TLDR;
In this episode of the Nerd On! podcast, Jeff Nimoy, a voice actor, writer, producer, and director, shares his journey into the world of anime and voice acting, particularly his work on Digimon and Trigun. He discusses his family connection to Leonard Nimoy, his early experiences in show business, and his transition from acting to writing and directing. Nimoy also touches on the creative freedom he had with Digimon, his favorite roles, and the impact of his work on fans.
- Jeff Nimoy's connection to Leonard Nimoy and how it influenced his career.
- His experiences working on Digimon, including writing, directing, and voice acting.
- The creative freedom he had in Americanizing Japanese cartoons.
- The impact of his roles, especially Wolfwood in Trigun, on fans.
- His perspective on the voice acting industry and advice for aspiring voice actors.
Introduction [0:00]
The Nerd On! podcast introduces Jeff Nimoy as their first guest. The hosts—Josh, Tom, Corey, and Ali—briefly introduce themselves and their roles on the show. Jeff Nimoy acknowledges the unique experience of being surrounded by microphones and shares his excitement about the conversation.
Family Connection to Leonard Nimoy [2:10]
Jeff Nimoy addresses the common question about his relation to Leonard Nimoy, revealing that Leonard was his second cousin once removed. He wrote an article titled "The Other Nimoy: The Voyages of a Second Cousin Once Removed" a year after Leonard's passing, detailing their relationship and the impact of sharing the Nimoy name. Jeff recounts how he met Leonard at 16 and later got a job as a production assistant on "Three Men and a Baby," directed by Leonard, after calling Walt Disney Pictures and speaking with Leonard's assistant.
Getting into Anime [6:57]
Jeff Nimoy explains how he transitioned into anime through a show called "The Mutant League." Initially supplementing his income with small anime roles at Saban Entertainment, he eventually pitched an original idea to Fox Kids. This led to him writing and executive producing, and later becoming the showrunner for Digimon.
Becoming Showrunner of Digimon [8:25]
Jeff recounts being offered Digimon after the company passed on Pokemon. Initially hesitant, he and his partner Bob Buchholz eventually took on the project and became showrunners. Jeff also auditioned for Digimon as an actor and got role of tent Amon. He discusses directing the voice actors and how he and Bob started writing the show, emphasizing the creative freedom they had to Americanize the Japanese cartoon.
Creative Freedom and Localization [14:05]
Jeff elaborates on the creative freedom he and Bob had with Digimon, explaining that they often disregarded the original translations to create funnier, more Americanized scripts. They had to adhere to the basic storyline and character names due to the involvement of Bandai and other companies, but they were encouraged to make the show funnier. Jeff notes that the ratings jumped when they took over, though he remains humble about taking credit.
Digimon and Conventions [17:49]
Jeff discusses his experiences at anime conventions, where he often curses more than he intends, forgetting there are teenagers in the audience. He mentions attending Anime Expo and doing panels with other voice actors. Jeff also shares that he is still involved with Digimon, including the release of "The Confession" and other projects.
Favorite Role: Wolfwood in Trigun [20:18]
Jeff reveals that his favorite role is Nicholas D. Wolfwood in Trigun, as it was the only time he got to use his own voice. He recounts the story of how he was cast for the role without a traditional audition, simply being asked if he could sound like a smoker. Jeff also shares a story about realizing the popularity of his role as Wolfwood at a convention, despite it being a non-union, straight-to-video project.
Directing and Creative Choices [29:37]
Jeff discusses the challenges of balancing his work on Digimon and Trigun, including a time when he had to record 11 hours of Wolfwood's lines while simultaneously working on Digimon. He also shares a story about a creative disagreement during the recording of Digimon Data Squad, where he wanted Crispin Freeman to say "I know" instead of "I love you too," as a nod to Star Wars.
Digimon Seasons and Voice Acting [32:57]
Jeff shares his favorite Digimon character to write for was Joe. He discusses the differences between seasons 1 and 2, noting that he had more control in season 2 and implemented changes such as having one actor play all digivolutions of a character. He also talks about the dual DNA digivolution and his decision to have the same actors perform those roles.
Voice Acting Industry and SAG [37:15]
Jeff shares his perspective on the voice acting industry, including his mixed feelings about SAG (Screen Actors Guild). He believes the union favors elite members and doesn't adequately support average working actors. He recounts an experience where he didn't receive residuals for doing Quentin Tarantino's voice in a dubbed version of Pulp Fiction.
Other Ventures: Cooking Caveman and More [40:30]
Jeff discusses his blog, "Cooking Caveman," where he shares Paleo diet recipes. He also mentions his routine of auditioning and working as a writer, producer, and director. Jeff promotes his upcoming appearances at anime conventions and a movie he's shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Additionally, he mentions his free dating site, "Same Plate," which matches people based on their food preferences.
Favorite Movie: Star Wars [44:34]
Jeff shares his favorite movies, including The Godfather, It's a Wonderful Life, Casablanca, and Pulp Fiction. However, he identifies Star Wars as the most influential, recounting his experience of seeing it multiple times in the theater as a child and how it inspired him and his peers to pursue filmmaking.
Digimon Data Squad and Career Reflections [48:34]
Jeff discusses his decision to leave Naruto to direct Digimon Data Squad, despite it being a less financially sound choice. He emphasizes the complete creative control he had over Data Squad, including casting Quentin Flynn and Crispin Freeman. Jeff reflects on his career, acknowledging the ups and downs and how the fans' appreciation at conventions reminds him of the impact of his work.
Advice for Aspiring Voice Actors [54:35]
Jeff offers advice for aspiring voice actors, emphasizing the importance of moving to where the work is, such as California. He also stresses the need to take acting classes and develop acting skills, as having a great voice alone is not enough. Jeff highlights the importance of being good and fast to not cost the production money.
Nerdy Influences and Personal Impact [58:16]
Jeff reflects on how being a "nerd" has impacted his life, from his early love of Star Wars to his current involvement in anime conventions. He shares that the same thing that he inspired in people inspired him back. He also recounts a story about finally meeting Johnny Yong Bosch, the voice of Vash the Stampede, while directing Bleach.
Outro and Contact Information [1:06:06]
The hosts thank Jeff for being their guest and share their social media handles. Jeff also provides his contact information, including his Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Facebook, and website for "Cooking Caveman." The episode concludes with thank yous and farewells.