Voices in Vancouver
Update on ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH, the animated film I’ve been writing:
We are back on track with a new draft of the script and the production proceeding in Canada. I had a chance last week to finally visit Rainmaker Studios up in Vancouver (or as my cousin Tye calls it, “The ‘COUVE”). Having helped create these characters and their world, it was fun to visit Tony and the gang and finally see so many visuals.
While I cannot publish any of the artwork here, I have to say I was blown away. It is fantastic stuff, and the characters look great. You WILL want the toys. The production design is very much like “The Incredibles”: clean modern architecture mixed with a vintage / retro flavor. It made me tingle like an Alkaseltzer just looking at the hallways full of art.
Then I also got to do some temp voices for the story reel. This means recording character voices that the storyboard guys can work to, the editor can cut to, which will eventually be replaced by the real cast. Even as a temp voice, it is still fun to get to embody some of the characters that I helped write. I had to stretch those comedy performer muscles again, performing four voices over two days. One of the aliens doesn’t even speak any known language, so I pulled out some of my “Twitchy” skills to grunt and chatter a lot. Truth be told, I found myself channeling my baby’s squawking more than anything.
Until next time, Ggg-vvvt-bzzktjmvvv!
October 30th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Funny you should mention those “comedy performer muscles,” because I accidentally stumbled upon a hilarious demonstration of them today before reading this post…
Does “Rippin’ Frankie Rippendale” introducing “Major C and the Downbeats” ring any bells, per chance?
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:19 am
Wow… where did you “stumble” to find that clip?
I’m proud to say that I wrote my own joke for that.
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:54 am
As long as you’re in Vancouver, you should stop by Pacific Theatre and say “Hi!” for me. I head Driving Miss Daisy is great – and it’s only got 9 days left!
November 4th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
I stumbled upon it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6punaGPBgOg
My favorite bit was the snappy “Hey!” with the eyes rolled back… Classic.
November 27th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Glad to hear there’s a liberal dose of the modern architecture (a la Incredibles) in there. So stoked to see footage!
November 27th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Funny, I forgot all about that video. I played the goofy bass player – but fyi, I learned the part AND was playing a Hofner.
Good times. I wish the youtube copy was better quality though.