~Hot-Shot

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Hot-Shot meets Knuckles

Journal Entry: Thu Feb 22, 2007, 7:10 PM

Mood: Amused
Listening to: His World - Ali Tabatabaee & Matty Lewis
Reading: Everything in my inbox
Watching: BeetleBorgs Metallix
Playing: Sonic Battle
Eating: Food
Drinking: Sparkling Water

TEAM KILLAZ

Ahem yes. Quite a few months ago, I pooled the fanbase for questions to ask Scott Dreier. For those of you who don't know, he was the previous voice of Knuckles before the switch. Now, it's been a long time since I submitted the questions, and as it is, the man is keeping himself busy. However, he thankfully was able to spend some time to answer your questions so without further delay, here it is!

Hot-Shot: Before this job, did you have any experience with Sonic games? If so, did you have any favorites?

Scott: No—I really didn’t. The Sonic series really opened the whole world of games to me. A wonderful way to be introduced to it all—such great characters and story.

Hot-Shot: How did you land the role of Knuckles?

Scott: I knew Ryan Drummond (Sonic)—and they were looking for someone to do the role of Shadow at the time. He was kind enough to recommend me for the project (Ryan is a great and wonderful friend. I am still so grateful to him that he thought of me and put my name in the hat for the game!). I went in and auditioned for Shadow and felt really good about it—on a fluke they had me read for Knuckles too. I just immediately connected with him. I think the production team saw that connection too. The rest—as they say—is history.

Hot-Shot: What was your initial reaction when you found out you were going to be the VA for Knuckles in Sonic Adventure 2?

Scott: I was thrilled beyond words. I had been doing singing voiceover work for years and I had really wanted to transition into doing animation and games. I was truly honored to have this game and character begin it all for me—and to get to work with friends like Ryan Drummond (Sonic) and David Humphrey (Shadow) was the icing on it all. We were lucky enough to have Lani Minella (also the brilliant voice of Rouge the Bat) direct our voice sessions. She really gets games and understands bringing all the characters to life. I think that the best directors are always the ones that are performers as well. She is wonderful about letting voiceover actors do their thing and bring their individual strengths to the table—and also always giving us the freedom to play, discover, and create. It was a wonderful and magical process.

Hot-Shot: How much did you enjoy the role of Knuckles?

Scott: I loved every minute of playing Knuckles. There is a lot of my own personality and playfulness that I got to bring to my Knuckles. I loved the other voice actors that I got to work with and that of course helped even more with creating the Sonic Adventure world. Hopefully—that came through to all the fans of the game!

Hot-Shot: Were you able to identify with him during your performances?

Scott: Absolutely! It really helped to have the character artwork and most importantly we had the added bonus of the finished animation for the first game-- so we actually got to voice along with it. That really helped in the creating process. Usually—in most games--you just have artwork and they explain what each of the characters are doing—such as being chased, etc. and you voice it a few different ways and then the animation is done to fit what you are doing. Since the first Sonic game I worked on had us voicing TO the animation-- it really helped me and the other actors make sure that we were helping to fulfill the vision of the Sonic Creative Team. It made me really “get” and understand Knuckles—so during the next games I knew how he would react in any situation.

Hot-Shot: During your recordings, how did you act out the role? Did you have to imagine you were Knuckles' character to express him right?

Scott: I absolutely would imagine I was Knuckles. The more physical I would get acting out his movements the more he came to life. If Knuckles was supposed to jump off a cliff and grab on to a ledge I would have to really go through the movements of the actions in the studio. In addition—we would do alternate versions (sounds) that would be more specific to the Japanese audiences. I wanted to make him just perfect—I never tired of doing alternate takes of dialogue.

Hot-Shot: What is your personal opinion on the current voice actor playing Knuckles?

Scott: I—honestly—have never heard him. I certainly wish the actor well and hope that the integrity of the games has been maintained. I just had such an amazing experience playing Knuckles—that is how I wanted to remember the character. It would be too weird to hear anyone else playing him or to hear other actors voicing the other game characters as well. I am very proud of what we all did.

Hot-Shot: From what we heard, the voice acting team you worked with was replaced without notification. Is this exactly true? Either way, what were your feelings on the matter?

Scott: I got it all second hand. I—of course was very sad about the decision-- but I really believe everything happens for a reason. I am so grateful to have been a part of it all.

Hot-Shot: If given the opportunity, would you like to return as the voice of Knuckles the Echidna?

Scott: In a second—especially if they brought on the wonderful voice talents from before Ryan, Lani, David and the rest of the gang. I would love it!

Hot-Shot: Currently, there are rumors that Sega may drop the current voice actors now that Sonic X's run is over. Ryan Drummond has already sent an email to Sega to confirm things and to try to negotiate getting the role back. Would you be willing to do the same with Knuckles?

Scott: Having gone through it myself—I never wish for anyone to loose their jobs. However, I would always welcome the opportunity to be Knuckles again. I hope the fans will let their feelings be heard if it comes to that.

Hot-Shot: What have you been working on since being Knuckes?

Scott: I really have been doing a lot of everything. I released my first solo CD of Big Band, Pop, and Broadway music. It features a duet with Futurama voice talent Katey Sagal. A portion of the proceeds benefit The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. I am really proud to be a part of that amazing organization. I have been doing lots of concert dates to promote the CD. I have also been doing a lot of Theatre as well as TV-- I am on the opening credits of the Tonight Show (one of the guys in the pool hall at the top. I am wearing a white thermal shirt), Greetings From Tucson, Malcolm in the Middle, and of course the voiceover work that I love to do—Spellforce 2:Shadow Wars, Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth, and Iron Phoenix to name a few. I am just happy to be working and loving every minute of it!

Hot-Shot: Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring voice actors?

Scott: It is a wonderful world to be a part of—I highly recommend it! I think training is always important (voiceover classes, acting classes, improv classes)—it really helps you to be prepared for anything that might be thrown at you. I always have to remind myself to really play vocally at auditions. I think that is when I book the most because I am having fun. The other two really important things I would say are—1--to be easy to work with. I have gotten the majority of my work because I am easy to work with—no drama. There is no time for it. Secondly—I think it is really important to help your friends. Recommend each other when you can—it is a tough business and helping each other just leads to more work for everyone.

I just wanted to take a minute to thank the game fans. You have all been just amazing in your support. It has made being apart of the Sonic series SO worthwhile to me-truly. Cheers to all of you!

Hot-Shot: I would personally like to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and wish you the best of luck in whatever you do.

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