Chapter 168: Dubbing Submission

Chapter 168: Voice Acting Submission

Lost in the craft for the entire morning, Meng Fan experimented not only with vocal control but also with the infectious power of his voice; much like the allure of a smile, this too was a controllable variable—put simply, it was a matter of emotional investment, or in more complex terms, energy density.

Naturally, he also sought a natural speaking voice for his daily life, one rooted in his original tone. After all, his authentic voice was the foundation; to perform constantly would not only be exhausting to maintain, but it would also be difficult for him to accept as his own.

Meng Fan’s original voice was quite ordinary, but with the improvements in range, timbre, and quality gained from his singing practice, even his casual speech now carried a subtle charm. If he spoke with even a hint of sincerity, a soulful resonance became his default setting. He felt that while this voice was fine for Wu Tong, it wouldn't be appropriate to use on everyone.

Speaking to Wu Tong... the mere thought made him break into a silly grin.

Counting yesterday, he had put in seven or eight hours of practice. Feeling sufficiently acquainted with his new capabilities, he decided to select a clip to dub as his "resume."

With his newfound talent, he wanted to try his hand at professional voice acting—the kind that truly breathes life into a character.

He had the resources and connections for this. Setting aside Meng Caiwei, his previous training had introduced him to a network of like-minded peers, and he was part of several active groups.

These groups weren't just hobbyists; they included industry professionals like voice actors, vocal coaches, and directors.

Most of these professionals worked in "net-dubbing," participating in online audio dramas. Many lacked formal backgrounds, much like Meng Fan—passionate and hardworking, but lacking systematic training.

This was the largest demographic in the industry.

Since passion was the driving force, money was rarely part of the equation. It wasn't that they lived on air, but rather that they simply couldn't make a living.

To earn money, one had to transition into commercial dubbing.

In truth, commercial dubbing was the domain of celebrity voice actors—the elite of the industry, few and far between.

As the internet often joked, every Chinese drama seemed to feature the same four voices falling in love.

It was an exaggeration, yet it reflected the reality of the scarcity of professional voice actors in China.

The primary cause was low pay.

Many enthusiasts entered with passion, only to burn out after two or three years when they couldn't make ends meet. With a thin base at the bottom of the pyramid, few could rise to the top. Because there were so few top-tier talents, production companies offered lower fees, which in turn discouraged newcomers and drove veterans away earlier...

This cycle had persisted for years.

However, with the recent boom in the ACG industry, the demand for anime and game dubbing had surged. This gave net-dubbers and commercial actors alike broader platforms, highlighting their value and steering the industry toward a brighter future.

For instance, anime used to be imported from the US or Japan, rarely airing on television, and thus requiring little Chinese dubbing. Most online content remained in the original language, and the few dubbed works were usually labors of love, produced for free.

Now, the domestic animation output is massive. Animations require dubbing, creating demand and driving up pay.

Being able to earn a living from this craft is the cornerstone of any industry's development.

Moreover, to solve the low-income dilemma, celebrity voice actors have begun their own ventures—founding studios, serving as directors, launching platforms, or establishing training institutions.

Looking further afield, in Japan, where ACG culture is most developed, the industry is mature, having evolved from basic character voicing to the era of idol voice actors. These professionals do more than just dub; they step into the spotlight, releasing albums, photo books, and hosting television shows.

Aside from his love for "Shan Jin," Meng Fan was a fan of these idol voice actors.

Before his rebirth, he had flown from Lion City to Japan just to attend one of their concerts!

Returning to the present, Meng Fan’s initial training had been arranged by Meng Caiwei. The teacher was top-notch, and the group he founded was equally impressive, filled with professionals capable of commercial work.

Because the teacher knew Meng Fan was a protégé of Meng Caiwei, he had allowed the mediocre, portfolio-less Meng Fan to remain in the group, lurking silently for years.

Meng Fan selected his best work and sent it to several directors, then waited. Though he could have easily found work through Meng Caiwei, he wasn't in such a desperate hurry. Besides, his sudden leap in ability would be hard to explain without raising questions.

After sending the files, he went to school to have lunch with Wu Tong. He had classes in the afternoon and didn't plan to skip them.

He didn't skip, but he spent the class sketching manga. Qin Jiao, at the podium, noticed him often but said nothing until class ended, when she called him over.

"The money you transferred last time has been donated in your name. Here is the receipt." She handed him the paper and gestured for him to follow her outside. "Do you have plans this afternoon?"

"What for?" Meng Fan asked.

"You know how your sister was looking for work for you, claiming I had started a studio?" Qin Jiao asked. Seeing him nod, she added, "Well, I started one."

"You... started it?" Meng Fan was genuinely stunned. "Isn't that a bit impulsive?"

"It's fine." Qin Jiao walked to the curb, clicked her car keys, and said, "Let's go. I'll show you the studio, and then you can sign the contract."

"Why am I signing a contract? What does this have to do with me?"

"How could it not? The studio was only built because you needed hand-drawn posters."

"..."

"Get in, or I'll tell Wu Tong who your mother is."

Meng Fan wanted to say she already knew, but he swallowed the words and obediently climbed into the car.

After all, he trusted Qin Jiao implicitly; she wouldn't force him into an unfair contract, and he was curious to see the studio anyway.