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Jan 22 – Site Update - Posted By SunfallE
Celebrity Chat With Kyle Hebert - Full Transcript
As many of you already know, Kyle Hebert, English voice of Kiba Inuzuka (Naruto), Sosuke Aizen (Bleach), Gohan / Narrator (Dragon Ball Z), and Kamina (Gurren Lagann), was invited to a chat session with the members of theOtaku.
It was a wonderful success with over forty people in attendance. However for those of you who were unable to make it to the chat we saved it so you wouldn't miss out on the fun. 
Kyle was also gracious enough to chat freely with members both before and during the event. If you wish to view the logs for that just go and check out the post with it here: Celebrity Chat With Kyle Hebert: Extra
Adam: Let me introduce the setup
SunfallE: Thank you for joining us everyone, especially you Kyle.
Adam: one question will be allowed at a time, after Kyle finishes answering, he'll say 'next' in which case everyone should re-paste their questions that didn't get answered
Kyle Hebert: next. JUST KIDDING ;D
Adam: we'll also allow follow-up comments from the person who asked the question
Adam: if it's short and doesn't consist of another question
Adam: Beth you can take it from here :)
Adam: with question #1
SunfallE: Thanks Adam.
Adam: (that is, everyone ask your first question and beth will approve one)?
Kyle Hebert: *cracks knuckles
Dark Flame 3479: Is it strange watching an anime or playing a game you've voiced in? Or do you not do so? Thanks for taking the time to visit us! :D
Kyle Hebert: Thanks, Dark Flame. I started voice acting in summer of 2000, so I'm kinda used to hearing my voice in shows and games, but yes...that was a HUGE rush for me. Its been a goal since CHILDHOOD to do voice acting in animation for me. (next)
willotaku: Kyle, I first want to say my girlfriend and I are big fans, and second: What was it like working on Dragon Ball Z and Naruto?
Kyle Hebert: Thanks so much, willotaku and girlfriend! I was a fan of DBZ for FIVE YEARS before I got to be on it, so it was literally a fanboy dream come true. Naruto had JUST started on Cartoon Network and had been building momentum at cons for years previous, so that was another amazing feeling getting on a franchise show. (next)
dattebaneyo: Out of all of the roles you've played, what is your favorite role and why?
firezero: what was it like doing the voice on dragon ball z? welcome to theotaku
SunfallE: Sorry about that. I didn't mean to approve that just yet.
Kyle Hebert: Well, dattebaneyo, I'm honestly just thrilled to do what I love for a living. I'm not rich by any means, but I somehow manage to live month to month. DBZ Narrator, Gohan will always be special to me because they were my first major roles AND first break into animation voice acting. (that was for firezero as well).
Kyle Hebert: (next)
Heartstop: Hey Kyle, my question for you is ; How was it to play a evil,quiet character in one show and a totally different one in another like Aizen and then gohan or kamina.Was it difficult to change not only in personality but age too, Not to mention sympathizing with them? Thanks for coming^^ and answering and sorry for the long question xD
Kyle Hebert: Heartstop, it was actually pretty easy (shifting voices always has been for me). Aizen is an easy voice to do as well. No stress, no yelling. My inspiration for Aizen's voice was the HAL9000 computer from the movie, "2001: A Space Oddysey". People will also notice that its the same voice I used on Yu Yu Hakusho as Karasu. As for any sort of character shift, the actor works with the director. I always defer to what they ask of me. I particularly LOVE playing evil. I think any actor does. (next)
LinaMiyazaki: Kyle, can you give a complete list of all of the animes/gams you have been in? Also, how did you get discovered by FUNimation?
Kyle Hebert: That would take quite a while, so rather than copy/paste, I'd send ya over to my website: www.kylehebert.com. I was a DJ for Radio Disney at the time and some coworkers found out about open auditions. I tried out for teen Gohan and some smaller characters, and got hired about two weeks afterward. My first roles were bit characters on Bardock special, then the end of the Cell Saga. (next)
Adam: ***BOSSMAN INTERRUPT***
Adam: Kyle: What was the nicest or most memorable thing that ?a fan has ever done for you?
Kyle Hebert: Well, bossman, er Adam, many fans through the years have had a huge outpouring of love and generosity. I've amassed boxes of fan art, custom made sculptures/figurines, been taken out to dinner. I am truly grateful to everyone for their tremendous support. Fans are a HUGE source of inspiration and actually help me get through the tough times (when I'm not working that much). (next)
Kei: Do you or have you take part in the recording style that involves all the actors in the room together? If so, who was your favorite actor to banter with?
Kyle Hebert: Kei, the only time actors record together for animated projects is when its a cartoon. Its by FAR the most fun! I didn't necessarily banter with anybody, but getting to play off other actor's performances is amazingly gratifying. Its something I've dreamt of since childhood. I got to record for the Avengers cartoon about a year and a half ago, and my episodes should be airing this spring on Disney XD. (next)
YoruhanaKurotsuki: Hi Kyle. My friends and I are big fans of Bleach and Full Metal Alchemist so its amazing to be talking to you :D Anyways, my question...do people recognize you/your voice when your in public?
Kyle Hebert: Howdy, Yoru! Thanks a ton. The only people who recognize me have seen me at cons before. The first person to do so worked at Gamestop and freaked out when I paid for a video game by credit card. "Whoa, you're THE Kyle Hebert, the narrator and Gohan from DRagonball Z?" Fun times. But generally, voice actors enjoy anonymity. (next)
MewChero: Have you ever passed on a role because you felt that you did not fit the role? Thanks for being here! :)
Kyle Hebert: Gracias, Mew! I don't pass on roles because I need the work, hahaha. I've passed on auditions because I couldn't do a specific accent or just felt I wasn't appropriate for it. But voice actors have demos that show their range, so the people hiring me know what I'm capable of (and from using me on previous projects). They won't ask me to sound 8 yrs old when I sound closer to 30, for example. (next)
Ace: So I know you've helped with a couple of parody Dragonball Z voiceovers by some of the folks who eventually became Team Four Star. Would you say it's easier or harder for you to affectionately mock something you had a direct hand in in the first place?
Kyle Hebert: I always mock what I love. I've always had a good sense of humor about everything. TFS are a hilarious and good group of folks. I find it funny that their stuff is more popular than what they're mocking. (next)
morbo86: Hi Kyle, which (if any) directors or producers do you prefer/find it easier to work with?
Kyle Hebert: morbo, I'm proud to say that the voice acting community is full of awesome people. Working with the best directors in the biz. Chris Sabat, Tony Oliver, Mary McGlynn, Wendee Lee, the list goes on really. They're all a breeze! (next)
Sickness1088: Hey Kyle, your an awesome voice actor and great friend as always, and of course being here i would have a question, how do you work with certain emotions while in the booth?
Kyle Hebert: Wazzap, Sickness? I find it easy to dial in to the emotion of a scene. I just rely on the director to set the tone. Crying is always a fun one since usually I'm cracking up the second the take's done. ;D (next)
Allie Elric: I'm not sure if this was answered but: what roles would you like to voice act again?
Kyle Hebert: Allie, I'll voice act anything. Actors are desperate. I can never get enough Kamina...but, that one would be difficult, for spoiler reasons, heheh. (next)
Heartstop: Who do you think you connected on an emotional level the most out of all the characters you voiced and why.
Kyle Hebert: Heartstop, because I'm dedicated to the craft, I invest myself 110 percent to any character I voice, no matter if they're a huge role or bit part. I think I can relate to the dorky side of Gohan and Kamina. I CERTAINLY don't resemble them physically, but they're epic and nerdy. (next)
omnia1: What's it like to act on your own with just a screen for reference and of course your script and producer? is it hard? welcome by the way... enjoyed our ikkle chat before the questioning hehe :P
Kyle Hebert: Well, omnia1, after over a decade of experience, I'm pretty used to the process. I love the challenge of creating a character with just voice. Anime is particularly fun because the finished product is already there in front of you. With games or cartoons, you're staring at JUST the script. I welcome any opportunity to let voices out of my head. Some projects can be harder on the voice than others (games with a lot of yelling)..but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. (next)
Dark Flame 3479: I can tell that voice acting is a very dear thing to you, was it something you always wanted to do or did you want to be anything cliched when you were a kid like say a fireman or something of the sort?
Kyle Hebert: Dark Flame, I wanted to voice cartoons and be a radio DJ when I was a kid. I ended up getting a degree and working in radio for many years AND crossing over into voice over, so I'm living my dream. Most actors fall into it, but voice acting was specifically a target for me. I can honestly say its everything I hoped it would be and more. I moved to LA six years ago, and, while its been a financial struggle, I've made tremendous progress. (next)
mangalover567: Do you sometimes play, accidentally, a voice out of the recording studio?Also are you random?
Kyle Hebert: mangalover, voice actors are ALWAYS random and ALWAYS busting out other voices in the booth. Once in a blue moon, the directors will remember that and we end up voicing bit parts USING those random voices. Yay for unintentional auditions! (next)
mangalover567: thanks!^^
supaaspike: Kyle, I've heard that Toei is in talks with BBC to produce a Sherlock OVA and that FUNimation is supposed to license it. Do you know anything about this?
Kyle Hebert: supaaspike, this is the first I've heard of it. Only Sherlock news I've heard is that there is an American version of the live action show in the works. I haven't seen the BBC show. (next)
Butterflykiss: do you like to trick people by using a different voice? like at a drive through or something? :D
Kyle Hebert: Butterflykiss, I haven't had the guts to pull a DBZ Narrator at McDonald's........just yet. But if I do, I'll make sure to record a video. ;D (next)
Sickness1088: Not much man, and yeah the crying does sound like it would get you going, I've mentioned to you that i want to look into some acting classes, is there anything else you think i may want to look into?
Kyle Hebert: Sickness, if you ever want to become an actor of any kind, you have to immerse yourself in training and be open to all things. Since the field has become more and more competitive, especially because of technology, everyone has to bring their A game to stay afloat. ANY acting class (on camera, on stage, or voice over) will help you. (next)
Sickness1088: Alright man thanks, going to look at what i can get into
YoruhanaKurotsuki: The one with the ridiculously long username is back with another question (my name is Alice, by the way)! Whats it like to voice two people in the same anime (Aizen and Ganju)?
Kyle Hebert: Hiya, Alice. I auditioned for Ganju and Aizen, along with a half dozen others at the time. I was shocked that I landed TWO roles, especially ones so polar opposite. I miss Ganju! I originally made his voice an impression of Patrick Warburton (Kronk from Emperor's New Groove). (next)
Shom: What does a voice actor do for practice. Also, do you believe in the me that believes in you?
Kyle Hebert: Shom, I believe in the you that believes in me believing in you. Believe it? For practice, I talk to myself. Honestly! I come up with mini monologues and develop voices all the time. Then, ironically, I think my daughter is weird for talking to herself. (next) ;D
Heartstop: Lol Hello again, I just had to ask but have you ever just gone into the bathroom or your room and practiced your evil laugh in the mirror just for the fun of it? Also what is your favorite snack during preparation(like research of the manga etc) and during acting? Thanks for answering again xD
Kyle Hebert: Heartstop, I actually don't do any research. We rely on the directors to tell us what we need to know (short, concise bullet points). We are efficient and can improvise things on the fly. I love Cheetohs, candy bars, and those little individual sized cans of tuna with crackers. Woot! (next)
Captain Sejanus: Good afternoon Kyle! Is there anything you would like to change or improve in the voice acting biz to make it better than it is today?
Kyle Hebert: Captain, its impossible but I wish there was enough work for every actor to live comfortably. Unfortunately, most of us don't work consistently. We can go through weeks of waiting, then have a few solid months of constant bookings. Another impossible thing to change is the annoying trend of stunt casting...that's where studios end up hiring celebs for voice roles. I feel it steals work away from the people who can, not only do a better job, but can deliver a performance for MUCH cheaper. Can you imagine your favorite anime/video game actors in lead roles for Pixar and Dreamworks? Sadly, it'll never happen. Hollywood has this obsession with thinking that kids somehow care that only famous people voice the characters. Real shame. (next)
SunfallE: My moderation window decided to move where I can't change stuff. So I'm going to leave briefly and return. :)
Adam: uh oh
This room is no longer being moderated.
Butterflykiss: ok
This room is moderated by Adam. All messages are forwarded to the moderator for review.
SunfallE: Would you like to continue adam or shall I?
This room is no longer being moderated.
Adam: go ahead beth
This room is moderated by SunfallE. All messages are forwarded to the moderator for review.
Adam: Kyle, I also want to introduce you to Pleiades Rising
Adam: he's a very smart member who's very shy
Adam: and hasn't asked a question yet
SunfallE: Thank you, Adam and sorry for the mix up, please send your questions again people.
Kyle Hebert: Howdy, Pleiades. ;D
Pleiades Rising: Seen from someone who works within it, what value do you see the fanbase contributing to the anime industry in terms of their cosplay, fanart, etc, which are made for non-economic reasons? Thanks for your time!
Kyle Hebert: Fans are the reason any of it exists in the first place. Cosplay is a walking advertisement of love and passion, and fan art is tremendously gratifying and creative. (next)
RedJ: Would you be willing to voice Mitsuo Kubo again for Persona 4 The Animation if asked?
Kyle Hebert: RedJ, I'd jump on any chance to voice act. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a dub of Persona 4. If there is, I'm not attached to it. (next)
inufluffy12: People have told me that voice acting is not a viable career, but it's something I really want to do. So how do you get started? After all the training and such, when you're ready to begin? Like, how do you find auditions to go to and stuff? And where have you found is the best place to go? I live in Australia and I know there aren't that many oppertunities. ((Forgive me if any of that doesn't sound right or something, Inu just woke up ^^;;))
Kyle Hebert: Hi, Inu. Due to your location, you won't ever make much progress in a voice acting career. Maybe at most, doing commercials for radio/tv. Ultimately, you can train anywhere for acting, that's the good part. But you need to be where the work is. For character stuff, the best place is Los Angeles. There's also a ton of great acting resources here. Veteran acting coaches and numerous classes/workshops that not only help beginners, but keep the working professionals' skills honed. Train first, inevitably you'll network with other actors, use social media, make a professional demo, market it, and never give up. You'll audition far more than you'll ever work and you'll often question if this was the right thing to do. But doing what you love always comes at a price. Accept that you won't be rich, you'll constantly struggle, and know that not getting hired is ever personal. (next)
Adam: hey Kyle, so the hour is officially over, you have three paths to choose:
Adam: (1) continue answering questions
Adam: (2) enter mingle mode and just chat around
Adam: (3) vanish into the shadows
Kyle Hebert: i can mingle for a bit longer
Kyle Hebert: ;D
Adam: so remove moderation and let chaos ensue?
SunfallE: Shall I end the moderation then? If so just give me the word, Kyle. :)
Kyle Hebert: i'm just sorry there wasn't a better turnout. i imagine its partly due to the fact that I constantly am interacting with fans daily anyway lol
SunfallE: Alright then, thank you so much for coming. Moderation shall now end. lol
This room is no longer being moderated.
Shishou rolls.
Kyle Hebert: Facebook.com/KyleHebertVO, Twitter.com/KyleHebert
Adam: oh no this is 3X more people than are typically in our chat
And there you have it, be sure to thank Kyle Hebert for taking the time to come and chat with the members of theOtaku. 
