Intrepid reporters for a day

Intrepid reporters for a day

The February issue of actv8 featured a competition in which the prize was a double pass to attttend the Wellington or Christchurch Armageddon Expo, which featured an array of guest stars from TV, comics, movies, games and wrestling. Steph Sander and JoJo Woodham from Onslow College were the lucky winners and got to go to the Wellington Armageddon Expo. Here's their report.

"We entered the arena with frightened faces. We slowly crept past the stormtroopers and ran for our lives. We turned and they were chasing us. We screamed but all we could hear was laughter!" On Sunday 20 April, Jojo and I (Steph) went to the Armageddon expo in Wellington. We interviewed Liam O'Brien, the voice of Gaara of the Desert on Naruto and Nanaki in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children - Red XIII. We took photos of him and his fellow voice actor Spike Spencer (the voice of Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion).
Why did you become a voice actor?
"I started as an actor on stage and I didn't even know that there was such thing as voice acting! I played Juliet in the play Romeo and Juliet. The actor of Romeo and I got to become good friends and he told me about a job I could do voice acting."
How old were you when you started voice acting?
"Around 22-23."
Did you have any dream careers when you were younger?
"Yes, when I was little I wanted to be a vet, but when I got to college I found out that science was incredibly hard, so I gave up that dream."
Did you used to watch cartoons and animation shows when you were younger? If so, did you have a favourite?
"Yes. I used to love Transformers and I want to get my 18-month-old baby into it too."
What was the favourite character you have recorded the voice for?
"Nightcrawler [an episode of the 1990s X-Men animated series], and Angel from X-Men."
What country do you enjoy voice acting in the most?
"Well, I don't do much acting overseas. Most of my career is based in LA, but Tokyo was fun because I got to dress up in a rubber suit like Gollum."
Do you do voice exercises before the show?
"Not any more. I used to but I realised I don't need to."
What do you hope to do after voice acting, scriptwriting and additional dialogue recording (dubbing) director?
"I want to work in Paramount but I am quite happy doing original anime."
Is there anyone you look up to nowadays?
"Definitely Jane Goodall, as she is just amazing!"
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start?
"Start as an actor and then go to the USA or Canada. LA is where I voice act, so look around at what you find would be best."
What is your favourite place in NZ?
"Probably Wellington as I haven't been many other places. I love the waterfront."

Steph and JoJo's day at the expo
We had a look around at the expo and there were all sorts of things, such as laser tag, wrestling, videogames, tattoos and fake cuts, mini robots playing soccer, Studio 2, Jeep from Halo, famous voice actors freebies, trading cards and heaps of people dressed up. They were selling a heap of comic books and videogames. It was unbelievable. There was a big screen showing animation movies such as Ice Age. Overall the expo was magnificently set up and we think everyone had a blast! It was an enjoyable, family fun day! Here are some photos of the wicked things we saw and did.