Digimon Adventure Tri Anime Expo 2017 Panel

Brief Summary

This video features a panel discussion with Joshua Seth, Jeff Nimoy, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey, who share their experiences and insights on voice acting, particularly in the context of Digimon. They discuss the differences between dubbing and original animation, how they approached their roles in the Digimon series, and some memorable moments from their careers.

• The panelists discuss the challenges and rewards of voice acting, especially in dubbing anime.
• They share anecdotes about their experiences working on Digimon, including audition stories and behind-the-scenes insights.
• The conversation touches on the evolution of their characters and the balance between nostalgia and modernization.

Introduction

The host introduces Joshua Seth, Jeff Nimoy, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey, all well-known for their work on Digimon. The host expresses excitement about the panel and acknowledges the audience's enthusiasm for the franchise.

Returning to Digimon

The panelists discuss their initial surprise at being asked to reprise their roles in Digimon Adventure tri. Jeff Nimoy mentions that he had essentially quit voiceovers to focus on his live shows, but the special nature of Digimon brought him back. Joshua Seth recalls finding out about the project through Jeff and expressing his initial disappointment at not being asked to participate, which led to him being cast. Colleen O'Shaughnessey shares that she heard about the possibility of a return at a convention and was happy to be involved.

Dubbing vs. Original Animation

The panel explores the differences between voice acting for original animation and dubbing anime. Jeff Nimoy explains that dubbing is more restrictive due to the need to match timing and interpretation, but this also presents a unique challenge and opportunity for creativity. Colleen O'Shaughnessey adds that original animation allows for more freedom in delivery and improvisation, while dubbing requires fitting dialogue into pre-existing animation. She also notes that original animation often involves recording with the entire cast, which allows for more dynamic interaction.

Finding the Voice

The voice actors share their personal journeys into voice acting. Colleen discusses her early love for animation and creating voices for animals and babies. Joshua talks about growing up listening to old-time radio shows and how seeing Akira inspired him to pursue voice acting. Jeff mentions that he didn't watch much TV until film school, where he discovered anime and its potential for voice work.

Auditioning for Digimon

The panelists recount their experiences auditioning for Digimon. Jeff Nimoy recalls auditioning for multiple roles but ultimately being cast as Izzy's dad and other minor characters. Joshua Seth humorously remembers getting a hundred roles, including Ty. Colleen O'Shaughnessey describes the challenges of her first dubbing experience, including understanding the "beeps" and "flaps" used to sync dialogue with the animation.

Character Development

The voice actors discuss how they approached their characters. Joshua Seth explains that he didn't try to add too much affectation to Ty's voice, aiming for a natural sound with a slight pitch adjustment. Colleen O'Shaughnessey shares that Sora's voice is similar to her own, but she had to find a way to make her sound older while maintaining her original character.

Behind the Scenes

Jeff Nimoy shares a story about the original Digimon movie, revealing that it was initially intended to be a combination of only the first two movies, with Ty narrating. However, the studio insisted on including the third movie, which didn't feature Ty, leading to Kari becoming the narrator instead. Joshua Seth mentions that he had a bad cold during the recording of one of the Digimon movies, which affected his voice and required him to redo some lines.

Balancing Nostalgia and Modernization

The panel discusses how they balanced the nostalgia of the original characters with the need to bring them forward into current time. Colleen O'Shaughnessey mentions that she tried to maintain the essence of Sora's character while aging her voice appropriately. Joshua Seth adds that the music helped to update the tone of the series while still retaining its familiar elements.

Breaking into Voice Acting

The voice actors share their experiences breaking into the voice acting industry. Colleen O'Shaughnessey describes the challenges of moving to Los Angeles and trying to get an agent. Joshua Seth talks about the financial struggles he faced while pursuing his voice acting career, including driving a limo to make ends meet. Jeff Nimoy explains that he initially pursued magic and mentalism before his voice acting career took off. They all emphasize the importance of focus and dedication in achieving success in the industry.

Fan Questions and Closing Remarks

The panel answers questions from the audience, discussing various aspects of their careers and experiences with Digimon. They express their gratitude to the fans for their support and share some final thoughts on the franchise.