| On the left is Lisa Ortiz, English-language voice of Lina Inverse in
Slayers (and lots of Pokemon characters). On the right is Amanda Winn Lee,
best known as Ayanami Rei in the English-language Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Both are very popular among anime fans, whether at conventions or on tape.
But they're more than just party animals, they're serious actors who have
long studied that elusive craft. At Anime Expo, they held a panel to assist
aspiring actors, whether or not they want to be the stars of anime dubs. |
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| First, the two brought a group of fans up to the front of the panel
room and asked them to just stand there. Then they asked them to think
of something important. Lee noted that the group looked different just
because they had something on their mind other than standing in place -
and that was one of the big factors in acting. Motivation is a major part
of making an actor something other than a person who recite lines, the
women noted. |
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| Then the women gave the fans a group of scripts and had them play out
scenes in the front of the room, critiquing them for their performances.
Lee was especially pleased with these young people, who performed a scene
of a woman who is trying to fend off the advances of a sex-crazed psychiatrist. |
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| Afterwards, the people who had been in the panel room followed Ortiz
and Lee (pictured) into the hall and asked for autographs. The actors accommodated
every fan, again showing a reason for the popularity of American voice
actors: the actors appreciate the attention they get from the people who
enjoy their performances. |
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