Interview No. 187

Interview By: @The-Great-One

Patreon Post Date: August 30, 2023

[ PART 1 | PART 2 ]

Q: You have been asked for your advice on voice acting in the past. Part of your advice was to just do it. You have sited Rob Paulsen's Talkin' Toons and Dee Bradley Baker's I Want To Be A Voice Actor!. This would be back in 2019. In 2021 when you were asked about how to make demo reel you would talk about timing, genre, and characters and use your Character Demo 2021 as an example. Do you still agree with the advice you have given in 2019? Has how you grew as a voice actor changed with your demo reel advice in 2021? Could you elaborate more on your advice for new voice actors and those interested to voice act for the current year 2023?

A: In regards to my advice from 2019, it still rings true. When it comes to getting started in your voice acting career, the best route is to just DO IT! People will come up with every excuse in the book to not try and pursue voice acting. “I’m not good enough,” how do you know, you’ve never tried! “I don’t have a good mic,” and? Use for phone for the time being, look up cheaper mics that are perfect for beginners and continue to upgrade as you improve. I started with a USB mic from my Guitar Hero World Tour game (NO JOKE!). “I’m not talented enough.” I can guarantee ANYONE that Tom Kenny (Voice of SpongeBob) was not good when he started. Voice acting takes a lot of studying and training to improve. I SUCKED when I started, and I like to see that I’ve improved a lot over the years, it takes time! Don’t be afraid to just try it and see how you like it! If you don’t like it, you can say, “Hey, I tried, it’s not for me,” or it can motivate you to improve and become a great voice actor!

In regards to demo reels, a lot of the advice stills holds as well. The timing is the most important thing. You NEVER want to rush into making a demo and NEVER make it yourself. It’s always best to have someone help you create one, someone who has experience in the industry and making demo reels. In reels, depending on what type of demo you’re making (animation, video game, commercial, audio book, character), you wants to show off your best voices, but more importantly, you want to show off your ACTING. Acting is the most important thing in the craft. If you can’t act, you won’t make it as a voice actor. For commercial reels, acting is a component, but also understanding the various reads and styles that go into commercial spots in vital. The final thing with demos, you ALWAYS want to include your natural voice, and always showcase it first. Don’t hide it behind other voices, let the casting director, or team, know your voice right away.

Q: You would join Fro's podcast, The Dom and Fro Show in Episode 5 to talk about Fro's skit No Slip Canes!. What was it like to work with Fro on this skit?

A: It was really fun working on No Slip Canes! The best part of that skit was the fact that it was one of the first skits we produced for the very first Newgrounds Voice Ating Collab! Fro wrote the script years ago and thought it would be perfect for the collab. So I recorded the main dialogue, @NickSenny and @KidKerrigan recorded the secondary dialogue and I edited it! Fro enjoyed it so much that wanted to put it on the Dom and Fro Show. It was his story after all, but I was happy that we let listeners hear it early and give them a taste of the collab!

Q: As an interviewer and part of Off The Wall I am still new to podcasting. You would go onto interview Aaron-Long in Episode 9 of The Dom and Fro Show. You sound like a natural though. Does voice acting make this transition easier or is there something special that it takes?

A: Going into that interview with Aaron, I had a bunch of podcasting experience under my belt already. I was a part of two podcasts prior and I’ve always enjoyed recording them.It’s always been natural to just strike up a conversation and hold that conversation with a person. Plus, I’m a big Aaron Long fan, so having that opportunity to ask him questions about Sublo and Tangy Mustard, Bojack Horseman and Tuca and Berdie made it super easy to talk with him! I feel that being outgoing and comfortable speaking with others goes a long way in podcasting!

Q: You would serve as a guest and then later on become a host. How did you become a part of The Newgrounds Podcast?

A: Man, I LOVED being a part of NGP. I’m very thankful for that experience and to be a part of the team! So, I was actually talking to our mutual buddy @JohnnyGuy, and he mentioned how NGP was looking to branch out further and what ideas could work for future episodes. I mentioned to Johnny that I would love to help them out if they ever needed it, whether it be a guest host, or coming up with topics/segments that they could use for episodes. Well, Johnny being the awesome dude he is, agreed that I would be a good host, and he went ahead and mentioned to @WillKMR and @GoodL that I was interested in helping out with NGP. The crew discussed the possibility of me coming on and it was unanimous, even though I think @PsychoGoldfish wanted me to f off ha! Totally kidding. We all jumped on a voice chat and the guys welcomed me aboard! The timing was bitter sweet though because GoodL also let everyone know that he would be stepping down from hosting. I would go on to be a host on the podcast for over a year and I met a lot of amazing people along the way and connected with the community further which was amazing. I honestly believe that if it wasn’t for NGP, I would have never appeared in @Pelo’s Spooky Month as Bob Velseb. I met Pelo through the podcast and we connected after our interview with him. NGP was good to me and it will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart. I love NGP!

Q: We now come to one of your biggest contributions to the site. The Newgrounds Voice Acting Collaborations. A project started in 2020 and has been going strong since then. I love that it brings a lot of voice actors to the spotlight here on Newgrounds. There are people I have never heard of who participate in these collabs. What was your thought process behind starting the collabs? What news is there of 2023's Voice Acting Collaboration?

A: The Newgrounds Voice Acting Collaboration is one of the greatest accomplishments of my career and Newgrounds. Before it was a collab, I simply wanted to put together audio skits that me and fellow voice actors of Newgrounds could voice on. It would be a way for me to meet other voice actors, improve my craft and grow my presence on the site. However, during one of the animation jams (I believe it was either the Pet jam or Elon Musk jam?), it dawned on me that there’s never been a collaboration solely for voice actors. So, I pieced together a simple concept for the 2020 NGVAC, posted about it in the voice acting forums and waited to see if anyone would bite. Thankfully, @NickSenny would be the first one to reach out about wanting to be a part of the collab. Then more and more voice actors reached out about wanting to voice in it. Then Fro reached out and offered to write a few skits for us. Next thing I know, we have 22 audio skits lined up and we have an assortment of voice actors, writers and composers. I was mind blown about how many people wanted to participate, how well it was executed and how well received it was by the Newgrounds community. I was so proud of what we did, and what we did in ‘21 and ‘22. I’m so proud that I created a platform for the Newgrounds voice acting community. I gave them a place to showcase what they can do, practice their craft and meet fellow voice actors like I initially wanted to do when I was starting out. It’s honestly a blessing that we’ve had the collab run for three years! I’m so grateful to the team who’s helped me put it together, you guys are the best <3 As of right now, we don’t have anything lined up for 2023, but we’ve had some recent talks about establishing a new format and trying to release a mini collab by the end of the year. It could ultimately evolve how we do the NGVAC and make it easier to manage! Keep your ears peeled for news about it!

Q: What has the experience been like working on these collaborations with all of these different voice actors?

A: It’s truly been a blessing. I’ve met some AMAZING voice actors through the collaboration. I’ve got to listen to, and experience, the amazing voice acting talent this website has to offer. I’ve been able to bask in the final product that these awesome voice actors helped put together! It truly is a testament to how badass voice actors are what they’re capable of doing with their talents. One of the coolest experiences from the collab is that I got to work with one of Newgrounds idols @AlmightyHans. I’ve always enjoyed his voice acting work and I looked up to him when I was starting. I got to voice in a skit with him and that was truly awesome!

Q: Your talents became quite known throughout the Musk Jam. You would bring the voice of Elon Musk and others to Elon's secret room, Elon's Nu-Human, Fat and Musky, The New Tesla Model, and the winning entry of the jam, Son Of The Musk. How did you come about voicing this many entries? The workload alone must have been incredible.

A: Honestly, just being proactive! I was in the forum post daily looking for animators who needed help on their submissions. I made it known that I wanted to provide voices and help out in any way possible. That allowed me to secure the roles I voiced in those submissions! Being proactive during the Musk Jam produced the opportunity to work with the legend @Bowz and introduced me to my buddy @BoyPorcelain! You never know what can happen if you put yourself out there and ask!

Q: All the way back in 1999, Tom Fulp would give us Pico vs Bear. Dungeonation would work on bring us a remake of the game PICO VS BEAR DX. You would supply the voice of Tom's most iconic character, Pico. How did you come to voice Pico? What was it like working on this game?

A: This is the beauty of my last statement. You never know what can happen if you put yourself out there and ask! At this point in time, I barely knew Dungeon, but we chatted on Discord in NG related servers before. One day, Dungeon mentioned that he wanted to remake Pico vs Bear for Pico Day. I told him that was a badass idea and he should take on that task, as well as others! So he did and started providing some assets, and wips, of his early development. Me, looking for any opportunity to help out with a NG project, I asked Dungeon if he planned on having any sound bits for Pico. He told me yes and I asked if I could do it for him. He agreed to me helping, provided the sound he wanted for Pico and I created small audio bits for the game! He loved them and I was set to be the voice of Pico in DX, a dream come true, getting to voice PICO!!! Well, Dungeon continued developing and showed me the in-game dialogue he was writing for the remake. Me, being the proactive voice actor i am, asked Dungeon if he wanted to have the dialogue fully voiced. I feel he was hesitant at first, but I told him I could help find voices for Darnell and Nene and he was in. So I found the actors, recorded my dialogue for Pico and the rest is history. This was a blessing for sure, getting the chance to voice the legendary, staple character of Newgrounds, Tom’s main guy. I’m so grateful that Dungeon gave me the opportunity to voice Pico, it’s allowed me to voice in more projects since then! However, voicing Pico in DX has been my most memorable performance because it was the first performance for me and I had a blast bringing his voice to life. Seeing the community praise the voice and my effort meant a lot to me.

Q: When and how did you meet SrPelo? When did you become a part of the Spooky Month saga voicing Bob Velseb in Spooky Month - Tender treats? What is it like working with SrPelo? Did he have an idea in mind for this character who was once seen and not heard or did it come from you?

A: So as stated earlier, I met Pelo through NGP! Will was able to secure an interview with him and I was brought on to co-host the episode. The interview, I believe, is still the most listened to NGP episode on Newgrounds and the YouTube channel! We talked with Pelo for a little over an hour and we had a blast chatting with him! After the episode, I reached out to him and just thanked him for coming on to the show. During the show, we made it known that I’m a voice actor and I do voices. So in my DMs with him, I told him that I’d love to help him with voices if he ever needed the help. Graciously, Pelo told me that he would definitely put me on his list of voice actors because he’s always looking for new VAs to help him out! I was pumped and grateful that he didn’t turn me down. After that conversation, I stayed in touch with Pelo throughout the year, mainly minor chats here and there. There weren’t any voice over requests from Pelo though and Spooky Month 4 came and went. It wasn’t the end of the world for me though because I know Pelo has his team and had his actors already! I remained in contact with Pelo though, just to keep myself on his mind if he ever needed help with voices. Then, in February of 2022, his production team reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to voice a character appearing in the next Spooky Month named Bob Velseb. I was ELATED at the message and I HAPPILY accepted! Working on the show was an absolute blast. Pelo already had a voice in mind for Bob and we quickly landed on the voice you hear in the episode. Recording the lines was an absolute blast and hearing Pelo’s reaction to them was even better. I constantly thank Pelo for the opportunity to voice Bob in Spooky Month. It has opened doors for me simply because he gave me a platform to showcase what I can do as a voice actor!

Q: I have one piece of ridiculousness I would like to know more about. What can you tell me about Important Announcement and what is the story behind Bro-son's inspiration?

A: HAHAHAHAHA!!! So I know this is really random, but @Bro-son posted this silly story on his Instagram one day. I saw it, laughed my butt off and I knew I had to record it. So, that’s what I did and that’s what led to the ridiculousness of that upload!

Q: Ceevro has a series of singalongs here on Newgrounds. One involving a sea shanty entitled Barrett's Privateers Singalong. You have started the Sea Shanty Collab!. Any news on this collaboration?

A: Man, I wish I had a lot to report on the Sea Shanty Collab. As of right now, it’s still a idea that’s floating around. We’ve had people show interest, and I’ve had a few people wanting to help me and get the ball rolling, but we just haven’t been as proactive as we need to be. I really want to bring this collab to life because I LOVE sea shanties and I feel it would be a fun collab to put together! It would be a great collab for composers and vocalists to just have some fun performing, and singing, sea shanties! I’m hoping we get this thing completed. It may not be completed this year, but maybe we’ll see it in 2024.

Q: We are nearing the end of this interview. You have celebrated 200 Fans, 400 Fans, and 800 Fans. You are nearing 3,000 Fans here on the site. You gave us a recap of your time on Newgrounds with a Pico Day entry entitled A Homage to Newgrounds - Pico Day 2021. Although you signed up in 2008, you have taken Newgrounds by storm as of late, celebrating your 100th movie and doing more since then. Reviewing your growth over these years and the making of your homage, is the reason you joined the same as why you have stayed with the site for so long?

A: Absolutely, I joined Newgrounds because I loved watching the animations, playing the games and being part of an awesome community. Now, I get to be in those animations, games and even songs now! I’ve connected with the community further and they’ve allowed me to entertain them all these years. I always say this, and I always mean it, my Newgrounds followers are the most important to me. You guys truly care about the work that’s put on the site and your support means the world to every creator. You guys push us to be the best we can be at all times and allow us to grow in our crafts. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today without Newgrounds and this community. Newgrounds gave me a platform to show what I can do and provided me with my first voice acting opportunities. This site is the best and I’ll always love it. Nothing will tear me away from Newgrounds. I plan on voicing Newgrounds content until you guys don’t want me anymore, and even then, I’ll still upload my work here! I’m a Newgrounds member for life! Thank you guys for all your love, and support, over the years and allowing me to show you my talents and my love for voice acting. You guys helped me get to where I am. I’m grateful for every single member who’s crossed my path and supports me!

Q: What can we expect from VoicesByCorey in the future?

A: Hopefully more and more voice acting work! You should be hearing me in more animations, and games, on the site soon! I’m hoping to land representation too and open more doors in my career. We’ll see!

We now come to the questionnaire invented by French talk show host Bernard Pivot, and adapted by my idol James Lipton.

Q: What's your favorite word?

A: Dream

Q: What is your least favorite word?

A: Stop

Q: What turns you on?

A: Positivity

Q: What turns you off?

A: Negativity

Q: What sound or noise do you love?

A: The voices of my daughter and son

Q: What sound or noise do you hate?

A: My wife’s voice - KIDDING! XD - Probably an alarm clock, the old school, loud ones that wake you up in a state of fear

Q: What's your favorite curse word?

A: FUCK! :D

Q: What job or profession would you most like to take rather than your own?

A: If I was still able to, I would play professional baseball

Q: What job or profession would you least like to take?

A: The guy who shovels elephant crap at the zoo

Q: If Heaven exists, what would you like God to say to you when you arrive at the pearly gates?

A: “Well done my good and faithful servant”…Praise my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! <3

Seeing a movie or game with VoicesByCorey in the credits is a real treat. You never know which character or characters that he's going to play. It's fun to play a game and try to find him. It's also a hard game to play because he's never truly defined or typecast to one specific style. He's ever changing to whatever the character looks like, acts like, and talks like. For him to describe the process behind his work is outstanding. He truly is this site's Mel Blanc. If you need a voice actor in your project, then Corey is your guy, for sure.

[ PART 1 | PART 2 ]

The Interviewer is a part of Dohn's Desk Productions

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