Neil Kaplan is best known to Transformers fans as the voice of Optimus Prime in Transformers: Robots in Disguise where he also lended his voice to the character of Ro-Tor. TFW2005 content contributor aksmth recently had a chance to interview Mr. Kaplan, check out what they had to say below.
TFW2005: When you originally auditioned for Transformers, did you try out for specific characters or were certain ones assigned to you? If the former, which characters did you audition for but not get?
Neil Kaplan: Originally, I auditioned for Slapper, Gas Skunk and X-Brawn. It was my audition for X-Brawn that lead to me getting Optimus Prime.TFW2005: Were there any specific roles you were not cast in that you wish you could have gotten the chance to play?
Neil Kaplan: Well, villains are ALWAYS fun, but I was pretty darned happy to be playing Optimus Prime, and when they added the role of “spoiled military brat” Ro-Tor, that was just a little bit of frosting on an amazing piece of cake.TFW2005: When you voiced Optimus Prime, did you look to Gary Chalk or Peter Cullen for inspiration?
Neil Kaplan: For me, it was ALL about Peter Cullen. His voice rang in my ears almost 20 years later! I didn’t look back on his work… but it had stuck with me all that time and inspired my work.When I voiced Optimus Prime in 2001, Gary had not yet voiced the character. I did not listen to his work as Primal for background as that was a different character.
TFW2005: Are there any other characters or individuals that you used as inspiration?
Neil Kaplan: Superman. He was the only other character that came to mind as a “one note hero.” No internal conflicts, just a “pedal to the metal” straight ahead hero.TFW2005: What was it like playing Prime for two different directors?
Neil Kaplan: You can certainly hear the difference between episodes directed by Steve Kramer and Mike McConnohie. Mike was from the G1 cast. That was original animation, so they recorded together as a cast. So, Mike was there in the room to read with, act with, and listen to Peter Cullen. Mike’s interpretation was to make Prime very close to Peter’s portrayal. Slower, more contemplative, a “40 foot metallic John Wayne.”Kramer made him more energetic and take-charge.
I appreciated and enjoyed BOTH versions and never had an issue adjusting to either style.
TFW2005: In ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, the characters constantly called out their attack names over and over through the course of the series. Were you required to re-record those lines each time or did they simply take one sample and re-use it throughout the series?
Neil Kaplan: On that show, we recorded each one each time.TFW2005: And what did you think about having to yell out those attack names?
Neil Kaplan: I had done anime before, so I was used to that kind of thing. Personally, I would not write that way… but that’s not my style as a story teller. As an actor, you find justifications for your actions and make it work.TFW2005: Did you see the live-action Transformers movie? What was your overall thought regarding it?
Neil Kaplan: Dude, I thought it was GREAT! Three Oscar nominations, eh? I mean, heck… I have never seen a car race down the freeway at seventy miles per hour and change into a hyper violent and angry giant robot… but I’m pretty sure if I ever do… it will look just like THAT!The movie is pretty much exactly what I thought it was going to be…and yes, I would love to be involved in one of the sequels at some point!
TFW2005: Have you auditioned for any of the post-RID Transformers shows and if yes, which characters?
Neil Kaplan: Yes, I auditioned for both Prime and Megatron on the new “Animated”, which looks like a fun interpretation of the Transformer universe!TFW2005: You’ve done a lot of work for some very popular franchises such as Transformers, Power Rangers and Digimon. Do you have any specific fond memories of your work on these series?
Neil Kaplan: Yes, too many to list here…and I was thrilled to come back for a couple of episodes of the new Digimon Tamers!TFW2005: How do you decide on the “personality” of a character that you’re voicing?
Neil Kaplan: There are lots of variables. Size, age, other characters and relationships, as well as how the writers, director and producer may have heard it in their own heads.TFW2005: Do the “powers that be” tell you what they want, or do you get some freedom to come up with your own “voice” for a character?
Neil Kaplan: Each project and situation are different. Sometimes when working with people that know an actor and their talents, they feel better about trusting that actor’s instincts.TFW2005: What character archetype are you most comfortable with in terms of improvisation and adding your own flair to a role?
Neil Kaplan: 1) Villains! 2) SidekicksTFW2005: On the other hand, are there some characters that aren’t as easy to get into mentally where you just have to trust the director and the script?
Neil Kaplan: For me…romantic heroes or if it’s a script I just don’t “get” or connect with.TFW2005: Is there much of a difference between recording voices for live-action (Power Rangers) and animation (Transformers/Digimon)?
Neil Kaplan: All of those were similar, if only due to their nature as “dubbed” projects.TFW2005: Do you often (or ever) follow a show after you’ve done voice work on it, to keep in “touch” with it and the characters? Do you keep in touch with any of the people you’ve worked with over the years involved in these projects?
Neil Kaplan: I try to keep in touch with a few of the people I have worked with. It can be tough because so much of our time as professional actors is spent in pursuit of more work.TFW2005: What’s the best and worst encounters you’ve had with fans of your work?
Neil Kaplan: Best? It’s hard to say. There have been many, such as meeting and befriending Tony B!!! Meeting Simon Williams in Birmingham, England. Dutch fans in Amsterdam! Making new friends in Dallas, Nashville, Auckland, Melbourne, etc.Worst? Hands down it was BotCon ’02 when we were shown “Armada” and THAT was how we found out we were out of a job. I was busy being human and having my own feelings and reactions and that did not mesh well with the rabid enthusiasm of the fandom at that time.
TFW2005: What are the best and worst parts of being a voice actor?
Neil Kaplan: The best is watching people enjoy the work I have done, or sometimes just kicking back and enjoying the entire project, be it playing the game or watching the episode.The worst? Constantly having to find work.
TFW2005: What would your “dream job” be?
Neil Kaplan: A long running ORIGINAL job like Homer Simpson or Jimmy Neutron. Or, as many of you know… I sure would love a crack at Bullwinkle if he ever comes back!TFW2005: Any advice for anyone looking to get into the voice acting field?
Neil Kaplan: Learn to read. You can’t be a voice actor if you cannot read clearly and comfortably aloud.Learn to act. People mistakenly think that voice acting is not acting. In my opinion… they are WRONG.
Learn to do something else as you work your way up. If you can pay your bills while you break in… you’ll keep from putting undo pressure on yourself or on anyone trying to aid you in your journey. If you can repair computers or some other “valued” skill, you won’t have to wait tables between gigs.
TFW2005: Do you feel that the rise in popularity of anime represents an opportunity or a challenge to voice actors? That is to say, does anime require the average voice actor to significantly change how they do things?
Neil Kaplan: It’s a slightly different skill set. It requires an actor to fit his work into the confines of an already drawn scene.TFW2005: Also, as the majority of your latest work has been for video games, how do you feel about that medium as a “new frontier” for voice acting?
Neil Kaplan: Thank God technology can replicate the human body and face a LOT better than it can recreate a voice! PHEW!!!Games are becoming more like interactive movies each and every day. This allows an actor to act and the animators to draw around that performance. It is closer to original animation.
Many times these days, games have mini-movies in between game play that moves the plot along and these can be recorded in a a group, like standard animation.
TFW2005: Do you feel that certain aspects of a production are lost, due to cultural differences for example, as it is translated?
Neil Kaplan: Of course. That is only natural.TFW2005: As a voice actor, how do you feel about the balance between making something that people will be able to understand and find entertaining compared to the creator’s original intentions?
Neil Kaplan: Telling a story is a collaboration. As a writer, you can only hope to get involved with producers that understand and agree with your vision. However, each new collaborator brings something new and different to the mix.You just have to reach a happy medium and hope that your work connects with as many people as possible.
TFW2005: Finally, could Hawkmon take on Optimus Prime?
Neil Kaplan: OH YEAH… (but he would lose.)TFW2005: Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions Neil, it’s been a pleasure!
Neil Kaplan: I hope that’s a good start! Come visit me and say “Hello” when I visit Orlando, Florida, New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco!Your Buddy,
Neil Kaplan
airfox
Pretty cool interview.
Didn't know Neil found out he was out of a job at the same Armada 'premiere' we got in Botcon 2002.
-airfox
drill
He auditioned for TFA? Aw I hope he gets a part on there in later seasons!
Railguard
Cool
Lupis Convoy
Great interview guys.
Black Oracle
Nice to hear from Mr. Kaplan again. I met him at Botcon Europe '02 as well. Such a lively, fun and enthusiastic guy! I'd love to meet him again at another con in future, tho' i don't think he'll be back in the UK again anytime soon. I'd like to see him return to a TFs series again in future as well.
rizuan76
Such a nice guy! & he's funny too. & i hope he will get other TF related roles in the future. (maybe TF movie sequels)
AutobotMarine
Suh-weet!
SlayerDarkCross
He was at Comic Con during the Transformers conference. During the Q/A session he asked for a roll in the new animated series.
He looks like a pretty cool guy =P
Backscatter
Good interview. I hope to meet him some day at a TF convention.
Draven
I met Neil at Botcon Europe in 2002; he was wandering around, chatting to people, making sure they were having a good time. He was a really nice guy, I spent quite a while just chatting with him. Great interview d00d!
Ktulu
I'd very much like to do it professionally as well. Not exactly sure where to start though, but certainly – guys like Neil are quite inspirational
CrypticIllusionist
Wow, it's almost like an omen. I've been pondering about becoming a voice actor for the last month or so; thinking that even though I've always dreamed of being an animator, I'd absolutely love being a voice actor; and now I find an interview with a well-known voice actor giving advice on how to become one.
Very interesting interview.
Jarodimus
Nice interview! Good job, d00d.
Ktulu
Good read. He seems like a great guy. Nice job aksmth
Primeconvoy1
Great interview!
I had the pleasure of meeting Neil Kaplan at one of the Cybercons, and we actually had a long coversation about voice acting, Transformers, and an interesting story he told me about meeting William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
One of the nicest guys you'll ever meet! I still have the RID Prime that he signed for me. Hope he gets involved with TF's again. His Bullwinke is dead on too!
Super_Megatron
Nice interview man!
Aaron
Check out our interview with RID Optimus Prime Voice Actor Neil Kaplan!
Link: Neil Kaplan Interview