Video games have become the most sophisticated and rewarding form of voice acting. No longer the realm of zany voices and two-dimensional characters, it is an industry that is more akin to film acting.  More importantly, it is now driving other forms of voice acting.  Internationally, dubbing projects are using video game actors more and more because they possess the skills to work with the newer style of dubbing, which is based on realism of performance instead of “lip flaps” and unnatural copy.

To consistently get booked in video games roles, which now outsell film and music combined, a voice actor needs to understand and hone the skills that make it different from other genres: namely, authenticity and versatility.  Also, actors need to know how to audition specifically for gaming projects.

Prior to the workshop, actors will pick 2 scripts out of a curated list covering multiple styles, characters, and emotive ranges.  Each actor will prepare their scripts as they would for any voice over job.  In class, each actor will perform, after which, they will get feedback and redirects from Randall and Gillian.  The actor will then read again and get more feedback as time permits.

Actors will not only learn during their own reads, they will learn by watching other actors read and receive redirects; developing a deeper understanding of the realism and emotive depth required, as well as, the flexibility necessary to create multiple characters or more dimension in the same character.

Note that while this has introductory course elements on acting in video games, this is really aimed at experienced, working actors.  We will be talking about higher-level concepts with a presumption of knowledge about acting.  Even actors who are already doing some video game work should learn a great deal.

Randall Ryan

Randall’s journey into voice casting and directing was an unusual one.  A musician from the age of five and a touring songwriter/performer for 15 years, he stopped touring to co-found InternetSound (later HamsterBall) in 1995.  Quite by accident, Randall found he had a knack for directing talent, and soon voice-over became a bigger and bigger part of HamsterBall’s mix.

Randall’s recent casting and directing video game credits include Chivalry 2, World of Tanks, Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, Vacation Simulator, Hearthstone, Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues, and GI Joe: Operation Blackout.   Legacy titles include World of Warcraft, Deer Hunter, Transformers, Barbie, Disney Princess, and Dora the Explorer.

Randall has spoken and taught at events all over the world.  He co-hosts the Let’s Talk Voiceover podcast at www.letstalkvoiceover.com.  Residing in both Akumál Mexico and Los Angeles, he still composes music, performs the occasional live gig, and thinks that dogs make the best people.

Gillian Brashear

Gillian is a New York trained actor who started in the theater and forayed into television before relocating to Los Angeles and working in films, commercials, theater and voice over.  She is the narrator of the Emmy Award winning TV docu-series Wonder Women.  She directed the Ovation Award winning play, Valsetz, in Los Angeles.

Her passion is finding the spark of truth in every performance, which is especially fun in the world of video games.  As both an actor and a director she has worked on titles such as: Titanic: Secrets of the Fateful Voyage, Lord of the Rings Online, Chivalry 2, Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Cosmonious High, NHRA:Speed for All, Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded, Little League World Series Baseball.