This is just a piece of the questions asked by the members of The O
TimeChaser: First, as a total life-long Doctor Who junkie, I have to say you have made my day, and possibly my year. On to the question now (heh)... You've had roles in a lot of popular anime, of course, but is there a role in something less well-known that you really enjoyed?
Crispin Freeman: One of my favorite projects that I worked on was Night on the Galactic Railroad. It's almost impossible to find these days, but that anime is so mystical and charming and spooky. It's such a wonderful little fairy tale about a young boy (done as an anthropomorphized cat) travelling on a train with spirits through space. It's so artistic and meditative.
Crispin Freeman: I worked very hard on the script for that movie, which required a lot of research into different religions and scientific knowledge of the early 20th Century, and I played one of the main Characters, Campanella. That was a labor of love.
Crispin Freeman: That probably no one has seen... :(
Crispin Freeman: next
Shinmaru: I like that you are so enthusiastic about doing shows with complex themes such as the undermining of traditional gender roles, and so on. Among the shows you have worked on (as an actor, director, writer or what have you), which most interested you in terms of their themes?
Crispin Freeman: Well in terms of undermining traditional gender roles, I love that I'm getting to play a cross-dressing Shinto Priest of the Tokugawa era in Ghost Slayers Ayashi. When they told me that I could audition for that part, I told them that I didn't care who auditioned, I wanted it!
Crispin Freeman: They were wise and gave it to me. Smart producers. :)
Adam: (Crispin: I have to step out for a family function, Beth will keep things running smoothly here and she can answer any questions that come up, thanks so much for coming and I look forward to the transcript!)
Crispin Freeman: But I'd love to play Hana, the fabulous transvestite in Tokyo Godfathers as well!
Crispin Freeman: Take care Adam! Thanks for everything!
Crispin Freeman: next.
Allamorph: Going back for a moment, how much would you say your musical exposure and training has helped build your life, and do you still seek out ensembles with which to play/sing/perform?
Crispin Freeman: My musical exposure, and especially the "chops" that I developed from singing and dancing (being able to perform to a rhythm) was incredibly helpful to my ability to dub to picture and match the rhythm of lip flap. Plus, my vocal training was a huge help to my voice over career. It not only developed my voice and helped me get a signature sound, but it gave me the training to use my instrument in a healthy way and avoid damaging my chords during challenging acting scenes.
Crispin Freeman: I don't really seek out opportunities to perform live anymore. I did a play with my brother's theater company about 6 years ago now, but that's the last time I was on stage. I don't know why, but I'm just not as drawn to live performing anymore. I've got other projects in the works, like my Anime Mythology book that I'm working on and the teaching I'm going to be doing soon.
Crispin Freeman: next
xCrisisCorexZackx: Ever since I first got into Anime I've always thought of how fun and rewarding it would be to voice act. So, what do you find rewarding about being a voice actor? [And, like TimeChaser, you've also made my day by saying you are a big Doctor Who fan. ^^]
Crispin Freeman: One of the most rewarding things for me is the ability to play so many different characters that are not based on the way I look physically. That really started to bug me after a while when I was younger, that I wasn't cast for certain roles because I didn't look right. Also, I love the ability to collaborate on my favorite art form, animation. And since I can't draw, my contribution comes through my voice acting, writing and teaching.
Crispin Freeman: I also like that I don't have to get up early to get into makeup and spend all day on a shoot. Plus I get paid a lot more than I did in the theater! Love that!
Crispin Freeman: next
SomeGuy: Hypothetically, who do you think would win in a fight between Yuri Lowenthal and Steven Blum?
Crispin Freeman: Wow. Vocally or physically? It's funny, I usually play Yuri's older brother in any show (Noein, Scrapped Princess, etc.) while Steve is older than me. I think vocally Steve sorta beats all of us, but physically, I don't know what kind of martial arts training that Yuri has. It would be sorta close...
Crispin Freeman: next
thesebrightlights: Are there certain kinds of characters that you like playing better than others? Other than playing crossdressers (xD) do you like portraying a hero or villain, a good or bad person? Which type of 'personality' is it most fun for you to voice, and possibly some that are the most challenging?
Crispin Freeman: Well, it's always fun to play someone who's "over the top" just because you can let it all hang out and "chew the scenery" as it were. But I don't have any favorite "type" of character. I usually enjoy myself if the story is good.
Boo: Crap sorry bout that, backspace. :(
Crispin Freeman: See, I've probably got too much of the director in me. I would rather play a small role in a really good show than play the lead in a lame show. It's just not as satisfying to me if the story as a whole doesn't hold together.
Crispin Freeman: next
Sangome: Mr. Freeman! A thrill to finally meet you. As for my question: are you friends with other VAs in the industry? If so, who? Are there any particular VAs you enjoy working with [provided you have roles in which you actually interact with them]? [ps Regal and Albedo for the win]
Crispin Freeman: I rarely work with other voice actors when doing anime or video games. We almost always (99.9 % of the time) record separately. When doing a domestic show for TV like Spider-Man where I play Electro, we do record together, for the most part.
Crispin Freeman: However, I am friends with most voice actors, and I do hang out with some of them from time to time. I always love seeing Steve Blum, he's such a sweetheart. Taliesin Jaffe and I hang out on a semi regular basis as well. There are plenty of voice actors that I see in passing at the studio, and sometimes we stay a little past our scheduled time just to catch up with each other.
Crispin Freeman: next
