The Shrek and Toy Story films have entertained and delighted audiences for several years. These animated characters have captured the hearts of children and adults through out the world. But these movies would not have been as memorable if it were not for the efforts of the animators and the actors who supplied the voices for these endearing characters.
In traditional animation, the preliminary soundtrack of an actor performing the character's voice is completed first. It was easier for the animators to match the character's simulated movements to the voice. In computer animation, the same process is sometimes utilized. However, since this type of animation is easier to adjust, it is now more common to change the voice over to match the action on the screen. The actors are then required to re-do some scenes or provide the voice for newly created animated action.
The actor supplying the cartoon character's voice is required to have a unique sound, imagination and versatility. The voice needs to be believable. The actor must have the stamina to maintain the character tone for extended periods of time. Some mistakenly believe that if you can do a funny voice, you can make it in this industry. This is not true. Acting ability is required. When the actor is speaking their lines, they are sitting in a recording booth alone. They are not playing off another actor. They need to understand the character on all levels and be able to convey it to the audience.
Watch the clip below and notice how both the voices and the body movements match the animated character's personality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZnztwiWZo4&feature=related
I am sure that doing a voice over is not easy. It not only has to flow with the conversation but has to be believable. Meaning an actor cant just be blah, they need personality to go with their character. I could never do this job, I would be doing many do overs.
ReplyDeleteWow. It seems like actors are now being tortured for these roles. Acting for digital animation just sounds like a major pain in the neck. I can imagine a computer animator shrieking a actors for like 100 times on a single scene: "Do that again! mwuaahhahaha!"
ReplyDeleteI love the movie Shrek and I have the upmost respect for the actors that used their voices for this great movie. Technology is wonderful because it allows these talented actors to expand their artistic gifts even further.By utilizing real live voices, that we are familiar with in these animated movies,brings the story to life.
ReplyDeleteThe voice and the character have to match. I couldn't imagine Eddie Murphy being Shrek at all! it's just wrong. Technology is also very good when it comes to doing voice overs; if they get it wrong just do it over. The producers don't have to yell cut and start all over and waste time. Overall, Pixar has mastered the art of voice overs.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy these types of movies because a person really has to act in real life. Some actors just look at the a screen of the movie and voice over the emotions that are happening. In a current movie ,Rango, the director had the actors in similar like clothes as in the movie. He wanted to get a real emotion embedded in the film. I think every animated movie should be like that because people would get a real feel of the movie.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how advanced cartoons/animation have become in the last 50 years. From Mickey Mouse and the boat captain to Shrek and Toy Story, they are worlds apart. The skills involved with such amazing work is the true definition of a masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteNice information, many thanks to the author. It is incomprehensible to me now, but in general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteamerican voice overs