc. Trust me, I will receive it.

Q: I sent you lines but you haven't done them yet. Can I give your part to someone else?
A: Before recasting me, PLEASE be courteous and check up with me through e-mail - I'm human, and occasionally I'll forget a deadline or something will come up. The other situation is that whenever I send to a hotmail account, my emails are often sent to the junk folder because the attachment is mistaken as spam or a virus. I don't like taking time recording for someone only to find out that they already gave my part to someone else because of a miscommunication or didn't receive the email, so please check up with me first.

Q: Are there any roles you will turn down?
A: If I do turn down a role, it's probably for one or more of the following reasons: 1) the script contains racist comments, extremely vulgar dialogue or other content which I am just not comfortable with (I'm comfortable with a surprising amount of things though so just ask), 2) the producer is extremely disorganized and the script is nearly impossible to decipher, 3) the producer is expecting too much (such as a huge script or a deadline that I cannot make), and/or 4) the project requires too much of a time commitment and I am busy with real-life commitments at the moment. I won't work for someone if he/she has an extremely rude or condescending attitude. BUT, there is no harm in asking as to whether I will take a role or not, so please send me the information and I will more than likely do it.

Q: Can you sing?
A: Personally, I do not think I'm a good singer. I've done duet projects with friends and what not but I am not very confident in my singing ability for productions :[ If you've heard my singing somewhere and don't mind it, then I guess you could scout me for a singing role. ^^;h


how did you...? / can you...?

Q: I want to do online voice acting! How do I get started?
A: Check out the Voice Acting Club or the Voice Acting Alliance. There are plenty of tutorials there that will help you start out. 

Q: Can you help me with my voice acting?
A: I'm sorry, but I get this request so many times that I simply don't have time to give detailed advice to everyone. HOWEVER. If you want me to give you an honest critique on your demo reel, feel free to pass it along and I'll send you some feedback whenever I can. Or, if you need serious one-on-one coaching and are willing to pay a reasonable amount for it, contact me and we'll discuss it.

Q: How did you go professional?
A: Long story short, I worked my butt off so that I could eventually move to the right area, and practiced by doing online stuff for four years. Everyone has a different journey, but so much of it just involves doing your best work in everything and making the right connections. Oh, and it's good if you move to southern California.

Q: What program(s) do you use for recording and mixing?
A: For recording I use Audacity. If you're a beginner starting out I recommend Audacity because it's free and easy to use. For mixing productions, demos, etc I use Adobe Audition.. which is NOT free. Please don't ask me where to get codes or to send you my copy; it's your responsibility to find out where/how to get it.

Q: How do you get your quality so clear sounding?
A: Usually sound cards that come with your computer have tons of excess noise, but I bought a USB condenser microphone which allows for much clearer sound. It has a little excess static but that can easily be cleaned up with Noise Reduction. I also make sure that the input volume isn't up too high, as that causes lines to peak and distort.

Q: Can you help me write a script/critique my script?
A: Sorry, but no. I do consider myself a good writer, but I just don't do well writing off of other people's storylines. I only tend to get inspiration writing my own original stories. HOWEVER, if you are a flash animator looking for something to animate, I have plenty of audio bits that I would love to see come to life!

Q: Do you speak Japanese? Can you translate my script into Japanese?
A: I do speak Japanese, although I'm not 100% fluent. Generally, I will charge a small fee per script that you want me to translate, unless we have a prior agreement. The reason I began charging is too many people have taken advantage of my translation services and scrapped their projects after I spent hours translating for them. I'm sure you understand.

Q: Can you hook me up with anime episodes, soundtracks, registration codes, etc?
A: I'm sorry but I cannot take the risk of providing you content illegally such as full anime episodes. Please buy the products yourself or find some other way of obtaining them. ^^; (Not to mention uploading full anime episodes will max out my bandwidth anyway..)

Q: How did you get to do a voice for Castle Crashers?
A: Tom Fulp wanted to use people in the game who were active in contributing to the Newgrounds community. For instance, the music in the game came from Newgrounds audio portal artists. I've been doing female voice acting for a very long time and I was incredibly honored when I was asked to do the sounds for all the princesses. :)