THE INTERVIEW
KW: How did you approach this project?
Jessica: Many voice over jobs are very improvisational and you do not get the script in advance. This is especially the case when working on video games. I never got the script in advance for the character of Ina, so I came to the sessions with an open mind and a creative spirit.
KW: Did you have any knowledge of Inahime previously?
Jessica: No I did not.
KW: What is your opinion of Ina?
Jessica: Ina is one feisty chick.
KW: Did you enjoy voicing Ina?
Jessica: Yes. Ina had a few levels to her personality, which I liked. Multi-dimensional characters are fun to play. She was not just a typical warrior gal, as I recall. She had a softer, more feminine side to her as well.
KW: Are you any good with archery, as Ina appears to be?
Jessica: He-he….Seriously?! Nope. Someone must have me confused with Gina Davis. Never held a bow & arrow before in my life. I pretend that I have.
KW: Are there any qualities in Ina that you would see in yourself?
Jessica:Well, it’s been a while since I played her and they don’t let you take home the script….However, I remember her having a strong side and softer, feminine side. I have both. Additionally, when I first started playing heroic/warrior type females many years ago, I had to find that inside of myself. The more I play strong females, the more I recognize heroic parts of myself. This is all good as it builds confidence and allows me to explore and enjoy the more masculine parts of myself. I like being a strong female.
KW: Have you done any other notable voice work?
Jessica: Yes. Please visit my website to find out more:
www.jessicastraus.com. Or visit me on my new MySpace page and “befriend” me there:
www.myspace.com/jessicastraus.
I’m also on Facebook, however, I don’t list my credits there.
I’ve actually done a large majority of my work in games. The most popular games I’ve voiced lead characters on recently are “.hack/GU” as Pi, and “Star Ocean” as Myuria. Additionally, I just worked on “Red Faction” and “Darksiders”, which are more mainstream games that have been announced, but have yet to be released. I started my voice over career voicing Amazon in “Diablo 2” and EVA (computer) in “Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun”. There are many more games I’ve done, but I can’t list them all here. Also, I have several exciting new games coming out this year, which I’m not allowed to mention yet. Hint: You can also visit my “MySpace” blog for updates on releases.
KW: If you were a video game character, what would you be?
Jessica:I like playing several different characters in a game. In Klonoa, (which has been announced, but has yet to be released), I played a little girl, a sweet mom and an old lady. That was fun.
KW: Was there any funny moment of recording your lines?
Jessica: Ina’s recording was not really that funny. It was more straight forward dialogue. On “Klonoa” I laughed a lot because the studio had 2 dogs that listened intently to my entire recording, tilting their heads and being cute while I acted. Made me laugh and I wish they could come to all my gigs. I love animals. Speaking of animals, on another recent project (not a game), I was required to yap like a cartoon penguin for 2 hours plus. That was funny in a surreal kind of way, as I had to ask if they wanted the dialogue in Penguin or human. I wish I had a video of that session.
KW: Was there a favorite line of Ina's you liked?
Jessica: I’m sorry. It’s been a while since I performed Ina and I do so many games and other voice over projects, so I don’t recall specific lines.
KW: Did you know of any others who were also doing voices for this project?
Jessica: Yes. I know and have met many of the actors who lent their voice talents to this project. However, we did not record it together. Everyone records their lines separately and just works with the director and the engineer.
KW: If asked to voice Ina again for a game, do you think you would accept?
Jessica: Sure!
KW: What was it like, voicing Ina? Did you have a hard time making all those attack and injury noises that she makes in the game? Have you ever played the game or seen it?
Jessica: Voicing Ina was a good experience for the most part. I do remember I had to be very articulate for this particular game, as they wanted every word to be clear and understood. They requested several takes for each line and I would give them several different line interpretations on the spot. That’s the norm for games, so I’m used to it.
Attack and injury noises are easy for me to do as I do them on almost every time I play heroines…which is 60%- 70% of my work in games. I do the sounds vocally and get my body into it as well to make them sound as real as possible. I remember one session, where I had to yell quite a bit and then my voice did get a bit tired afterward. You have to be careful when yelling on games, as it can tire and damage your vocal cords. Now-a-days, if I know I’m going to yell a lot in a game, I try to avoid yelling a lot on the next project. I need to pace myself on yelling especially because I also get cast to play little kids (boys & girls). Damaging your vocal cords and then playing a six year old girl is something I don’t recommend.
Nope, I have never played the game, sorry to say, but I have seen a few videos off youtube….looks cool.
KW: How much background information are you and the other VAs given before it's time to recite the lines? How easy was it to sink into character?
Jessica: No information, except what the director has time to tell me at the session….unless I look up stuff myself on the internet about the game. I’ve had a lot of acting training and I’ve been doing this for a while, so Ina was an easy fit for me. But the director also had his idea of how Ina should sound, so I took in his direction as well. You have your idea as the voice actor, but ultimately, it is the director and the sound editor who decides how your performance will sound on the game.
KW: And, do you have anything else to say to the fans at KOEI Warriors?
Jessica: Thanks so much for all your inquiries and interest in my vocal talents! I’m happy and flattered that you asked me to interview.
Please visit my
website, join me on
Myspace, or find me on Facebook if you’d like to keep in touch.
