New Games & Comics Interview February 2009 Edition
Vic Mignogna
Vic Mignogna
I am super excited to bring to the readers of the Games & Comics and Collectibles pages this new interview with one of the best voice actors in the business. He is well known and respected around the anime industry and he was cool enough to agree to speak to me via email for an online interview. What makes Vic especially amazing is the fact that Vic is a man of many talents. From singing to voice acting, he gets the job done. Want to know more about Vic Mignogna? Then, read this exclusive interview that will sure to please all of his fans. Enjoy!
Noreé: Hello how are you doing today thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Let's start of by saying? Wow! What an impressive resume that you have. Now I would like to ask you to elaborate a little about your background and upbringing.
Vic: My pleasure to join you! Thanks for having me. In short, I grew up performing. I was brought up in a very conservative home in western Pennsylvania. My parents divorced when I was about nine, and while my dad was no longer around, my mom was always very supportive of my creative interests. I loved doing whatever I could... acting, singing, school plays, church programs... you name it.
Noreé: You have done dozens of anime, videogames, and movies. How important is it to you as an actor to stay busy?
Vic: Vitally important. Mostly because I love to work! But, also because it keeps an actor fresh and practiced in his craft. It's not easy, but I do the best I can to keep busy.
Noreé: As a successful voice actor what are the qualities you feel are needed to do well?
Vic: Well, I give a great deal of the credit to God for the opportunities that He has brought my way. But for my part, getting as much experience as possible and staying with it are the most important. There are more and more people trying to get into this field. So being sharp and prepared are very important.
Noreé: Do you feel that you have accomplished many of your goals at this point in your life professionally?
Vic: I have been blessed more than I ever imagined. There are always new goals to shoot for, and I have those too. But, I am very grateful for the things that have happened in my career.
Noreé: If you had an opportunity to portray one character that you have not had a chance to portray, which character would you want to portray and why?
Vic: There are a few roles I would really love to have played. But it's not healthy to dwell on lost opportunities. The actors that did get those roles did an awesome job with them. I just concentrate on doing the best I can with the roles I do get to play :)
Noreé: How important have the fans of the characters you have portrayed been in helping you capture the essence of the role you are playing?
Vic: Fans have always been so supportive. I've learned more about some characters than I otherwise would have known. I love them for their encouragement!
Noreé: Has there ever been a time that you did not like the direction that a character was heading? How do you handle creative differences?
Vic: Honestly, I don't ever recall such an instance. I depend on the directors to know what their vision of the character is, and I do my best to give it to them. If a creative difference ever does arrive, we discuss it and the director will hear me out and ultimately will make the final decision.
Noreé: What has been one of your most memorable moments on the set?
Vic: There are too many to pick one! I have absolutely cherished so many recording sessions with so many people. Don't make me pick one!
Noreé: What are some of the perks that you have received from being a
voice actor?
Vic: There are many! I would have to say the greatest one is the love and support of the fans for what I do. The second would be the privilege to travel all over the world and meet people who enjoy my work. And finally, the opportunity to share my music with fans. They have really embraced my original music composition, production and singing. I'm so honored.
Noreé: I'd like to know who is your favorite voice actor and who would you like to work with and why?
Vic: I don't have a "favorite" voice actor, but there are several that I greatly admire. People like, Steve Blum, Bob Bergen, Monica Rial, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Mike McFarland, Luci Christian.... and they are all friends! I shouldn't have started a list... because now there is a ton more coming to mind!
Noreé: Ikkaku from bleach is one of my most favorite characters. (I'm still waiting on a statue for him.) What preparation did you put into preparing for this role?
Vic: Thank you! I love ole baldy too! I was hoping to get to be a part of Bleach, and one day I was asked to audition for a few roles that were coming up. Ikkaku was one of them. I was so excited to play him! He was not my normal voice, and actors always love the chance to play roles that don't typically sound like them. One of my favorite compliments is when fans say "I didn't know that was you!"
Noreé: One of the reasons why a respect you so much is that you do a combination of many things. What I what to know is; is it hard singing for the same show you are voice acting in? Why or Why not?
Vic: Not hard at all. In fact, I'd love to do more singing for anime series! I've gotten to record themes for One Piece and Dragonball GT. I hope there will be more!
Noreé: That's all the questions I have for you for today. Anything you'd like to say to our online readers?
Vic: I just want to thank the fans. They have given me so much encouragement, love and support. Voice actors don't typically get paid a ton of money, but the privilege to do something I love for a living, along with the encouragement and support of the fans makes me the richest man in the world.
