Voice Questions
A comment from Mike G.:
I am a fan sir but I howled with laughter at your Gander Newfoundland pilot with the Australian accent in the book Obsidian Chamber by Preston and Child. It is so very obvious that the closest you have been to Gander is the island of Tasmania. Newfoundlanders have a very distinct accent and I don’t think you have ever heard it.
I do like your voice normally, please keep up the good work.
Dear Mike –
In truth, I don’t consider reading a 400+ page novel “playing a character” – though I certainly am guilty of “faking it”. I should do better… but when you’re plowing through that much verbiage in three recording days, things get glossed over.
If I were going to play a Newfoundlander on film or stage, I’d do more research… that doesn’t guarantee I’d get it right (o;
Best –
rené a.
Posted here April 27, 2017
A question from Lynne:
You have a great talent with voices. Do you think that growing up in the U.S., Paris, and London promoted your ability?
Dear Lynne-
Hmmm…interesting. I have no idea. Perhaps listening to all those different voices did contribute.
Thanks for your kind words.
Best- rené a.
Posted here April 27, 2017
A comment from Mike A.:
I wanted to personally commend you on the voice you give to FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast, in the audio books of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The voice and your interpretation of his demeanor certainly brings this character to life for me. When I go back to read the books, it’s your voice that I hear when Pendergast speaks. Have you been approached to do other audio books for them?
Dear Mike-
Thanks so much for your kind words regarding the Pendergast books. I’m sure you’re aware that I’ve done several in the series. I haven’t been asked to read any of their other books.
All the best-
rené a.
Posted here April 27, 2017
A comment from Jason:
I believe that I have found a television voice-over role that Mr. Auberjonois did in the late 80s / early 90s. The character to which I am referring was a one-time character that appeared on an episode of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated television show that ran during the late 80s and early 90s (debuting in 1987). The episode in question is Episode 3 from Season 6 called “Super Irma”, and I believe that Mr. Auberjonois was the voice of a character called Professor Chumley. The credits do not specifically assign voice talent to their corresponding characters, but under “Guest Voices”, he is listed. In addition, the character of Professor Chumley sounds almost identical to “The Mechanist” character that Mr. Auberjonois voiced in the Nickelodeon cartoon series Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Interestingly, no source online (tv.com nor imdb.com included) lists Mr. Auberjonois as having contributed to the episode, or the series, in any way. It is possible that he voiced more one-time characters in the series, but I have no evidence to back this up.
I hope my discovery has helped you with your information gathering.
Hi Jason –
Wow! What a sleuth! I confess, I don’t have a specific memory of doing that show, but I’ve done so many over the years… if the cast list says I did it, and you recognize my voice, I’ll take that as positive proof. Thanks for your sharp ear.
All the best –
rené a.
Posted here April 27, 2017
A question from Steve:
Hi René!
I am a great admirer of your voice-work as well as your on-screen acting, and was wondering if you could give me any advice on how to get involved in working as a voiceover artist. I’ve always enjoyed, and been good at, doing impressions and making up funny voices, and I know that I could be a useful voice-actor! (I’m modest too!) I just have no idea how to get into it. Any help at all that you could give me would be massively appreciated, though I fully understand that you may not be able to reply due to your working commitments etc. Thank you, and keep up the good work!
Dear Steve-
I don’t know where you live, but it’s important to be in one of the major marketplaces ( N.Y., L.A., or Chicago ) and to have an agent. The truth is, it’s an extremely competitive field, and very difficult to break into.
Good luck-
rené a.
Posted here November 1, 2006