Method: A Voice Actor Prepares

The concept of "Method: A voice Actor Prepares" came to me while working as a production coordinator/ Japanese translator in a sound studio specializing in original animation, video games and Japanese-English dubbing. So much of film and acting is about the art of a project and can get very serious at times. Even working in animation, which tends to be seen as lighthearted, there are very high stakes and a lot of moving parts to get a project to premiere. In all the hustle and bustle of my day job I began to think of all the dedicated voice actors I worked with who were professionals with a ton of classical theater training. Many of them starred on Broadway, or in national shows that toured. They also tended to be the character actors who the general population could recognize from a guest role on “Law and Order”, but never know the name to match the face. Most voice actors that specialize in dubbing, usually get very little recognition for their work from the film/TV industry. (You wouldn’t believe all the people who have gotten their starts playing Pokemon.) So, this idea started to form in my mind for a comedic short that showcased some of the best voice actors working in anime, while also poking fun at how seriously the entertainment industry can take itself. On any given day a voice actor can play a dragon, a sex pot and a little boy, sometimes all in the same show! So, what would it look like if one of these dedicated thespians was also a method actor? Then the brilliant Ben Diskin came into my life. He was cast in several series simultaneously and I couldn’t help but notice that he also looked like a character he played on a very popular anime. I realized that I had found my star! Luckily Ben is a great sport. He has been working in show biz his entire life. A child of the 80s, like myself, he had a very different life path than me. While I was growing up in Gary, Indiana, he was starring in some of my favorite classics such as “Kindergarten Cop” and “The Wonder Years.” Like many child actors, Ben switched to voice acting as an adult. He also happens to be a black belt in karate. So, with a little coaxing I talked him into wearing some very silly costumes and coming back to on-camera work. With my lead in place, it was easy to get the rest of the cast to join in on the fun. Our cast stars some of the most popular and prolific names in animation. Since initially shooting this film, they have gone on to win Emmys and make waves on the small screen. We finished shooting the film in 2010, but only completed the post-production this January (2022). Everything technical and personal that could complicate getting a project to completion happened to me in the last decade; job changes, the death of my mentor, across the country moves, computer crashes (twice), having a late in life surprise bundle of joy, and an international pandemic. That was just my decade my production partner/ editor had quite the wild ride as well! Through it all, our Almost Fairytales crew, who were all volunteers on this project, managed to finally complete everything and are very happy to bring our film baby to the festival circuit. It has been a labor of love and we hope that it tickles your funny bone. There are a lot of meta moments in it for the true animation fan. It is also chalked full of fun slapstick and an extra dose of silliness. "Method: A voice Actor Prepares" is a comedic short for anyone who enjoys workplace comedies with a streak of romance and a healthy dose of the ridiculous.