behavior expectations for the VAC Discord server
While server rules are also listed in the #rules-and-info channel in our Discord, they are brief as a result of Discord’s character limit. This page is intended as a supplement to provide more context on our expectations of conduct on the server (as well as any other related spaces such as VAC social media communities).
Members are responsible for reading and adhering to the rules of the community in order to participate. Consequences for rule breaking may include a warning, kick or ban, depending on the offense and severity. Bans for off-server conduct are generally only issued if there is reasonable evidence indicating the individual is a danger to the community.
Server access is a privilege that may be revoked at any time for any reason(for instance, by generally making others uncomfortable even without having explicitly broken a rule). We recommend “lurking” in the server a bit once you first join to get the vibe of the community and understand how the various channels work.
If you have any questions about the rules or which category something should be posted in, please ask in our #server-help channel on the VAC Discord.
Treat others how you would like to be treated.
Be respectful and courteous when interacting with others. While it is impossible to list every example of unwelcome behavior, much of this falls under using common sense. If it is clear you are here just to cause problems, you will be booted.
Please do not take it personally if you are corrected about a rule or told to post something in a different channel. We are a server of thousands of members and the same questions tend to come up again and again, which is why we have certain bot responses that can easily trigger answers to common questions.
Why? The server is intended to be an inclusive place for people from all different backgrounds and experience levels. Remember that we were all “new” once.
Do not spam.
Post your message in the appropriate channel and give others time to see it before following up. Do not promote your own work outside of the self promo channels or solicit voice actors or your project outside of the casting call channels.
Sending someone a DM inviting them to audition for your project is only acceptable if you are personally reaching out to them for a reason and believe they would be interested. Do not send mass unsolicited DMs promoting your casting call.
If you provide creative services outside of voice acting (such as audio editing or art commissions), you may post in the #non-vo-services-offered channel. Coaches/teachers may post in the #classes-coaches-workshops channel. It is not appropriate to send unsolicited DMs to other members advertising your services.
The @ everyone and @ here tags are disabled for non-staff members and are reserved only for important announcements. Please do not attempt to ping a server of tens of thousands of people!
Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to:
- Aggressive attempts to “network”(our server is mostly comprised of other actors, who are looking for work just like you are)
- “Bumping” your message more often than the rules for that particular channel allow
- Saying “I can do a great [impression], does anyone want to cast me?”
- DMing members asking them to take your class, commission you for art, hire you to produce their demo, etc.
- Posting in the casting call channels asking for roles as opposed to auditioning per the instructions of each call
- Using our server simply as a means to promote your own work as opposed to authentically engaging with the community
Why? The server is full of thousands of other members, most of whom are other voice actors. If everyone was allowed to promote their work in the main chats, it would defeat the purpose of it being a place to discuss and ask questions. We have channels specifically dedicated to self promotion in which you can post your own work (but please read the pinned post for restrictions.) Additionally, people do not want to receive unsolicited sales pitches.
Stay on topic for the channel you are chatting in.
The #voice-acting-chat channel is specifically meant for discussion and questions related to voice acting. “Hi”, “hello”, “I’m new here”, and other unrelated messages are best posted in #general-chat instead. Sometimes conversations do naturally stray off topic, but if it goes on for too long, take it to the appropriate channel (usually #general-chat or #games-and-media.)
Why? “What’s the big deal, I’m just being polite and greeting people,” you might think. It’s completely understandable—but on a server as large as ours, those small-talk messages often lead to chatting off-topic, which can derail productive conversations in what is meant to be a channel serving a specific purpose. You are welcome to post the “how was your day”-type messages in #general-chat instead.
Keep content PG-13, except in dedicated 18+ areas.
While the social vibe of our community is generally more suited to adults, we do not prohibit minors from joining (you must be at least 13 years of age, as per Discord’s TOS.) Therefore, explicit sexual content or discussion is not allowed, as well as content that is extremely violent, gory, or meant to shock/offend. The exception is our NSFW VA chat and 18+ Casting Call Channels, which require age verification and are only viewable if someone chooses to join them. (Note that in certain countries, Discord may require ID in order to access 18+ channels – the VAC has no control over this requirement, and VAC staff does not have access to view your data.) Profanity is allowed, but slurs are never acceptable.
Our PG-13 requirement also extends to display names and profile pictures— consider having a separate profile picture and/or display name if necessary.
Why? It would not be responsible or appropriate for us to allow sexual comments or explicit images in areas accessible to minors.
Generative AI content is not allowed, except in the context of critique/discussion.
AI-generated images (including memes) and other genAI content is not permitted, including in the casting call channels. We also do not permit members to promote their services if they use generative AI to create these works (for example, using ChatGPT to write demo scripts for clients or using an AI logo generator for graphic design commissions.)
The exception to this rule is if the media being shared is specifically in the context of critique or discussion around genAI—for example, linking to a video narrated by AI as part of a conversation about whether or not AI voices are believable-sounding in comparison to human voice actors.
Why? Our community is founded on the concept of human creativity and collaboration. Generative AI is as threat to the voice acting industry as well as our creative peers such as artists and writers.
Be cautious about DMing, tagging, and/or friend requesting people you don’t know.
We have members at various stages of the industry on our server—including professional voice actors, some of whom you may be a fan of. It is essential to respect the time and privacy of other individuals and avoid engaging in parasocial behavior.
Examples of unwelcome behavior include, but are not limited to:
- Tagging/“pinging” another member because you are a fan of theirs and want them to notice you
- Tagging someone who has blocked you elsewhere or banned you from another server in attempts to get around the ban/block
- Repeatedly sending unsolicited DMs or re-sending friend requests after they are denied
- Using the server to attempt to get in contact with voice actors you don’t know in regards to requests or questions that would be better suited to email or asked at a convention/fan meet
- Unsolicited voice/video calls, sending messages that invade privacy/boundaries or other parasocial behavior
Why? Not everyone is comfortable chatting with strangers. Additionally, professional voice actors are often very busy and do not have the time to respond to specific questions over DM. Posting your question to the whole server is usually more beneficial anyway, as you can get a variety of perspectives from those who are available to answer.
Steer clear of potentially controversial topics, including callout posts.
While current events and sociopolitical issues are important topics that affect many people’s lives, debates about politics, religion, and world issues can quickly lead to hostility and create an uncomfortable environment for others on the server. While it is generally OK to reference these topics in passing, please try to stick to posting about them on your personal social media rather than on a voice acting server.
Additionally, we do not permit posts “calling out” other individuals in the voice acting community, with the exception of posting about verified scams. If you have a concern about another member of the server, please message the VAC ModMail account with a description of your concern and links to any related factual evidence.
Why? Topics such as the above tend to create unnecessary drama and hurt feelings. In regards to callout posts, they often rely on hearsay and one individual’s subjective interpretation of a situation. Additionally, we cannot risk being responsible for sharing potentially libelous information. You are welcome to share such posts on your own social media, and get in touch privately with the mod team if you believe someone on the server is a danger to our members.
Avoid venting about overly personal issues.
Talking about certain “heavy” or deeply personal topics may be triggering to other users (if you have a reason you must reference these topics, please include a content warning and/or use the spoiler feature.)
You are welcome to constructively talk about mental health issues in the context of voice acting (for example, how to handle comparing yourself to your peers or what to do when you feel down about your lack of progress) but be careful that this doesn’t veer into constant complaining or “trauma dumping”. Putting yourself down, fishing for sympathy/compliments, and/or treating the server as your own personal blog or diary should be avoided.
Why? The VAC is a community first and foremost about voice acting. Our team members are not mental health professionals and are not trained to respond to crises. We encourage you to seek advice from appropriate sources such as a therapist and/or supportive friends or family members.
Soliciting members to join other servers is not allowed.
Links to other Discord servers will be automatically deleted by our bot.
You may reference other Discord servers in passing as long as it is not done in a promotional manner. Do not send DMs soliciting members to join your server unless there is a specific, relevant reason (for instance, you have cast them in a project and send a DM with details including an invite to join the project server.)
While you may wish to link a project server as part of your casting call, these will also be automatically deleted. When someone is cast in your project, you may privately invite them if you wish (we do not recommend asking people to join a separate server just to audition for a project.)
Why? While we naturally coexist with other voice acting communities and there’s room for everybody, allowing people to promote their own servers or communities can quickly lead to spam, not to mention people joining our server just to promote their own! Additionally, we cannot be responsible for the content on other servers we are not affiliated with.
Do not impersonate others or create multiple accounts to evade a ban.
Accounts pretending to be someone else – even as a joke – are not permitted.
Members may not participate in the server under multiple accounts/different identities – the one exception is if you wish to create a separate account under your NSFW pseudonym for participating in the 18+ channels and use your SFW account to participate in the regular channels, as we recognize there are specific privacy/safety concerns for NSFW actors.
Why? You are welcome to protect your privacy by choosing a username that is not connected to your real-life identity. However, we do ask you to be genuine in the way you participate, and avoid misleading people into thinking you are someone else.
You are responsible for keeping your Discord account secure.
We do not recommend sharing passwords/accounts with others. If a friend or family member accesses your account and posts messages that break the rules, you are still responsible for the behavior.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links, even if they appear to be from someone you don’t know. Many people fall victim to phishing scams which compromise their Discord account (aka “being hacked”.) Examples of common Discord phishing scams include someone claiming they accidentally reported your account, offering free Nitro, or asking you to playtest a game.
If your account is found to be compromised, you will be kicked from the server. You may rejoin once you regain access to and secure your account.
Why? While people’s accounts are routinely compromised by common scams, there have occasionally been issues where someone claimed they were “hacked” or someone else used their account as an excuse to be let back in after breaking rules. The difference is usually quite apparent, but if you believe you were erroneously banned rather than kicked as a result of a phishing scam, please fill out a ban appeal or message a team member.