9 minute read
MACHINIMALIFE
#Machinimalife with The Mom Cave
The Voice Of
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Creating machinimas take a significant amount of time to write, film and edit. Those who have created a machinima, even a short one, will likely say it was hands-down the most challenging content they have created. There is a lot that goes into it. In past issues, we have looked at machinima creation through the eyes of the director, and even those who make poses. There is another hard-working creative group in the machinima community, and they are the voice actors. Unsound Mind is a gorgeous production about Faith Hastings, a woman whose anger and thirst for revenge has changed the course of her life forever. It is a voiceover, or voice-acting, machinima. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the voice of Faith, “Yehns,” and talk about her experience as a voice actress. The Mom Cave: It is nice to meet you. I am excited to talk to different creators in the machinima community. We have machinimators, a fancy word for those of us who create machinima. We have pose and animation creators, without whom we would not have as much control and depth over our stories as we do. We also have this whole group of creatives who are voice actors, who I am just now becoming familiar with as I create my first voice-over machinima.
My very first question is, what got you started as a voice actor?
Yehns: I am new to voice acting myself. During the pandemic, I had to set up my own home office. I realized that I did not have anything to record with, a mic or a camera. So, I had to get set up with a microphone. I found an affordable microphone online and started playing around with it. When I heard my voice, I realized, “Hey, I think I could do some voice acting.” I went on Casting Call Club and started exploring a bit. I auditioned for a few. I found Unsound Mind, auditioned and I got the role.
#Machinimalife with The Mom Cave
The Mom Cave: You had this opportunity to explore something new. What is it about voice acting that made you want to try it?
Yehns: Ever since I was little, I have always had an interest in acting and voice acting. I really wanted to try it out because I loved watching movies and watching cartoons. I always wanted to try it out and I never had the opportunity before this. And so, I took the opportunity to try it out.
The Mom Cave: I love that courage to step into something you have never tried before just to see if you truly will like it. I think in our lives we can really talk ourselves out of new experiences because it can very anxiety-producing. I love that you just jumped in with both feet to give it a try.
Yehns: Well, it wasn’t like this would be a very consequential thing for me. I just told myself that, if I tried out for these things and didn’t get it, then I didn’t get it. I would just keep trying out, and just see what comes.
The Mom Cave: That is called a “growth mindset!” I appreciate that perspective quite a bit. What have you found is the most challenging thing about voice acting, and how have you overcome that? Yehns: I would say breaking down the emotions line-by-line is a bit challenging. The character has a lot of feelings. So, there are times when her emotions switch up quickly. When I am reading the lines, I have to decide where that emotional switch-up is. Sometimes I get lines and they are a full paragraph, and there are emotional switches within that paragraph. I just have to try it out and see what feels right. I do multiple takes and I try to switch up the emotions in different places to see which
one works best and which one makes the most sense.
The Mom Cave: That sounds challenging, not having the scene in front of you. What advice, from a voice-acting perspective, would you give to me a as a director?
Yehns: There is a lot of creative freedom that goes into voice acting. You get to best decide how to play out a scene. Giving your voice actors prompts to guide your voice actors would be great. It would guide them in the right direction and give them an idea of the feel you’re looking for in a scene. I would say, however, to not have too many descriptors. It might provide another level of confusion for the voice actors. Giving them a specific set of directions, and the ability to provide their own interpretations of how a scene can play out through multiple takes. Then you as a director can decide what fits best with the scene. The Mom Cave: Do you play The Sims? What is your favorite Sims game? Yehns: I do play The Sims. I have been playing since I was very young, when the very first game came out. I remember happening upon it when I was at Toys-R-Us with my parents. They bought it for me and I went home and started playing it. It was really addicting. And also, I got a little scared because I didn’t know my Sims could die. So, when my first Sim died in a fire I was super upset! I ran to my parents crying and didn’t play for a long time. Eventually, I started playing again because I realized it was just a game. I still like sims 3 the best. It feels a lot more open-world. The Mom Cave: Ok listen, I am 51 years old and I still get sad when my Sims die. I think we get attached to them, and to their stories. It feels a lot like if we were to watch a TV show or a movie and connect with the characters. On the topic of connecting with our characters, what is it about Faith Hastings that you identify with the most?
Yehns: I feel like I can identify with Faith because I have also been bullied in school before. I know how that can affect someone’s psyche. Killing people is of course a totally inappropriate response, but I can see the pain she went through from all the bullying she experienced. I can understand her feeling like no one has her back and going through so many horrible things. I can see how that can break someone. I can identify with Faith on how it can change someone’s outlook and make them very negative.
The Mom Cave: You can identify how bullying can really change who a person is. Who is the most inspirational person to you and why?
Yehns: This question is so hard to answer for me, because there are a lot of things I admire about different people. When I was growing up, I think Angelina Jolie was my favorite actress on screen. I liked her because she has a dark past but is now contributing to humanitarian efforts. I admired her for a long time. Another one of my idols is Meryl Streep. She is an amazing actress on screen and off screen. I watch her movies and I try to learn from her. She really is a presence in a role. The Mom Cave: If someone wanted to start voice acting, what advice would you give them? Yehns: I do not think you need a lot of fancy equipment to start. If you buy a decent microphone, you can start auditioning for things on Casting Call Club and other sites. Just get out there. Remember that rejection is part of the processes. Keep auditioning. Just start. There are times that you might feel like you cannot do this because you’ve never done it before, or that you do not have the “right” equipment. You might feel like you are too inexperienced. Remembering that auditioning, even if you are rejected, is practice. You’re building experience. I would encourage anyone who is interested in trying voice acting to just go for it.
The Mom Cave: I agree! Just go for it. Hit send. Try.
A big thank-you to Yehns for taking the time to talk to me and sharing your inspiration and wonderful encouragement. You can experience all of the talent behind Unsound Mind on YouTube here - https://t.co/ KggkAHhHx4?amp=1
Director of pixels UNSOUND MIND
Ladie Rhias [Head Writer/Director] When Faith Hastings experiences harm at the hands of others, she sets out to seek revenge, and ultimately experiences the aftermath.
Follow her story here: https://youtu.be/efdmYiP-cs8
Connect: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ LRhias Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ladie.rhias.3 Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ladierhias/ Casting Call Club: https:// www.castingcall.club/m/LadieR...
