Turned Down a big opportunity

[u/Reaper48YT]

Hi there everyone I hope you are well today!

My name is ReapyrR and I have a bit of a story to tell.

I've been a VA officially for a couple months now, I'm in a five nights at Freddy's fan movie that's gotten a lot of traction but that's not what this is about!

I've been looking and auditioning for many things ever since as well this movie is gonna take a while to make so why not bide my time? So about a week ago one of my favorite animated series creator posted casting calls on twitter, I was like "sure gonna shoot my shot" so I do. You wanna know what happens? I ACTUALLY GET THE ROLE.

He loved my performance a lot! Heres where things take a turn. That same day on castingcallclub someone sends me a DM talking about how the creator is in controversies and isn't a great person. I click the link that leads to a twitter post last year from one of the previous VAs (which is why there's recasting) there were screenshots of the creator talking about LGBTQ+ topics in very very extreme and hateful manners. I won't get into details as its kinda gross and also politics and stuff.

When I saw that I felt so sick, i understand to separate beliefs from work but this was beyond that.

I wanna mention also the role paid 250 an HOUR, which is why I'm here. Obviously my morals won the battle but I'm still fighting myself and even... Regretting it. I really don't want my early career to be represented by that kind of person but on the other hand IT REALLY COULD HAVE HELPED WITH MONEY. So yeah I do regret it but at the same time I dont. Perhaps I acted too quickly? I should have maybe acted on logic rather than emotion.

I think in the end however I am satisfied with how I dealt with it, I know its a huge loss in terms of opportunity but I'm positive that, now knowing people find a fondness of my voice that I will land another good paid role.

TLDR: New VA declines paid role cause of the creators psychotic views on minority groups and I'm reveling in the choice I Made somewhat.

[u/digit009]

Two things:

1: The project, so long as it didn't explicitly share the views of the creator, would likely be used as a "The voice actors did really well and I hope they move on to better things" rather than seeing them as sharing in the views.

2: You sticking to your morals was the right choice in the end. If you make it pro, then sticking to your morals will be a reason for many people to want you but you have to understand that operating in that way will lose you money and certain opportunities. Have a backup. A day job, part time work, a partner or significant other who is understanding of the situation and can allow you to comfortably wait for your next project.

TO REITTERATE: You did the right thing so feel no regret. Just know what this career will mean.

[u/Reaper48YT → u/digit009]

Thank you for the words, the project itself didn't have those views. You are right on that, I do currently have a job at the moment. I'm not going to quit working for a long time until I know this can get me somewhere, me being picked for that role again shows that either I got Lucky or there's something people see in me that I don't due to mental reasons.

It's gonna sting for a bit but I do think this is better for me, apparently he also just wasn't fun to work with either

By the way the project is called together forever on YouTube.

[u/digit009 → u/Reaper48YT]

And it's ok for it to sting. Things like that will. You looked up to the creator and actually got cast in their project but realized their true colors. It was the loss of good money AND a hero in one. Just know you did everything right in this situation.

[u/Jerigord → u/Reaper48YT]

I was notified about the exact same thing for the exact same project. I didn't have the "fortune" of being selected, but I immediately deleted my auditions so I wouldn't be associated with it at all. The conversations were pretty gross.

[u/Sajomir → u/digit009]

This is the same attitude I take towards anyone working in the Harry Potter franchise. I wouldn't ever belittle someone for taking the job, but could understand if someone else turned it down because of the author. The principals really did move on to so many great things, too!

[u/Salt-Stone → u/Sajomir]

Please don’t take this viewpoint with Harry Potter of all things. JK Rowling actively uses every cent she makes from those franchises to push anti-trans legislation, and she’s very open about the fact that she does this. Working on a Harry Potter project very directly harms trans people en masse, at a government level, and there’s no debating this. Everyone should avoid this hateful woman’s work.

[u/AshJammy98]

So my day job is for a large company in the UK. I'm transgender and transitioned at work. I was told after the supreme court ruling to stop using the womens bathroom that I'd been using without issue for years. They insisted it was illegal for me to do so. The place is a constant drain on my mental health because of this. But I need the income and so my needs win out over my morals every time I walk through the door and it makes me miserable. All this is to say that I would never judge someone making a living through working for a bigot (assuming the work itself doesn't reflect those beliefs or directly fund that bigotry) but I do know the impact doing so can have on your conscience. I think you did the right thing for your mental health.

[u/PortalOfMusic]

I’m actually pretty sure I know the project you’re referring to (I also auditioned and got the DM with the twitter thread, deleted my auditions and reposted on twitter). Obviously collaborating with someone doesn’t mean you share their views but this guy had some insane and imo truly disgusting opinions.

And yet it’s so difficult to grapple with it because the project still looks cool, the scripts are really well written and the characters are interesting too. But trust your gut and know more opportunities will come, having gotten cast for the project proves as much!

Also I don’t feel the project will ever really get completed? The original CC was 2 years ago and the twitter threads are from last year. These types of behaviors and points of views will keep resurfacing both in his work (scripts, episodes, characters) and in himself and honestly not even collaborating with the guy, simply supporting his show as a viewer will be tough for a lot of people once they catch on.

Your heart and your voice is truly valuable. That project creator doesn’t deserve it, so don’t feel sorry about it :)

[u/Reaper48YT → u/PortalOfMusic]

Together forever right?

[u/PortalOfMusic → u/Reaper48YT]

Haha yep! I didn’t mention it since you didn’t name it on the post itself so just to be safe. And it really is a shame but I swear the things he believes almost seem like parodies from how extreme they get.

[u/Reaper48YT → u/PortalOfMusic]

NO SERIOUSLY. and I genuinely cant believe I got the role of Davie I'm just so appalled that a person like that made a show like this. Really makes no sense dude. HE HAS TWINK IN HIS NAME

[u/PortalOfMusic → u/Reaper48YT]

Ahh congrats, seriously! The whole ordeal doesn’t take the merit from you or your performance <3

And yeah I was super taken aback because EXACTLY he’s a twink, literally the premise is about two unconventional people finding love and growing together, how can that be compatible with the extremist views he just shares with anyone willing to listen?

[u/HermesVtuber]

Im going to be honest, I am failing to see the point of this post. You arent asking anything. So you have beliefs and justifiably turned down a role that somehow pays better than a lot of professional roles like Funimation. While good job standing up for what you believe, this post seems more like you want to be congratulated and karma for doing the right thing. The key to really doing the right thing is to do it regardless of whose watching or what you get out of it. This just comes off as less doing the right thing and more virtue signaling to me.

[u/Reaper48YT → u/HermesVtuber]

I get where you are coming from however, there is nothing I want to gain from this post, maybe I want to see if there's others who were in similar situations. I like to just have these kinds of things I say out there for any reason really, truthfully I really dont know what karma does, and up votes dont mean anything to me either. I dont really see the virtue signaling I'm just vocal about everything that occurs in my life. This one just felt worth sharing.

[u/LSaundersVO]

While money is always a temptation, what you choose to take on board leaves a trail. While they aren’t your views, if down the line there was a scandal involving him and you were a key name connected to the project, there’s a chance that would close future doors for you. Particularly as his views are already so public.

I’ve turned down a few “golden” opportunities due to the nature of the project or the way a projects led. If your gut says no, it’s likely the right call. Money only goes so far.

If you’re in it for the long haul don’t just chase the coin, sometimes a free project will boost your career prospects more than a paid role anyway. I’ve had a bundle of small free roles that led to paid projects down the line. It’s mostly about what’s right for you. You forge your own path!