SOVA Organization

[Ash's Pika Pal]

I guess my real questions are: Is SOVA still going strong and has any progress been made? And can someone please tell me the most up-to-date situation? Do you guys believe there is a chance at all for them to come back? With season 10 airing already i can't wait anymore so i'm going to watch the new episodes, old voice actors or not, but i think it'd be cool if there was still any chance to get them back on the show.

I'll be happy to do whatever i can to help. Thanks!

I'll try to answer your questions the best way I can.

Q 1: Yes, SOVA's still going strong! It may not be as strong as it used to be (alot of people have given up), but like I said we are still going strong and we also have alot of willpower.

Q 2: Do you mean with the projects? If you mean the projects, well we're trying to get a "Noodle Fund" ready (you'll have to go back some pages inoder to understand what I mean) and we are trying some other things. Some other things are phone calls and letters.

But, if you mean what I think you mean than this is my answer. We are trying to contact Cartoon Network (after all they are the ones that control rather or not PUSA gets alot of money, because of how often they show it). I think I'm explaining that right. If I messed that explaination up a little bit, someone please help explain it better.

Q 3: We most certainly think they still have a chance! As, long as SOVA's still around there'll always be a chance.

 

[the gadfly]

I still think when it comes to ratings you shouldn't use the American stations...you should use stations like YTV who have been airing since the beginning of the series.

There's just one problem with your argument. Ratings outside the U.S. don't really matter. They're just extra income.

Let me explain. When 4Kids was dubbing the show, they had a contract that gave them exclusive rights in the world outside Japan and a few Asian countries. That meant everyone else got their Pokemon episodes from 4Kids.

When PUSA took back the show from 4Kids, I really don't think they gave up the exclusive rights. Sure, TAJ is dubbing now, but PUSA controls the dub, who gets it, and what they can do with it.

Now, back to the ratings. The U.S. has nearly 300 million people living in it. Not many countries can approach the viewer audience the U.S. has. Not even Japan. (There could be more people watching "Pokemon" in the U.S. than in Japan.) Numbers matter. Shows survive or die where the biggest audience is. PUSA/TAJ is dubbing the show for its biggest audience, the U.S. It's exported to everyone else.

 

[Ash's Pika Pal]

I made a forum for SOVA. It's not like the last one where it'd be a place to discuss everything, it'd only used for a place to know what is curent and what to do next. (did that even make any sence?) I know that sounded confusing, I'd give an example or two, but I don't know if that'd be allowed.

I'll just put it this way, it'd be like a thing where each of us would go into the section we are working on and discuss it there. But, after we'd know what to do we'd discuss the rest here.

I know that forum sounds like it won't be too helpful. But if anyone thinks it's a bad idea tell me now, so I can delete it and make something else.

edit: Is there anything that needs to be found by searching? Because, if there is I'm willing to go search for it.

edit: I made another club http://z4.invisionfree.com/Latiosworld/index.php?showtopic=628&st=0&#last. I think this one's going to turn out well, because the owner supports SOVA.

 

[Nando]

This really isn't relevant, but it should bring you guys' spirits up anyway.

Here in New York, there used to be a very popular radio station that played music from the 60s and 70s... by their billing, "Motown, soul and great rock 'n' roll." They had many popular DJs too, including radio legend Bruce "Cousin Brucie" Morrow and former Monkee Micky Dolenz.

Well, in 2005, they suddenly just fired all the DJs without warning (sound familiar?) and reformatted the station into what they called "Jack FM," essentially a random collection of mostly punk/hard rock from the 80s and 90s. Sure, new people started tuning in, but they alienated their old fans like me. Then this morning, two years later, I found out they are dropping Jack FM, returning to the old format and going to attempt to rehire the DJs they backstabbed in the first place. TWO YEARS LATER.

My point? No matter how long it takes, there is no amount of time that is too much. It took two years, but the fans who opposed Jack FM finally won out. If it can happen there, it can happen here with SOVA.

 

[Mickey]

TGB, thank you for sharing that. That truly does lift my spirits. I certainly believe that no matter how long it has been we always have a chance of getting our VAs back. <3 Wah, that story makes me feel so bright and happy.

Anyway....

[Even though this isn't exactly very SOVA-y related in a particular sense, I figured our gushing would be most appropiate here as opposed to elsewhere where the new VAs would be of the main popular topic at this con.]

I know--it's been forever since either Puff and I posted something meaningful here. It's been such a bleh time for us, because we just hate the fact D&P has started and it really puts us in a glum, glum mood. But, two weeks ago (just about) the anime convention in New Jersey, AnimeNEXT announced that Ted Lewis (Ed Paul) would be attending. Puff and I nearly split in half with excitement, because we are total Tracey fangirls, and we always wanted to meet the hero who brought our character to life. Time sort of flew by and before we knew it, it was Friday, July 06, and we had to make plans FAST if we wanted to see Ted Lewis! So, we got everything together (which included capping a pretty scene of Tracey in the second movie and a particular moment in a Chronicles episode, sending them to Walgreens' photo store via online and getting them printed in hawt glossy photo paper) and went out this morning to New Jersey (and that meant going through NYC and the George Washington Bridge, bleeeeh). But, we made it! And we quickly got registered and were able to get into the place where the convention was held.

I'll skip the non-related Pokémon fun and just get straight to the point. Most of you probably know that Michelle Knotz and Bill Rogers attended this convention, too. Ironically, Michelle, Bill and Ted were all sitting at the same panel, which was really depressing for Puff and I. Thankfully, Ted was seated before Michelle and Bill so we avoided awkward bypassing and silence. Also, Mike Pollock (the original/current narrator) and Wayne Grason (Butler/Harrison/Lance) were there. Anyway, after hours and hours of anticipation from the whole day, we got in line and waited when the panel started. We were about the seventh people in line (we made sure to get there early), so we got to the panel quickly.

Puff and I got to go up together and I was first to shyly place down my photo of Tracey in front of Ted, nervously stuttering out a greeting. And Ted's face grew into a huge smile when he saw the picture, and he said, "Well, a Tracey fan! How about that!" This made me feel instantly relaxed, and I just sort of gushed my fangirly compliments towards how great Tracey was, and how I was such a huge fan of him. He was soooooo humble and sweet about it, and he asked for my name, and signed my Tracey photo! Then, Puff placed down her photo and explained a bit about SOVA, telling him we were trying really hard to get him back on Pokémon and how he meant so much as Tracey! He was so humble about this, too, but he was quick to say, "Oh, thank you!" and such, and then went on to sign her photo!! GAAAAAH!! HE WAS SO SWEET!

Before we left, I nervously (even more than before) asked him if he did personal signings. He smiled again and said that he did. So, I placed down my other photo--which was a picture of Prof. Oak and Tracey together--and requested that he write, "ApprenticeShipping Forever." I'm not sure he knew exactly what it meant, but given the photo I'm sure he concluded. He just happily signed away (even adding a very excited exclamation point to the end!!!). That was that, and Puff and I just ran off squealing and fangirling for countless minutes! We got so loud with our enthusiasm that I'm sure everyone was boggled (then again, it was an anime con, and... yeah...).

But, we really wanted to get our picture taken with him!! So, Puff and I sat down near the panel, patiently waiting for the hour session to end. When it did, we jumped up and approached Ted again, asking if he would have a picture taken with us! He was so excited and happy, and Puff's boyfriend snapped away a photo on our digital camera! AHHH!!!! It was soooo exciting, we all nearly fell over and cried! Afterwards, we restated how much we loved him, how much we loved Tracey because of the way he played him, how awesome we was as Giovanni and the Announcer, and how much we missed him on the show! He was so modest about it, but it was so easy to tell he sincerely appreciated what we had to say. I mean, you know he must not get that a lot since Tracey isn't uber-popular, but since we basically fangirled-out-to-the-max on him, he might've been a bit startled by our intense, burning passion for his heroism!!

IT WAS SO AWESOME!! I mean, my god, I can't believe we got to meet our Tracey!! Ted was actually there for his work on Teenage Ninja Turtles, and there were two other TMNT actors there, too, along with the new Pokémon VAs. Given the crap naysayers started about the D&P event and the SOVA flyers--and particularly what Puff and I supposedly did--I'm not going to say anything about the new VAs, especially given the fact we didn't interact with them at all in the first place. Puff and I wanted to get Mike's autograph, but we were on such a high of the Ted-fun and since we flew by the rest of the panel, we sort of forgot. Ah well--it's Ted that matters because he's Traaaaaaaaaaaacey!!!!!!

Anyway, I wanted to share the photos we took and the photos Ted signed!!!

My photo reads: "To Bianca! Thanks for being a great fan!"
Puff's reads: "To Monika! Thanks for being a great Pokémon fan!"
The Oak/Tracey picture obviously reads: "ApprenticeShipping Forever!"

Then, of course, the picture of all three of us! I am to the left (with the sunnies), Puff is to the right (with the ears).

We really wanna know what everyone thinks! TRACEY!! <3

 

[Barb]

t ended up being FUNimation that gets it, and assuming they claim the same stuff about the voices for pokemon that they did for One Piece (they will be all replaced with new voices who are told not to try to sound like either the former or Japanese voices)

If they screw up Nami's voice, I'll be pissed off. Then again, I could just watch my subbed DVDs.

Because I've had a few reported post messages in my inbox, here is a quote from an earlier post I made: this thread is only for those who support SOVA. This is not a debate thread.

 

[Nando]

Awesome, Bianca! Ed reminds me of Randy West, a game show announcer who I met in Atlantic City in 2005 at the live casino stage version of The Price is Right.

Glad you liked my story. I knew it would bring everyone's spirits up.

 

[Hidden Mew]

That was a very nice story, TGB. It did make me feel better too. It also reminds me of how shows/actors saved by their fans doesn't happen overnight. It can take awhile, as shown through your story.

xdeadpan, I feel really happy for you and Mistress Puff. I understand how you two feel about D/P started. I feel like that too. Anyway, It sounds like you two had a real fun time at the convention, especially meeting Ted Lewis. I could feel the happiness that you two experienced as you were recounting the event. I'm really happy for both of you. Ted Lewis sounds like a really friendly person too. I bet that he enjoyed seeing yours and Mistress Puff's excitiment. I'm glad that this was a happy experience for the both of you.

And Wayne Grason was there too? I knew that he did Harrison, but I didn't know that he did the voices for Butler and Lance. Too bad that New Jersey is so far away from where I am. I would have tried to ask him to autograph a picture of Syrus from GX. If Dan Green was there, I so would have fangirl him about doing Yami Yugi in Yu-Gi-Oh!. ^_^

Anyway, I'm so glad that you and Mistress Puff had a really great time at the convention. Its so cool that you got Ted Lewis' autograph and a picture with him. That's so cool. I got a bit of a laugh from the ApprenticeShipping Forever photo. I bet that made him smile too.

I will try to phone CN either tomorrow or Tuesday, since I have a dental appointment tomorrow. (My joy of that knowledge is overwhelming... not) I feel a little sad that I keep on putting that off and then forgetting it. I've had a lot on my mind lately. But I'll just try to do my best.

 

[ker-plop]

Well, I'm not sure what to write now, or who to write to. Any pointers?

I've already sent out several monsters over the GTS, each with a SOVA-related nickname. It's silly, but it might help.

 

[XD375]

Mike Pollock (the original/current narrator)

Actually, he's the newer 4Kids narrator, also well-known as the replacement voice of Dr. Robotnik and the guy who screwed up the Sonic series by suggesting Sega use other 4Kids actors instead of the much better original voice actors, or at least my pal Pokémaster Justin says. Rodger Parsons was the original/current narrator, although he's sometimes credited as Ken Gates.

 

[Ash's Pika Pal]

Well, I'm not sure what to write now, or who to write to. Any pointers?

I've already sent out several monsters over the GTS, each with a SOVA-related nickname. It's silly, but it might help.

Well, that just gave me an idea. Can anyone here make trainer cards? Maybe we could make SOVA trainer cards.

 

[Nekusagi]

OMG Deadpan you met Ted...

Of course, being a Team Rocket fan, that's a pretty big deal to me too... (lucky you meeting the Boss, more or less. Funny. He doesn't look the least bit evil to me...)
Mind if I share that pic with the Team Rocket fan club?

Oh, and Butler, about that JACK thing... That happened here in Indy, too. It got turned into a classic rock station not long ago (and was a Southern Rock station for about a week, but then they realized there wasn't enough to base a whole station around)

Lisa and I were talking last night, and agreed that it might be better if we send the noodles to CN rather than PUSA. After all, we need to focus our energy there, remember? (I suggested adding an explanation to the noodle packages too, of their significance in the campaign.) I hope you guys go along with the idea... I get a bad feeling about sending PUSA the noodles.

 

[Mickey]

OMG Deadpan you met Ted...

Of course, being a Team Rocket fan, that's a pretty big deal to me too... (lucky you meeting the Boss, more or less. Funny. He doesn't look the least bit evil to me...)
Mind if I share that pic with the Team Rocket fan club?

Absolutely. Knock yourself out.

Ted~! <3

 

[Misty Lover17]

After watching tonight's episode, I thought that once again, Ash sounded lousy. He wasn't the only one of course.

 

[Trainer Lisa]

Oh, god....

Sarah's performance in "Mutiny in the Bounty" was dreadful.

I mean, Ash's voice (and the acting) was so horrible, I found it difficult to watch the episode. ;_;



But anyway, rather than restate my opinion about Sarah's acting, and say everything over again, I'll just copy what I posted in the review thread. ^^o



*copied from the review thread*

Overall, it was a very good episode, and I enjoyed seeing Ash and Team Rocket work together again. I'm with Misty Lover17, on wanting to see J and Paul get what's coming to them. I hate Paul, and I really, really, hate J! She's so evil, it's scary! O_O




But anyway, even though this was such a dramatic and suspenseful episode, I have to admit, it was hard for me to watch due to how bad Sarah's performance was this time. I was like, "Ack, it's awful! I can't believe Sarah's this bad today! I'm cringing with every line again, just like before!!"

And yes, I completely agree with everyone who said Sarah was under/over emotional. Oh my god, I can't put my finger on it, but something was definitely wrong with her acting!!!! X_X



In my opinion, I say Sarah wasn't emotional enough (either that or she just can't perform emotional scenes correctly). Especially when you compare Veronica's Ash in any dramatic scene to Sarah's Ash in similar scenes. There's just no comparison there - when it comes to putting real emotion into Ash, Veronica's the best there is.



Not to be mean, but seriously, Sarah has no excuse now for this kind of performance. I mean, you'd think that after voicing Ash for so long, Sarah would know how to bring him to life, especially when it comes to Ash-centered episodes. But instead of Sarah possibly being her best in those episodes, she's usually the worst - because she tries way too hard to get the emotion right, and in the process fails at both the emotion and the voice itself (it's like a chain reaction, if Sarah messes up with the acting and emotional parts, then the voice itself falls apart because it sounds too fake and too forced...).


Oh, and to make matters worse, Sarah's awful with the react/reaction lines as well (remember when Ash fell down that hill, early in the episode? He said lines like, "Waaaahhhh! Ahhhhh!" Those kinda lines usually sound bad, coming from Sarah).

And personally, this one scene sounded weird to me. It was when J got away with Pikachu, and Ash yelled out Pikachu's name (twice, I think). Somehow, the way Sarah yells "Pikachu!" doesn't sound right at all. There's just something about the line that seems kinda off (that goes for Ash's voice in general with this episode, cause something about it was way off).




Oh, and the other day, when I found out this was an Ash centered episode, I had a feeling Sarah wouldn't be able to pull off "Ash being angry/brave, etc", and I was right. She did awful with those emotions, and overall, I was very disappointed with her performance tonight.

Actually, in my review of an earlier episode, I mentioned that Sarah was becoming inconsistent with her acting (and her Ash voice). Apparently, that's true even now, because she still can't be consistent.


And personally, I really hope this doesn't continue. If it does, it'll ruin the D/P season for me. Because every time Sarah gives a bad performance in an episode, she ruins Ash more and more....



*sighs*

I don't understand why it's so hard for her to just get Ash's emotions down, once and for all.

 

[XD375]

Lisa, you really should voice your concerns to Sarah herself. Maybe *you* can help her. You're the wolrd's biggest Ash fangirl, if anyone can help her, it's you.

 

[Ash's Pika Pal]

I have some ideas.

publish a book on SOVA.

Where are alot of people this time of the year? Yep, the pool. if you're at a pool maybe you could ask if you could put up a flyer or two. If not maybe you could talk about SOVA and get someone's attention.

I might be going to a place to get the "cushions" fixed on my glasses soon. I can ask if I'm allowed to put up a flyer there.

 

[LibertyxIsxLove]

Lisa, I completely agree with you on Sarah's performance. She'll do a pretty good job on one episode, and the next episode it's absolutely horrible. But person who decided to cast someone who has almost no experience in voice-acting is just as much at blame here, too.

Well, that just gave me an idea. Can anyone here make trainer cards? Maybe we could make SOVA trainer cards.

I like that idea- Ash, Brock, and Misty sprites could be in the trainer part, and photos of their voice-actors in the section for Pokemon. I think I might actually try that.

 

[Nando]

Somebody could get ahold of the background designs from PBR and make SOVA Battle Passes. (or make a SOVA Pass design)

Just an idea.

 

[Ash's Pika Pal]

That's an awesome idea!

Does anyone think a SOVA club would go well on a regular anime forum?