celewo2
Member
Posts: 24
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
|
Post by celewo2 on Mar 10, 2017 3:57:44 GMT -8
I was wondering if you guys had any role models that inspired you during your years as VAs? I'm definitely not a professional, just a regular amateur, but what I can say about my personal experiences is that I was definitely inspired by Tress MacNeille and Jodi Benson as a kid and I realized I wanted to do voice acting back then. Of course, fate had something else prepared for me and I wasn't able to realize my dream after all, which is sad, because I've always wanted to do this, but my parents wanted me to do something else with my life and thought that I should aim for a job that's more.. secure I guess? So I kept doing it as a hobby and I'm still having fun with that. I'm 24 now, so maybe it's not too late to find voice acting jobs? Anyway, back to topic, who or what were your inspirations to become VAs?
|
|
|
Post by kravvyshot on Mar 10, 2017 4:47:00 GMT -8
I still really look up to Rob Paulsen. He really was my introduction to the idea that voice actors are just journeymen actors, doing a job and trying to do it better so they can pay their bills. And at the same time, he's a Hollywood talent, he sees postal code-sized egos drive by every day--still says he's replaceable and the job is cyclical.
The sheer jaw-dropping stuff that Welker, Fred Tatasciore, Debra Wilson and Dee Baker can do is awe-inspiring to me. Just--that stuff that you ask "What kind of mutant ARE you?!" once they're done! I watched Dee Baker do a fire monster sound just on the spot on a stage a year and a half ago, something that he described after (and I'm paraphrasing) "you know how Fire can have a musical quality?" (Side note: the real joke here was that I literally had to get up on that stage after he did that and do my own adorably sad pale imitation of a monster sound for a contest he was helping to judge.)
I love how Richard Horvitz and Crispin Freeman share their insights into the nuts and bolts of the process. I love that Jennifer Hale and Charlie Adler still care deeply about activist causes. I love that Kyle Hebert and Neil Kaplan are still just giant nerds. I love that Steve Blum and Tom Kenny prove that there are so many roads into this business, and that Cree Summer and Mae Whitman show that if you care enough about it and want to put in the work, you can really make a place for yourself.
I really look up to voice actors. And yeah, let's be real, they're not firefighters or ambulance drivers--they don't exactly save lives like REAL heroes do every day--but they're all my heroes. From Bob Joles to Kari Wahlgren. I want to be all of them.
|
|
|
Post by TerravancerYoh on Mar 10, 2017 9:02:40 GMT -8
Back when Lady Stardust ★ /Kira Buckland and sonicmega /Sean Chiplock were amateur voice actors I've always looked up to them due to their performances in Smash machinimas. (So, 2008-2009 kinda thing) Seeing them become straight up professionals and landing some pretty big roles in the industry just solidifies my admiration for them. Those who've been in the industry much longer that I look up to: Yuri Lowenthal along with Johnny Yong Bosch. Most media I've consumed in the past 8 years had those guys involved. (Persona for example) Bryce Papenbrook a little more recently, since his breakout in the VA industry and I've had the honor of meeting him twice and being such a nice guy. I've got so much more, but I think I've given a little into my insight of my VA role models, and someday hope to work with them in any capacity, big or small.
|
|
|
Post by cbdroege on Mar 11, 2017 4:56:57 GMT -8
When I was younger (like back in the 90s), I loved listening to, and trying to emulate Garrison Keillor. I thought he had a great style, and a very good story-telling presence.
I'm not sure if he changed, or if I did, but recently, I haven't been able to listen to him anymore. He's too slow and the jokes are not as funny and his style is a bit irritating to me.
|
|
|
Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Mar 11, 2017 7:18:44 GMT -8
Gilbert Gottfried. Because he makes unforgettable, wonderful characters without trying to "do the voice type" that's expected for any character type. He doesn't make his voice fit the character -- he makes the character fit his voice, and the effect is so much more amazing and incredibly inspiring to me.
|
|
celewo2
Member
Posts: 24
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
|
Post by celewo2 on Mar 17, 2017 5:20:07 GMT -8
Rob Paulsen is also one of my favorites! I really enjoyed his podcast as well. Not sure if he's still doing that anymore, but it was fun to listen to him and his special guests. Loved the silliness the whole thing had to it. Also agree that the stuff Welker or Dee Baker can pull off is just phenomenal, that's pure talent and I'm always amazed to what sounds they can produce, like, I've never seen that from any other voice actors in any industry. I do enjoy anime and I love watching it in their original language as well, but I don't think any Japanese voice actor can compare to that talent. Gilbert Gottfried. Because he makes unforgettable, wonderful characters without trying to "do the voice type" that's expected for any character type. He doesn't make his voice fit the character -- he makes the character fit his voice, and the effect is so much more amazing and incredibly inspiring to me. I was actually thinking about Gilbert Gottfried too! So cool that you came up with him Can you imagine Iago having a voice other than Gilbert Gottfried? He basically IS the character and you always associate him with it, which is amazing.
|
|
|
Post by kravvyshot on Mar 18, 2017 9:46:08 GMT -8
Rob Paulsen is also one of my favorites! I really enjoyed his podcast as well. Not sure if he's still doing that anymore, but it was fun to listen to him and his special guests. Loved the silliness the whole thing had to it. Also agree that the stuff Welker or Dee Baker can pull off is just phenomenal, that's pure talent and I'm always amazed to what sounds they can produce, like, I've never seen that from any other voice actors in any industry. Well, Rob had a pretty good reason for why he wasn't working on his podcast: he was beating Stage Three throat cancer. He's fine! He's fine now! In fact, he's back to work on Talkin' Toons; his new episode with Christian Lanz dropped just yesterday.
|
|
|
Post by Tomar on Mar 20, 2017 10:15:27 GMT -8
Between Aku and Uncle Iroh, I've always had a soft spot for Mako. I know it's been quite some time now since his passing, but I'll always miss that very distinct growly voice of his...
On that note, I appreciate whoever's been playing Aku in the new season of Samurai Jack. While they may not be able to do a spot-on impression (yet to hear anyone that can) they demonstrate that they clearly get the character and his manner of speaking.
|
|
|
Post by Kyle Garrett on Mar 20, 2017 10:39:45 GMT -8
Between Aku and Uncle Iroh, I've always had a soft spot for Mako. I know it's been quite some time now since his passing, but I'll always miss that very distinct growly voice of his... On that note, I appreciate whoever's been playing Aku in the new season of Samurai Jack. While they may not be able to do a spot-on impression (yet to hear anyone that can) they demonstrate that they clearly get the character and his manner of speaking. That's Greg Baldwin.
|
|
|
Post by Tomar on Mar 20, 2017 11:23:12 GMT -8
Between Aku and Uncle Iroh, I've always had a soft spot for Mako. I know it's been quite some time now since his passing, but I'll always miss that very distinct growly voice of his... On that note, I appreciate whoever's been playing Aku in the new season of Samurai Jack. While they may not be able to do a spot-on impression (yet to hear anyone that can) they demonstrate that they clearly get the character and his manner of speaking. That's Greg Baldwin. Cool. Makes sense since he'd been doing Iroh. I didn't assume it was him at first since I liked his a Aku so much more than his Iroh, but one could argue that Aku, being a much less subtle character, is easier to convey without getting the voice perfect. Props to Greg either way as it's always hard to be in that position.
|
|
|
Post by awinterwonder on Mar 20, 2017 18:26:44 GMT -8
I swear I'm not being a suckup to our administrator. But Kira is definitely my role model. I've listened to her on NewGrounds when I was in High School and when I met her in 2015 at a con and she talked about her Journey from going from living in Alaska being an online VO to living in Los Angeles with the sudden success she has (and the struggles she had.) It definitely gives me and I'm sure everyone else confidence that we can make a living starting off online and get into the industry someday. I also resonate really with anyone else who's started online and now works in either Dallas/Fort Worth or Los Angeles. Especially Chris Niosi aka Kirbopher (Long Island Represent!) and Brittany Lauda (who I've had the pleasure of working with and taking classes with to get me to where I am so far)
|
|
celewo2
Member
Posts: 24
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
|
Post by celewo2 on Mar 21, 2017 5:12:42 GMT -8
Rob Paulsen is also one of my favorites! I really enjoyed his podcast as well. Not sure if he's still doing that anymore, but it was fun to listen to him and his special guests. Loved the silliness the whole thing had to it. Also agree that the stuff Welker or Dee Baker can pull off is just phenomenal, that's pure talent and I'm always amazed to what sounds they can produce, like, I've never seen that from any other voice actors in any industry. Well, Rob had a pretty good reason for why he wasn't working on his podcast: he was beating Stage Three throat cancer. He's fine! He's fine now! In fact, he's back to work on Talkin' Toons; his new episode with Christian Lanz dropped just yesterday. Oh my god, I didn't know that! I haven't been up-to-date for quite a while now... I really hope he's doing well... So sad to hear that. However, I definitely need to listen to the new episode!
|
|
celewo2
Member
Posts: 24
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
|
Post by celewo2 on Mar 21, 2017 5:17:05 GMT -8
I swear I'm not being a suckup to our administrator. But Kira is definitely my role model. I've listened to her on NewGrounds when I was in High School and when I met her in 2015 at a con and she talked about her Journey from going from living in Alaska being an online VO to living in Los Angeles with the sudden success she has (and the struggles she had.) It definitely gives me and I'm sure everyone else confidence that we can make a living starting off online and get into the industry someday. I also resonate really with anyone else who's started online and now works in either Dallas/Fort Worth or Los Angeles. Especially Chris Niosi aka Kirbopher (Long Island Represent!) and Brittany Lauda (who I've had the pleasure of working with and taking classes with to get me to where I am so far) I'm a fan of Kira's work as well! Was extremely happy that she got the lead role for a new game called NieR: Automata
|
|
|
Post by ksquirtle on Mar 21, 2017 15:55:52 GMT -8
I swear I'm not being a suckup to our administrator. But Kira is definitely my role model. I've listened to her on NewGrounds when I was in High School and when I met her in 2015 at a con and she talked about her Journey from going from living in Alaska being an online VO to living in Los Angeles with the sudden success she has (and the struggles she had.) It definitely gives me and I'm sure everyone else confidence that we can make a living starting off online and get into the industry someday. I also resonate really with anyone else who's started online and now works in either Dallas/Fort Worth or Los Angeles. Especially Chris Niosi aka Kirbopher (Long Island Represent!) and Brittany Lauda (who I've had the pleasure of working with and taking classes with to get me to where I am so far) Duuuude Long Island represent! I always forget Niosi is from there.
|
|
celewo2
Member
Posts: 24
I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor
|
Post by celewo2 on Mar 24, 2017 4:29:57 GMT -8
Forgot to mention Kari Wahlgren. I really enjoy listening to her voice, especially in video games I believe her talent shines through. Her Aranea Highwind in Final Fantasy XV is vastly superior to her Japanese counterpart.
|
|