[for fans] etiquette on interacting with voice actors

As a voice actor or any other type of creative professional, it is an honor to have someone appreciate your work enough to the point where they consider themselves a fan. Most fans are absolutely wonderful and actors are grateful to be able to interact with them! However, almost any voice actor who has been in the public eye to an extent long enough (on social media, attending conventions, etc) will have at least a couple of stories about an interaction that made them uncomfortable.

Sometimes, instances do come about where someone genuinely does not understand why certain behavior is an issue, because no one ever told them! If this was you, don’t beat yourself up—being here is a great step towards having more positive experiences in the future. This guide is not meant in any way to discourage people from interacting with voice actors they are a fan of; but rather, provide tips to do so in ways that are socially appropriate and respectful of personal boundaries.

Don’t demand one-on-one interactions via DM.

Actors will be more than happy to chat with you at their convention table, livestream, or other meet-and-greet event. They may even respond to your comment on social media or answer a question via email. But direct messages (DMs) are where boundaries can easily be crossed, even if that’s not your intention.

Many actors keep their DMs closed to non-mutuals, but some may keep them open for business inquiries. However, if you don’t know someone personally, it’s generally best not to attempt to chat with them privately unless you have a legitimate reason to do so.

The same goes for social messaging apps such as Discord or Facebook Messenger—plenty of people are on these apps to stay in touch with friends/family, but aren’t comfortable with random strangers adding them just to chat. Minors especially should not be attempting to chat one-on-one with adults and vice versa, for the sake of everyone’s safety.

There are occasionally situations where a friendship forges that initially began as a fan interaction, but these situations must happen organically. Take cues from the other person—if you send them message after message with little to no response, continuing to send messages will just be seen as spam!

Why? Actors are very busy and aren’t able to respond to everyone who messages them individually, plus, it can be viewed as inappropriate on their part to have private chats with fans.

Don’t spam someone with messages or requests until you get a response.

There are people who, desperate to get their question answered or hoping an actor will consider a special request, will send emails, messages, or friend requests over and over again across various platforms trying to get them to respond.

However, please keep in mind that they are not obligated to respond, and there are any number of reasons they may not do so. Not everyone is available for things like podcasts/interviews, mailed autograph requests, or custom voice messages (note that many companies contractually forbid actors from performing as their character for unofficial media—while some may look the other way for something innocuous like a “happy birthday” message to a fan, plenty of actors would rather not risk it or simply do not have the time or availability for these requests.) Additionally, some people will email or message actors trying to get them to break NDA, such as by asking them if they are voicing a character in a show or game that hasn’t been released yet.

The general rule of thumb is that if you don’t get a response to your first inquiry, and it’s something that’s important to you, you may send one follow-up email a week or so later in case it was missed or not received. If you still don’t get a response after that, it’s best to take it as a “no”. If it’s a work-related inquiry for a paying job, you can try reaching out to the actor’s agency if you can’t get in touch with them directly.

Why? There are all sorts of reasons why someone may not be able to respond to your request. Spamming them over and over on different platforms with the same messages is not going to entice them to respond to you, and may even result in being muted or blocked!

Try to do a bit of research before asking someone the same questions they are asked over and over again.

Most of this comes down to “how did you get into voice acting?” or “how do I get into voice acting?”

Please understand that if an actor isn’t available to answer your questions about getting into the industry or getting started in acting, it’s not because they’re gatekeeping or stuck up or unappreciative. Actors receive these questions almost daily and it is simply too exhausting and time consuming to type out a massive essay in response to every single person who asks (because there’s no “quick and easy” answer to how to break in). Please try to do your homework first as there are so many free resources out there. And then, if you really have a specific question, you can go ahead and ask. (You may also want to consider joining our Discord server, where there are lots of people available to help answer specifics for you!)

“But why would I Google how to become a voice actor, when I could get that actor’s personal story?” Many actors have a bio section on their website where they talk about their personal story if you are curious. However, it’s important to note that everyone’s journey is different. What someone did 10 years ago that led to a series of events that had them working as a voice actor isn’t going to be what works for you, or the next person, or even their own peers. The best pieces of advice most people will give you usually comes down to “take acting classes to learn how to be an ACTOR first and foremost” and “practice recording your voice and reading out loud on your own”.

Why? Actors are asked these questions constantly, and many will have a FAQ or biography page on their website, or even interviews available talking about how they got started. You’re always welcome to ask for advice, but doing your homework first goes a long way!

Try not to put anyone up on a pedestal.

Voice actors are just fellow human beings who happen to have a cool job. It’s perfectly fine to admire someone or be inspired by their work, but it’s all too common for someone to idolize the person who plays their favorite character only to be disappointed when they don’t live up to expectations.

Just like any career field, voice acting attracts all sorts of people. Some are kind, warm, welcoming, and happy to share advice with fans. Others may be cold or arrogant, or hold beliefs that don’t align with yours. Unfortunately, there have even been instances of actors behaving inappropriately with fans, which is another reason it’s so important to stay vigilant and keep interactions to public spaces whenever possible.

While it can be disappointing to find out that your favorite actor did something you don’t agree with, try to look at situations in context and remember that people are human and do make mistakes. You’re certainly welcome to unfollow or not support someone for any reason, but try not to let it sour your love for your favorite character or show.

Why? Most voice actors are doing a job in a career field they love, but never set out to be “role models”, and this can be a difficult position to suddenly be placed in with the visibility of a big role. There is no handbook for how to navigate this happening, and many actors struggle with the idea of coming into the public eye. Try to allow grace for people to make mistakes and grow, but also try not to let it break you if it turns out someone wasn’t who you thought they were.

Don’t contact someone’s friends/family/significant other to try to get in touch with them, outside of very specific circumstances.

Unfortunately, there have been multiple instances where people who were not even part of the industry had their privacy invaded simply because they were friends with, related to, or dating/married to someone who was a voice actor or other public figure. Examples included fans randomly friend-requesting a voice actor’s wife on Facebook, or messaging a voice actor’s mother to ask why they hadn’t responded to their email! This is wholly inappropriate and an invasion of privacy for everyone involved.

If you need to get in touch with someone, there is almost always an official channel you can go through. Voice actor websites almost always include some type of contact information, whether an email address or web form, and failing that they will list their agency’s info for official business inquiries. If none of that is an option, you can try commenting on a recent public social media post.

The only real exception to this, outside of a dire emergency, is if you are already communicating with another voice actor who is affiliated in some way with the person you’re trying to get in touch with, in which case you may politely ask if they know the best method of contact to reach them. Again, situations like this should be reserved for legitimate inquiries.

Why? It can be quite uncomfortable or even frightening for someone—especially someone who is not a public figure themselves—to suddenly receive messages and requests from strangers asking them about their friend, family member or partner!

Don’t make sexualized comments to actors or send them NSFW art of their characters.

Even if an actor openly does voice work for NSFW or “ecchi” content, this does not mean they consent to receiving inappropriate sexual comments and images. Be respectful.

Why? Most people are uncomfortable receiving this type of content from someone they don’t know, unless they have explicitly indicated they are okay with it. For actors in relationships, this can also be considered disrespectful to their partners.

Try not to ask invasive personal questions.

Most people don’t mind answering innocuous questions about their work, hobbies or daily life. But be mindful of appropriate boundaries—-for example, don’t ask someone about their relationship status, or pry for details about an illness or personal tragedy, unless they’ve indicated they’re comfortable discussing it. You should also use discretion when asking about work they performed under a pseudonym, unless you know they’re comfortable talking about it.

Additionally, it’s best not to tag anyone in drama or ask them to comment on controversial matters. If someone wishes to make a comment, they will do so.

Why? Some actors prefer to be more private. If you’re not sure if something is okay to ask, you can preface it with something like “Feel free to say no if you’d rather not answer, but…”

Don’t try to get someone’s personal address or phone number.

If an actor accepts fan mail, instructions for this will be listed on their website. This is usually a post office box or agency address.

Even if an actor does accept fan mail, most will not return personal items for signatures, so it’s best not to send anything valuable as you will probably not get it back. Unless someone states that they offer mail-in signature requests, your best bet for getting an autograph is to meet them at a convention.

Unfortunately, there are stories of people using “people finder” sites (aka doxing sites!) to find home addresses and phone numbers of voice actors in hopes of sending them mail or calling/texting them. This is an extreme violation of privacy and can even be scary. Occasionally actors may list a phone number on their website for business purposes, but this should be limited to casting/work-related inquiries only, not for fan chats or asking them how to get into the industry.

Why? Please be aware that information posted on “public records” sites is done so without the consent of the person involved, and you will most certainly not get a positive response by invading someone’s privacy in this manner.

Try not to guilt trip or trauma dump.

This can be anything from pressuring someone to follow you back on social media, all the way to telling them they’re the only one who can save you from whatever you’re currently experiencing. Even if it’s not your intention, this type of behavior is manipulative. It’s perfectly fine to send someone a note saying that their work helped get you through a hard time, but venting all your personal problems to someone you barely know can make them uncomfortable or even be potentially triggering to their own mental health issues.

Why? Actors are not able to be your personal therapists, and most are not trained in handling mental health crises. If you are experiencing harmful thoughts, please reach out to a trusted friend/family member or call an official hotline where you can speak with people who are trained to help you.

Resist the urge to approach an actor with unsolicited criticism or say “the sub was better”.

“Subs vs dubs” does not even need to be a debate—the beautiful thing about having these different options is that you can experience your media however you prefer! If you prefer to watch in the original language, you’re absolutely entitled to that opinion and no one should have an issue with it as long as you don’t go out of your way to make English-speaking actors feel bad for simply doing their jobs.

No one’s saying you can’t talk about whether you liked or disliked a dub on social media/Reddit/etc, but there’s really nothing positive that comes out of directly telling an actor online or at a convention that you didn’t think they did a good job or shouldn’t have been cast as that character.

Why? No one’s saying you have to love every performance, but telling someone you don’t like their work just makes them feel bad. “Being honest” doesn’t mean you have to be unkind!

Don’t ask to use someone as a stepping stone.

It’s fine to ask for advice, but asking someone “can you get me into the industry” or “can you help me get into an anime studio” is awkward, especially if you’ve never interacted with them before. Also, other actors generally don’t have the power to magically get you work.

Why? Occasionally people will go up to voice actors and even tell them blatantly that they are trying to “make connections” by talking to them!

Don’t friend their personal Facebook accounts, unless you actually know them as a friend.

People often use their Facebook accounts to post more personal statuses, RSVP to events, or keep in touch with family and close friends. If an actor doesn’t accept your friend request, please don’t feel hurt or take it personally. Don’t keep deleting and re-sending the request, or message them to ask why they didn’t accept it. Many actors have a Facebook “fan page” you can easily find with a quick search – or, if they don’t have Facebook, you can interact with them on their other public social media accounts.

Why? Many people prefer to keep their work and private lives separate from their public-facing accounts, and Facebook is often more personal.

Try to avoid directly asking someone to signal boost, unless it’s for a really important cause they’re aligned with.

It can be quite tempting to ask someone you know with a high follower count to share or retweet something for you, but this guilt trips the person and makes them look heartless for saying no. If they decline, it doesn’t mean that they don’t care about you or don’t think the cause is important—-they may just not feel comfortable sharing for whatever reason, and that’s okay.

Another big reason is that if an actor agrees to retweet something for one or two people, suddenly everyone starts asking, and it floods their timeline. It’s okay to bring attention to something once in a while, but make sure to communicate that the ball is in their court if they wish to boost it.

Why? Asking someone you don’t know to share your post to all their followers puts them in an uncomfortable situation. Additionally, there are many scams out there and it’s not always possible to verify that the cause you are raising funds for is legitimate.

If someone blocks you, it’s not the end of the world.

People are allowed to curate their social feeds as they see fit, and can block anyone else for any reason at any time. It’s understandable that you may be frustrated to find out that a voice actor has blocked you, but perhaps you made a comment that they found offensive, rude, or even just annoying.

If you truly believe it was a misunderstanding and would like to apologize, you may send one attempt to reach out and explain such as to their website email address or contact form, but do not repeatedly harass them on other platforms or reach out to their friends/colleagues asking to be unblocked. Do your best to take it as a learning experience and move on.

Note that once in a while, you may find yourself blocked by someone you’ve never even interacted with. This is usually the result of an automatic block-chain (blocking anyone who follows certain other accounts), and unfortunately there is little you can do about it—just know it’s not personal.

Why? Being blocked can be an upsetting feeling, but no one is owed access to anyone else on social media—just as you’re allowed to block whomever you like, so are they.

Remember that voice actors are not their characters.

Try to avoid addressing the actor as a character they played and treating them as if they are one and the same. It’s great if you’ve connected personally with a character, and the actor will surely appreciate hearing that you thought they did a great job in the role or that it felt very realistic, but don’t expect them to be “in character” when interacting with you online or a convention.

Finally, just because a character does bad things or has questionable morals doesn’t mean the actor playing them condones what their character did. Even if you strongly dislike a certain character, don’t take it out on the human being who was doing their job portraying them in the story!

Why? It’s great if you appreciate someone’s work as your favorite character, but try to remember that the actor is a human being, and do your best to separate fiction from reality.

Beware of impersonators.

There are occasionally people who impersonate voice actors on places such as Facebook, Twitter/X and Discord in hopes of getting money or personal information from them. Be on your guard and pay attention to red flags—a voice actor isn’t going to randomly send you lewd fanart or add you on their personal Facebook and ask you to send them money! Report any account that’s obviously a fake, and if you’re not sure, you can try sending the actor a message via the official contact info on their site or other known account.

Why? Scammers will sometimes attempt to take advantage of fans by pretending to be someone they admire.

If a public figure you look up to is behaving inappropriately with you, tell someone you trust.

Unfortunately, the voice acting industry attracts bad apples sometimes, just like any other field. While uncommon, there have occasionally been instances of voice actors crossing boundaries with fans, such as sending or soliciting NSFW photos, making unwanted physical contact at conventions, asking to role-play over text, or making sexually charged comments. This is especially harmful if the fan is a minor. But even among adults, consent is crucial, and someone being a public figure does not excuse unwanted advances.

*Do, however, verify that it’s actually them – impersonators have sometimes been known to reach out to fans with inappropriate behavior.

Why? If you look up to someone, it can be easy to miss signs that something isn’t right. Trust your gut!

• Please don’t complain about autograph prices or try to make the guest feel bad for charging.
  Often times, prices are set by the booking agencies and guests are encouraged to charge the same amount as their peers. Due to the relatively low pay and sporadic nature of character voice acting, conventions are a significant portion of how lots of these actors make their living, and the fact that many signed items get resold online means actors usually charge more to sign collectibles. Additionally, conventions will often require guests to meet a certain threshold in sales, meaning actors can get in trouble with the event and/or their agency if they give away a bunch of free signatures.
  
• It’s okay to just say hi and meet someone, as long as you’re being mindful of those waiting behind you.
  If you can’t afford an autograph or picture, that’s totally understandable! Most voice actors don’t mind if you just want to come up and say hello, ask a question, or give a small gift. Don’t feel pressured to buy anything if you’re not able to, but do be mindful of any line behind you and also of the guest’s time.
  
• Remember that it is difficult to judge someone’s personality based off of a 30-second interaction.
  Convention guests have likely recorded sessions all week, spent a full day traveling, gotten little food or sleep and worked long hours to be there meeting their fans. Additionally, many things can go wrong behind the scenes, which may result in the guest feeling tired or stressed. Unless someone is openly rude to you, please try not to take it personally if they’re not always able to be at 100%!
  
• Ask before photographing or videotaping a guest, especially if you’re not part of press/media.
  Even if this is technically allowed as part of the convention’s rules, would you feel comfortable with someone randomly coming up and taking candid photos or video of you? It’s understandable to want to document interactions, but asking politely first if it’s okay can go a long way with making the guest feel at ease. You don’t normally need to ask permission if you’re just walking around the hall filming the general exhibition area where guest tables happen to be, or taking a few photos in a large panel room where guests are on stage, but when you’re at the guest’s tables or at a small intimate panel, check if it’s okay before immediately whipping out your camera.
  
• Be cautious about approaching guests when they are “off duty”.
  Maybe you spot a group of the actors having dinner at a nearby restaurant after the con, or a guest waiting for the same elevator at the hotel. Some of them totally don’t mind saying hello or taking a quick selfie with you, but always be respectful of their privacy, and it’s best not to approach if they’re clearly busy, exhausted or not in the mood to chat. Try to avoid asking for autographs during their off-time as this is normally something they are required to charge for at their tables. Again, a quick hello or even asking for a picture is usually fine, but avoid sitting down with the actors at a bar or restaurant unless they invite you to do so. Actors will be happy to engage with fans when they are “on the clock” (at their booth or giving a panel), but many prefer to enjoy their privacy and downtime once the convention hall has closed for the day.