 While
the sub-versus-dub debate may have been rendered obsolete with the rise
of DVD's, which offer several languages on a disc, the appeal of voice
actors hasn't changed. When actor and artist Doug Smith and actor Tiffany
Grant appeared on a first-day Otakon panel, they drew a crowd of fans curious
to learn about their careers. "I think that's changed," Grant said about
dub acceptance. "The first convention I went to, I was afraid I was going
to be stoned by the fans. I think the atmosphere has gotten to be more
welcoming toward dubs, and fans don't hate us as much as they used to." |
 Grant,
who says her favorite role remains Neon Genesis Evangelion and her favorite
role is Asuka in that series, said she just recorded her dialogue for the
End of Evangelion for Manga Entertainment. However, she has no idea when
it will be released. For ADV Films, Grant is also working on the Princess
Nine sports show, the story of a high school girls' baseball team. "(Martian
Successor) Nadesico is my second favorite show," said Grant. "The more
the fan you are, the more you enjoy it - there are a lot of injokes." She
told the audience that actors can't expect their career to take off in
a year or two, and have to stay with acting for years to see any results.
"I don't make my living as an actor. I have to work in other areas of the
industry to meet my needs, like having shelter." |
 Both
Grant and Smith admitted that they've auditioned for roles and then been
turned down, but they continue to try. Grant calls Smith "...a live cartoon
character, he does all of these little voices." Smith recalls the years
when he worked for ADV Films in the art department, became known for jokes
like his cross between Evangelion and Ren and Stimpy, then got a voice
acting break in Golden Boy. Otherwise he's had small roles. "I was an ATF
agent who got wasted in the first 15 minutes of Gunsmith Cats. I'm a lot
of guys who die." When describing his acting technique, Smith recalls
the time when "...I just jumped up and down and acted like a total spazz
in the recording booth - I'm glad the padding was there." Still, Smith
continues to audition for roles. |
