|
15 Mar 06 - 10:42 PM (#1694760) Subject: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: Bee-dubya-ell Help me out here. This thread was inspired by the Isaac Hayes Quits thread. While I don't watch television and have never seen "Southpark" nor heard Mr. Hayes' voice on it, I have watched borrowed DVDs of animated movies and have, frankly, been a bit dismayed to watch the ending credits roll by and see the names of highly-paid, big-name "stars" who have performed the voices of the principle characters. Does it really make any difference to anyone whether the actors who do the voices in cartoons and animated movies are well-known or not? Did anyone decide to see "Shrek" because Eddie Murphy did the donkey's voice? Couldn't the producers have saved a ton of money by hiring an out-of-work nightclub impersonator and having him pretend to be Eddie Murphy pretending to be a donkey? When did this trend of hiring expensive big-name actors to do cartoon voices get started? Years ago, voices were done by nobodies or by lower echelon "character" actors like Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo), Sterling Holloway and the like. Or one talented person, like Mel Blanc, would do numerous characters and nobody cared (if they even knew) that it was all one guy's voice. Is the whole idea to use the actors' "star-power" to draw adult audiences to what is usually perceived to be entertainment for children? Are we supposed to feel that an animated movie is more "legitimate" if we know the producers spent millions of dollars on voice talent instead of mere hundreds of thousands? |
|
15 Mar 06 - 11:55 PM (#1694857) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: The Fooles Troupe Yes. |
|
16 Mar 06 - 12:03 AM (#1694862) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: Peace I understand that Bush will be doing the part of Daffy Duck OR Goofy in an up-coming multi-million dollar remake to be entitled, "Nationalist Harpoon's 'War of the World'", coming soon to a theatre near YOU! |
|
16 Mar 06 - 12:08 AM (#1694864) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: Anonny Mouse Maybe it's the "parent factor" when taking the little tots to see the film (like they could CARE that Ray Romano is a talking mastiff or whatever). But maybe it makes something made for kids more enjoyable for the adults that have to take them? Just a theory. Besides, Shrek is really an "adult cartoon" in kids' clothing--and the coolness factor of some SNL actors (like Myers, and once upon a time Murphy) and Lithgow, Joan Rivers etc. in there and charactered like their life-persona again makes it a more socially acceptable thing. |
|
16 Mar 06 - 02:26 PM (#1695371) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: Jim Dixon I'd be interested in knowing whether those stars are paid as much to do cartoon voices as they are paid to do regular movies. I'd bet they're paid a lot less because it's less work, right? No messing with costumes or makeup, or reshooting scenes because they don't look right. A flubbed line can be fixed in editing. They don't need to memorize their lines because they can read them. They don't even need to be in the same room with their co-actors. Acting is just as unfair as music. Some get rich while others have a hard time making a living. It's hard to believe the rich ones really deserve it. |
|
16 Mar 06 - 02:39 PM (#1695386) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: Clinton Hammond Voice work pays VERY well And if it's so easy, lets see you try it Jim |
|
16 Mar 06 - 02:45 PM (#1695392) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: WFDU - Ron Olesko The star factor in cartoons is nothing new. Don Knotts and Judy Garland and many other lent their voices to cartoons while at the height of their careers. Jim Backus had a career in stage, radio and film before he voiced Mr. Magoo. The same with Sterling Holloway. Some of these actors are used purely for the draw - as they would in any film. They can also add a great deal to the script. Robin Williams gave a superb performance in Aladdin. Disney tried to screw him so he did not do the sequel, and Dan Castellana could not match the performance. It is easy to say that the actor doesn't have to be in the same room or worry about makeup. Delivering a line is not as easy as you make it sound. Stars should get paid the market value for their name and what they bring to a film. The producers and backers surely aren't being stiffed by paying these salaries. |
|
16 Mar 06 - 04:45 PM (#1695510) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: Wesley S It doesn't matter to me whose face is at the other end of the voice I'm hearing. As the father of a five year old I get to hear a lot more cartoon voices than a lot of you might. But it can be fun sometimes to hear the voice of "Clifford the Big Red Dog" and realize it's John Ritter - or hear the voice of his next door neighbor and recognise the voice of Tom Bosley. Commercials are a different matter. LOTS of actors doing those for extra cash. Gene Hackman among others. |
|
16 Mar 06 - 04:57 PM (#1695523) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: WFDU - Ron Olesko "It doesn't matter to me whose face is at the other end of the voice I'm hearing. As the father of a five year old I get to hear a lot more cartoon voices than a lot of you might." As a father of a 15 year old and a 10 year old, I have been watching cartoons for many years now. I don't think you realize how important that voice in the cartoon really is. The name might not mean anythying to you, but the peformance will. The cartoon can go from being enjoyable to a piece of crap in a heartbeat. A GOOD voice actor is not some paid hack who rushes through lines. One of the reason to pick successful actors for these parts is because they have the training to do a good job. Robin Williams can give an outstanding performance, while Melvin Q. Nobody would turn in a dull read. John Ritter and Tom Bosley are two additional good examples. They did more than just "show up" for the job. As a producer, you get what you pay for. |
|
16 Mar 06 - 06:39 PM (#1695587) Subject: RE: BS: 'Celebrity' Cartoon Voices From: Jim Dixon I didn't say it was easy; I said it was easier than acting. |