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Hellena Taylor (Voice of Bayonetta) Describes How She was Offered only $4,000 USD to Voice Her Again in Bayonetta 3.

AetherZX

Member
Common sense? We're talking about woman who's literally seething at P* and the new voice actress that is taking Bayonetta's role while also calling for a boycott of the game without providing any proof about her alleged mistreatment (or whatever you want to call it).
We're already into insane territory here.

lol at "seething". Pay the actor what she is worth. There's no use pretending Hale accepted a similar offer, not a chance in hell.
 

N30RYU

Member
season 5 GIF
 
Nintendo is not the one handling how the studio split the budget. So this is not a good look for Platinum.
But… who cares, though?

Bayo is a low B-tier series, and it’s supposed to be a big deal that the voice actor was low-balled and didn’t take the job?
 

Alexios

Cores, shaders and BIOS oh my!
Then why bother posting in a thread about the subject lol

Anyway, looks like Nintendo are notorious for low-balling VAs. Another person who did 3 characters in BoTW also chimed in on Twitter



Forgot BOTW even had voice acting. That was neat. Btw, Nintendo doesn't own Platinum or decide its wages. Do you think she got paid more for Bayonetta 1 where Nintendo wasn't involved or why is it do you want to pin it on them over Platinum Games and its own suits/HR? Lol.
 
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Reallink

Member
I'd be pretty confident the rate reflects the number of hours in the booth, and its "low" (though likely many many times higher than you're paid an hour) because of how easily they're replaced. Reality is virtually no one cares who voices a videogame character, and there are 10000's of thousands of professional and amateur VAs on twitter happy to take your job.
 
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Hardensoul

Member
Bayonetta was never a big seller, Bayonetta 1 bombed so bad Sega said no to funding part 2 and both Sony/MS said no.

Nintendo stepped up to find it to diversify their mature IPs, since you know they are the kiddie console!!

Bayonetta 2 also didn’t sell well last I recall was maybe 1.5 mill? Nintendo green lit 3 at Switch launch year was basically to keep the diversity going on Switch.
 

adamsapple

Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Forgot BOTW even had voice acting. That was neat. Btw, Nintendo doesn't own Platinum or decide its wages. Do you think she got paid more for Bayonetta 1 where Nintendo wasn't involved or why is it do you want to pin it on them over Platinum Games and its own suits? Lol.

I genuinely thing Sega would have paid more than that. But without any info we can only speculate.
 

Hardensoul

Member
Eh I feel a bit less bummed about it after seeing her fly off the handle like this. I expected her to handle it a bit more professionally, which until now is what I assumed she was doing. I don't know what the going rate is for a VA doing a game of this kind, or how much work she usually has on her plate, but she's not doing herself any favours.

Nobody is going to boycott this game over a voice change, no matter how definitive she was (and she really was perfect in the role). They're going to buy it, enjoy it, and complain that the new VA isn't as good as the old one. And that'll be that.
Right, it’s not like it’s a TV series. Bayonetta is not a big seller. Platinum is probably on a tight budget as usual. Platinum games rarely sell well.
 

Hardensoul

Member
I didn’t even notice a difference when watching the trailer. It’s a shitty situation, that appears to be getting worse due to COVID when tons of voice acting studios realized they could get 80% of the quality having people work from home.

That opens up the talent pool to practically anyone half decent, so the veterans are getting squeezed out. It’s too late to change it now but hopefully some outrage will keep Nintendo more honest in the future.
Which Nintendo IP have a lot of voice acting? I can’t think of one. The ones that do like Xenoblade and Fire Emblem all have new characters with each release. Which means they may need new actors for each release.
 

daclynk

Member
We don't know how long her role in this game was, is the thing.
The game has AU Bayonettas, with one of them being the OG one from previous games, apparently. If she was only hired to voice that specific one, and not the one we control, then that rate seems fair.
 

Hardensoul

Member
We don't know how long her role in this game was, is the thing.
The game has AU Bayonettas, with one of them being the OG one from previous games, apparently. If she was only hired to voice that specific one, and not the one we control, then that rate seems fair.
Bayonetta 3 apparently has many different Bayonetta, they all may sound different! But not sure since game is not out yet!
 
Me thinks she posted one too many videos. The first 2 and thats it would garner adequate sympathy from everyone. Throwing down the gauntlet at Jen Hale of all people who is way more fucking prolific made it bitter and personal.
 

ADiTAR

ידע זה כוח
Then why bother posting in a thread about the subject lol

Anyway, looks like Nintendo are notorious for low-balling VAs. Another person who did 3 characters in BoTW also chimed in on Twitter



Why would he get royalty tho? the devs usually get a bonus. Nobody is buying the game because of him. Unlike Chris Pratt which people will put butts in seats for Mario movie.
 

ssringo

Member
People not buying the game is how it wound up stuck on Nintendo's weak systems in the first place.

I sympathize and will miss you Hellena but I'm not boycotting. Especially since it wouldn't change anything.

Ql5Qtpe.gif
 

bender

What time is it?
When Konami was doing Silent Hill 2 remaster for the HD Collection, it was only promised a new voice acting because they had to contact the original voice actors to make a new contract for their original work. Guy Cihi asked for residuals over the Xbox and PC versions released after the PS2 version which dragged the issue for a bit, Troy Baker (who voiced James in the new voice option) responded to Cihi's claims as non existent in the industry, but in the end it was all resolved and he signed the contract.

Years later in an interview with a Silent Hill fan youtube channel, Cihi explained that he didn't know that it was different in the videogame industry because it was his only work in the field and was actually his daughter who was casting for Laura (didn't get cast), he was only accompanying her, but the developers took notice of him and made a few tests and gave him the role of James. He said that Konami didn't make proper contracts with the voice actors back then, one of them even raised the issues when it came to sign the HD Collection contract.

Don't forget that Troy and Mary completely shit on the performances of Guy and his castmates while turning in performances that completely missing the tone and spirit of Team Silent's intent.
 
Not that impressed with the new VO of Hale. It's adequate but lacks a bit in the delivery and distinction.

Bayo2 is probably the peak going by what I've seen of 3, not just the voice but the character models and overall look. I can't see Hale or the game itself coming up to the quality of even the opening scenes of Bayo 2.

Wouldn't be surprised there's more to it like high initial demands from Taylor so they went a different route and called her bluff and got on with making the game. It's a loss for sure but when people think they have a key role and evolved the character they look at the earnings and often demand exponentially more once tied to the ip. They're not indispensable though as we've seen many times.
 
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I didn’t even notice a difference when watching the trailer. It’s a shitty situation, that appears to be getting worse due to COVID when tons of voice acting studios realized they could get 80% of the quality having people work from home.

That opens up the talent pool to practically anyone half decent, so the veterans are getting squeezed out. It’s too late to change it now but hopefully some outrage will keep Nintendo more honest in the future.
studios actually being the 'best place to professionally record something' is a myth in the modern day.

a lot of gear and people's knowledge has come a long way. its easier than ever to get professional results away from a true studio.

case in point: there are bedroom producers who make chart topping records that literally record everything they do in their home studio. yes the room is treated, etc. etc. but the room treatment is attainable for all these voice actors as well.
 

daclynk

Member
So I should boycott a game I have waiting for 8yrs being worked by many people because a VA is mad they replaced her? Also automatic calling buyers BAD people and quoting the bible doesnt sit right with me.
 
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Kikorin

Member
I don't know how it works for videogames, but as a videomaker - when I need a voiceover - I talk with an agency and I pay for how much time the voice actor is busy reading my text. I mean, there's no correlation if the voice later is used for a big budget project or a video worth 2 cents, so I'm not sure if it make sense to ask for more money because "she's Bayonetta".

Different situation is if someone like Chris Pratt, since is super famous himself, ask for a tons of money for give his voice.
 

Keihart

Member
Pretty fucked…Nintendo is probably thinking most don’t even care about the voice and hardcore fans would buy it anyways. They’re not thinking long term, of the legacy of the series.
they are right tho.
Big fan, couldn't care less and not even mad at the new voice.

The voice actor claiming to BE the character is a pretty big reach tbh, even more so in this case where there is not even motion capture involved and the series is pretty niche.
This is the equivalent of anime dub actors claiming to BE the characters.


that being said, a shame that voice acting pays so little, very few voice actors get somewhat big bucks.
 

Chastten

Banned
Big fan of Bayonetta, but if no one had told me they switched voice actors I probably never even would've noticed so to me its not a big deal.

Now, it sucks for the actress that she's not appreciated but honestly, going by that post in OP I'm not really surprised they ditched her.
 

Keihart

Member
Not that impressed with the new VO of Hale. It's adequate but lacks a bit in the delivery and distinction.

Bayo2 is probably the peak going by what I've seen of 3, not just the voice but the character models and overall look. I can't see Hale or the game itself coming up to the quality of even the opening scenes of Bayo 2.

Wouldn't be surprised there's more to it like high initial demands from Taylor so they went a different route and called her bluff and got on with making the game. It's a loss for sure but when people think they have a key role and evolved the character they look at the earnings and often demand exponentially more once tied to the ip. They're not indispensable though as we've seen many times.
Bayonetta 2 being the peak of the franchise....
Season 2 Lol GIF by Friends
 

theHFIC

Member
Bayonetta 1, 2, 3 can all consider themselves boycotted by theHFIC because I have zero interest in the series and haven’t played any of them.
 

nial

Gold Member
But asking people to boycott the game, come on, lets be real, it isn't going to happen, these people waiting for the next bayonetta game, have been waiting years.
You can always wait a bit for an used copy, unless you're a consoomer who needs to buy everything day one.
 

hemo memo

Gold Member
But… who cares, though?

Bayo is a low B-tier series, and it’s supposed to be a big deal that the voice actor was low-balled and didn’t take the job?
Nintendo cares. This is going public is not good for a Nintendo published game and a negativity get linked to them.
 
You get pay how much you are worth generally. Unless you work for the government then you can just steal... I mean tax as much as you want and pay yourself as much you believe you are worth.
 

Hardensoul

Member
You can always wait a bit for a used copy, unless you're a consoomer who needs to buy everything day one.
Bayonetta being niche doubt Nintendo will over ship Bayonetta 3! Bayonetta 3 will be lucky to hit 1.5 mill. But with Switch install base maybe 2mill is possible.
 

AndrewRyan

Member
Will be no shock when we only have AI voices and the celebrities Kojima casts left in games.
Read a few weeks ago a tech firm paid James Earl Jones for all future rights to his AI generated voice, though didn't say the amount. Interestingly they did mention he was paid $7000 for his voice work in the first Star Wars.
 

Hardensoul

Member
Nintendo cares. This is going public is not good for a Nintendo published game and a negativity get linked to them.
I kinda agree it’s bad press but can also be good since this is niche title and I sure haven’t seen much advertisement for Bayonetta 3. Nintendo usually don’t put much advertising into niche and especially a mature title.
 

I absolutely can’t believe some people here are diminishing Hellena’s voice acting here.

Her performance is iconic and is a *major* reason why anyone even fucking remembers these games enough to get a third game. The gall to say she’s being petty after giving this industry one of its most memorable icons is embarrassing.

Fuck Platinum Games. Overrated-ass company doesn’t deserve her anyway.
Yeah ...this makes me angry. 4,000 is so insulting and it's the game that suffers. The new voice actor doesn't come close and it's jarring even listening to her.

Her asking people to boycott was probably taken out of context. Not a smart move by her though. It's the fans that should be pissed as well. There's even less justification here than phantom pain since at least we were technically playing as a diff character.
 

Hardensoul

Member
Yeah ...this makes me angry. 4,000 is so insulting and it's the game that suffers. The new voice actor doesn't come close and it's jarring even listening to her.

Her asking people to boycott was probably taken out of context. Not a smart move by her though. It's the fans that should be pissed as well. There's even less justification here than phantom pain since at least we were technically playing as a diff character.
What context is there? I saw the video, it was clear and she even says to donate the money instead of buying Bayonetta 3.
 
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TexMex

Member
Is anyone on earth buying this game because of her vocal performance? Could 99% of people even named the actress behind the voice before today?

Looking at her IMDB - she hasn't worked since....Bayonetta 2. Assuming this is accurate, it isn't like anyone is beating down her door to voice their games.
 

saintjules

Member
Parts 2 and 3




She sounds a bit salty.

I mean I would be. Think about all the mechanical/neighboring rights, royalties, etc. that she can't claim when this game makes millions in sales. Anytime her voice is featured from the game in media, commercials, etc. that's monies that gets paid in a percentage to her. That's why they gave her the flat rate, so Nintendo can recoup all those sales without giving out the profits.
 
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