A FANGIRL'S FANTASY

silenthaven:

Not much has changed since we last heard from the actors side of this fiasco, but we do know now that Monica Taylor Horgan (voice actress for Mary/Maria) has been in contact with Konami and working things out amicably. I contacted David Schaufele to ask him a few questions about voice acting and his perspective on the HD Collection controversy. He gave some interesting stuff on residuals… Enjoy!

 

Hello Dave, It’s a thrill to able to talk with you today about Silent Hill 2.  Many fans have questions about your memorable performance as Eddie in Silent Hill 2, for example what it was like to work with Team Silent and the other cast members.  I hope you don’t mind if I also slip in a few questions about the current controversy regarding new voice actors Konami has paid to replace the originals. 

First of all, can you tell me how and when you got started in voice acting? 

Well, first of all thanks for your kind words and for all the support from you loyal fans. It’s truly amazing the way the game has taken on a life of its own. Voice acting can be tough with a lot of disappointments along the way so it’s sure nice to get a little recognition once in a while.

How and when did I start… I guess back in elementary school my grade 5 homeroom teacher Mr. Morley was also in charge of the drama program and whenever he forgot to prepare a lesson he would make us do little improvisational skits to fill the time. My influences then where Cheech and Chong, Monty Python and of course Disney characters were also fun to imitate in polite company. In the school play that year my computer robot voice landed me a part inside a cardboard box.

I saved up in my late teens, bought a Tascam 4-track cassette recorder and tried to write songs. In my early 20s I moved into radio jingles without much financial success. But I do recommend volunteering at local theater, radio and TV stations as a great way to get your foot in the door and meet some cool people who will inspire you.

Professionally I guess things really started to take off in Tokyo after I was selected by a heavyweight New York producer to narrate a United Nations documentary. He said that my Canadian accent was more neutral than American, with a bit of British clarity and the UN wanted one version that could be used worldwide. I started doing radio at the national broadcaster NHK at around the same time, 1990, so the voice agents could use these two selling points with clients.

I improved a lot over the next few years by working with a hard-nosed old American director overdubbing numerous Japanese 35mm movies and cartoon animations. Imagine 10 actors standing side-by-side in a dark movie theater. The microphones and scripts were on stands with small lights and we recorded an entire scene in one take. Suddenly this booming Wizard of Oz voice would scream and swear and fire the actor standing beside you. Then add his part to your list of characters. Talk about motivation to get it right every time or starve in the unemployment line.

 

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