"I had to learn things the hard way," Sheh recounts. "I wasn't trained in video production, and so when I started out I had to learn a lot of things. What the heck is an audio layback? What the heck are clone masters? Time codes have drop and non-drop versions? Before I was a producer I would watch shows with a critical eye and note what I would have done differently. I planned on having rehearsals, and discussions about character, and actors in the same booth so they can play off one another. I'm no longer sure if that's the best way to do things any more. I come from a theater background so that's what has shaped my instincts. But there are all these other things that become factors in voice over recording such as lip smacks or breathing sounds. You might get the perfect performance but someone's nose made a funny sound so you have to do it again."

But Synch-Point have brought people into their folds that do have experience producing anime. Director Fusako Shiotani has spent years in broadcasting and voice over work, having directed an early DMI project called "Wonder 3," a CD-ROM version of the manga replete with music and spoken dialogue. Sound engineer Rick Tetzlaff's credits include ADR recording for anime titles "Sol Bianca" and "Cowboy Bebop" and foley recording for "Sponge Bob Squarepants" and "Johnny Bravo."

And Tezlaff isn't the only "Bebop" alumnus to knuckle down with "Tenshi ni Narumon." Sheh cast David Lucas, who voiced Spike, as her male lead, Yuusuke. And Faye Valentine herself, Wendee Lee, is Miruru, the villainous cat girl. She also welcomed "Dragonball Z's" Sonny Strait to play an assortment of characters.

But for the lead, Noelle, Sheh and Shiotani decided to cast fan-dubber veteran/first time professional actor Diana Kou.

"I had always been interested in the Japanese voice actors," Kou says. "They inspired me so I looked around on the net for projects that fans could actually take on. It turns out that there are fan dubs everywhere, parts that are open for everybody. From then on, people started coming to me rather than me going to them. I was in fan dubs for five years before I was approached by Synch-Point for 'Tenshi ni Narumon.'"

"With 'Tenshi ni Naramon' we are definitely focusing on the fans," Sheh segues into talking about Synch-Point's target market. "With FLCL we want to go more mainstream. But everything starts with having the fans embrace it. Then I think you can work beyond there. And since we're fans ourselves, we feel that gives us an advantage."

Though coming from the fan community presents its own set of problems.

"Financially, it isn't great to come from a fan stand point, because we get all wide-eyed and excited about projects that may not be the most economically viable," Sheh says. "We also want to pile on the extras to facilitate what the fans want because it's what we want. But then we get the price quotes from the DVD places."

The rest of "Tenshi," the entirety of "FLCL" and the co-production of "JoJo's" will keep the Synch-Point staff busy for a while, but Yamashita is already looking toward the future.

"It would benefit us to get 'Di Gi Charat' since we are distributing the merchandise in North America," Yamashita says. "Broccoli has been asking our opinion for a new series they're working on. They're trying to cater it to the US, so they've made two new characters, which will be featured in the commercial we just finished producing. The commercial should begin airing in Los Angeles sometime in August. I'd like to have a preview of it available in time for Otakon."