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I've always known I was going to be an actor.

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Voice Actor, Director, Big Tall Actor

with: Richard Epcar

Interview by: Stephanie Costello

Official Website (http://www.richardepcar.com/)

While you may know him as a voice actor, Richard Epcar is also a writer, a director, and star of stage and screen. Appearing in such diverse projects like "Memorirs of an Invisible Man, "General Hospital", and of course "Ghost in the Shell-Stand Alone Complex" airing on Adult Swim, Richard is one terrific actor, with a rich and diverse history.

Via E-Mail, Assistant Editor Honey Thunder and Richard talked about his career, his favorite voice over role, and the differences between working on animation and film.

DVJ: How are you?

Richard Epcar: I'm fine.

DVJ: As you know, we have a more relaxed approach to interviews. I'd like to start by having you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit (or much more if you'd like) about yourself.

RE: Well I'm an actor, writer, director and I am also an ADR supervisor. I have supervised the dubs of 'Galaxy Quest', 'Gladiator', "El Dorado", "Chicken Run" and 'E.T. the 20th Anniversary release'. Most of you know me by my anime work- I started out my career for the most part in 'Robotech', playing 'Ben Dixon', 'Lunk' and 'Gruel'. I directed the first season of 'Digimon' and did the voices of 'Myotismon', 'Etemon', and 'Apemon'. I wrote and directed and did lead voices in several animated series for Saban / Fox Kids Network, including, 'Teknoman', 'Eagle Riders', 'Flint the Time Detective', 'Power Rangers' and 'Transformers'. I also did 'Mitskuke', 'Guld' and the 'Hiten Mitsarugi Master' in 'Kenshin'. Shows that I'm directing and voicing right now include, 'Lupin III' in which I direct and play 'Jiggen'. 'Fighting Spirit', in which I play 'Kamagawa' and of course, 'Ghost in the Shell' in which I play 'Bateau' in the movie, series and the game. CD roms I have done include, 'Xeno-saga I and II', which I play 'Ziggy' 'Galarians', 'Lupin III', and 'Warcraft III' to name a few.

I have written and directed the English adaptations on many foreign films including Academy Award nominated films, 'Amoros Peros', 'The Widow of St. Pierre', 'Eat, Drink, Man, Woman' 'Cinema Paradiso', 'Belle Epoque' and 'TaiGukGi'.

Aside from that I do a lot of other voice work on shows, including 'Diagnosis Murder', "Xena' & "Hercules", 'Independence Day', 'Inspector Gadget', 'Seven', 'Rumble in the Bronx', 'Man in the Iron Mask', 'Rounders', 'Crime Story', 'Hell Raiser III & IV', 'Hard Target', 'Operation Condor', 'Rumble in the Bronx', 'Hopalong Cassidy', 'ER', 'Nash Bridges', 'Babylon 5', and many other films and television shows. On camera I've done several soaps including recurring characters on 'Days of Our Lives', 'General Hospital', and 'Santa Barbara'. On film I was in 'Memoirs of an Invisible Man', and others. I've done several primetime shows, including 'Columbo', 'Diagnosis Murder', 'Beverly Hills 90210', 'Matlock', 'Who's the Boss?' and 'Cheers'. I've been privileged to work with some wonderful people.

DVJ: Thanks so much for your time - I know you've got a very busy schedule these days. Can you tell us about the projects you're currently working on?

RE: Well as I said earlier, I'm presently directing and voicing 'Lupin III' (104 episodes) and 'Fighting Spirit' (75 episodes). I'm also doing 'Ghost in the Shell-Stand Alone Complex' which I'm thrilled to be doing the voice of 'Bateau' again.

I just finished voice directing an original animated feature film named 'The Pearl', with an all star cast. Some of the stars are, Rob Schnieder, Fran Drescher, Andy Dick, Freddie Prize Jr., John Reys Davies and R. Lee Emery. I also just finished directing a great game called, 'Shadow Hearts II'.

Today I recorded the lead in an original animated 'Robotech' movie named 'The Shadow Chronicles'. I play 'Captain Vince Grant'. Last week I recorded the lead in another original series called, 'The Avenging Apes' in which I play 'Morocco'. It's been really, really busy, but I enjoy being busy.

DVJ: At what point in your life did you realize that you wanted to be an actor?

RE: I've always known I was going to be an actor.

DVJ: How did you become involved in writing?

RE: Basically I was doing a lot of voice work and there was this movie, 'Captain Schnauzer' which no one wanted to write or direct the English adaptation because it was very long and it was from Hungary and it was all about their political system. I took the job and threw out the translation basically and wrote something funny that an English speaking audience could relate to. It was also the first movie I directed. The movie did very well and the company, Quintex, came back to the studio this time with a series, 'Swiss Family Robinson', and wanted me to write and direct it. That was a long, long time ago and I haven't looked back since. I went from those projects to Academy Award winning films and I've been working steady ever since.

DVJ: Is writing for a live action dub different that writing for an anime dub?

RE: Yes. Cartoons generally are easier to do than live action. In order for live action to look good you really have to make the English dialogue fit the mouth of the actor who is speaking another language. Now everyone knows this, but very few can do this and make it look like they are actually speaking English, which is what I do. The mouth movements on live action are very specific. In animation, you have a lot more leeway. Although when I direct animation, and I'm able to write it myself, I really try to make it look as though the characters are saying what their mouths look like they are saying. It's a very exacting thing. It's not just starting the line and ending it the same time the character does, it's hitting the internal synch and matching labials and fregaitives. It takes a lot of work to make it look seamless. If you can watch a cartoon or live action film and forget it is dubbed, I've done my job.

DVJ: Are there differences in dubbing live action and anime?

RE: Live action is generally more natural in acting style. You really have to match what the actor is doing. In cartoons you can often time be very broad and do all kinds of fun voices. Some times you can do it live action, depending on the film. Some anime shows are deadly serious and you have to treat them like live action in your acting.

DVJ: This question comes from a voice actor who wishes to remain anonymous "If I dub an anime series that is then airs on (cable) television, am I eligible to join SAG?"

RE: You are only eligible to join SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) if you the show you working on is a SAG show. Many non-union shows air on T.V. and they would not enable you to join. If the show you worked on was SAG, then you can definitely join. But if you're not sure, chances are it was not a union show.

DVJ: If I could only see ONE anime dub you've done, what title would you recommend and why? What about live action?

RE: Wow that's a really hard one. I like so many of the shows for different reasons. I really like 'Ghost in the Shell' the movie. It was the first time I did the voice of 'Bateau' and I really like the character. The movie is fantastic. So for voice I would probably pick that one. I really liked Patlabor III which I wrote and directed. The artwork in both these films is spectacular. For live action, I'd have to say 'Emperor and the Assassin'. But it's really tough because there are so many ones that I loved working on and that I would want you to see. You'll just have to clear a week or two out of your schedule.

DVJ: If your vocal range was not a factor which anime character would you love to portray?

RE: I've been pretty fortunate in that I generally really like a lot of the characters I get to play. The only one right now that I would really like to do is 'Ghost in the Shell 2'. DreamWorks owns it right now and I don't think they are going to dub it.

DVJ: Have you had the opportunity to do both dub and pre-lay for a character?

RE: Absolutely!

DVJ: Where do you have the most freedom to explore the character?

RE: Well when you're dubbing you're locked in to the character that is already drawn. You have to fit the mouth movements and sound natural at the same time.

I really enjoy doing that, but you really have much more freedom when you're doing original animation. You are not restrained by hitting the synch. You can do your own pacing and you can be totally free.

DVJ: What's the most enjoyable venue for you to work your craft - film, television, or theatre? Is this also the most challenging?

RE: I love it all. I am actor so I love to act. I started out on stage which is a wonderful medium to work and learn in. I really enjoy doing film and television. I would love to be doing a series or doing film work all the time.

I will always do voice work. The great thing about voice work is you can do any character you can voice. You are not restrained by your physical appearance like when you act on stage or do film. That is one of the most fun aspects of voice work. I love doing characters that people would never think it was me in a million years.

DVJ: Since you both direct and act, how does that impact your expectations of actors and directors?

RE: Because I'm an actor, I know what I as an actor wants from a director and I try to give that to the actor. I always want the actors to feel comfortable, so they can create and do their best work. Many directors try to be 'puppeteers' and they want to control every nuance of the actor's performance, I'm not like that nor do want to work with a director that's like that. It takes the fun out of it, so I always create an environment where we can have fun, create and do good work.

DVJ: I've been trying to come up with a cogent way of describing how the writing, direction, and acting can make or break an anime title. The writer determines what the character says, the director determines how the character says it, the actor determines the credibility of what is said. Would you say that's an accurate assessment?

RE: More or less. I think you've summed it up pretty well. Although there are a lot of elements that come into play with any project. In anime, the writers get a translation of the original and they adapt it so that it fits into the characters mouth. It must serve the plot of the piece and fit and sound natural. This is a tall order. The directors job, a good director's job is bring life to these written words. To finesse the dialogue to fit and get the best performance out of the actor. The actor brings his ideas of what and who the character is and breathes life into that character. The director, a good director, allows the actor to find that character, and when the actor is going down the wrong path, help the actor, guide him and 'paint the picture' so that they are on the 'same page'. In the end it is the director's vision, but it is a collaborative art.

DVJ: Thanks again for your time, Richard!

RE: You're very welcome.

Many thanks to Richard Epcar for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. You can catch Richard on "Ghost In the Shell-Stand Alone Complex" airing on Cartoon Network starting in November, and on DVD by Manga Entertainment and Bandai. You can also see him at Anime Iowa 2005!

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