Although much of the emphasis toward animated features is focused on visual representation, truth be told, the key ingredient that underpins any production is the voicing of characters.
Without the right voice actors portraying each role, such productions would quickly become forgettable experiences, lacking the genuine and authentic emotional range and personality they can bring to animations.
Highly talented voice artists can breathe life into the characters we see on our screens, giving them a real and tangible identity all of their own, creating a strong affinity between those characters and the audience.
Emotional Resonance
Getting an animated character to convey emotional feelings is quite a challenge, only truly realized when a voice actor is able to bring their own depth and sensations. Naturally, those sensations are also felt by the audience, and such was the case for the voices behind Elemental, an intriguing first ever foray into romcom territory for Pixar.
They needed characters to be entirely believable, whom the audience could relate with. Experienced in working on previous animated features, Ronnie Del Carmen was no stranger to finding just the right emotional and parental tones for Bernie Lumen, father of one of the lead characters.
Speaking as a father himself, Del Carmen was clear about what inspired his portrayal of the character he voiced in Elemental. “Your workshop and your laboratory is your own experience. You place yourself in there to give it weight and gravity and authenticity,” he explained. That was certainly evident in the emotional range he brought to the animated character.
Creating Unforgettable Characters
Undoubtedly, certain voices have the capacity to become unforgettable, having become firmly etched into our aural memories. Thanks to the deep, resonant voice of James Earl Jones, the character and sound of Darth Vader became iconic in popular culture. His voice continues to be used in animated Star Wars features and even video games.
Then we have Tom Hanks, the veteran actor who gave Woody in the Toy Story franchise a genuine connection with audiences, infusing the character with sincerity and warmth. Indeed, it’s probably fair to say that without the talented vocal range of Hanks, Woody might not be the unforgettable animated character that endeared him to audiences around the world.
The best animated characters are those who have their own unique personality, only made possible by voice actors who are able to grasp the very essence of the characterization required, ensuring they become cherished and lasting favorites that generate huge fandom.
Versatility and Transformation
We’ve already touched on how one unforgettable voice transformed the Star Wars franchise, but what about another famed villain? Well, after famously playing Luke Skywalker in those movies, Mark Hamill turned his attention to voice acting.
In fact, he made the seamless transition from Luke Skywalker to voicing the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, demonstrating incredible vocal range. His performances were loved by audiences, especially the maniacal laughter that both chilled and exited fans, and many weren’t even aware initially that it was Hamill behind the dynamic vocal sounds.
And this is essentially what makes exceptional voiceovers an intrinsic part of animated projects, when perfectly matched actors are fully able to make characters appealing, so they genuinely resonate with audiences and have their own personality.
