Pokémon USA recasting controversy: Difference between revisions

Pokémon USA recasting controversy (view source)

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 ==Background==
-Because of the Pokémon franchise's waning popularity in the United States, the international Pokémon distributor, [[The Pokémon Company International|Pokémon USA]], began looking for ways to cut costs on production of the English adaptation of the series, and decided to find a new partnering company who could produce the English adaptation for less money. Once [[4Kids Entertainment]]'s contract expired in early 2006, they were outbid by [[TAJ Productions]], who had earlier assisted 4Kids in their production of the English-language version of the series. However, according to statements made by [[Veronica Taylor]] and [[Eric Stuart]], the voice actors were to be replaced with different sound-a-like voice actors to keep production costs low. TPCi has made no official statements on these claims. The special ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]'', which aired on April 29, was used as a testing ground for the new voices.
+Because of the Pokémon franchise's waning popularity in the United States, the international Pokémon distributor, [[The Pokémon Company International|Pokémon USA]], began looking for ways to cut costs on production of the English adaptation of the series, and decided to find a new partnering company who could produce the English adaptation for less money. Once [[4Kids Entertainment]]'s contract expired in early 2006, they were outbid by [[TAJ Productions]], who had earlier assisted 4Kids in their production of the English-language version of the series. However, according to statements made by [[Veronica Taylor]] and [[Eric Stuart]], the voice actors were to be replaced with different sound-a-like voice actors to keep production costs low. According to [[Stan Hart]] it wasn't allowed to bring the voice actors over to the new dub production because the voice actors were under contract with 4Kids.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naUL66MyiBY</ref> TPCi has made no official statements on these claims. The special ''[[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]'', which aired on April 29, was used as a testing ground for the new voices.
 As a result of this, and the discontinuation of anime in their block as they were planning to move to {{wp|The CW Television Network|The CW Network}}, {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Kids' WB!}} decided not to renew the series, and {{DL|Pokémon in the United States|Cartoon Network}}, the sibling cable network owned by Kids' WB's owners, {{wp|Time Warner}}, started to air the series as of September 8, 2006.
 == Voice actor reaction ==
+=== Former voice actors ===
 Members from various Pokémon forums emailed the former voice actors.
+==== [[Maddie Blaustein]] ====
-=== [[Maddie Blaustein]] ===
 This was sent by a staff member of [[Serebii.net|Serebii Forums]]:
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Thanks again and I'll be sure to pass your note onto my fellow VAs
-ciao!"<ref>[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?t=111108&page=15]</ref>
+ciao!"<ref>[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?111108-Pok%E9mon-IS-going-to-be-Recasted-_/page15 Pokémon IS going to be Recasted...-_-;]</ref>
-=== [[Eric Stuart]] ===
+==== [[Eric Stuart]] ====
 "Pokémon USA has decided that it's too expensive to use 4Kids and the actors that have made Pokémon the TV show such a success for the last 10 years. They have 'behind our backs' re-cast the show with 'sound-a-likes' to try to save money. They actually believe the fans don't care. They are starting with the 10 year anniversary special - starring all new voices. The main cast, me included, has taken a lot of pride in the characters we have helped to create. To change now, on the last season, based on greed is a sad example of what big business kids marketing really is.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 Eric "Brock & James" Stuart"<ref>[http://www.pokemonpalace.net/]</ref>
-=== [[Veronica Taylor]] ===
+==== [[Veronica Taylor]] ====
 "Hey Scott-
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 Thanks for your concern. Please spread the word and let's all try to work together to right this wrong before it's too late.
-Veronica"<ref>[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?t=111108]</ref>
+Veronica"<ref>[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?111108-Pok%E9mon-IS-going-to-be-Recasted-_ Pokémon IS going to be Recasted...-_-;]</ref>
-==== PokéCommunity ====
+===== PokéCommunity =====
 Subject: Re: FW: The PokéCommunity Forums Contact Us Form - Pokémon Urgent news
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 Thanks for your concern.
-Veronica" <ref>[http://community.livejournal.com/pokesavethevas/1392.html]</ref>
+Veronica"<ref>[http://community.livejournal.com/pokesavethevas/1392.html]</ref>
+=== New voice actors ===
+==== [[Bill Rogers]] ====
+The new voice actor of Brock, [[Bill Rogers]], posted under the name [http://www.serebiiforums.com/member.php?39369-NewBrock "NewBrock"] at Serebii.Net Forums. His first post was this open letter:
+"Hello everyone,
+I am hesitant to post here as I fear that many of you are greatly upset with what you heard from this weekend’s special, but I feel that someone from the new group of VAs must speak up.
+Please understand that during this tough transitional time, the new voice actors that are working on Pokemon are trying their best to fill some very big shoes. In the past, I have had the opportunity to speak with many of the original Pokemon actors. They are terrific, talented people and I have a great respect for all the work that they have done in these past eight years to bring Pokemon to television, movies, etc. Unfortunately, due to the contracts that these actors have signed with 4Kids, they are no longer able to work on Pokemon. So, no matter what letter writing campaigns you start, these actors will not be allowed to work on Pokemon outside of the 4Kids studios.
+That said, the new actors that have been brought in to voice these existing Pokemon characters are trying very hard to capture the spirit of the original cast. So please, don’t look at us as horrible people who are stealing jobs away from others. Instead, try to understand that we are actors who admire those who came before us and only wish to do all that we can to produce the best show possible.
+This new Pokemon project only started a short while ago and many of us have been researching previous episodes to find a way to best capture the spirit of the show. Together with TAJ Studios, we are working with producers, directors and engineers who worked on the show’s earlier seasons. These professionals are also trying their hardest to get us to the right place so that this transition will work for the fans. This will take a little time, but we are working hard to make the fans happy. Please believe me when I say that I am not involved in this project for a “quick buck”. When I was asked to take over as the voice of Brock, I was honored that I would be able to carry on a legacy, and I promise you here and now that I will do the best I can to make that possible.
+My reasoning for posting to this site is twofold. Firstly, I wish to inform the fans about the process that is going on to keep Pokemon the same great show it always was. And secondly, I wish to get feedback from the fans that I can take into the studio with me to help improve whatever I can to make the show great. I welcome all the input that you have, but please be mindful that there is a human being at the other end of this dialogue. I know that everyone at TAJ studios is concerned with the outcry of the fans over what has happened. Please try to help us make this show work for you.
+I will post more in the days ahead, but for now I thank you for your time and patience during this transition.
+Sincerely,
+The New Voice of Brock
+PS – Please understand at this time I can not post my real name due to possible repercussions from all the negative energy out there on the internet and in the world outside the web."
+ciao!"<ref>[http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?116598-New-Dub-Voice-Discussion!&p=3160222&highlight=#post3160222 New Dub Voice Discussion!]</ref>
 == Fan reaction ==
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 Some fans who opposed the idea of recasting decided to send letters to Pokémon USA by mail and e-mail. An [[Save Our Voice Actors|online petition]] has also been made by online members.
-However, on April 29, 2006, after the special aired, many Pokémon fans disliked the new voices. According to a [http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=364 Bulbagarden Forums poll], one person liked the special, 17 people said it was OK, 15 people hated most of the voices, and 30 hated the new voices altogether (as of April 30th at 1:19 PM ET). Some Pokémon fans planned to boycott merchandise from Pokémon USA, and many started to write complaint letters to Pokémon USA.
+However, on April 29, 2006, after the special aired, many Pokémon fans disliked the new voices. According to a [http://forums.bulbagarden.net/index.php?threads/new-voice-actors-discussion-read-first-post-before-posting.12542/ Bulbagarden Forums poll], one person liked the special, 17 people said it was OK, 15 people hated most of the voices, and 30 hated the new voices altogether (as of April 30th at 1:19 PM ET). Some Pokémon fans planned to boycott merchandise from Pokémon USA, and many started to write complaint letters to Pokémon USA.
 === PUSA's reaction to complaints ===
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 ==External links==
 * [http://web.archive.org/web/20080730002445/http://lovesick-pkmn.net/sova/ Save Our Voice Actors] (archive)
+* [http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?116598-New-Dub-Voice-Discussion! New Dub Voice Discussion!] on Serebii.Net Forums
+* [http://forums.bulbagarden.net/index.php?threads/new-voice-actors-discussion-read-first-post-before-posting.12542/ New Voice Actors Discussion] on Bulbagarden Forums
 ==References==