I
f there’s a bit of a glow around April Stewart, it’s because it’s very obviously she’s having a baby.
The lady recently headlined South Florida’s Supercon, where she was also basking in the glow of appreciative fans and fellow pros like the cast of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. From there, she and her husband were going to go on what sounded like a well-earned week-long cruise. From the sound of this interview, one could say she earned it.
For those who don’t know, Stewart does the voices of just about every female character in Parker and Stone’s long running hit series South Park. Considering the range and variety of characters she does, this puts her in the range of v.o. queens ranging from June Foray to her best pal, Grey DeLisle.
As it stands, I found her to be a wonderfully warm and open person, and more than ready to talk about working with “Matt and Trey,” being on the show in general, and some of her other work.
Here’s what she had to say:
Newsarama: How did you get started in voice acting?
April Stewart: I’m trained in theater. I was the theater geek in high school. I did musical theater and Shakespeare. I went to college for theater. My best friend is Grey DeLisle. She does a lot of animation voices. She was the one who told me to come to L.A. and give it a shot. So I took a class, made a demo tape, got an agent and started auditioning. That’s that. Nothing too exciting. It’s not like someone famous saw me sitting on a barstool or something like that, and I’ve been doing it for seven years now.
If I were to give anyone any advice, it’s to get some kind of training and do a tape. It’s huge. It’s really huge you do that. I mean many people walk up to me and say I have a really great voice and should be a voice artist. That’s really like saying you have a really nice pen, you should be a writer. You can have an incredible tool, but if you don’t know how to use it what’s the point? There’s nothing.
I would say that the majority of voice actors who are doing the bulk of the work are all classically trained actors. Most of them have a degree in theater. It’s not just having a good voice. They have the ability to act through it.
NRAMA: You weren’t part of the original cast, right?
AS: I’ve been doing voices for them since season seven I guess. The woman who originated every single voice was named Mary Kay Bergman. I only got the job shortly before she passed away. I am her replacement. When I took the job, I thought it was really important that I made it as seamless as possible. That wasn’t easy as she was amazing. So I want to make sure that I’m always doing her right.
NRAMA: It’s probably easier to ask what voices you don’t do, isn’t it?
AS: Everyone wants me to do Kyle’s mom but I can’t do that. I don’t Kyle’s mom and I don’t do Butter’s mom. That’s the only two main characters I don’t do. The woman who does Kyle’s mom is Mona Marshall. She actually does a lot of anime. When they create extra women characters, they kind of split them up between myself and Mona. Like recently we did an episode with a bunch of little girls. I did some and Mona did the others, because they found when the girls started talking to each other because as much as I like to think I’m versatile, in something like that it really does sound like I’m talking to myself.
NRAMA: Any favorite characters?
AS: When it comes to the show, I hope there is more Wendy and the whole romance thing. I love doing her voice. She’s a lot of fun to do. I also love doing the Mayor. One thing I had to learn to do with her is do a little prep work before I go into each of the voices. So for the Mayor what I do is throw my shoulders back and stand more erect. She’s just constantly on edge. She’s always afraid that one day the town is going to realize that she has absolutely no idea what she’s doing. I also remember when I first started doing her there was a look on Matt’s face that just looked kind of sad So I asked him what was wrong and he turned around and said, ‘make her more dike-ish’ So I added that into there. When I do Shelly I found out she’s usually done last because they have to change and wash the mike screen after I’ve done her.
NRAMA: What’s the production process like? I heard it’s really grueling.
AS: What happens is each week is always a surprise when I walk in. Now I think there’s one thing people don’t really know about the production of the show. Now with most animation shows, when you go into production the pace is really very slow. Like it takes six months to make one episode. With South Park, it takes only one week. That’s why we can be so topical. If something happens today, it could be in a show in a week.
I got it pretty easy. What we do is on Thursday, everyone comes in and Trey already had the script and they start recording voices. I usually come in on a Sunday, when I record my characters. Usually I’m only in there for an hour. I then come back in on Tuesday night, where I’m usually there until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. There can be exceptions, like when I did the lesbian episode. When that happens they put me up in a hotel that is right next to the studio. The reason why I go in on Tuesdays is Trey is constantly rewriting the episodes up to the very last minute.
Then they usually upload the show to New York every Wednesday morning and it airs every Wednesday night. From there, everyone goes home and sleeps and begin the process all over again next Thursday. We would do seven episodes in a row just like that. Then we go on vacation right after that because after that everyone needs a break. Everyone is exhausted. That’s why there’s always seven episodes and then a break.
One thing I know is Matt and Trey are pretty responsible about what they do. They are always checking in with Comedy Central and always asking ‘Are you sure we can say this?’ Whatever you see on the air is because they said yes.
The way it works for me is I go in to record my voices, and then I leave. I’m not there 24 hours a day, seven days a week like most of the people who work on South Park. Sometimes something goes on and I’m just out of the loop. From my perspective, what happened with Isaac Hayes more than anger it was really hurtful. I mean, when you look at that episode, yes they took Chef and threw him on the rocks and had him torn apart. But then you hear Stan, who says “this sucks,” and that’s really what Matt and Trey felt. They really loved Chef. They were really sad that he was willing to parody everything unless it came to Scientology. And in my personal opinion, I think he was forced to say that, and that’s just me. I mean, if you are going to so South Park, you got to be ready to be made fun of. Nothing is sacred.
I remember when I first heard about the “N-word” episode. I said ‘Are you sure we can do that? Are you really going to have us say the N-word?’ and they said ‘Yeah. We’re really going to do that, but they are not going to let us say ‘midget.’ There is absolutely no rhyme or reason as to what we can or can’t say. I mean, sometimes they come in and say ‘You can say s*** here and s*** there, but this one…you are going to have to take that out.’ They do!
In the recording booth it’s just me. In the booth are the recording people. Matt will come in and direct me with the script supervisor. I do each voice separately. There was one time that was really scary. I was so sick I lost my voice. I remember I came in one Sunday thinking I could do it and, well, I just couldn’t. The panic on Matt’s face was unforgettable. He was constantly asking me ‘You’re going to have your voice back, right?’ They realized that if I went down there was nothing they could do. So I went to a doctor and got all kinds of shots that allowed me to do my job for about one hour. So I quickly came in and did what I had to. That’s why I tell you, if you see an episode where I’m not in, that’s because I’ve gone into labor.
It’s fun. It’s fly by the seat of your pants. I remember the first day I came in and Mona Marshall was there. I remember her telling me, ‘honey, this is voice over without a net.’ I soon found out she was absolutely right.
NRAMA: I’ve heard the production process has changed as far as the animation is concerned.
AS: It used to be the cardboard cut-outs, but now it is all done by computer. What’s funny is the program Matt and Trey use is the exact same program they used in Juraisic Park. South Park is incredibly intricate. To look at it, you wouldn’t know it. That’s part of the reason I can come in on a Tuesday night and they will have it in New York on Wednesday morning.
NRAMA: What do you think is particularly important about the show?
AS: I just know that Matt and Trey are really into pop culture. I know that when I walk into the studio whenever there is down time, you can usually find them sitting and catching up on videos, watching things like Heroes. Like when we did the lesbian episode, I know the show got totally rewritten because they had just seen 300 and had to write it into the plot. They literally were halfway through that episode, then saw 300. Next thing you know, Matt and Trey walk in saying ‘That movie was so cool! We have to put that in there! Let’s incorporate it in there.’ Of course, what also helps is whenever they parody something it’s so dead on. So what I can tell you is when they do have down time, they are playing video games like Guitar Hero, they are watching DVDs.
Like I don’t know about Trey, but I know Matt is an amazing guitar player. I mean while I’m usually recording, he’s usually sitting in the booth playing guitar. So, when they did the Guitar Hero episode, I’m pretty sure the reason they did it is because when Matt tried it he realized the game doesn’t make any sense. So they had to parody it.
NRAMA: Have you ever born the brunt of someone’s abuse because of the show?
AS: I once did a convention that was in the Bible Belt. Now most people of the religious right just won’t watch it. So when I did that convention, they came up to my autograph table and would all say ‘Oh! You do all those voices for South Park.’ Then they would all give me a look that seemed to say I was going to Hell. Then they’d walk away. I’m sure Matt and Trey get more grief from them. I don’t get it. I mean outside of the conventions, no one really knows who I am. I can walk down the street and no one would know I’m Cartman’s mom. They wouldn’t know that I’m the voice of the character that did some horrible thing.
When they did what they did to Tom Cruise, I know they got it. I mean they once did a radio interview for a station in Finland where they were told that nation won’t air the episode over there. The show literally had to be smuggled in so fans could see it.
Every episode I do is very thought out. I mean when I go to a meeting with the writers, there’s a board of ideas that they pull from. I mean they also keep a special board for fans to contribute ideas on their website and, being the board goes right into the studio, Matt and Trey read it all the time. They take that board very seriously.
There are times when I’m doing certain voices, and I think about my child listening to what I’m doing. I get this feeling my child is saying ‘I’m not going out there. My mom is crazy!’ There are also a few shows where I have to call my mom and tell her not to watch. Like in the “Raisins” episode where I was supposed to have sex with Mr. Garrison. I felt like a star who had to do a nude scene then has to tell her husband not to watch. It comes with the territory.
NRAMA: Would you like to do a second South Park movie?
AS: : I don’t really know if they will ever do another one. I do know Matt and Trey have said they will not do another movie unless it’s as good as the first one. That’s tough because the first movie was incredible. I remember taking my 79 year-old grandfather to the movie and he came out singing “Uncle F***er.” He loved the movie! And I know Trey enough to know that he wouldn’t want to do another movie unless he can do something like that again.
NRAMA: What other roles do you do?
AS: I also am in the Final Fantasy game and Ms. Marvel in Ultimate Alliance. I also do a lot of commercials. Animation is just a part of what I do. I also play Maria, the Mom in El Tigre. I don’t know if you watch it, but I usually play this very sweet lady who works at a library, but in my past I was also a superhero. There’s one day when she reveals her alter ego and you find out the reason why she isn’t a superhero anymore is she loses all control when she fights crime. She goes absolutely crazy and she has this absolutely crazy war cry. They had to wait to the absolute end of the session for me to record all the war cries because by the time I finished those I had no voice left. Otherwise that was a fun episode.
NRAMA: What about the future of the show?
AS: I just renewed my contract, and I know Matt and Trey have renewed their contract to do the show until 2011. So…I think as long as there is something in the world that they can make fun of, they will keep on doing the show. The way the world is going, I don’t think the way things are going they will be going for a long time to come.
NRAMA: Will the writer’s strike effect you?
AS: Trey writes all the scripts. So the writers strike doesn’t really affect us.
NRAMA: So I take it that right now you’re on break?
AS: As you can see I’m really, really pregnant and the baby is sucking every bit of my brain that I have. In fact, I’m due right in the middle of production of the next season. So if you see an episode with no women, then you know that I’ve gone into labor.
ANIME NETWORK GOES BROADBAND
Anime Network announced a new broadband service to stream high-quality anime on the Internet. This new service is free to the consumer, who can expect to find over 20 full episodes of classic and brand new anime series available at any given time. For the full range of Anime Network’s Internet offerings, visit www.theanimenetworkonline.com.
Anime Network’s online programming is ad-supported, with five or more new episodes rotating through every Thursday. The Network’s lineup includes anime classics like Rahxephon and Saiyuki as well as new, ongoing series such as Ah! My Goddess: Flights of Fancy and Kurau Phantom Memory. Anime Network Online will present these series in their entirety over the coming months. Already more than 60,000 anime episodes have streamed since the beta launch in mid-November.
Anime Network will broadcast brand new series over the Internet, including series that have not yet been released on home video in North America. These “First Look” Internet broadcasts, which will begin running months before the DVD series is launched, will feature the Japanese language track with English subtitles.
Anime Network’s inaugural First Look program is the mecha series Gurren Lagann, from GAINAX (Neon Genesis Evangelion). The first DVD volume won’t hit stores until February 26, but fans can watch the first episode today at www.theanimenetworkonline.com.
“We know there’s a demand for fresh, unreleased anime on the Internet,” said ADV President and CEO John Ledford. “Through Anime Network’s First Look broadcasts, we can engage fans in a lawful way and at the same time help build the audience for our DVD releases. Everybody wins.”
Anime Network’s streaming requires only the Flash 9 player and Java Script to view. As some of the programming is rated TV-MA, however, content is restricted to viewers 18 and older. At this time Anime Network’s Internet offerings are restricted to the US and Canada.
Meanwhile, the regular channel announced it’s adding four new series to its rotation. They are:
• Magikano – Produced by Studio Gonzo (Afro Samurai) and directed by Seiji Kishi (Ragnarok The Animation), Magikano is a magical comedy about a middle school student who is seemingly ordinary, with the exception of his three witch sisters and his own soon-to-be-awakened mystical powers. Premiering January 3, 2008
• 5 Centimeters Per Second – The latest animated feature from Makoto Shinkai—coined “the new Miyazaki”—is the dramatic three-part tale of two best friends, their hidden feelings and their attempts to reunite after being separated by fate. Premiering January 17, 2008
• Welcome to the NHK – From Studio Gonzo and directed by Yusuke Yamamoto comes this dark comedy that shines a light on the inherent challenges faced by geeks and nerds with plenty of social satire, interesting characters and crazy conspiracy theories. Premiering January 17, 2008
• Moonlight Mile – Another hit from Studio Hibari, this Sci-Fi adventure shares the chronicles of two mountain climbers-turned-space explorers as they trek into outer space, discover a new source of energy, and prepare to harness it as the next generation power supply for planet Earth. Premiering January 31, 2008
NEXT COLUMN: It’s the end of the year. Time to look back at the way things went in 2007.
By Steve Fritz..
參考網站：ANIMATED SHORTS: SOUTH PARK'S APRIL STEWART
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我來自台灣，住在一個純樸的村莊，我熱愛這個國家以及這塊土地。
