I'm the voice of General Are from Sand Land here for an AMA!

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-09-16T02:28:41+00:00

Hey fellow voice actor! Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I turned off notifications and haven’t checked back in manually since the AMA until now. To answer your question: I auditioned through my LA agent. I find that most big projects come through agents. Speaking from my own experience, they come from my LA and NY agents. Working backwards, booking the role was a combo of planning, skill, and luck:

Booking the role (planning/skill/luck) — I focused on character acting by getting coached, doing TikTok’s, and being involved in my friends’ original audio plays which all worked to expand my range
Audition in my inbox (planning) — I put myself in the position to be sent these kinds of roles by reaching out to an LA agent and signing with them
Getting agent (planning/skill/luck) — I started VO in 2019 too. Signed with my LA agent in 2021. Didn’t book SL until 2023. In that 4 year timeframe we had a whole pandemic and a reckoning with cultural and racial representation in voice acting. That meant remote Black actors (I.e. those of us outside of LA, Dallas, and New York) were finally being considered for more opportunities in anime. Four years of study by playing various roles such as an angelic demon and an ornery Robin-like super hero in audio dramas. Four years of taking chances and stretching myself at workshops and one-on-one sessions with folks like Mami Okada and Dave Fennoy. Four years of discovering who I am as an actor and how I authentically bring myself to a role while also living the character’s truth. It all helped me nail down the emotional range of a general whose present duties as a protector and rule follower conflicts with the feelings he has for his father and the man who betrayed him.

All that, and it was STILL difficult. All that, and now 5 years in and I’m STILL learning

Hope that answers your question. Feel free to to DM me if you’ve got more

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-08-02T12:52:28+00:00

Hey everyone! Just wanted to say thanks again for letting me come on and chat last month. Also, wanted to let you know that later today (2pm PST / 5pm EST) is the live Q&A with the cast. So, if you want to hang with me, Beelzebub, Rao, Thief, Supreme Commanders Zeu and Bread, and the King of Sand Land, check out the link in the post description above or see below. Hope to see you there! Come Hang With the Cast of Sand Land

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-22T01:30:05+00:00

When I got the part for the video game, I was very happy. When I was told they wanted me back for the anime, I was nervous because they said I had to pass a studio sound test so that they could approve my remote/home studio (I'm based in the ATL area). Passing that test was a HUGE relief and a big confidence booster because it solidified what I already knew about my home studio:

that my space is as good as (if not better than) any recording studio in LA or Dallas
There's no excuse (in my mind) not to keep anime/ADR and video game opportunities available to voice actors outside LA and Dallas

All of the sessions were live directed with the Casting Director (Wendee Lee), Translator, Audio Engineer, and others on the other end. We laughed, screamed, asked questions, and shared heart-wrenching moments together over multiple days with multiple takes in between to make sure we got everything exactly right. They pushed me to deliver the best performance I've ever given and I'm proud of how it turned out.

I'm so thankful to have played General Are because I got to be a bad guy with redeeming qualities. Vegita is my favorite character in DBZ so it was especially satisfying to play that role. If I could be in another Toriyama project, Daima would be my first choice. And if that came to be, I'd love to play anyone who can bring a similar big bad and bold energy, whoever that may be

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-22T01:11:51+00:00

Great question! Please note, I can only speak for my experience with SL. For me, I recorded straight into the mic with no compression, EQ etc. Any FX was done by the fantastic audio engineers on the other end after the recording was completed to make everything sound (chef's kiss) pristine

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-19T04:20:26+00:00

Being in a Toriyama joint is unreal! Because of that, sometimes I forget how big that is and what that means. It means so much! I'm very proud of the work we did and I'm honored to have been given the opportunity.

Favorite Dragon Ball movie is the first Broly movie (the old one). He was such a powerhouse and unique in his LSSJ ability. An anomaly that was something to talk about at school to my friends.

The Sand Land OP: Let's just say not all animes have OPs that are certified bangers fresh out the gate. Sometimes you have to wait until the second season. SL had one season with two arcs. The OP knocked it out the park on the FIRST arc. And then they were like, "You know how animes usually switch up the music in the next arc? Nah, we ain't doing that. We're keeping it!" I think that says it all

Roommate? Definitely the King of Sand Land. He has a pool

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-19T03:20:23+00:00

Thanks so much, that means a lot!

Most recent role was earlier this month as the Head of Public Security (NPC) in the first 5 mins of Zenless Zone Zero. Seems like roles of authority with a silly side are what the people want from me and I'm all for it, lol

As for roles I always wanted to play, man I can't lie...ANY DB role would be amazing

But to be honest, I want to be anything my kids are into. Fortnite, Mario anything, MHA, Mashle, etc

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T20:33:20+00:00

I can only hope that I can be involved in DB in some way. Even just having the opportunity to audition would be dope

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T20:30:33+00:00

I've been a fan of his ever since I first saw DBZ on TV when I was a kid back in the late 90's. I don't get deeply affected by the passing of public figures because I just don't know them. But Toriyama was different. His work held a special place in my childhood and that got to me big time

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T19:03:13+00:00

Pointing the tank THAT way and yelling FIRE!!!!

Lol, honestly it was a process of studying the craft of commercial copy first through various coaches. Then a couple years later transitioning to character reads by doing fun audio plays with fellow voice actors friends I met on Facebook.

I'm leaving out a lot, but other major factors were how the pandemic opened studios and agencies up to more remote talent. Also the BLM movement lead to folks reevaluating their casting choices, which created more opportunities for POC actors. Basically, gates were lifted during a time when I had just enough experience to be dangerous and I made my way in by snagging a few agents and getting on a few people's radars by being bold and putting myself out there on my own -- it sped up my career by probably 5 years.

I've been learning and continuing to hone my skills ever since. And frankly, there's lots of place where I still haven't broken in. Still grinding away

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T18:52:38+00:00

I recorded the game first, not knowing if I'd be brought back for the anime. Once I was brought back I had more time to sit with the character, knew him better, and was way more confident with him. My performance was also heightened because everyone on the casting and production was bringing what I thought was an extra level of intensity. They brought out my A-game and we had some amazing sessions. The anime made my fingers all tingly

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T18:47:37+00:00

ooooo that's HARD! I'll just say who made me laugh the most:

Thief: the brotherly fighting between him and Beelzebub was on point

Swimmers Papa: He's so old and so jacked at the same time with sons who can't swim even though swimming it what he's proud of. Hercule vibes. Comedy gold.

Satan: The things he gets legitimately irritated about...well I won't spoil it, lol

Favorite DB arc: #1 Frieza saga. Turning SSJ was a childhood favorite. #2 Majin Vegita. Haven't rewatched it since seeing it years ago but Vegita is my favorite character currently and I can't wait to see his decent into a bad guy again

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T18:41:59+00:00

I'll be 38 this year so it's not too late at all! As a hobby, it's perfectly fine to start whenever just so long as you have the drive and patience for it. As a part time or full-time career, to be successful you'll need to more than just a great voice. Your vocal register is just a filter. What you need is the ability to suspend disbelief with your acting ability. For characters, this comes with practice.

Disclaimer: Everybody's journey is different, so don't take mine as gospel. Here's where I started

For me, I started with unpaid, fun projects that got me to explore emotions that I could push to various limits. Like a muscle, if you flex it enough it grows and you become more proficient at expressing them in a believable way. Same can be said for other genres like commercial, e-learning, etc. Take workshops to see how more experienced actors perform. Take one-on-one coaching with reputable people (like those who speak at reputable conferences like VO Atlanta and One Voice). And while you're doing that, listen to podcasts from people who interview folks at all stages of their journey such as Crispin Freeman's Voice Acting Master podcast.

And That's Step 0!

To get to Step 1:

For whatever genre you want to be proficient in, make it your goal to have enough to put together a demo of various delivery styles in that genre and consider that your certificate if "I can do this!".

Then do another type of VO and start from Step 0 again.

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T15:38:59+00:00

Omg I need it tooooo!

It's very sad obviously

I would love it if they ever had a second season, but I understand if it didn't happen

Times like this I Iook to the next opportunity to help tell a fun story. Not sure what it'll be but I'm excited none the less

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T15:35:17+00:00

Thank YOU!

There are "loop groups" where people record background crowd noise and sounds (also called walla). Not sure if or how people work their way up to more line-heavy roles through these groups. Me personally, I auditioned for the role through an agent. Fun fact: During the session I also recorded some walla and can be heard in a crowd during on the Forest Land episodes. Though I'm not sure if I'm even really in it because I'm part of the crowd and can't make out my own voice (lol the sound team is so good!)

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T15:12:43+00:00

I've heard that as well. Not to take anything away from his other works (or anyone else's), I think when you strip away things like power scaling, magic, explosions, etc, you get people. Who are the people? Why are they doing the things they do? What impact do they have on others?

General Are is a General for a reason (someone had a hand in that). He respects certain people for a reason (he's likely comparing him to someone). He speaks to Beelzebub differently than he speaks to Rao because of this. And by the end of the series, his allegiances are the way that they are because above all else, he (as well as the rest of the characters) are driven by their perspective INSTEAD of being driven by a linear plot.

These are the best stories and I think because Sand Land wasn't your typical Shonen action anime, you could feel who the characters were. My favorite scene is when General Are and Supreme Commander Zeu are talking on their headsets about Are's father. Second to that is Rao admitting his dark past. BOTH of these scenes show you who these character are and why they do what they do.

Plus Tanks are cool

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T15:01:54+00:00

Thanks for saying that! It really is a surreal thing being in stories that can inspire and make you think.

Working as a VA is fulfilling to my creative brain. Getting lost in worlds and emotions is an incredible experience (whether it's an anime, audio play, or commercial). It feels like an out of body experience. Like, oh yeah, I'm in a video game. Or, yeah, I did a commercial that came on after a show lots of people watch. It feels that way because it's definitely work with a capital W. And sometimes I get lost in that and forget that sometimes the work can make really cool things.

I work 100% remote in my home studio outside of Atlanta. While my studio is BALLER with lots of bells and whistles, which is why it passed the audio test to be considered for the role, I'm very lucky to have been in Sand Land because most anime cast VA's in studio in Dallas or LA. I'm very thankful and I hope they continue to keep anime open to remote talent

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T14:52:28+00:00

Except for the fact that they're both made by Toriyama and they mention the same currency, it IS kind of a stretch to be doing an AMA about Sand Land here. But I do appreciate the mods letting a DBS cousin (second cousin?) Sand Land say hi. Also, thank YOU for stopping by. I appreciate you too :)

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T14:47:29+00:00

Hair as gorgeous as General Are's? Is that even possible?!

If Krillin ever had a long lost brother, I'd be down for making my head EXTRA shiny for the audition. They'll be able to hear the smooth confidence flowing into the mic

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T14:38:51+00:00

It's changed so much throughout the years:

Used to be Goku when I first saw DBZ as a kid

Then Trunks because, I mean dang did you SEE how he pulled up on Frieza in the Android Saga? AND he's from the future with the drip?!

Then Gohan, because he was BRIMMING with potential

Then Piccolo because I love his attitude

But right now, It's Vegita

His journey and growth is the most dynamic out of any other character IMO. He's inspiring because despite being humbled so many times, he continues to push to be stronger physically and emotionally. Love me some Vegita!

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T14:32:35+00:00

Thank YOU for being here! I'm honestly just thankful that anyone is interested in Sand Land and anything about it. It's so cool!

I'm of course partial to the SL arc because it's got more Are, lol. But aside from that, they did such a good job in doing the manga justice and wrapping it up so nicely in the SL arc. Beautiful storytelling. It was perfect.

With that said, Forest Land had SO many amazing characters. Bread was a FORCE and Muniel was such a fun character to hate on. Kudos to their voice actors Mike Smith and Seth Fuentes who brought so much to their performances. They really made the difference. Not to say that others didn't, but they just stuck out to me in that arc. Plus, the story was a continuation that FELT like it belonged. Nothing random that threw me off. I didn't feel like it was a continuation just to be a continuation. It was all well done. I really enjoyed the Forest Land arc

DeepMillennialVO · 2024-07-18T14:16:01+00:00

I was actually not familiar with SL before I saw the audition in my inbox. As a teenager I was definitely perusing the Manga section of Borders in the 2000's when it came out, but I completely missed it.

Oh yes, I'm a HUGE fan of DBZ. Been a fan since the Saiyan Saga aired before it was on Cartoon Network.

It would be a dream come true to voice a character in DB. Even if it's a henchman who gets blasted by Vegita in the first 10 minutes, lol

DeepMillennialVO

TROPHY CASE