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09-28-2007, 11:19 AM | #1 |
I just want foam gliders.
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Over the past few years I've been tracking down and writing to some of my favorite voice actors who did the voices for the GI Joe Sunbow cartoons back in the 80's.
What's cool is they actually go out of their way to write back to let me know how much they appreciate the fan base GI Joe has, even after 25 years. Recently I emailed to Libby Aubrey, the voice of Cover Girl. I asked if she would answer a few questions on GI Joe. Below are the questions I asked. It's a cool insight on Cover Girl and I hope you guys enjoy... Quote:
1. What was a typical day like at the recording studio?
Scripts are distributed by the Director’s Assistant. We are waiting in a room with a large type conference table. The director lets us know that he may want some of us to do a second voice character besides our assigned character. In this case, I of course, was Cover Girl. Then we begin to read the script out loud for all to hear. I sat next to a wonderfully talented friend and actor named, Frank Welker - he is known for his very entertaining yet accurate animal sounds and vocal sound effects. Needless to say he always kept the group laughing between reads. It’s an exhilarating experience hearing the voices on the printed page of a script come alive for the first time in the "read through". It is during this rehearsal read that the director decides who gives the best secondary character read of a new character. The lucky actor or actress will get paid another fee for the privilege of double duty. In less than an hour, we’ve finished our rehearsal "read through" and all voices have been approved by the Director. The voice over group adjourns to the portion of the recording studio where there are about six top notch microphones on mic stands about six or so feet apart in an arch floor pattern so that we may be able to see one another during recording. We are offered head sets by the studio engineer. Some of the actors use them, others prefer not to use "cans" as they are called in the biz. 2. How many other actors did you work with per recording? There are about eight to twelve of us in the recording studio at one time. We share microphones with another one or two actors. We alternately step up to the mic when our character comes alive with words. I could not help but see that usually there were about two females to ten males in the room in that coveted privileged job of "voice-over" talent. Naturally, this would be the case in a series about brave men. I was really proud that Cover Girl was there to protect our men in need. I could not have nabbed a more perfect role for me, because I’ve was lucky to see combat forces up close when I traveled to the far east. I came home to the states completely in support of our brave, courageous men. Ten years later, there was a female character, "Cover Girl" that allowed me to express a small part of my desire to "support our troops". 3. Who was your favorite person to work with on the GI Joe series? Of course...Frank Welker. He believed in me and always encouraged me to speak up...and do a second voice. Sure enough his encouragement brought me to be able to act as a helicopter rescue gal in one of the episodes. 4. Did you have to alter your voice in any way for Cover Girl or did you use your regular voice? Yes, for the voice of the helicopter rescue gal. Also I was part of the G.I. Joe opening title song group the cartoon series. I can still hear the call in my head...GeeeIyyJooooooooooo, GeeeIyyyJoooooooo! That was the first, but not the last time I got to sing in a recording studio. Later that decade, in two takes, I recorded the title song for a film short I produced and acted in...it's on my website: www.libbyaubrey.com. 5. What information were you given about the Cover Girl character before you recorded her voice? For me...like most actors and actresses...it's all in the script. Because I am an action type of person...I take the lead on a lot of action items. That's how I saw Cover Girl...a gal who knew how to be part of a team, carry her weight, and lead when necessary. I got these bedrock values from my dad and mom who gave us these values growing up in a family of ten children. 6. How did you imagine Cover Girl when you recorded her voice? Athletic, smart, intelligent, helpful to others, tireless, caring, obedient, capable, and most of all loyal. The glass is always half full for this gal. 7. Do you know why Cover Girl started out with long blonde hair in the mini-series then went short and auburn for the regular season? No. Although I do have photos of me with short auburn and with red hair. 8. Are you surprised there is still so much interest in the GI Joe cartoons after over 20 years? Yes, and I am very happy that our youth has grasped onto the importance and meaning of courageous men who defend our privilege of living in this great country. After all Hollywood can be a very challenging place with a plethora of experimental values and behaviors. In that light, it is greatly satisfying to know that those values and character traits resonate with the youth of America. 9. Anything interesting or funny you want to share about your experience working on the GI Joe series? I was on a camping trip up north, and I went to a creek with running water. And there on some large rocks, was a little boy about 7 years old playing with G.I. Joe miniature characters in the water and on the rocks. I noticed that there was something a little different about this young boy. He saw me watching him and he said "Hi". I said "Hi" back, and remarked that I noticed he was playing with G.I.Joe. He said while not looking up from his playing, "You know I’m special?" I replied "Oh" not wanting to be rude. Once again he looked up at me and said "I am special because I do not have any bones in my hands, or my feet". And he picked up his leg from out of the water to show me his foot with no bones. He then waded through the water and stepped up onto one of the rocks. I had never seen someone stand, let alone walk and who had no bones in his feet to balance himself. Not knowing what to say because I was so amazed by this little boys strong and courageous acceptance of his situation that, I replied "Yes you are special!" and "I am Cover Girl" well, he gleamed a smile of awe and disbelief and said you see "I really am special!" and I replied..."Yes you are and I am so very lucky to have met you in person". This little boy had the wisdom, to not let his maladie define his life, but rather he defined his life, his vision and with it his infliction. That beautiful toe-headed little boy I met camping amongst the redwoods of California taught Cover Girl, and Libby Aubrey...a very important lesson, that I cherish even today...20 years later. 10. What advice would you give others who are looking into doing voice work on animated programs or acting in general? 1. Start in your backyard. I used a Walkman while out on my patio to record my voice recreating the sounds and recordings of the professionals on the radio and television. I did that over and over and in the car. Later when in California I would practice my singing "vocal-ese" in the car as well...since we spend half our day driving out here! Continue to develop your ear. Singing helps. 2. Go to a local radio station and ask if you can record in their studio and tell them you are preparing for voice-over and announcing work. You never know who may be willing to help you out. Use good magazine copy and write a script for your character voices. Then put a CD of all of your voices and sound effects together, and compare it to the professionals. If the first one sounds a little ummm "not quite on the mark" analyze what needs to be changed or added - ask any and all studio engineers to listen to the CD,and do another CD. 3.if it sounds near perfect to you then hit the streets to all radio stations, advertising agencies who do radio, producers of radio spots, agents, and sit down ....with them...and play this 3 minute compilation of your edited work. A year later you may yield results. The other way is to get an announcers job on the radio station of your choice. Lot's of voice-over folks start this way...don't forget...learn how to sing as well while doing the voice-over work. Oh...one more thing...learn good packaging and how to market your CD. 11. What does the future hold for you? Now God is laughing! I hope more opportunity to give back, a healthy and prosperous life. Thank you Jeff, and all the peoples who's lives this Cover Girl has had the privilege to touch. Once again... this is Cover Girl signing off. Be safe. I then emailed Neil Ross, he did the voice of Shipwreck, Dusty and Buzzer as well as Springer on the Transformer series. I sent him a few things to sign... here they are... I then mailed a letter to Arthur Burghardt, the voice of Destro, Stalker and Iceberg... he sent me all this... They are happy to talk to fans, all you need to do is some research on the internet to find their websites, emails or talent agencies. Then just write them letters. The most important thing is to always include a self addressed stamped envelope SASE in all corespondents. I hope you guys enjoy... -Xerofall
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09-28-2007, 11:20 AM | #2 |
I just want foam gliders.
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I have a letter from Destro too...
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09-28-2007, 11:22 AM | #3 |
Overlord of Evil
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Thats cool.
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09-28-2007, 04:07 PM | #4 |
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Sweet thread! If this get's buried under the con chatter, don't worry. I'll be posting it elsewhere with proper credit. Thanks a ton for sharing. -PJ
Last edited by Obiwanjacoby; 09-28-2007 at 04:33 PM.. |
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10-05-2007, 04:55 PM | #5 |
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Xero was right! I got an autographed pic in the mail today from Libby Aubrey with a letter on the back written to my wife, who is a huge Cover Girl fan. I thought it would be a kewl thing to do for her and it paid off in spades! Thanks again Xero!
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10-05-2007, 05:41 PM | #6 |
I just want foam gliders.
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Totally cool! Funny thing... I was supposed to get Libby's autograph too, but it must've gotten lost in the mail or something.
I could always ask for another one. It's so fun to actually get emails, letters and autographs from the actors that meant so much to me as a kid.
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10-05-2007, 05:48 PM | #7 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Nice!! Amazing diligence tracking down the actors on your part Xerofall.
Really enjoyed the story about the kid who suffered from the bone problem. |
10-15-2007, 03:27 PM | #8 |
I just want foam gliders.
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I finally found my letter from Larry Hama...
Close up of drawing... Of course I had to edit out all of his personal info, address, phone, fax and email, sorry guys. Also as you can see, he's asked me not to distribute or reproduce the drawing he included. Please just look at it, don't download it and forward it around. Thanks. -Jeff |
10-15-2007, 04:40 PM | #9 |
Anditron 3000
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio
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That was really cool! Great read...
Is there someone in the JOE community like Seibertron in the TF community that does that type of stuff for his site. I sense a cool leg up for HISSTANK! Reading interviews from the toy and show creators would be awesome! BTW Frank Welker has done thousands of voices in his day, including Megatron.
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10-15-2007, 05:03 PM | #10 |
I just want foam gliders.
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Location: Tooele (two-willa), Utah
Posts: 18,727
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I'm working on more...
The owners and operators of Hisstank can take all that I post here and use it for whatever they want.
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