The Voice Over / Alyson Court

DAREDEVIL

As we delve into the duo’s music and electronic dance music (EDM), we cover all the bases, including their upcoming tour.

As we bring you up-to-date on the most stylish moments from the 97th Academy Awards, we also invite you to join us backstage for exclusive interviews we had with several winners in the winner’s circle.

From his views toward his

being on

of his

the

fellow performers to his thoughts on

set

new picture, A Working Man, David Harbour delves into

experience of working alongside Jason Statham, the character he is currently playing, and what he hopes audiences will take away from the film.

MOVIESTOPPICKS

HAVOC

Release Date: April 25th 2025

Starring: Tom Hardy, Timothy Olyphant, Another Simple Favor

Release Date: May 1, 2025

Starring: Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Allison

UNTIL DAWN

Release Date: April 25, 2025

Starring: Ella Rubin, Odessa A’Zion, Michael Cimino

THE SURFER

Release Date: May 2, 2025

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Julian McMahon

Minecraft is a popular video game. Now live-action film is in development. Although plot elements are being kept under wraps, the world-building, survival-mode video game has never been about story, so film possibilities are infinite. The film will star Jason Momoa and Jennifer Coolidge, Steve (Jack Black), Dawn (Danielle Brooks), and Henry.

FRIENDSHIP

Release Date: May 9, 2025

Starring: Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson

Thunderbolts

Release Date: May 2, 2025

Starring: David Harbour, Hannah John-Karmen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Florence Pugh, Harrison Ford

FREAKY TALES

Freaky Tales, set in 1987 Oakland, California, explores four interrelated narratives that celebrate the city’s diversity and culture. After its January 2024 Sundance picture Festival premiere, the picture gained popularity and excited spectators for its theatrical release.

SELECTIONS MOVIE TOP

This adaptation of Edward Ashton’s science fiction novel Mickey7 is the second feature film by South Korean director Bong Joon Ho, following his Academy Award–winning picture Parasite. Join Robert Pattinson as he embarks on a journey to settle a faraway world in this film about a disposable employee. His body gets rebuilt with his previous memories intact every time he dies.

SNOW WHITE

Even though they’ve gotten mixed reviews from critics, Disney’s live-action adaptations of their iconic animated features have been commercial successes, which may explain why Snow White is getting the same treatment 87 years after the original 1937 cartoon came out. Starring Rachel Zegler of West Side Story and Gal Gadot of Wonder Woman, the film is directed by Marc Webb of The Amazing Spider-Man and co-written by Gerta Gerwig. Gal plays the role of the Evil Queen.

THE

In this Barry Levinson picture, Robert De Niro plays Vito Genovese and Frank Castello, two legendary Italian American mob bosses. As mid-20th-century New York mafia bosses vie for power, the pair’s two crime families collide.

An forthcoming spy thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, who won an Oscar, will combine suspense with mystery. Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett play an intelligence officer couple whose marital bliss is disrupted when Cate is accused of betraying her nation.

ASH

The sci-fi horror film Ash follows Eiza González’s character as she uncovers the murder of her entire space crew. The film is reminiscent of Alien with director, Neil Blomkamp having previously worked on the science fiction film, District 9 and González’s experience in 3 Body Problems and Aaron Paul’s role in Westworld. Ash strives for detailed visuals to bring its plot to life.

A WORKING MAN

A Working Man, based on Chuck Dixon’s Levon’s Trade, depicts an ex-marine who returns from retirement to rescue his boss’s daughter after her kidnapping. Jason Statham, Michael Pena, David Harbour, and Jason Flemyng should star alongside Statham.

MICKEY 17

BLACK BAG

ALTO KNIGHTS

Mrs. GREEN APPLE

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti

Twenty One Pilots

IS ON THE RISE FOR THEIR SOLD OUT TOUR

The seven-member girl group—consisting of Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Ahyeon, Rami, Rora, and Chiquita.

Held at the world-famous Kia forum in Los Angeles, the show took off as fans cheered as they eagerly anticipated the Hello Monsters World Tour. The concert kicked off with fans waving their red and white glow sticks, cheering for BABYMONSTER arriving onstage in regal outfits. YG Entertainment spared no expense for their fast-rising performers, investing heavily in the concert production. YG Entertainment treated MONSTIEZ to a Hollywood-worthy performance, complete with pyrotechnics, high-budget visuals, and four individually designed outfits.

As they performed their first few songs to get the crowd hyped and excited for the night, there was an in-between pause as BABYMONSTER did a little quick introduction of themselves to make sure that for the guests that came along for the ride to enjoy their music, they got a more personal experience to get to know. During BABYMONSTER’s brief introduction, you can hear fans enthusiastically applauding their favorite member as they present themselves. As members of BABYMONSTER continue to exclaim, “wow, this is a dream come true,” the realization that they are truly performing in the City of Angels was simply too much for them.

With a full set list, the group had a lot in store for the night. Many of the songs they performed were their top hits: SHEESH, FOREVER, DRIP, CLICK CLAK, and WOKE UP IN TOKYO, to name a few.

YG entertainment has done a fantastic production when it comes to introducing new talents to overseas fans.

Additionally, fans watched and shouted as an introductory movie showcased the immense effort and sacrifices made by the members of BABYMONSTER to achieve their success. For these members, joining BABYMONSTER was a lifelong dream. BABYMONSTER wants to show how far they’ve come despite the chal-

lenges. The production value is high because YG entertainment, known for creating high-energy shows, put a lot of effort into all their live performances, as they have done with all other artists on the YGE roster.

All things considered, more is on the way for those who enjoy BABYMONSTER-style music. Both YG Entertainment and K-pop are just at the beginning of their meteoric rise to fame.

BABYMONSTER AT KIA FORUM

More activities and more artists are now coming to Los Angeles to offer more performances and to do fan service to all the fans that yearn and to see them in live concerts and that’s not all BABYMONTER is still on a world tour which is being held throughout August and September so if you’re debating whether or not you should check them out we highly recommend BABYMONSTER if you’re a fan of K pop this is a must see.

Every year, more and more artists and events are popping up in Los Angeles, so fans can enjoy more performances, meet their favorite performers, and attend live concerts. However, it is not all. If you are still on the fence about seeing BABYMONSTER live, you can still see them on tour during their August and September globe tour dates. Anyone who enjoys K-pop should definitely check out BABYMONSTER.

Photos By Ernesto Coria

Outfits By Anu Raina

Lets talk a little about who is Alyson Court? Lets start from the start on you giving an introduction for the readers that are starting to get to know you.

Alyson: I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and I still live there. I was actually born in the same hospital that my mom was born in. if you want to feel like Toronto’s really small, what can I tell you about me? I started going to a school for the arts when I was eight years old, and that’s how I got into film and television, so I worked as a child actor from the time I was 10 on my first productions.

Alyson: I actually worked for a Canadian opera company when I was six years old, but that’s because my mom worked with them. that was her hobby. she was a full-time employee with an insurance company, but her hobby on the side was she liked to be an extra for the productions for the Canadian opera company.

Alyson: The first role I ever played was the child in Madama Butterfly. The character is supposed to be 3 years old, and it’s funny because the photo that we have on my momma’s wall at our house of me from that opera, I look like my son because my son is Japanese Canadian; his dad was born in Japan, and I look at that photo, and I’m like, Oh my gosh, it’s my son Blaede.”

Alyson: Japan has played a role in my life. From day one my parents were both very much into judo. Dad got his brown belt, my mom got to a blue belt, and I got to orange I stopped just before getting my green belt, but yeah, when I was six years old, I was competing in a lot of judo tournaments.

You got into involving with acting and voice over from early age?

Alyson: Yeah, you know, dance classes, music classes, judo, and then I got to go to a school for the arts starting when i was eight years old, and because they were the only school for the arts in Toronto at that time, they would get a lot of calls from TV producers and directors looking for kids that knew how to perform and felt comfortable on stage or in front of a camera, and that’s how all of that started.

Fusion: The first role that you got to do that became a big hit, correct me if I’m wrong, was Loonette from the big comfy Couch?

Alyson: My first cartoon was Ewoks. I was 11, and prior to that, when I was 10, I did “follow that Bird” from sesame street, so sesame street was very big at that time, and then I did a bunch of other cartoons, and then I did Beetlejuice, where I played the character Lydia.

Alyson: But there’s a lot of stuff in between, a lot of stuff before that, because even Lydia went from 15 to 18 and then a few months later got jubilee and we were doing—we started to record X-Men the same time, the same year we were doing our first season for Comfy Couch.

Fusion: For the very reason we are here to discuss your voiceover acting, when you auditioned for Jubilee, what was that process like? and when they said you have a role as Jubilee, how did that make you feel?

Alyson: I did not get cast initially; we had just finished a couple of months before. The series Beetlejuice concluded in November

or December of 1991, and I auditioned for Jubilee approximately two months later. I remember going in, and it was the same voice director, Dan Hennessy, and a bunch of the same folks from fox Kids; they were all in the audition room. I had no prior knowledge about X-Men; the show was still known as Project X.

Alyson: I go in, and you see the character description go in, and Dan Hennessy says to me, “It’s Lydia; you’re fine; just do what you do.” So I do my thing, and Dan says to me, “You killed it as usual; it was great. “However, Sidney Iwanter was also there in that same room, and he said, No, I don’t care who we cast for Jubilee as long as it’s not Alyson Court because he had had

This was before. I thought you did this after.

Alyson: No, I was 15 when I did Beetlejuice. When I was 11, I started to do another show, which is called “Mr. dress up” and it’s not something that a lot of Americans are familiar with unless they live in a border city, so if you’re a border city kid living on the US-Canada border, you would have gotten Mr. Dress up over the airwaves. So yeah, i got started on that show when I was 11, it was very similar to Mr. Rogers, and that was a fantastic training ground because it really taught me how to do a kids show without being condescending or patronizing, and that really informed a lot of choices and approaches for doing Loonette for the big comfy couch, but we didn’t end up starting to film comfy couch until I was 18.

to listen to my voice as Lydia for so many episodes, like 90 episodes or something. He just couldn’t take it anymore. He was like, I can’t listen to her voice anymore; all I hear is Lydia; she doesn’t sound any different; I don’t want that, ” so I did not get the part of jubilee.

Alyson: Thereafter, I went to Mexico for vacation and got hepatitis A, so I came back, and I’m really sick. I can barely move. I’m so exhausted, and my liver is just in so much pain, and I get a call from my agent, and she’s like, So, do you remember that thing, that voiceover thing you wanted?

Alyson: I wasn’t sure what role she was talking about, as my agent didn’t quite get

the name, and she continued to say to me, “well whoever they cast, they don’t like it; it’s not working, so they want to replace the voice, so they’re wondering if you’re available to come in this week.” and I’m like, I have hepatitis. I’m contagious. I can’t be around. like I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Alyson: my agent said to me, let me figure it out, and calls me back 20 minutes later. she’s said, when you say you’re contagious, how contagious is that? I replied by saying, well we can’t share utensils. I can’t be close to people. we shouldn’t shake hands, like, no actual physical contact.

Fusion:

Alyson: she’s like alright well, I think they can work around that. So I went in, and I was still recovering from hepatitis, and I was suddenly in the studio, and I’m in the booth with Cal and Norm and Ron and Chris and Lenore and everybody, the entire cast was there, and all of a sudden this crazy process of recording, like 2 lines at a time, and then all of the producers and the directors and the writers and everyone, they’re in the control room, and then they would start yelling at each other with Dan closing the mic so we couldn’t hear what was going on as the producers would have heated discussions, and that was how it went for several weeks. we would get a couple of lines recorded; they would fight over it and say to us, “do it again.” we worked so hard and long for the first few months. we went back, and we rerecorded that first episode. i don’t know how many times until we finally got it right!

FUSION: No idea that happened, and this is definitely an exclusive here! , growing up as a kid, I watched you, and for the longest time, I would always watch batman and until I first saw x-men the animated series I was hooked, and everything about it—the art, the voiceovers—they all reflected and did a good job to look exactly like the comics, and when we see and hear jubilee we know that the origins are all in your voice. we all know that you are the one that really gives it its magical voice, even despite the fact that you’re not reprising her role on the new season.

Alyson: Before 97 was ever a thing or ever brought to any of our attention, I had publicly stated that because it had been going on for a while, I guess people were finding out that many white actors were voicing characters of different ethnicities, and it was one of those things where people were rightfully dismayed because it wasn’t being allowed on the flip side, so we have completely unique rules in Canada than in the States.

Alyson: In Canada we have the mindset of anybody and everybody is allowed to audition for any role, and while you can stress you want authentic casting and all this, you have to allow to audition. In the States it’s still very much stick to your lane. Very much so. I still hear from Asian actors and Black actors who are like, Yeah, I was only allowed to read for the Asian character, and then if there aren’t those technically specified roles, they’re not allowed to audition for anything.

Alyson: So until that stuff ends, you can’t have white actors, you know, filling the only roles available to this huge and wonderfully diverse talent pool. Like, we can’t do that, so until it’s an even and fair playing field—because, yes, anybody should be able to voice any character; it shouldn’t matter what you look like—that’s the whole point of being a voice actor. You dig deep

to bring out this original character, and what you look like as a human being should have nothing to do with it, but we’re not there yet.

But playing jubilee and that hasn’t changed. It’s a huge part of my life, and it was a huge honor to have been able to voice her.

FUSION: We understand your mindset about having opportunities for up-and-coming new voice actors and giving opportunities to other ethnicities, but let’s be honest: there are going to be some big shoes to fill because your voice is so legendary, and I believe that no one can compare to the type of work that was brought into Jubilee. That’s why we’re here, and that’s why your fans are here, and that’s why people like coming to these conventions and events, because they admire and love the voice actor community and support them in every way possible.

Alyson: Even then, despite it all, our chief and editor had been working with you for many years ago when before fusion magazine and fusion TV were a thing, we used to produce a TV show called unwired TV, and our chief editor, Jerry, had produced a very wonderful video interview with you and your voice, and it’s been legendary. So many fans around the world loved that video by itself. That video has captured so many people as they fall in love with their favorite characters that you reprise in several voice acting, but of course we embrace new voice actors.

Alyson: For the new show of x-men 97, the people behind the creation of X-Men 97 are also big fans of the original X-Men 92. so please trust the process that these producers are also fans; they know that they need to do justice to the original characters and to the original story, so I know that everyone definitely will love X-Men 97.

FUSION: How do you feel about the legendary Norm Spencer and other legendary voice actors who are no longer here with us? How do you think this will impact the voiceover community, the stories that are being told, and every fan who yearns to meet these voice actors?

Alyson: Well, you know, It’s pretty heartbreaking, and it’s never going to not be heartbreaking because, like we said, if he had just come to one, convention I think, like, the abject hopelessness that he basically died from, it possibly could have been assuaged. Just come to one, and have a chance to meet the fans. So that one, we don’t get that back. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s always going to be that way.

FUSION: I did hear some good things. your colleagues spoke very well about the new cyclops, and they said, you know what? it’s very close to norm’s voice, and they are very, really happy about that and are very accepting of the new cyclops

Fusion: if you had a superpower, what would it be and why?

Alyson: If we’re going to go off X-Men right now, let’s talk about which super powers I would want to see. I’m pretty obsessed with two: one is storm I mean, she’s the queen, and her powers are absolutely incredible, so I’m pretty sold on Storm. She can fly. I mean, flying is the number one thing, so that would be my number one superpower—to fly and Mystique because of the transformation ability to shape-shift, I think, and basically walk around naked, but you’re not naked, but you are naked, I think. It’s great. I’m like, yeah, let’s go!

FUSION: This was a fun time to recall the past of x-men but now let’s change it to one of the most memorable characters, the legendary Claire Redfield from the resident evil franchise. Tell us about the character. how did you get the role, and what went through your mind knowing that you would be the voiceover for Claire Redfield?

Alyson: When Resident Evil 2 was put out, both for auditions and then to record it, I had no idea it wasn’t called Resident Evil 2. they were extremely hush-hush about what the property was; it was an adventure game.

Alyson: I didn’t know anything about it, but again there was this connection with my previous role, which was jubilee so we had all initially been introduced to the Capcom team.

Alyson: When capcom came over to Toronto to use the real X-Men voice cast in their game. X-men vs. Street Fighter, that’s when Capcom first met the Toronto voice acting pool, and a bond was formed. and so when it came time to do the Resident Evil game, they decided they wanted to come back over, and they made a connection, and when I went in to audition, Susan Hart, who had been our recording coordinator for X-Men, was now given an opportunity to voice direct.

Alyson: she voice-directed Resident Evil 2, and on the description I remember at the time she said, “it’s basically Jubilee. basically jubilee it’s like it’s pretty much what you do, but it’s a bit more like jubilee’s older sister,” but still has a nurturing side, and that was all I was told.

Alyson: I then booked it, and I always liked doing the screaming parts, but most voice actors said, no it’s damaging to the voice, which is our instrument, and they’re right, but I would always say, let’s go, and let’s scream. that was always my favorite part to record.

Alyson: we called it damage at the time, fitting, and I would see Paul Haddad at the sessions, but we weren’t really in recording together much. Paul and I worked together before. We’d done an episode of a TV series in Canada called “road to avonlea” and so we’d worked together on a few things, but we got to know each other for Resident Evil 2. even though we weren’t really recording together, we were hanging out at the studio together.

Alyson: Then the game came out, and it was amazing. it was very scary. I eventually had to give up, and my boyfriend at that time continued and played through the night, and we took turns. I’d never experienced a game like that or played a game like that before.

Alyson: I was a big fan because I grew up being a horror fan, so I was really happy to be a part of that game just because it spoke to me as a horror fan.

Alyson: The game came out, of course; I didn’t really hear much from it after, and i remember this is back in the late 90s, and I remember Yahoo clubs had an unofficial fan club about me and about the big comfy couch, but it also happens to be that they ended up being Resident Evil fans as well, and that’s where a friend told me about this fan club, so I went on there to get to know the members, and that’s when I started to get this feedback about Resident Evil 2, and then they started to point me in the direction of these different reviews of the game and how reviews were saying how the voice acting was awesome in Resident Evil 2.

OF COURSE, I WOULD REPRISE MY ROLE AS CLAIRE REDFIELD

OF COURSE, I WOULD REPRISE MY ROLE AS CLAIRE REDFIELD

FUSION: I think everything had come together. These roles that you played before, as mentioned before, characters like jubilee from X-Men 92 and Claire Redfield from Resident Evil, are all iconic characters that you played and gave life to, and that’s why there’s so many dedicated fans out there today. and keep in mind this is all worldwide, and everyone knows you from all around the world.

Alyson: For Resident evil Code: Veronica, I basically re-auditioned to play Claire again, so they had me come in and re-audition, and I got the confirmation to reprise my role.

Alyson: I got to record with the other actors as well, and there were two of us in the booth at once, so all of my scenes with Steve I got to do with him, and all of my scenes with Chris I was doing together with each voiceover actor.

Alyson: it was really nice to actually get that opportunity to work with the other actors, which doesn’t happen a lot, and then I got to know Erik Suzuki, who was working for Capcom at the time, and how our relationship forged. But I remember when I went to that audition when he made me re-audition for Claire, I brought in a print of the reviews of the games talking about my voice acting. I said to him, Hey, they say I’m good. OK, lol. So Code Veronica ended up being hugely important in my life just from a more personal perspective because Erik and I ended up getting married, and we had a child, and my son is now 22 years old.

FUSION: for us, the fans, we are very sad that you no longer do the voiceover for Claire Redfield. what happened there?

Alyson: I think everyone is really aware right now of the sag aftra strikes that

happened about fairness of pay or programmers not properly being paid or just your voice actors not getting residuals. there are a lot of problems with the gaming industry and people high up. you know, throughout my career, I’ve heard a lot of complaints from people who make video games saying, why aren’t we treated with as much respect as, like, television and film producers? but i think if you want to be respected, you have to show respect.

Alyson: It’s a work in progress, and unfortunately, when they were doing Resident Evil Revelations 2, I believe it was when Capcom had actually said there were a couple of localization companies that were bidding on the contract, and from what I understand, Capcom had said to the bidding companies that Alyson Court was Claire. So the two companies that I knew of that were bidding on it both reached out and said, Can you do this? These are the rates and other details. Because I am a SAG member as well as being actra members, we were good to go with both companies. We were like, Yeah, that’s fine. the company in Vancouver did not end up getting the bid; the company in LA got the bid, and then we found out. Once they secured the deal, basically it was theirs to do with as they chose, and they wanted to use local LA actors who were nonunion.

Alyson: I was shocked. I asked the company that won the bidding “I thought you agreed you would fly me out? I thought you agreed it would be the regular sag rates?”

Alyson: the irony being sag the only reason I became a sag member is because dark side chronicles was a show, so I got my sag membership from doing dark side chronicles and then they turned around and said they wanted to use non-union members.

Photos By Ernesto Coria

Alyson:That was very frustrating. You know, I’m not the first voice actor who has lost out on something going non-union and surely won’t be the last, but it’s a shame because I know we talked about it before, and in Japan the voice actors are so respected, and there’s such a loyalty to them, and you have the same voice actor playing a character for twenty, thirty, forty years. I really admire the loyalty there, but once you leave Japan, it fades, which is unfortunate for the fan base because Resident Evil fans are so loyal that you don’t cross them. Like, they will find a way to make something happen.

Alyson: so fast forward, Outbreak was a groundbreaking game, and for all of the bugs and the hiccups, it was a very difficult game for capcom to have online, and at some point, Capcom took it down, and the Resident evil outbreak fan community wasn’t having it, and they ended up putting their own hosting sites up so that fans could still play outbreak and it’s phenomenal.

Fusion: I believe the fans have the final word; I believe every fan would love to have you back as Claire Redfield. We simply didn’t understand why this all happened or why these companies that took over didn’t continue to cast you as Claire Redfield because the fans voiceovers are what give life to these characters.

Fusion: I really think every company should take care of their voice-over actors and its community. I believe we should live in a society in which companies really need to listen more carefully to the fans because we all have work because of the fans.

Alyson: Every voice actor will tell you that there comes a point when you really connect with your character, and there’s something there; there’s a humanity that you’re tapping into.

Alyson: You need to nurture that during our record sessions for any of the games where sometimes the lines or the script would be changed, where it’s like, hey that’s not Claire; Claire wouldn’t say that.

Alyson: It’s very uncaring, or it’s just very mean, or there was something just not right, like why are we doing this in this moment? What is it that we’re really after? And then we figure out, OK, what was the plot point? Why this line? And then we’d find a way that it was like, OK, then this is what Claire would say because this is ultimately what she cares about, right? And actors have that input, you know, if it’s a character that they’ve brought to life and they know and it has been identified with them, you give them that chance to have a say because they know the character. It happens all the time, so when productions don’t put importance on that, the product loses something.

FUSION: How do you see the future of the franchise for Resident evil would you still be open to doing the voiceover of Claire Redfield?

Alyson: Of course, of course, like I said, from my understanding; it wasn’t Capcom. it’s the third-party localization. the only thing that I do know is Capcom ultimately has the final say, and the same, I wish that they did that loyalty to voice actors that they show in Japan. I wish it extended beyond the borders of Japan, but yeah, of course, I would reprise my role as Claire.

Photos By Ernesto Coria

Fusion: I really want to dive in on what voice actors want.

Fusion: What’s something that most people don’t know about the behind the scenes of things? tell us something that we don’t know.

Alyson: Most people mistakenly believe voice actors earn high salaries, but this isn’t the case for the majority of us. I understand that some high-profile actors earn significantly more than others, but for the average voice actor, the pay scales are relatively modest.

Alyson: For example, on a scale, the minimum fees to do this job back then in 1997 there wasn’t a video game section that existed in our contracts, and as an actra actress, the union in Canada. This was done under an animation agreement, None of us saw another penny from that, but it’s still out there; it’s still selling; it’s still making money.

Alyson: It has generated significant revenue. Resident Evil, I mean, even just the fact that they even turned it into films That’s how big the Resident Evil franchise got!

Alyson: regardless of what happens with resident evil I hope capcom continues to make games that the fans really like.

I’m a big fan of the survival horror aspect. I like the things that were frustrating because it makes it scarier, the fixed camera. I liked when it was like the loading as you’re going up the stairs or waiting, you know, through the door or whatnot, and just all those little frustrating gameplay moments, but they make you feel powerless as a player, and i love that stuff. So whatever happens i hope it’s going to continue to be a great franchise.

FUSION: WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?

ALYSON: My newest project is called Parallel Parker. Parallel Parker is a game-tastic gamer verse, and it’s online. we have a website, we’ve got YouTube videos, and TikTok videos, but it’s like a game review show, but I voiced the main character. we do it in both regular 2D animation, but there’s also VR. yeah so we’re being very experimental with this, and Parker’s a teenager.

The whole idea is she has this little gadget that allows her to contact any Parker in any universe, and there’s like a billion different universes out there, so there’s Parker, and then there’s gamer Parker, and then there’s science Parker, who’s very kind of nerdy and whatnot, but it’s me voicing all of these characters but with their different personalities, She’s a teenager, so I’m not

hanging up my hat yet. No, I’m still—there’s still more, definitely still more. It’s choosing more things that I would want to do. I don’t know that I want to voice a preschool show.

I love voice directing for things like that. I love voice directing comedy, but from my own performance, I definitely want to do weird things. I want to push the envelope, so we’ll see what comes next, but right now it’s Parallel Parker, yeah, so looking forward to that. It’s a work in progress. we definitely want people to find it, to check it out, and to give feedback because that’s what it’s about. like it’s an experimental thing. we’re all learning about it, figuring it out as we go, so yeah, check it out and send an email.

W&W

THE BEST OF EDM MUSIC IS HERE!

OUR EXPLORATION OF W&W MUSIC IS EXTENSIVE. DURING OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE DUO, WE DISCUSSED THEIR RECENT BEGINNINGS, EVERYTHING THAT THEY ARE DOING AT THE MOMENT, AS WELL AS THEIR NEW MUSIC AND THE CAT THAT BROUGHT THEM TO THE PATH OF GLOBAL RENOWN, WHICH HAS NOW LEAD TO ARENAS THAT ARE COMPLETELY SOLD OUT.

AUTHOR JERRY CORIA

For all our readers, please introduce yourselves and share a bit about your background.

Hey! We’re W&W, comprised of Ward van der Harst and Willem van Hanegem. We’re electronic music DJs and producers, born in the Netherlands.

How did this journey begin for you? What were your initial steps in the music industry?

When we were younger, we were really inspired by the rich Dutch electronic dance culture. This shaped our passion and started our journey into producing and DJing.

Our journey began in 2007 when we decided to make music together after already

DJing and producing separately.

After a while, we figured out that all the music we made together was better received than our solo projects.

Once we realized that, we decided to focus fully on our project together, W&W.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC BACKGROUND

DO YOU HAVE, AND WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DID YOU GROW UP LISTENING TO?

We both have diverse backgrounds; we grew up listening to a range of genres. Willem’s dad listened to blues rock, and his mom listened to Nirvana.

Ward’s dad makes Selmer acoustic guitars and his grandparents were both full-time musicians, so growing up, music was all around us. However, neither of us has had any classical music training, we are both self-taught.

The first CD Willem bought for himself was Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Be Dee). After that, he was totally hooked on

everything dance music related. For Ward, that CD was Trance The Ultimate Collection 2001, and before that he enjoyed Mauro Picotto - Komodo which was always on the radio.

What are your main inspirations, and what keeps you going?

Our main inspirations would be being able to move people with our music and seeing the joy it brings them, both on social media platforms and at our shows in person.

There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to give people a unforgettable experience. What keeps us going is the fact that we truly enjoy what

we do, every week we try to get better and evolve our craft.

All the feedback and love from the people that our music reaches is a huge motivation to keep going.

What are the challenges you face as W&W, and how do you overcome them?

One challenge that we think is prominent in entertainment in general, is staying relevant without losing your identity and what you stand for in a rapidly changing industry. With the

constant rise of new social media apps, marketing techniques, and ways to reach people, you need to evolve quickly.

We try to overcome this by continuously evolving our sound and exploring new technologies in music production. This journey can be difficult because you may lose people along the way, and it can be very scary to shed what’s normally expected of you. But sometimes we feel we don’t have a choice because we’ve personally evolved and lost connection with certain things of the past.

Could you share how W&W was conceived and explain the significance behind the name?

W&W was born from our first name initials, Willem and Ward. When we made our first track and sent it to Armin van Buuren, we didn’t have a project name or anything. It was so last minute that we just used our initials and named the track, ‘W&W - Mustang.’

What comes to mind when you think of performing for a massive crowd at an EDM festival? Do you have any memorable experiences?

Nothing compares to the experience of playing in front of a super energetic crowd. We are lucky enough to have plenty of memories of those moments, and are still making new ones! The adrenaline we get is unmatched when you’re in sync with such a big mass of people it can create a special connection. There’s no better feeling than hearing a crowd singing along and reacting to a track that you’ve spent months creating.

What is the best live EDM event you have ever experienced?

In 2010, we experienced our first Tomorrowland together when we played on one of the smallest stages the festival has to offer. After our set, we walked to the Main Stage and were overwhelmed by the full valley of people with this insane stage and production, fully in sync. We were looking at each other and said, “Imagine if we could ever play there?” obviously thinking that it could never happen, it was just a silly thought. Fast forward four years later, we played that MainStage for the very first time in 2014. With name-dropping some events we don’t do all of them justice, each event has its unique audience. The global big brands like Tomorrowland, Ultra, and EDC, are always an honor to play for, but almost every single country has its own festivals that shine and capture the unity that dance music brings to people.

We weren’t expecting anything from this project or song, and we were not seriously considering continuing the project together, it was sort of a placeholder name. It started from being friends, going to different electronic music events together, talking, and

MOST COMMOM MISTAKES & MORE

What is one mistake you see many up-and-coming DJs making? What advice would you give to aspiring DJs?

A common mistake made by upand-coming DJs is doing something identical to

someone who is already successful in the same field. Being inspired can kickstart your musical journey and exploration of your own musical taste and self, but try to create your own musical identity after that. Once that’s been reached, perseverance is everything, and working hard for your own vision can be key.

We are cat lovers! How did the cat become part of your marketing and promotion strategy?

Willem and his girlfriend Sarina, both being big cat lovers, have been sharing the OIIA meme back and forth with each other since July 2024. While it was funny, they thought it was a small niche meme. Once we saw how popular the cat was getting, we had the idea to remix the sound and put Ethel (the official cat from the meme), on the LED screen for our next set. We played it for the first time at Countdown NYE in Los Angeles, and as soon as the green screen with Ethel popped up, the crowd went crazy. We created it just as a fun moment to share with fans, but once the initial video was uploaded, it skyrocketed to over 90 million views across platforms in less than 48 hours.

The reception surprised us so much, and when we saw that Ethel and her owner never received any royalties for her usage all over the internet, we decided to release it as an official track. Proceeds from the song go directly to Ethel, the blind Ohio cat behind the trend, as well as a portion donated to the Cat Welfare Association, the non-profit shelter that gave her a second chance. Since the release, the trend has exploded further and Ethel even made it to massive billboards in NYC, LA, China, and beyond.

sharing a passion for trance music at the time. After Armin actually played the song on his radio show, A State Of Trance, and his label Armada wanted to sign it, we thought “Oh, this is serious!”

NEQUE PORRO

NEQUE PORRO

QUISQUAM EST,

QUI DOLOREM

Your big commercial breakthrough came with the release of Bigfoot. Can you talk about that day and the expectations that followed?

The process of creating ‘Bigfoot’ took us almost half a year! We tried to fuse our signature MainStage bigroom sound with elements from the emerging trap scene at the time. There was a lot of back and forth to get the mix and blend sorted out in a way that worked for us. We were really surprised the day it came out that it had actually charted commercially since we were not expecting that at all! Having a commercial breakthrough

track is amazing, but it also brings in a lot of pressure for your next projects. You always want every track to be as successful or more successful than the one before. But throughout the years we figured out that that is close to impossible, and that’s why a lot of artists get stuck and don’t want to share the music they’re making because they’re afraid of not living up to the success and expectations of their previous work.

What is one track that never gets old for you, no matter how many times you hear it?

If you mean a track of our own, Rave After Rave is a song that we don’t get bored of.

The live reception when we play it over the years has been increasing, which is insane since it’s turning 10 years old in 2025. A song not by us would probably be Tiësto - Flight 643, it’s been almost 25 years since that song came out and you can still play it today.

Or Tiësto’s remix of Delirium - Silence, hence why we remix that song every few years to be able to play it in our sets again!

What do you think is cool about Japan? What do you like most about it?

For us, Japan is an amazing blend of tradition and futuristic technology. The culture, food, and the warm reception we receive from fans there is incomparable! We really ap -

preciate how respectful the people and culture of Japan are, which makes us feel extremely comfortable and welcome. Another thing we like about Japanese people is that whatever their craft is, they’re very dedicated and truly work until they are a master which is very inspiring for us to always go the extra mile. Also, both of us are huge Sushi lovers, and Japan has, in our opinion, by far the best in the world! Every year, we’re looking forward to our next trip to Japan.

We are based in Japan—do you have any plans to relocate here in the future?

We’re coming back to Japan for a special Back to Back set with R3hab at World DJ Festival on the 28th of June this year! It’s the first time we play B2B with R3hab in Japan, and both of us are really excited, we’re going to make it a very special show! About living there—we could definitely see ourselves living in Japan! But we have no plans to do that yet, haha.

How do you choose the tracks you play during a set?

We try to read the crowd’s energy and mood and take it from there. We also learned over the years which tracks usually work well in certain countries or cities. We actually have a database of every tracklist we’ve ever played. When we return to a specific place or event, we try to do our homework and play favorites from our last show there but also bring 50-70% of new material to keep things interesting and fresh for the crowd. For every set, we fully prepare what we think would be the best track selection, but we often find ourselves having to change it on the fly because we cannot fully predict the crowd’s vibe beforehand.

Can you describe your creative process when mixing tracks?

When it comes to mixing tracks while live DJ’ing, we try to keep the energy constantly flowing. We call our mixing technique a ‘power mix’, because we try to blend in the most important parts of tracks in a very dynamic mix, which consists of quick and short transitions without losing the crowd’s attention. When it comes to mixing our productions in the studio, we prefer a loud dynamic, and powerful mixdown. A producer’s mixdown is like a signature, a lot of times, you can hear who a song is produced by purely off of that.

What do you think is the most challenging aspect of mixing live?

Reading the crowd and maintaining the right energy can be challenging. You have to adapt quickly to their reactions while staying true to your style. Sometimes you feel like a song has to be played at a certain time even though you know it doesn’t fit where you currently are in

the set because of its tempo or key. Trying to find a creative way to make it work can be challenging!

How do you read and respond to a crowd during a performance?

We look at people and if they’re singing along, if they dance or smile, then we know we’re on the right track. If not, then we have to try something else! Ward looks more at the individual people and selects them to see if they’re enjoying themselves. Willem looks more at the overall energy of the crowd to see if the connection to the music is staying strong. It’s another example of how we work together during our live performance to keep the energy flowing. We’ve seen a big change in the way people react to our performance in recent years! Even though people are jumping, dancing, and smiling, there are a lot more moments when phones come out. But we remind ourselves that these are moments that people want to re-live over and over, and if they’re filming it means it’s a moment they want to keep.

How do you handle difficult situations, like technical issues during a set?

We stay calm and remember that unforeseen issues happen. Anything can go wrong, especially with larger productions, and we are lucky enough to work with professional people and teams that are usually quick to identify the problem and help sort it out. Often, engaging with the crowd and keeping the energy up can override technical difficulties.

What do you think have been the biggest changes in the DJ industry over the past few years?

Technology has transformed how we produce music and perform shows, all these inventions in software and hardware is making it easier for new artists to enter the scene, which creates more competition and can also cause over-saturation.

But this can also be a good thing, forcing people to innovate and push things to new limits, since it’s harder to stand out. The rise of social media makes it easier than ever before to reach new people, making it an extremely powerful tool to showcase your art.

How do you think you can shape and influence the EDM world? What impact do you hope to make with your music?

We aim to make dance music fun for people, to make our shows a time to really live in the moment and enjoy. We hope to spread positivity and unity, we understand that people come to our shows to let go and escape their normal lives. Our purpose is to make them feel that in every moment that they are there, they are having the best time they possibly can.

WHO ARE SOME PRODUCERS OR DJS YOU WOULD LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH?

To be honest, any DJ or producer that we have a creative click with is inspirational to us. We really don’t look at the name or profile too much, if the music is fun and the vibes are great that’s what’s most important to us.

What’s next for W&W, and what can fans expect from you in the near future?

After the success of OIIA and our last several releases, we’ll be looking out for a fun followup to that one. We have a lot of new music ready to be released, some of it we have been slowly testing out in our sets. We’re also looking at how to enhance our live performance to be more visually stimulating and how to make it more interactive. Currently, we’re also spending a lot of time on our label Rave Culture and our side project NWYR, which we have exciting things in store for this year.

Are you currently working on any new music that you can share with us?

Absolutely! Whenever we are not touring we are producing new tracks, experimenting with different genres and sounds. In the studio, we’re focusing on some solo W&W singles as we’ve had a few years of big collaborations, but those will continue as well. While we can’t give away too much just yet, we can confirm that there will be new releases in the following months with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Steve Aoki, and KSHMR, just to name a few. There will be some new original tracks and remixes coming out very soon.

You are the main feature for Fusion magazine, and you’re on the front cover. What message do you want to share with your fans?

First of all, it’s an honor to be the main feature and be on the cover of Fusion! Thanks a lot for all the love and support! Let’s keep spreading positivity and good vibes through music. Remember to chase your dreams, and never forget that music unites us all.

Any final words or a special message?

Thank you so much for all the love and support over the years, and for making our dreams come true every day! We’re incredibly excited about what’s coming next and can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned, keep dancing, and let’s make more unforgettable memories together!

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DEMI MOORE LISA SELENA GOMEZ

Demi Moore’s statuesque silver and gold beaded dress had a plunging neckline, spaghetti straps, a dramatic train, and ruching along the hips to highlight her waist. The actress continued the multi-watt look with a silver cuff bracelet and crystal chandelier earrings. Moore maintained her usual glam for her Oscars presentation, styling her raven black hair in long loose waves and highlighting her features with a delicate smokey eye and a mauve lip.

2025 OSCARS FASHION

The singer wore a Markgong dress with tuxedo-inspired details, including a black coat with satin lapels, a carnation brooch, and a collared white shirtdress. Lisa accessorized with stylish patent leather boots, delicate gold hoop earrings, and a diamond-encrusted ring.

Selena Gomez wore one of the most unforgettable costumes to the 2025 Academy Awards. The pink-hued, bedazzled Ralph Lauren gown, which had over 16,000 drops of glass, was created as a tribute to Italian actress Sofia Loren. Perhaps surprisingly, such an extravagant appearance was difficult to carry off.

MILEY CYRUS DOJA CAT ARIANA GRANDE

Miley Cyrus wore McQueen’s beaded highneck gown with a drop waist that led to a sheer skirt and matching beaded sheer gloves. She completed the look with diamond fringe earrings and a bracelet from Boucheron Fine Jewelry. She finished her look with bleached brows and smokey eyeliner.

Doja Cat is wearing a plunging leopard-print corset dress embellished with hand-sewn sequins.

The singer’s mermaid gown was custom-made by Olivier Rousteing and was inspired by a nearly identical Pierre Balmain design from 1953.

Arina donned a baby pink dress that coordinated with the pastel looks. It had architectural embellishment that juts out from the waistline and airy, sparkly layers of tulle that drift to the ground. The molded bodice feels like a second skin, while corset detailing on the back adds texture and visual intrigue.

ADRIAN BRODY

A little fashion question. I’m just wondering about the brooch. if there’s any significance you want to share.

Adrien Brody: Of course, well, it’s just beautiful. You know there was a lot of significance tonight. it’s Elsa Jin, who’s a friend of mine and a wonderful artist, and I’m very grateful to get to wear something so beautiful.

Your speech was so moving, so powerful. Can you tell us why you felt that it was such an important time to mention anti-Semitism and hate and racism? Why did you want to highlight that in your speech today specifically?

Adrien Brody: I think we all know that it’s an important time to recognize that there’s no place for

intolerance, and as I had mentioned in my speech, I’m, oddly, receiving recognition for representing a time in history. That we witness unchecked antiSemitism. and that hatred and oppression have no place in this world and that we must learn from the past.

I want to ask you a bit about what you were asking before. Do you feel that the issues that you show in the film are something that people are forgetting? Is that another reason you feel that this film is important? And secondly, you seem to talk about your journey. your journey that maybe was a bit of a roller coaster, and almost like, you maybe never thought you would get back to this point again. Can you talk about that as well?

Adrien Brody: No, you are not mistaken; it has been a long and beautiful journey, and an artistic path, and I’ve. As you try to navigate creative choices, There are many variables, and there are wonderful ones; there’s an enormous number of talented individuals all vying for very few great opportunities, and that’s the bottom line. I have been working very hard for the past 22 years, but nothing quite connects. I’m aware of this, and I’m grateful for the good fortune I’ve had of being selected by Brady and Mona to be a part of a very meaningful story, one that speaks to injustice and not just along the lines of what we had discussed, it’s also important to consider the lives of others, people who hope and dream of being free from oppression and very difficult circumstances abroad, like my grandparents’ struggles, loss, and resilience. paved the way for my own positive fortune, and I had an opportunity to honor them in this film, and the truths and the insight that I’ve gained from these hardships of so many people of many different backgrounds and ethnicities have made me aware of We need to be empathetic.

What it was like for you to work with Mona Fastvold and what you would like to say about her script.

Adrien Brody: Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet co-wrote a remarkable script and one of vast storytelling and tremendous intimacy and nuance and frailty, so I’m truly grateful for their contribution to cinema and their own bravery. and for believing in me and for giving me an opportunity to be a part of something of such importance and against all odds.

This is a, this has been a seven-year journey for them. and I’m truly grateful to have helped them tell a story. of great meaning and to be included as part of this very special project.

MIKEY MADISON

What does it mean to you to not only win this best actress in a leading role Oscar but also for Sean to win four Oscars in one night for the same movie?

Mikey Madison: Oh my gosh, it’s an I, for lack of a better word, just incredibly surreal. I never thought anything like this would happen in my life. I just—I love making movies, and I’ve dreamed of being an actress that would be able to be in a film like Anora my entire career as an actress.

it’s a huge honor, one that I think will soak again later down the line hopefully um I really did not expect it at all, and I mean, Sean is such a wonderful, incredible filmmaker he is an incredible writer and amazing editor he is a true lover of cinema, a kind person he has dedi-

cated so much of his career to telling really important stories.

I’m so happy for him because he’s been, you know, he’s just a true indie filmmaker like we went off and just made this weird, crazy movie and had fun and poured our hearts into it, and you know, all of this started at Cannes, which was just a dream come true for me, a career-long dream, to even just go to a Film Festival specifically Cannes, and so everything that has followed has been wonderful.

I’m just so happy for him. I adore him, and I adore Sammy Quan and Alex Coco and the entire team, and so I could keep talking about them forever, but I’m so, so happy for them.

You’ve starred in less than 10 feature films so far in your career how do you hope this win will influence your career going forward?

Mikey Madison: yeah it’s interesting. I’ve been thinking about the future a lot and also the past, and I’ve been really trying to remind myself to stay as present as possible throughout all of this, so I don’t know. I really don’t know what will happen in the future. I just want to keep making movies and, you know, continue to work with people who inspire me and play interesting characters, tell stories that are compelling, and so that’s just what I hope to do, and I really don’t know what will happen. I just know that tonight I’m going to go home to my new puppies and probably, you know, clean up their mess, and it’s going to bring me right down to earth, yeah.

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE WINNER FOR

You’ve previously stated that Anora helped you come out of your shell and gain confidence, so now that you’ve received this honor, what would you tell Anora?

Mikey Madiso: Oh gosh, I don’t know you know I think that making this film gave me confidence as an actor and as a creative. I think that it really inspired me, reinvigorated my love of cinema, and reminded me of the kind of work that I want to do, so I don’t know what I would say to the character.

I still have so much love for her, and it was really one of the first characters that I don’t know. was sorry I’ve my mind is all over the place, and my heart’s about to explode right now, but I don’t know. I don’t know what I would say.

I would just say that I’m grateful that I was able to portray you for a short period of time, and there will always be a small part of me that carries around the experience of making the film and the character because it has changed my life in so many ways, you know, not just because of all of this that’s happening right now, but just the experience of being able to work with Sean Baker. the experience of learning and meeting incredible people from the sex work community has been such a wonderful part of this, and I’ve met and made so many incredible friends, so I would just say thank you.

Congratulations.

Kieran Culkin: Thank you.

You went from almost saying no to being a first time Oscar winner. So knowing all this hard work that you put in, how does this win feel?

Kieran Culkin: I don’t know. I’ve already been asked that about three or four times in whatever span of minutes it’s been. I’m not fully inside my body right now. I’m trying my best to be present. I don’t know. But like I, the thing is

with almost saying no to the movie was, it wasn’t for any creative reason. It was just the way the schedule changed right before we started, it was taking me away from my kids for almost a month, and I was like, well, I don’t want to do that. And then I got talked into it, which, obviously I’m very glad that I was. I have no idea how I’m feeling is the answer to that question.

when you were filming this role, did it feel any different to any other role you’ve done or like did it feel a bit more special?

Kieran Culkin: It definitely, it felt different, in the, like the, the script was incredibly tight that I didn’t want to rehearse it or talk about it or anything.

It just felt like it was the first time I ever read something and went, I fully understand this guy.I don’t even want to read it again. I wanna show up on the day and go, what scene are we doing?

Oh yes, this one. And the words got in here really quickly because they were so well written. So that was, that was a fun new approach.

And it felt like I knew who this guy was, but I couldn’t identify it and I didn’t want to analyze it because right away upon reading it, I went, I know who this guy is. I’m just gonna leave it and just do it. It wasn’t until almost a year later when I watched it that I was like, oh my God, I know someone exactly like this, and I didn’t realize I was doing that.

And the moment I realized it my wife leaned over—it was at like a theater—

she leaned over and said his name in my ear. And I was like, you’re right, I’m totally doing him and I didn’t even know. Oh, that kind of unusual experience, I’ve never had that before.

What did this role and movie teach you about yourself?

that’s too heavy a question. I don’t know. I feel like whenever I’ve worked on something important I end up taking things with me. Like sometimes people will say like, oh you’re a lot like that character. I’m like I wasn’t until I did it, and now

I feel like I took something with me. But I’d like to think that I’m a little more together than that guy. I’d like to think that I’ve figured some stuff out, but I don’t, I got, that’s too, that’s my terrible answer to your otherwise excellent question. Sorry.

ZOE SALDANA ZOE SALDANA

Now you’re standing here with your first Oscar if you could go back to any moment of your life and let that version of Zoe know this is only going to make you stronger and prepare you for this moment, when would it be?

Zoe Saldaya: I think it’s every time that I went after a part and I didn’t get it, and I cared so much, and I was so heartbroken for sometimes a day, sometimes a week, but I got up again so at the end of the day, if I don’t act, if I don’t do my art, then what am I who am I and realizing that it’s not about the win when you learn to let that go, and it is about the work day in and day out, the day that you do when you just have a deeper appreciation for it, and you feel that you have appreciated every experience and every moment that has led you here.

There’s a musical song in the movie Emilia Perez that says let the people talk. How would you sing this song to someone, and how would you react to the politics in South America when the movie Emilia Perez was released?

Zoe Saldaya: You know that the art that is created doesn’t have a manual with instructions; it was created with love, hope, and prosperity, and art is a form. It creates topics that sometimes people wouldn’t understand right away, and to create these movies, it’s to bring more voices to the table for discussion, and that’s precisely what the director intended in doing by making this film.

This movie is not inspired by a true story. If I had to make this film again, I would do it 1000 times. This film holds immense importance, is visually stunning, and was created with a great deal of love and sacrifice.

I can only talk about it in this light because that was my personal experience; of course, all the politics that happened with the film really hurt a lot because you, as an actor, create

a film with a lot of love and with your heart wide open. When the film doesn’t receive positive reviews, you begin to question why, what transpired, and what went wrong.

But after you take a deep dive, explore, and process the film, you have to come to an ultimatum decision. and with that i always follow my heart, and i stay true to myself because I know during this film I did it with a noble conscience, and I know that this film that I created as an actress was in noble art, so therefore i don’t regret being a part of this film.

What would you say was the largest obstacle you’ve had to overcome to get here tonight?

Zoe Saldaya: I think it was myself, you know; there’s so many external factors that can impede you moving forward if you stop moving forward, you know, I had a hard time sometimes getting out of my own way and, you know, self-sabotaging and thinking that, oh, trying to believe what others wanted me to believe or trying to believe what others saw in me and not listening to my voice.

we have an instinct, and that instinct that keeps us from falling or helps us put our hands, you know, in front of our face to protect us when we fall, that’s the same instinct that when you’re reading a script or you’re meeting someone and you just know that you’re right for that part and you know that you being a part of that will be something exceptional, and you just have to listen to that, so I can spend so much thinking about all the things that I don’t have that I should acquire, but I can also think about Fuck it let me just, like my husband says, throw myself into the unknown and see what comes of it, and I’m having a lot more fun when i do that.

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE WIN WHEN YOU LEARN TO LET THAT GO, AND IT’S ABOUT THE WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT THAT YOU DO WHEN YOU JUST HAVE A DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR IT, THAT EVERY MOMENT HAS LET YOU HERE.

Charlie Cox: At the beginning of born again is something has happened in his life, something significant, something that changes everything for him and changes who he is, and, um, what he’s trying to do is refine an identity, rediscover who he is, um, make amends where possible for past mistakes, um, and also deny an element of himself um however that becomes impossible for a number of reasons, and one of those reasons is Wilson Fisk.

Vincent D’Onofrio: there’s a couple of different ways to look at that, I think, like, as if you—I’ll just step out of my role in this whole thing for a moment—you know, the idea is that it’s two men that sort of need each other to exist in a way, and that’s how it’s been so far they motivate each other in the most dark ways. I think that that’s a big deal the easiest example is when you bring the two characters together we do it as little as possible because it’s so intense when we do it. it means something, saying earlier that it has to be the beginning of something we need to have a scene with the two of them together it has to be the beginning of something we are going to use throughout or some of the way, or it’s the end of some -

thing, and sometimes it’s both and so their planned well, and this season especially, Dario did a wonderful job when he put them in. I think Charlie and I have a little bit to do with that, but it’s mostly Dario’s way. His writing structure is really good, and I think that they, um, you know, there’s immediate tension; there’s immediate interest when the two of them are facing each other. I think they kind of wish each other didn’t exist but sort of know that they need each other.

Charlie Cox: it’s such an honor to work with some of the actors in this show, Deborah Ann Woll and John, particularly. Um, you know, I don’t think that the show daredevil would have had the emotional impact that it has had without Deborah and Elden, who have played the characters foggy and Karen they are the heartbeat of this world that we exist in; they remind us of the audience. I mean, they remind us of what it is to be human in a world of superheroes, and they’re just phenomenal actors and people, you know, so it’s such an honor that they’re back, that they do

such a beautiful job with those characters. John’s frank castle is the best there has ever been, in my opinion he’s an extraordinary actor with the most infectious charisma, and I love working with him he’s always bringing something unexpected to a scene, and I think that, you know frank castle and daredevil kind of push each other in a direction, which is always fun and always unexpected.

Vincent D’Onofrio: Unfortunately, my character disappeared without giving Vanessa a reason. This occurred in the timeline while I was dealing with the Echo character. After this disappearance, demonstrating Ayelet’s incredible acting skills.

I say that as a her peer but also as a good friend of hers so I know the way she works I know how much she puts into it and you can just see it when you’re working with her there were times when we were working together that there was no acting needed I was reacting completely just receiving everything that she was doing and saying and just reacting off of it I think

this is similar to similar to Charlie and I like we get to know each other so well and Ayelet and I know each other so well for so long now it’s an incredible thing it’s a very intense relationship she is trying to understand her husband the best she can because she loves him very much and Ayelet you know has feelings for me because we’re like really close buddies and have been for a while and I feel the same about her and it’s it’s just you know I can’t not include that when it comes to me talking about her performance because we are really taking each other in and receiving each other and reacting to receiving each other and it’s it makes for a really fun scenes to do even though we’re going through pain or emotion sometimes during the scenes it’s a lot of fun so I think that you know she’s comes the idea that Dario had and we loved and we all know that Ayelet is the stronger one of the two at this moment and she’s really kept things together but he has a plan and he needs and he has he asks her to forgive him and come along with the plan

she is trying to understand her husband the best she can because she loves him very much, and Ayelet, you know, has feelings for me because we’re like really close buddies and have been for a while, and I feel the same about her, and it’s just, you know, I wanted to include that when it comes to me talking about her performance because we are really taking each other in and receiving each other and reacting to receiving each other.

it’s it makes for a really fun scene to do even though we’re going through pain or emotion sometimes during the scenes it’s a lot of fun, so I think that, you know, she comes up with the idea that Dario had, and we loved it, and we all know that Ayelet is the stronger one of the two at this moment, and she’s really kept things together, but he has a plan, and he needs it, and he asks her to forgive him and come along with the plan.

in this new life that matters, building and constructing for himself, he meets someone new who doesn’t know him; he’s not from his past. Heather Glenn is played by the amazing Margarita, and he attempts to have a relationship with someone where he is vulnerable and open and honest to an extent, but what he doesn’t tell her is probably the biggest secret, which is that he has had an alter ego, and a byproduct of that is that he doesn’t let her know.

In this new life that matters, building and constructing for himself, he meets someone new who doesn’t know him; he’s not from his past. Heather Glenn is played by the

THE IDEA OF SHOOTING HERE IN NEW YORK WAS A MUST. WE MADE SURE THAT IS WHERE WE WANTED TO SHOOT.

amazing Margarita, and he attempts to have a relationship with someone where he is vulnerable and open and honest to an extent, but what he doesn’t tell her is probably the biggest secret, which is that he has had an alter ego, and a byproduct of that is that he doesn’t let her know.

He doesn’t explain to her that he has heightened senses and, despite being visually impaired, he is able to function without the need for a cane. This is a significant aspect of his withholding, and it’s fascinating to observe how difficult it is to understand why someone would choose to conceal this from the world, especially when they struggle to maintain an honest and open relationship.

it’s probably doomed from the start, but it’s very tender at times it’s very supportive he moves in with someone for the first time we’ve never seen Matt live with someone, cohabitate, and Margarita brings such a—she’s so—there’s such a humanity to it and such a kind of sexiness and a vulnerability to her performance she’s I think she’s a bit of a big breakout from Season.

I mean, she’s an amazing character actress like she’s good; she could do leading parts, obviously, because she’s so beautiful, but her style is

PHOTO BY JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES

Daredevil: Born Again was created by Dario Scardapane and Matt Corman & Chris Ord for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Daredevil. It is the 13th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, via its Marvel Television label, sharing continuity with the films and television series of the franchise. Born Again is a revival and continuation of Daredevil (2015–2018), an earlier series produced by the previous Marvel Television production company and originally released on Netflix. Scardapane serves as showrunner with Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead as lead directors.

very much, I think, a very specific kind of characteristic she builds these characters, and if you see in her other work, what she does is nothing like what she’s doing in our show.

it’s amazing. I was just thinking, if I may add, I don’t know if this matters or anything, but it’s amazing how we have these

three actresses how lucky are we? I think about it when I work with them individually, but if you group them all together, this is the first time I’ve ever said out loud grouping those three people together and the talent and the gutsy way that they’re so different yeah it’s amazing.

I mean it’s very imposing I have to say those three are incredible actors yeah it’s it’s a good way to ask the question in New York City is a character in our show it’s it more in this show more than even the Netflix show I mean we’ve go even further that the film makers go even further with the way they use New York and I think that this way that Daria has written this show and is just New York he’s made New York a big part of it the I think that for Charlie right but if I may say that the idea of shooting here in New York was a must you know we kind of made sure that it was where we wanted it to shoot I think as a team we both wanted very much so it’s New York is very important to us I think if when you watch this series you’ll see how exactly it is important to our story

ART BY DAREDEVILSHOTS

ART BY DAREDEVILSHOTS

PHOTO BY SONIA BROMAN

What is it about the franchise and these characters that make them so popular?

Dario Scardapane: I think it’s vulnerability. I think that Matt Murdock is a hero he deals with the disability; he deals with the world that is hard, and he has a really deep kind of spiritual and internal code, and that makes him vulnerable so you write to the parts of him that are in conflict with himself, the parts of him that are insecure, the parts of him that are, for lack of a better word, a challenge to be a better person than his nature may allow him to be, and that makes it super interesting and not easy, but there are places to go writing-wise with a character like that.

Sana Amanat: you know the elements from the old show that we felt like were really important to include were really about the characters themselves and what the core principles of them are, and you know Matt constantly being a tortured and complicated individual and Fisk being someone who constantly wants more and his affection and love for Vanessa being really a guiding force for him.

Of course having, the character interactions with Karen and foggy but also understanding that there are a lot of dynamics that Matt and

Fisk have had with other characters that they constantly influence in the same way that they influence them and having them in the show, having new characters in the show was, I think, a really good sort of testament to that fact, so we have some new players that I think are going to challenge our characters in some fun and exciting ways.

who is Matt Murdock how did he become Darrell daredevil?

Dario Scardapane: well who is Matt Murdock? it’s the big question. I mean, isn’t that the question that we’ve all been wrestling with since the moment he came onto the page in 1964 and since he came onto the screen with the earlier show in this iteration in this version?

DAREDEVIL HAS A DEEP SPIRITUAL AND INTERNAL CODE

COURTESY BY DISNEY

Matt Murdock is the person we saw at the end of the Netflix show 7-8 years later he he’s whole and happy and in a place of, kind of, for lack of a better word, as close as he gets to peace, and then rapidly that’s torn apart, and he has to once again kind of rise from the wreckage, and that’s the joy of daredevil for me he is that character who takes the punch and gets back up to use all the boxing metaphors, but yeah, you hate to see him get hit, but you love to watch him come back.

what is Wilson Fisk taking on in the new series?

Sana Amanat: well I think this is a whole new adventure for him um adventure is such a software for Wilson, actually. I think pondering the question, and I know Vincent has a very specific take on this, but as an audience, as someone watching him, I always wonder, has he changed he is in a new position and a position of a different kind of power, and he’s in the public eye now in a way that he hadn’t been before.

He was hiding in the shadows and making moves, and now he has to do it publicly, so for me, I don’t know; sometimes I want to believe that he’s changed, and maybe ultimately he hasn’t, but I think that’s an intriguing question, and seeing his relationship to New York and how that, um, and what events transpire based on that is going to be the intriguing question, but I just can’t help but, like, I kind of want him sometimes to win, which is crazy.

Dario Scardapane: I always write his stuff as sincere, yeah, like as if he’s and that’s the cool thing about Vincent: you write it straight; he’s not a liar no he’s telling you what he wants and who he is, yeah, well.

Sana Amana: I think Charlie and Vincent have been doing this for a very long time, and they know these characters better than anyone, and the smart thing for us is to listen to them and kind of let them roll they embody them both in terms of their physical manifestations and their overall presence it’s really transformative when they walk on set.

I love seeing you know there was one moment where Charlie, when we do action sequences, we have our stunt doubles, and when Charlie comes on, I just always know it’s Charlie in the mask it’s hard to tell,

but I know when it is because he just has a Polish and a swagger to the way that he does his court, his fight choreography, and there’s like one move he did in the opening it was just so cool he like just stopped his legs and screamed, and it was just so, so awesome but I feel for me as a fan, it’s just really awesome to see these characters come alive through these amazing actors.

Dario Scardapane: yes Matt has a new love interest in Heather Glenn, played by Margarita Levieva, and it’s a new place for Matt. I think that this is, like, for lack of a better word, a grown-up relationship, and he’s trying to be—it’s that same struggle he’s trying to be the best man he can and be the best person he can in this relationship, and part of the fun is watching that fall apart, for lack of a better word.

PHOTO BY SONIA BROMAN

It’s like watching the struggles he has to maintain a normal relationship, and it’s just going 8 different kinds of sideways, so credit to Margarita Levieva for kind of creating this really interesting character that is carried along by events that she’s really trying hard to wrap her head around until she gets to a moment where it’s like no more shell; she draws a line in the sand, I think.

Sana Amana: you know what I love about marvel in general is that New York is a major character, especially in the comics, and for daredevil fans people know that New York and Hell’s Kitchen are a big part of his story it was so awesome to shoot here in the streets of New York.

we got to shoot in Hell’s Kitchen we actually shot across the street from my old apartment building, which was a crazy and weird feeling, just like the places I used to go to were right there, and then you see Matt, Karen, and foggy walking around it

was very surreal, so it was nice to have that backdrop and to make people know that this is a grounded and gritty New York, a New York that you recognize, and the people were real

there’s a thing that we did to kind of bring the streets of New York into our story where two friends of our directors, Justin and Shawn, who are documentary filmmakers, did these interstitials that are as far away from establishing shots as you could ever get.

it’s people and places that just feel like real New York they don’t feel like moving New York, and we threaded that, for lack of a better word, vibe throughout the entire season so you

feel that this is not a New York that was shot on a back lot or not a New York that was kind of crafted in Toronto this is New York, and the people in it are New Yorkers, yeah, and that’s important.

Daredevil: Born Again is now streaming on Disneyplus

catch the latest episodes now.

What i love about Marvel

is that New York is a major character, especially in the comics, and for daredevil fans

PHOTO BY JAMIE MCCARTHY/GETTY IMAGES

A GOOD VOICEOVER ARTIST IS SOMEONE WHOSE PERSONALITY AND HUMANITY SHINE THROUGH IN THEIR WORK

Elan Hironaka

SPECIALIZING IN BRINGING STORIES

COME TO LIFE FROM JAPAN TO HOLLYWOOD

FUSION: PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

Elan: Hello, dear readers of Fusion! My name is Elan Hironaka, and as a Japanese Voiceover Artist, I specialize in bringing stories to life through the power of voice, connecting audiences with brands, ideas, and emotions across the globe. Having worn many hats in life, I’ve always held onto the dream of making an impact through artistic expression. Today, I’m grateful to say this dream has become my reality, allowing me to collaborate with amazing talents worldwide. I’m excited to share my journey and insights into the voice over industry with you.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Proin volutpat varius felis, eget www.elanhironaka.comfermentum INFORMATION

with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive on the global stage perfectly aligned with my ambition. They gave me the inspiration and guidance to take that bold first step toward realizing my dream.

FUSION: WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Elan: One of the most defining moments in my voiceover journey came during a special event at a facility where children can explore various

professions. That day, I stepped into a professional recording booth to try radio DJing. The moment I stepped inside, surrounded by real equipment, I felt an instant connection. More than excitement, it felt like I had found where I truly belonged. That experience reignited childhood dreams and gave me a clear sense of purpose.

Determined to make this dream a reality, I sought out every opportunity to grow. I enrolled in radio DJ training courses, attended MC lessons, and continued to develop my skills. Eventually, I discovered Voiceover Japan (VOJ), where I found the mentorship,

Elan: My journey into the voiceover industry began during a transformative period in my life.

Shortly after giving birth to my first son, I discovered Voiceover Japan (VOJ) and participated in a webinar they had just launched. That experience opened the door to the voiceover world for me, and I became one of VOJ’s first students.

As a registered dietitian, I worked at a TV station, though my role wasn’t directly in media.

tools, and community to begin my professional voiceover journey.

FUSION: PLEASE TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVER COME THE CHALLENGES?

Elan: Breaking into the voiceover industry as a freelancer in Japan comes with unique challenges. Securing major projects, such as TV work, often requires not only an extensive network and years of experience but also affiliation with a major voice talent agency—a world that once felt out of reach for me.

However, being in that environment exposed me to the creative world of broadcasting, reigniting a quiet longing for artistic expression and reminding me of the dreams I had set aside.

Meeting Yukiko Fujimura and Miho Noguchi, the founders of VOJ, completely transformed my path. Their mentorship helped me discover strengths I didn’t know I had, and VOJ’s vision of empowering individuals like me, without a conventional background in the voice industry,

I realized that success in this industry isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about bringing something distinctive to every opportunity. This mindset has driven me to keep improving and expanding my possibilities. By actively pursuing the global market, I’ve discovered that even without agency representation, there are countless paths to success waiting to be discovered.

FUSION: JAPAN IS KNOW FOR SO MANY GREAT ICONIC VOICEOVER PEOPLE SUCH AS CHARACTERS FROM ANIME, OR MOVIES AND DUBBED TV SHOWS, WHO ARE SOMEONE INSPIRATIONAL THAT YOU ADMIRE IN THIS

Elan: There are many talented voice actors in Japan, but if I were to name one who has truly inspired me, it would be Atsuko Tanaka. Her performances carry a refined strength—graceful, yet deeply compelling. With a calm yet commanding tone, she conveys emotion effortlessly, drawing listeners in with subtlety and nuance.

The impact of her work on me is profound. It motivates me to keep refining my own skills and to bring more nuance and emotional resonance to my work. Her artistry and impact on the industry remain profound, ensuring that her legacy will continue to inspire voice actors and performers for years to come.

FUSION: WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

Elan: In my opinion, a great voiceover artist understands the vision of both the client and director, translating their ideas into a performance that feels natural and engaging. More than just having a good voice and technical skill, I think it’s about listening carefully, interpreting direction, and making thoughtful adjustments to deliver the best possible result. Flexibility and a cooperative mindset are essential. By working closely with the creative team, understanding different perspectives, and staying open to new ideas, this approach helps create a performance that truly connects with the audience and leaves a lasting impression.

FUSION: NOW IN TODAYS SOCIETY EVERYTHING IS DONE BY REMOTE WORK, DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS OR DO YOU PERFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

Elan: As a mother of young children, I truly appreciate the flexibility that remote work offers. It allows me to balance my

time between family and career more easily. As a voiceover artist, I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with international clients through live sessions, all from the comfort of my home in Japan. Although time zone differences can sometimes be tough, the ability to work without geographical limits is invaluable.

That said, I also love studio recordings. The feedback and direction I receive from directors during sessions often elevate my performance.

Being part of a recording with engineers, directors, and clients provides insights and experiences that I could never gain recording on my own.

FUSION: WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK YOU LIKE TO FOCUS OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

Elan: I enjoy exploring a wide range of voiceover work rather than focusing on a single genre. Each project—whether it’s commercials, corporate videos, or character voices—offers unique challenges and opportunities for creativity. And among them, I’m eager to take on more dubbing and character work, as it’s a field I’m excited to explore further.

I also love singing and hope to find ways to incorporate it into my work, such as singing roles in commercials or sound logos. Additionally, it’s a dream of mine to hear my voice featured in public spaces, like audio guides in museums or other facilities, and to experience it firsthand by visiting those places myself.

FUSION: WHATS A TYPICAL DAY IN THE DAY OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

Elan: One of the exciting aspects of being a voiceover artist

is that no two days are exactly the same. Some days I’m busy recording for a project, whether it’s from my home studio or at a professional studio. Other times, I’m editing audio, attending workshops to refine my skills, or preparing for upcoming auditions. I also make it a point to include voice training and vocal exercises in my daily routine as part of my ongoing effort to continually improve and strengthen my voice.

Beyond the creative work, there’s also the need to connect with clients, market my services, and stay on top of communications. What I love most is the balance between creativity and professionalism, and how each day offers a new challenge or opportunity to grow. It’s a dynamic and fulfilling career that keeps me constantly learning and evolving.

FUSION: IN YOUR OPINION WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?

In my opinion, a good voiceover artist is someone whose personality and humanity shine through in their work. It’s not just about having a pleasant voice or mastering technical skills—it’s about connecting with the story and the audience.

A great voiceover actor knows how to bring out the best in a project, letting the story take center stage. By staying true to the narrative and its emotions, they ensure the work resonates with the audience.

Collaboration is also key. Voice acting is often part of a larger creative process, and working well with others—whether directors, engineers, or fellow actors—helps elevate the final piece. I believe that by supporting one another and sharing the same vision, we create something truly special.

FUSION: YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER WHAT ARE YOU PLANS FOR 2025 WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

Elan: Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited to further expand my career by collaborating with more international clients and agencies. I look forward to engaging in diverse creative projects that allow me to use my voice in new and meaningful ways. I also hope to continue challenging myself by working toward consecutive nominations for prestigious awards such as SOVAS and the One Voice Awards, marking my growth and dedication to this craft.

As part of my commitment to deepening my understanding of the world, I plan to pursue certifications related to heritage and cultural studies. I hope to lend my voice to travel documentaries and exploration programs, bringing the beauty and richness of different places and traditions to life in a way that immerses audiences in these experiences.

Additionally, I intend to refine my singing skills, exploring new opportunities where voiceover and music intersect,

FUSION: ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS ?

If there’s one thing I’ve come to believe, it’s that dreams don’t have deadlines. No matter where you begin or how long the journey takes, what truly matters is taking that first step.

I entered this industry with no prior experience—starting completely from scratch. But through perseverance and trusting the voice within me, I found my place. It’s never too late to chase what sets your heart on fire.

adding another layer to my creative expression.

FUSION: CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

Elan: I’m currently working on bilingual corporate narration projects in both Japanese and English, while also exploring new opportunities in commercial and character voice work.

Beyond ongoing projects, I’m taking a fresh look at my personal branding. This includes carefully refining the direction of my work and preparing to record updated voice samples in a professional studio to best represent my range and style. I’m constantly improving and evolving as a voiceover artist, making sure each step I take brings me closer to where I want to be.

This interview itself is part of my journey—marking a new chapter in my career. I’m excited for what’s ahead!

Keep going, keep growing, and trust that your journey will be the bridge to new horizons and deeper connections.

HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY REACH YOU

If you’re looking for a voice that adds a touch of magic to your story, I’d love to hear from you!

Website: elanhironaka.com

Email: elan@elanhironaka.com

Instagram: @elan_japanesevoice_narration

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/ in/elan-hironaka-japanesevoiceovers

Let’s create something extraordinary together!

Akira Kataoka

FUSION: please kindly introduce yourself.

Akira: Hi, I’m Akira Kataoka, a Japanese voiceover artist.

In my pursuit of what makes a great voiceover and effective communication, I have had the privilege of lending my voice to global giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, as well as local businesses—family-run shops, smalltown factories—each with their own rich, meaningful stories to tell.

FUSION: talk about how you got started in the voiceover industry.

Akira: During my student years, people often told me, “Akira, you have a great voice!” That made me realize that using my voice could be my lifelong career. So, I enrolled in a voice acting school to pursue it seriously.

FUSION: share a moment when you felt inspired to be a part of the voiceover industry.

Akira: The first time I recorded in a professional studio. That moment when I wasn’t just working alone but collaborating with a team to bring a project to life— that was the moment I knew I wanted to be in this industry.

FUSION: talk about the challenges you face in this industry and how you overcome them.

Akira: When I started, the industry was very closed off—you had to have a representative to land good jobs. That was considered the norm.

But I took a different approach. I didn’t have a representative and instead built my career through persistent self-marketing and networking. Over time, I was able to secure larger projects on my own.

Now, the industry is evolving, and more people are successfully working full-time in voiceover without traditional representation. The landscape is changing.

FUSION: Is there any project or person you would like to work with or collaborate with?

Akira: There are so many! I’d love to be involved in projects that introduce Japanese culture to international audiences.

FUSION: What makes a good voice actor?

Akira: To me, voice acting is the ultimate form of communication.

By mastering pitch variation, pacing, expression, and timing, a great voice actor brings depth to the message and delivers it exactly as the creator intended.

A good voice actor acts as a seamless bridge between the creator and the audience

FUSION: Nowadays, everything is done remotely. Do you enjoy this process, or do you prefer to work in a studio?

Akira: Both have their merits. I love traveling, so I naturally enjoy remote work.However, I also love studio sessions where I can engage in discussions with directors and engineers, working together in real-time to create the best possible outcome.

FUSION: You are currently active as a voiceover artist. What are your plans for 2025?

Akira: I’m approaching this year as if I’m starting a brand-new career—bringing fresh energy to every project I take on. I will also be dedicating more time to nurturing the voiceover community in Japan and providing high-quality voiceover education.

Fusion: Can you share any exciting projects that you are working on?

Akira: I’m currently working on launching a research community in Japan dedicated to commercials and corporate voiceovers.

FUSION: If someone wants to hire you for voiceover work, where can they find you?

Akira: Feel free to reach out via LinkedIn or Instagram! I also have a website.

Website: kataokaakira.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/akirakataoka

FUSION: PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

Miku: My name is Miku Abe, a Japanese Professional voiceover artist. I was born and raised in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, a region rich in natural beauty located in the Tohoku regionnorthernmost six prefectures of Honshu of Japan. For over 20 years, I have dedicated my career to voice work, contributing to more than 2,000 projects. These include TV commercials, web advertisements, corporate promotional videos, and narrations for educational and medical content. It is a source of pride for me that my voice has played a role in diverse projects worldwide.

One of the pivotal moments in my career was being selected as a finalist at the 2024 VOICE ARTS AWARDS, hosted by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS) in Los Angeles, USA. I was nominated in the Outstanding Commercial – TV, Streaming, or Web – Best Japanese Voiceover category. This marked my first entry into an international award competition, and being recognized at this prestigious level brought me immense joy and validated my work on a global stage. In addition to my voiceover work, I actively engage in community-based activities in my hometown of Ishinomaki City. As a tourism ambassador, I promote the natural beauty and cultural richness of the region while contributing to the

results that meet the expectations of my clients. By utilizing both external studios in major cities like Tokyo and my home studio, I can respond flexibly and efficiently to a wide range of needs, catering to clients both domestically and internationally.

FUSION: TALK ABOUT HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

Miku: It all started with a job as a radio personality. I have been interested in voice work since I was a child, and I learned about voice acting in elementary school through the anime Sailor Moon. I also loved talking to people, so I was the kid who talked to anyone who came to my house. Using a boom box at my grandmother’s house, my cousin played the role of the director and I played

local community. For over two decades, I have also worked as a radio personality and event MC, lending my voice to diverse settings such as music festivals, formal ceremonies, and regional events. Furthermore, I have spent more than 15 years as an instructor of audio drama at a vocational school, helping to nurture the next generation of voice artists and narrators.

Living in a nature-rich rural area provides me with an environment that adds warmth and depth to my voice.

The quiet and focused setting enhances my ability to produce high-quality results that meet the expectations of

the role of the radio personality, and we recorded our own programs. When I became a junior high school student and started listening to the radio in my room, I realized how wonderful it was to be able to captivate people with just my voice. After graduating from high school, I auditioned for a broadcasting station for the first time and passed. In live broadcast programs, I honed my skills by listening to nationally renowned singers during artist interviews and accurately delivering news and traffic information within the allotted time.

I interacted with many people through messages received from listeners. Since then, I have also worked as a reporter for live broadcast programs. Currently, I am also a navigator for three and four-and-a-half hour live broadcast programs, gourmet reports from famous

bakeries, and a music program introducing Japanese city pop music that is gaining worldwide attention. Recently, I was asked to give a lecture about my past experiences to teach about voice work. In Japan, designations change about voice work. When working overseas, everything may be grouped together as voice over artists.

In Japan, the voices for animation and other types of work are often referred to as voice over artists, while the voices for commercials, corporate videos, e-learning, and other types of work are often referred to separately as narration. I am able to work in a wonderful harmony where all jobs enhance each other.

FUSION: WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED?

I am primarily focused on longterm partnerships, providing voiceovers for commercials and corporate videos. These projects allow me to meet client expectations consistently and deliver exceptional results. Additionally, I am passionate about utilizing my voice for radio programs, including news and information shows, food-related reporting, and music

navigation. These roles allow me to connect with audiences on a deeper level.

As someone who values cultural exchange, I aspire to serve as a tourism ambassador, bridging Japan and the world. One of my goals is to provide audio guides for Japanese travelers exploring destinations abroad. By sharing the insights I gain through such projects, I hope to inspire more people to engage in cross-cultur -

interactions and expand their horizons.

Of course, I’m always open to exploring new opportunities across different genres. If you have a vision for how my voice can bring your project to life, I would be delighted to collaborate with you. The name “MIKU” carries the meaning of “future,” and I am always eager to open new doors and embrace exciting possibilities for what lies ahead. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

FUSION: WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK

Miku: In voice-over work, I often receive requests for voices for corporate commercials and corporate videos. It makes me very happy to be able to help people in this field, and I am always mindful of meeting my clients’ needs. I also hope that the voice work broadcasted can bring about positive changes in the world. Furthermore,

I have a strong desire to support those who are learning, so I wish to continue contributing to voice-over work related to e-learning. Moving forward, I aim to grow and contribute broadly as a voice-over artist and as a member of the industry by actively taking on new challenges.

FUSION: WHAT ARE YOU PLANS FOR 2025

Miku: Building on last year’s momentum, I am continuing to prepare for more opportunities to work with people from all over the world and contribute globally. In addition, I am planning a special project to give back to the voiceover artists who have supported me along the way. The event will take place in my hometown of Miyagi, and it will be an intimate gathering. Recently, I had a meeting with a professional from a specific field abroad, and the project has finally begun to take shape. I am currently in the process of organizing and refining the many ideas that have come to me.

Furthermore, at the start of the new year, I received an exciting new job offer. I’m thrilled to be able to apply the skills I’ve developed not just in voiceover work, but also in other fields.

FUSION: CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON

Miku: While I cannot share everything due to confidentiality agreements, I am constantly working on exciting projects! One of the long-term projects I am entrusted with involves providing my voice for an audio textbook for people learning Japanese. Since this is the voice that will be heard by beginners of the language, I am doing my best to deliver clear and beautiful pronunciation. Thankfully, the clients are very pleased with the results, and we are now in the final stages of production. It is an honor to be trusted with such a task. If I could tell my past self, when I first started learning Japanese accents, I would say, “One day, your voice will be a model for others!” It truly brings me joy to know that I can be of help to someone across the world.

By the time you are reading this, there may be people in Canada, the United States, the UK, Germany, and other countries listening to my voice.

FUSION: IN YOUR OPINION WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?

The essential qualities of a good voice actor begin with having an excellent ear. The ability to accurately distinguish accents, intonations, and variations in pitch is a fundamental

In Japanese, regional accents vary, but as a voice actor, the first thing you need to master is the common accent that is widely understood across the country. To achieve this, I rely on accent dictionaries and undergo basic training.

Personally, I have learned to master both the standard accent and the accent of my hometown. While I take pride in my regional accent, I believe that being able to speak with a widely understood accent is an essential skill for any voice actor.

In addition, a good voice actor must have “a respect and consideration for others.” As voice-over artists, we often work alone in our home studios, but in reality, many people are involved in each project at the same time. We are not alone! It’s important to keep in mind that we are part of a team and to appreciate those we collaborate with. Everyone is an indispensable part of the project.

As we gain more experience, it’s crucial to take our work seriously and be confident in our abilities while maintaining humility and not becoming arrogant. The Japanese proverb “The more the rice stalks bear, the lower they bend” reflects this principle well. Just like how a rice stalk bends lower as it matures, a person should become humbler as their knowledge and virtue grow, while smaller individuals tend to become more arrogant.

In English, the saying “The boughs that bear most hang lowest” carries a similar meaning.

Moreover, we should always express gratitude and handle the tools and equipment that support our daily work with care. Whether it’s a computer, audio interface, or microphone, it’s important to treat our tools with respect.

In Japan, there is a concept that “objects have a spirit.” While whether this is true or not is up for debate, there is a deeply ingrained cultural value associated with this belief. As the saying “infuse the soul into an object” suggests, the people who create these tools put a great deal of thought and care into their work. There are countless items we use in both work and daily life.

For example, my long-time companion, my headphones, are more than just a tool. They are essential for delivering the voice of distant producers and directors into my ears and for helping me understand how my own voice sounds.

I don’t have the technical ability to create these headphones, but I express my deep respect for the people who made them. I am also grateful to the professional studio personnel who have helped me over the years by teaching me about headphones. Furthermore, I am thankful for the essential tools like headphones and microphones that assist me during live radio broadcasts or commercial recordings.

I believe that taking good care of the equipment we use leads to better job performance. Treating our tools with respect and using them thoughtfully results in better outcomes.

FUSION: WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE THAT IS INTRESTED IN VOICE OVER WORK?

•Take specialized training and learn the basics thoroughly

Mastering the fundamentals is the first step toward success.

•Never give up, no matter how tough it gets Success may take time, but perseverance is key.

•Build a network of like-minded individuals and grow together interacting with peers can boost motivation and create a supportive environment for growth.

•Health is the most important! Your body is your asset

Take care of your health to ensure you can work long-term.

•Maintain patience and flexibility, and approach challenges positively

The industry is unpredictable, so staying calm and proactive is crucial for long-term success.

•Love and cherish your own voice

Understanding and loving your voice is a powerful asset for sustaining a career in voice-over work.

For more of Miku Interview make sure to check out fusiontvmedia.com

FOLLOW MIKU’s JOURNEY

WEBSITE mikuabe39.com

Linkedin linkedin.com/in/mikuabe39 Instagram @MIKU_ABE_VOICEOVER

PHOTOGRAPHY

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Hello! I’m Ash Aarrestad, and I’m your friendly millennial-next-door voice actor.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

My curiosity got the best of me, and so did my stubbornness. I can’t live with the “what if?” and my silver lining lessons from the pandemic taught me two things: We’re not promised tomorrow, and now is the time to try anything and everything I’m interested in. I took an 8-week introductory course to Voiceover, and took to it immediately. At the end of the 8 weeks, my instructor encouraged me to look into coaching in larger markets, so that’s exactly what I did. It’s been a very blessed and exciting career ever since.

ASH AARRESTAD

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

I started my voice over career like so many others did during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. My previous career as a makeup artist came to a screeching halt when the CDC enacted the stay-at-home orders, and I didn’t touch my brushes for the better part of a year. I put a few videos on social

media with my voice in the background and got comments like “you should do audiobooks” and “OMG I could listen to your voice all day!” I spent most of my life acting on stage, and while being constantly stuck at home, I needed a creative outlet. So what started as a ‘Lets see what happens with this,’ quickly turned into not only a career, but a solid community for me. It’s the best decision I ever made for myself and voiceover makes me feel the most like me that I’ve felt outside of the stage.

TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND HOW YOU OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES.

One of the biggest challenges I face in this industry is imposter syndrome. In fact, I don’t know a single actor who hasn’t experienced this at some point in their career. Social media doesn’t help, and I often find myself measuring my talent and success against my peers. But at

VULNERABILITY AND THE WILLINGNESS TO NEVER STOP LEARNING MAKE A GOOD VOICE ACTOR.

the end of the day, my biggest obstacle isn’t my competition. It’s me. The only way to combat that is for me to study my craft, continue coaching with the Pro’s and continue to grow as an individual.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

My dream role is to play an AI system like GlaDOS in Portal. She was so snarky, and had a three dimensional personality. If they ever do a live action movie, or a reboot of that game and if Ellen McLain doesn’t want the role, I’ll gladly step in. Scarlett Johansson’s role as an AI system in Her really changed the perspective on what AI can or should sound like. She’s my celebrity touchstone, and I get a lot of auditions that call for her type of sound, so I’m hopeful there’s a role like that in my future!

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

Right now, I’m mostly focused on commercial voiceover and promo work. This last year I had a huge opportunity to record sports promo for the Portland Trailblazers NBA Basketball team. It aired on opening night and continued to play throughout the season. When I saw the finished commercial, I cried. Historically, male voices have been at the center of Promo for sports, film and TV. But the industry is changing and more and more women are earning those spots. It was an honor to have that role and be a part of the feminine wave that’s changing the tides. I want more of those roles for myself and all women in the voiceover industry!

DANA KAE

WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE ACTOR?

Vulnerability and the willingness to never stop learning are what make a good voice actor. To be vulnerable is to be human, and at the end of the day, that’s the only thing that will keep voice actors working in the age of AI. Our humanness and the nuance within our real life experience cannot be trained into a non-sentient being. As long as we can continue to learn about ourselves and others, hone our craft over the lifetime of our career and be willing to tap into what makes us human, good voice actors won’t be fully replaceable.

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I don’t think I have a specialty in voiceover, so to speak, but I do get cast in a lot of roles that call for sultry, husky, grittier female voices. My lower register is similar to women like Florence Pugh, Emma Stone, Scarlett Johansson, and Jane Lynch. Those names always show up in the specs from my agents. That kind of vocal tone spans so many industries, and I’ve used it in advertising for travel, medical, sports promo… even audiobook narration!

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MAKES A GOOD VOICE OVER ACTOR?

I think I answered this already. Vulnerability and the willingness to never stop learning make a good voice actor. But dedication and practice is what makes a great voice actor!

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025? WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU FOR 2025?

I’ll never stop working as a voice actor, and 2025 is no different for me. I’ve got a new Promo demo in the works, and I’ve got a great team in my agents and manager who are making sure I’m on the right path to get my auditions in front of the right casting directors. This year, I want to book a big national campaign like Apple or Nike. It’s a big goal, but I like to aim high.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I’ve got a few exciting projects that I’m currently working on, but its too soon to talk about them yet. Maybe in another couple of months, but these projects always take a while to get passed the NDA threshold.

HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

www.voiceofash.com ash@voiceofash.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

DANA KAE

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

HI THERE, ROLAND WILEY HERE, AND I’VE BEEN A VOICE ACTOR FOR THIRTEEN YEARS.

PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY.

I got started in the voice over industry when I was working in L.A. radio back in 2008 as a broadcast engineer.

When I was younger, I had a Fisher Price tape recorder and I would record my own shows, just like radio shows. My mom taught me how to splice cassette tapes, and I learned how to splice audio from different sources.

When I was in elementary school, my 7th grade history teacher had a project where we had to create breaking news reports about historical events. I created an intro to my group’s newscast by splicing TV theme songs and video games that I recorded on that very same Fisher Price recorder.

The class as well as my teacher, was blown away by what I had put together, and our group received the top grade for that project, because the audio editing was the cherry on top for our group. Fun fact, my mom was a librarian when she was younger and encouraged me to choose any book from the library and learn something from it. That has been the best thing that I’ve ever learned and has served me truly well as I’ve been an English teacher for twenty years and a lifelong learner.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARTED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

While I was working at the radio station as a broadcast engineer, I asked around about the steps or process of what it would take to be an on-air radio talent. While I was there, I became a production assistant, recording client’s long form programs, or talk shows, and producing them with the music bed and announcer intro, show content, and music bed announcer close. Over the years, a few of the clients liked my work and professionalism so much that they offered me the opportunity to be the announcer, co-host, or regular guest on their shows. When that happened, my voice got the attention of the commercial production department, along with my supervisor. This presented opportunities for me to be a voice actor for the station’s commercials and being a weekend on-air talent for one of their stations.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACTIVE AS A VOICE OVER. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2025?

One of my plans for 2025 is to expand and have my own business, Wileyvox Productions, LLC, being available for voice acting clients as well as providing audio and video production.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

I’m currently involved in Creative Theory World’s anime series “Rule 56” which is about young Black teen who’s passionate about hockey and enjoys playing the sport. He lives in the South, and being Black and enjoys playing hockey isn’t really popular with most of his friends and it puts him as an outsider at times while at school. I immediately gr

avitated to the story because I was that young teen at one time in my life back in the day as a young Black male who was a hockey fan since the late 80’s and played some hockey during my college years.

I’m also involved with audio description narration, which provides the description of a program for those who are visually impaired or blind. Last year at That’s Voiceover!, presented by the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, or SOVAS,

I won the Audio Description Narration Contest. Out of

hundreds of entries I made it as one of the five finalists and also won a contract with Deluxe to do audio description narration for their programs and films!

I got involved in audio description narration while working at the radio station in 2013. A co-worker asked me if I would like to provide the audio description for a few of the floats and the history of certain items that were going to be in Pasadena’s upcoming Tournament of Roses Rose Parade.

ROLAND WILEY

WHAT TYPE OF SPECIALTY IN VOICE OVER WORK DO YOU LIKE TO FOCUS ON, OR DO YOU HAVE SEVERAL TYPES?

I’ve got several specialties in voice acting work, such as radio/streaming commercials, public service announcements, e-learning, instructional video narration, documentary narration, audio description narration, audiobooks, and animation.

I enjoy doing work in all of these genres because I’m constantly gaining knowledge about things around me that I hadn’t realized or thought about while working at the same time! How fun is that!

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

You can reach out to me via email at wileyvox@gmail.com, or on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn as Roland Wiley.

ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS?

I wish you all the best in whatever you’re pursuing in life. Make it happen for yourself because you will be more fulfilled and joyful!

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE?

People that I would like to work with are Mela Lee, well known as the voice of Jade from Mortal Kombat, and of course the voice of Lifeline from Apex Legends. I would really enjoy singing with Mela because she is a phenomenal singer! Grey Delisle, the voice of Azula from Avatar The Last Airbender and Daphne Blake from the Scooby Doo animated films. Grey is also another talented singer and plays one of my favorite instruments, the autoharp!

I’d definitely be down to work with Phil Lamarr in an animated series, because he’s so talented and I’ve looked up to him before and since I’ve became a voice actor. I’ve admired and respected Phil Lamarr for many years, from his days on MAD TV, his film debut as Marvin in Pulp Fiction, the voice actor of Jack in Cartoon Network’s Samurai Jack and Virgil Hawkins/ Static on the WB’s Static Shock, and especially his presence as Green Lantern John Stewart in the animated Justice League series.

I would enjoy working with Samuel L. Jackson, as I’ve respected his presence on screen over the decades and especially as the voice of Frozone/Lucius in The Incredibles, Mace Windu both on screen and in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and another animated series favorite, Afro Samurai, portraying both Afro Samurai and Ninja Ninja.

Projects that I would like to be involved with are the Assassin’s Creed franchise by Ubisoft, I’m a huge fan of history, sword play, and weapons combat choreography, the Red Dead Redemption franchise by Rockstar Games because I’ve enjoyed westerns, particularly the spaghetti western genre made famous by Sergio Leone, like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. But my all-time favorite spaghetti western is My Name Is Nobody, directed by Tonino Valerii.

The animated show that is my “bucket list” show to work on is Family Guy because I’m a musical theatre kid and I really enjoy Seth MacFarlane’s awesome musical numbers! To sing and perform as a character on Family Guy has been a goal for me since I’ve been a voice actor! Talk about the best of both worlds, voice acting and singing a musical number on Family Guy!?! YES PLEASE!

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS READING, PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

Yes, thank you so much for having me here. It’s very exciting to share about the voice acting journey. I’m Shaun Brackett, known professionally as Voice of Shaun. I was born and grew up in and around the California Bay Area. I always loved acting and making silly voices as a kid, and even though my journey has had some bumps along the way, some huge and some smaller, I found my way to the right path that I’m so happy to be on.

As a kid, I was highly interested in theater, television and movies. Even after taking drama classes all the way through high school, I struggled a lot with stage fright that kept me from doing well in theater. Plus, I thought I had to live in Los Angeles or New York if I wanted to follow that dream, which I did not. After joining the US Marine Corps I eventually started to give up on acting as a career, thinking maybe it wasn’t for me after all. How could I even do well if I couldn’t even get up on stage and remember a few lines without freezing up? Who even knew that voice acting would be a thing I could do? It didn’t even come to my mind as a potential option I could take, and even what I did know of I figured would also require me to live in also Angeles or New York. One day that all changed as I got invited to an audition to play a character in a video game and thus started my journey. It was a very slow start. I had to look it up and try to find out how to even do it. I didn’t even know I could start in my own homemade sound booth at my own house. I started off just recording in my closet and under blankets with a really cheap USB microphone, and it all sounded terrible. It was only after taking a few classes and saving up for equipment that I started to see the difference and improvement that was possible with upgrading

my recording space, equipment and most importantly my level of skill in my talent.

JAPAN IS KNOWN FOR SO MANY GREAT ICONIC VOICE OVER PEOPLE, SUCH AS CHARACTERS FROM ANIME OR MOVIES AND DUBBED TV SHOWS. WHO IS SOMEONE INSPIRATIONAL THAT YOU ADMIRE IN THIS INDUSTRY?

Some of my favorite Japanese voice artists are Kozo Shioya (Majin Buu-Dragon Ball Z), Makoto Furukawa (Saitama - One Punch Man), Natsuki Hanae, Yoshitsugi Matsuoka & Hiro Shimono (Demon Slayer)

Some of my favorite American voice actors that inspire me are Jim Cummings, Jack Black, Rob Paulsen, Tom Kenny, Nate Torrence, and Billy West. They all have voices and styles that resonate with me. It’s always really inspiring to watch these amazing creations and how all the characters come together and are brought to life to tell a story and to do it well. The actors get a lot of admiration and so do the others involved. The story writers, the musicians, the artists and animators, and more. Everyone works together to create entertainment and inspiration. That is also what inspires me in the industry to be a part of it all.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLLABORATE WITH?

I definitely aspire to work on a project with a major studio like Disney, Pixar, Illumination, Sony etc, but I also just really love getting to work with a great director and cast on any project. Anything that allows me to just flow with a character and feel like I’m a part of the story makes me feel like I’m on cloud 9. If I’m making a difference in the life of the viewers and listeners of the projects I’m in, it really gives me a lot of purpose in my work.

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED ON.

I feel like the biggest area I’m always focusing on is character work. There’s something special to me about playing a character. I get to take a break from my own life whether it’s been stressful and I need to forget my worries, or even if it’s just been a mundane time and I need to add some fun and excitement to my day, it’s always fun to go into my booth and just create a character, give that character a backstory, a voice and personality, and just let loose with it. Being good at character work can also help with all the other areas in voice over. Technically when you read a commercial, you’re still a character. You might not be a wacky silly cartoon character, or a dark wizard taking over the realm, but you’re the guy next door telling a friend about a product or a service that you like, or an energetic announcer selling coffee or a new car. You’re still a character. You’ve still got to understand why the character is there. What are they trying to accomplish, what’s in their way that they have to get past or overcome to accomplish the task. These are all the basics of “acting” that are so important to being a voice actor.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

The word “entertainment” is what I like best. Ever since I was very young I always loved making people laugh, and entertaining them. I enjoy many different aspects of the industry such as music, editing video, visual effects and motion graphics, and of course acting! Entertainment is a big part of my life. Telling a story and taking your audience along for the ride is what’s special because if done right it can be very relatable. Whether it’s relatable as a situation people understand and have been through, or relatable in a way where people feel like they want what they’re seeing to be a reality. There are so many different ways to reach that goal.

YOU ARE CURRENTLY ACVTIVE AS A VOICE OVER WHAT ARE YOU PLANS FOR THIS YEAR?

SHAUN BRACKETT

countable, as well as see that I’m reaching my goals and where I need to make adjustments. The more specific you can be, the better.

ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NOW?

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO HIRE YOU FOR ANY VOICE OVER WORK CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR WEBSITE AND HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

my website is www.voiceofshaun.com and you can also email me at shaun@ voiceofshaun.com

You can expect from me that I will continue to learn and grow and that I will not give up. I’m determined and in love with what I do and that is what will bring me any success that I will have. I’ve learned a lot about setting not just goals, but specific goals. I can’t just say that my goal is to call more people…I need to set an amount of calls and emails to reach per day or week or month and break that down to see what I need to do to get there. I plan to track better too so that I can keep myself ac-

I’ve recently found a love for Audio Dramas. I’ve been a part of a few 48 hour Audio Drama Festivals where we are broken up into groups, and each group will have 48 hours to have a writer make a script, the voice actors act out the scenes, and then and editor will edit it all together and do all the sound design. I plan to attend another one coming up soon and really enjoy the creative process as a voice actor in those.

FOR ALL THE VIWERS READING PLEASE KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

My name is Devon Irelan, I am a voice actor based in Denver, Colorado. I’ve been doing voiceover for about 2 years now, I’ve done some commercial work for some major brands, and a few animation and small gaming projects.

WHAT MADE YOU GET STARED IN THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY?

I have been fascinated with VO since I was a teenager when Metal Gear Solid came out. It was the first of its kind, a game that was so cinematic and used voice actors. For decades after that I was really tuned in to the industry, I knew which voice actors had done what projects and could identify their voices in

shows, games, or ads pretty quickly. It was such a wonderful profession, but me not living in a major market I didn’t think it was a possibility for me. So I just worked retail jobs, and ended up running a dry clean business for 11 years. Summer of 2022 I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which meant that I wouldn’t physically be able to keep doing that job without accommodations, but my employer refused. That meant having to leave that business, the only thing I had done for over a decade. On top of that, I was expecting my first child about a month later. Not a great time to lose your job, right? I would have to start from the bottom wherever I went. I thought that I may as well start from the bottom doing something that I’ve loved since I was a kid, and I walked through the door into the world of VO

SHARE A MOMENT IN WHERE YOU FELT YOU WANTED YOU GOT INSPIRED TO BE A PART OF THE VOICE OVER INDUSTRY

DEVON IRELAN

I would say my inspiration to get into VO was probably the birth of my daughter, Eivor. After spending over a decade doing a job that didn’t exactly bring me joy, having a child of my own made me want to devote myself to something that I loved, so that she could see that work can be joyous and fun if you just follow the things that feed your soul. Hopefully she grows up and sees my path as an example, and devote herself to something she loves.

CHALLENGES YOU FACE IN THIS INDUSTRY?

One of the most challenging things that I had to overcome when I started was getting used to hearing the word “No”.. You spend all day auditioning for jobs and the majority of them you won’t get.

IS THERE ANY PROJECT OR PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH OR COLAB?

My VO career bucket list would include doing any voice in any Seth MacFarlane animated show, I love Family Guy and American Dad. Obviously working with Kojima Productions would have to be on that list. I would also love to work with Remedy Entertainment, what Sam Lake and his team have done with Max Payne, Control, and Alan Wake, I’d love to be a part of that in some way.

TALK ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF WORK YOU ARE CURRENTLY FOCUSED?

TALK ABOUT WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT?

It’s hard not to watch Hollywood entertainment and marvel at the entire universes that are being created. You sort of become a part of it, and oftentimes you can see yourself in the stories and the characters. It’s an incredibly unique experience. Hopefully in time I’ll get to be a part of it.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

In December of last year I won the CBS Talent Spotlight at the SOVAS That’s Voiceover Expo in L.A., out of over 1500 entries. The final round was live in front of an full auditorium. Part of what that gives me is a paid promo gig with KTLA (the CBS affiliate in LA), so I’m really looking forward to working with them. There’s a few other things I can’t mention just yet but I’m very

excited for 2025.

HOW PEOPLE CAN REACH YOU?

My website is devonirelan.com. I can be reached via email at devon@devonirelan. com. I’m also active on Instagram @devonirelanvo, and I am on LinkedIn.

WHATS A TYPICAL DAY IN THE DAY OF A VOICE OVER ACTOR?

I personally start my workday with a throat coat tea and then it’s preparing for any live sessions that might be scheduled. After that it’s auditioning, auditioning, auditioning! Making sure I’m getting anything that’s due that day done first. Afterwards it’s usually working on marketing, answering emails, and I tend to schedule any classes I’m taking in the evening. It’s always important to take breaks though, gotta make sure you’re protecting your voice.

Most of what I’ve done has been commercial, and a lot of non-broadcast things like training, videos and corporate projects, but I’ve done a couple narration jobs, and one small game. This year I’m hoping to do a lot more promo work, and hopefully some animation. Gaming and animation are the things I want to do the most, so I want to train heavier in those areas.

DO YOU LIKE REMOTE WORK, DO YOU ENJOY THIS PROCESS OR DO YOU PERFER TO SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO?

The vast majority of work that I’ve done has been remote, being that I don’t live in New York or LA at the moment. It definitely is more convenient to do things remotely, however I do enjoy being in-studio. There’s a certain collaborative energy that occurs in-person that’s sometimes hard to replicate over Source Connect or Zoom.

ANY LAST MESSAGE YOU LIKE TO SAY TO ALL THE READERS ?

I think I’d just say that life’s too short to be doing something you hate forever. If you have a passion and you’re serious about pursuing it, you gotta go for it. If you’re always waiting for the right time, it’ll never come. The right time to do what you love is always right now.

Talk about your character “Gunny”

David Harbour: Ghani is a friend of Jason’s Levin character. I think gunning might call him levon but Ghani is a guy who’s been on several, you know, sort of teams with him and has served with him on various tours, so they’re military buddies they’re sort of brothers in arms. gunny functions in several different ways, but the biggest way that he functions that I think is a mirror to Gunny functions in several different ways, but the biggest way that he functions that I think is a mirror to Levon’s limitations is that I think, in the scene, we talk about him wanting permission to do things, but I think also Denny’s been a product of levon’s failure to a certain degree. blindness he’s blind because Levin wasn’t able to save him from being hit with this thing, and I think he reminds him constantly of his sort of vulnerability and his limitations as a man.

I think that’s part of the reason for the character there—to check him, to tell him that he’s not immortal and that he’s not perfect and that there is collateral damage to his actions.

Why did you want to be involved in this film?

David Harbour: I just really like Jason Statham movies, so I wanted to do one of those before I die, and then the other thing was I wanted to do another David Ayer movie because we’ve worked together in the past twice on a movie called end of watch with them, and I did a little bit in Suicide Squad as well, and Dave and I have known each other for years, and I think he’s a really great writer/director and has a very specific point of view and a very specific deep flavor take on the world you know it’s nice to dip into that.

How was It working with Jason Statham?

David Harbour: you know he’s been very gracious it’s always interesting to me, you know, big stars, and see what they’re really like behind the curtain, and I think he’s pretty

much as he appears he’s seems pretty grounded and real and yet has a certain vulnerability, which I find admirable for somebody who makes action movies.

I sort of think I was like, maybe that’s the reason why we like watching Jason Statham movies, because he’s just very human and very engaged in a way that I really like, and you know, he’s really game to play around. I mean, we’ve been trying to deconstruct the scenes, and that’s David’s big thing, as he likes to go in and really pick him apart and see what’s really important or what’s vital to the story of the character we’re going to reveal, and you know, Jason wants to get in there as well and wants to play around and dig around for some of the depths, and so that’s been a lot of fun. I really enjoy being around him off camera, you know, and I enjoy working with him on camera.

How was it working with Director/ Co-writer David Ayer?

he’s a real searcher, David, like I think he’s really, um, searching always to try to deepen, and he’s not precious, which I really like, but he really wants collaboration; he really wants the actors to bring things; he wants the prop guys to bring to the light. I mean, he really wants other people to enliven this world, um, you know, as I say that, it can sometimes be rare with writer-directors, but I really like that, so it’s always a bit of an adventure with him.

How did you prepare for this film?

David Harbour: it’s an odd thing, like being an instrument in a band. I don’t necessarily know that me understanding the meaning of the song makes me a better guitarist. I sort of feel like the chords that I have to play sometimes are based on story dynamics as opposed to the actual histories of something, and my relationship to a military situation is not going to be a military guy’s relationship to a military situation, so a lot of times I’m having to work with my own internal metaphors around stuff as opposed to actual content.

occasionally it’s useful to have just the language of, like, it’s been useful to have good military advisors on this to talk us through, you know, a

PHOTOGRAPHY: Emma McIntyre/Getty

PHOTOGRAPHY: Frazer Harrison/Getty

lot of the language of the weaponry or the teams these guys were on or how they work together or why they work together, and what, to me, is most important is not always the content of that research but more to see the fire that it ignites in another person when they speak about it, and so that’s always very valuable to see what draws people like I know nothing about cooking, but when I watch a chef talk about what sour tastes like, it gives me a real clear indication of how to play a chef.

I believe that this movie requires you to approach it in a certain way, incorporating metaphors. However, as I continue to research, I’ve discovered that stories are deeply personal. I believe that the more personal your work becomes, the more effective it can be.

Talk a little more about your character and their role in this story

David Harbour My character sort of enters early in the movie and then kind of finishes the movie as well, um, and so we’re starting very early when levon comes here to try to figure out whether or not he’s going to be able to accomplish the task and sort of view me as this mirror said to his limitations and to see if it’s you know, if he’s able to let go of some of the guilt of what’s happened between us to be able to be called to action.

we’re also shooting the end; there he comes back, and we sort of wonder if he’s ever going to be rid of this drama in his life, so we’ve been shooting that we’re out in this beautiful cabin; it’s like a fire pit, and there’s some lovely woods and stuff the production value is amazing; it’s a pain in the ass to get here, which is always great for production value, but it’s

beautiful, and you know, we’re sort of trying to carve out what this brotherhood is between these guys and trying to find that.