VAM 069 | Interview with Andrea Toyias, Part 2
Welcome to episode 69 of the Voice Acting Mastery podcast with yours truly, Crispin Freeman!
As always, you can listen to the podcast using the player above, or download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of this blog post. The podcast is also available via the iTunes Store online. Just follow this link to view the podcast in iTunes:
http://www.voiceactingmastery.com/podcast
This is the second part of my interview with my good friend, the incredibly talented voice director, Andrea Toyias. Andrea works for Blizzard Entertainment and has voice directed on such high profile titles as World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Diablo III. We first met while working on Diablo III, where I played the voice of the Male Wizard. We’ve admired each other’s work ever since.
In the last episode, Andrea discussed how she started out as a production assistant at a video game company and worked her way up through the ranks. She edited dialogue, then became a recording engineer and eventually a voice director. She’s worked on almost every aspect of the process of recording voice actors from the ground up, which gives her an invaluable perspective on what video game companies are looking for in performers.
In this episode, Andrea shares with me what skills, abilities and mindset she looks for for when casting a voice actor. If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes through the head of someone who decides which voice actor to hire for a project, you’re about to get the inside scoop from Andrea!
Download Voice Acting Mastery Episode #69 Here (MP3)
19 Responses to “VAM 069 | Interview with Andrea Toyias, Part 2”
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- Becoming A Better Voice Actor #3: Be A Better Voice Actor | Kevin Powe - Voice Over Artist, Games - […] improvisational theatre still brings in that all important willingness to play and experiment. In this episode of Voice Acting…
I can see how these types of roles could be jarring for some actors. It could be made worse for someone who doesn’t play video games. In any case, it’s important to keep an open mind.
Thank you and Andrea for your time and wisdom.
You’re very welcome!
A lot of great information from You and Andrea both especially for someone like myself who play’s world of Warcraft and would love to be a voice actor.
I’m glad you find the info useful.
Hi Crispin 🙂 The podcast is very informative with you and Ms Andrea’s interview. I listen this episode three times so far so I can understand as possible. I really understand Ms. Andrea’s words about the actors and their characters. When I was little girl, I was raised with first blizzard games. Although, I never played it a lot. I did learn some stuff. But, my older brother played a lot of those games. He loves it 😀 Before I took online class few weeks ago, I know I have so many insecurities about my voice from others’- they said that my voice is so weak, wuss, or melancholy. Accordingly, it is quite challenge when I was trying raise my voice, like shouting through my lungs. After that, I felt really good that my voice is really sweet, youthful, and gentle 🙂 Thank you so much again, Crispin and I cant wait to hear another episode.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you like the episode.
I’m absolutely loving your interview with Andrea, I think it’s completely spot on. I’m glad my sentiments are shared by professionals much more experienced than I, seems I was on the right track! Recently, I’ve been obsessed with letting go behind the mic and just bringing in my own performance while leaving the self-doubt behind, it’s allowed me to just play and explore and I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. It’s so freeing and enjoyable.
I’m eagerly awaiting the final part to this interview and have enjoyed every moment of the first two parts immensely. Thanks a bunch, Crispin and Andrea, for doing this interview, this is absolute gold.
Being able to let go of or turn off your internal critic is one of the best things you can do for your acting. It allows you to play freely when you’re not self-criticising the entire time. I’m glad you’ve figured out how to do that.
I’m glad you’ve liked the first 2 parts. Andrea and I talked for so long, there will actually be 4 parts to this interview! I hope you enjoy them all.
What struck a chord with me was that she tries to make the actor feel loved. Which was unexpectedly mindblowing to me.
Because, in a recording booth, it’s employer and employee. There’s no time for love, you gotta work to get your paycheck. But I understand that invisible hug between a struggling actor and a director have when they both know things are going south, but they’re trying to selvage a good performance out of the time they have.
It’s kinda awesome to know that the director is your friend.
Loving this interview!
~ Kalyn
Yeah, I loved that part too. It really brought home the idea of collaboration instead of mere employment.
Yes, any truly talented director wants to nurture their talent, not tear them down. Good collaborators want you to succeed, they’re not waiting for you to fail.
There are directors with “hard eyes” meaning that they just want you to perform like a piece of machinery, but they’re not the best directors nor do they get the best performances.
Andrea is in that top tier of directors that I love to work with.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the interview so much!
Hello Crispin!
Thank you for another quality podcast and interview! It must be such a joy to work with Andrea; not only is she obviously knowledgable of every facet of her craft, but the compassion and support she gives to her actors is palpable. What was wonderful to hear was the responsibility she feels when an actor is struggling with a character or performance. She clearly cares for the actors she casts as much as the projects she casts them for.
Thank you for having her, and I’m looking forward to part 3!
Warmest Regards,
Sean
It is absolutely a joy to work with Andrea! I’m glad you’re enjoying the interview so much! There’s plenty more to come!
excellent work as Red Arrow on Young Justice..that is my dream right there to do voice over on comic book animated shows, films and games and whatever else there is to offer in the industry
Thank you. I’m glad you like my work as Red Arrow. Best of luck to you in your voice acting endeavors.
You’re welcome sir. Plan on making a visit to your workshop very soon
Excellent. I look forward to working with you.
This is one of my favorite interview segments. As I practice, I’m aware of how analytical I can get in making my character choices in such a short amount of time. But when Andrea mentioned she looks for actors who want to play and have the ability to change those choices on a dime, it reassures me that no choice is really ‘perfect’ for one role. My current commercial coach has me change things all the time behind the mic. And if I feel confident that I can apply those changes effectively on the spot, I know I’m heading in the right direction. Great stuff as always, Crispin!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying the interview!
You are right, no choice is necessarily “perfect”, directors are searching for answers to, they’re not waiting for you to give them what they expect. Glad you realized that from listening to Andrea talk!
Thanks again for listening.