A year after Sonic Prime's debut, the surrealness of it still hasn't sunken in. I don't think it ever truly will.
I remain humbled and blessed to've had the opportunity to join the ranks of the amazing people to voice this icon and the show of support I've received from so many.
I'm very thankful to have been so warmly welcomed and accepted by fans and colleagues alike. I prefer to not be a major focus of attention, so naturally, this year was very difficult and intimidating for me. The outpouring of kind words I received made such a world of difference.
Local Sonic Prime voice actor puts on IDW comic puppet show after Smash Bros. video capture device fails on stream.
💙🦔Happy Birthday, Sonic the Hedgehog!
🔵💨
#Sonic31st
I draw inspiration from all the amazingly talented performers who came before me. That usually manifests in a more subconious way where I don't think about it.
Chaos Sonic was different. I offered up a particularly 90s slapstick tribute. I was graciously allowed to run with it.
Thank you all so much for the kind words regarding Roblox's sneak peek at Sonic Prime. Lots of very talented and passionate people worked super hard to make the show happen. I'm so proud of them and blown away by what they were able to do. To think, we're just getting started...
That ending was my adlib. My personal stance on the topic is "EXTREMELY NEUTRAL" and boy do I love me some ambiguous teases that could be taken either way!
Roughly 3 years ago, 15 years into my career, I began an incredible journey I never could've imagined prior.
Ever grateful to the talented, amazing folks at
@SEGA
@WildBrainHQ
@ManOfActionEnt
, Erik Weise & James Corrigall for bringing Sonic Prime to life.
Heartfelt thanks for all the incredibly kind words and to all the followers, old and new. I'm overwhelmed.
Admittedly still comfiest when flying under the radar and this is a big adjustment for me, but I truly appreciate all the support and that so many are hype for Sonic Prime.
Last point for now:
I consider Sonic Prime's "Double Trouble" episode to be the pinnacle of what I'd hoped to get to do with the character and what he meant to me as a kid.
Beyond my vocal tributes to Jaleel and Jason, the *comforting* element was what I loved tapping into most.
10 years ago a 13-year-old angrily reviewed a satirical game I voiced for
@Rhete
In 2011
@RicepirateMick
famously animated my reading of it. I became Dust: An Elysian Tail's voice director as a result, allowing me to help launch many careers. Life's weird.
Pleasant surprise to see the latest Sonic Prime episode officially on YouTube today!
This was the first episode I got to record alongside a castmate and
@IanStuartHanlin
delivers the ultimate performance as Shadow.
Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
Hi,
@CartoonNetwork
.
Putting it out there in advance: All of my Total DramaRama and Island castmates were mentioned except for me, even though a clip of my Chef voice was played.
If new video is made for Black History Month 2024, I would hugely appreciate that being rectified.
SHOULD it matter what we look like in voice acting? No.
HAS it historically mattered what we look like? Yes.
We've tried to talk about it for many years. It's not a new topic. Pointing out the same 5 success stories does not invalidate the shared stuggles of exponentially more.
I just love seeing respect on put
@IanStuartHanlin
's name for his work as Shadow in Sonic Prime.
The first new episode you'll see this July is the first time I got to virtually record "alongside" a castmate and he an absoute BOSS.
Recently, I noticed a few people reacting to the photo on the left saying,
"No way he just turned 36!"
To be fair, THAT photo is from 2012 when I was 24 and I look NOTHING like that anymore!
Please accept the much more accurate photo on the right, taken just last year.
I feel blessed and honored to have had even the smallest part in an incredible legacy that's helped inspire and comfort so many.
Happy 33 years to Sonic the Hedgehog. 💙
The shy kid who wanted to get like Sonic the Hedgehog is both honored and overwhelmed to have even a small part in his incredible, 32-year legacy. The future looks very bright and I'm eager to see what it has in store.
My good friend, the late Samantha Weinstein had a award-winning career, spanning cartoons and live-action work since 2001 at the age of 6.
One of her greatest dreams was to finally have her voice in an anime. She got to fulfill that this year, recording "Akira" in FLCL: Grunge.
The legendary Joe Barbera of Hanna-Barbera fame, discussing the trouble he went through to cast a black actor, Scatman Crothers, on the role of a cartoon dog.
Actions speak louder. I don't care to perform in LA, but I teach there. Anime stars WHOM I TRAINED often remorsefully tell me I wouldn't have the same opportunities with BZ as them, since more often than not, black actors only get to read your few anime roles that look like them.
In 2010, I was still on Newgrounds doing voices like this, specifically because TV cartoons only called me in to audition when there was a black kid role. I almost gave up several times. Preconceived notions still lock out many talented minorities today. This is why I'm so angry.
10 years ago a 13-year-old angrily reviewed a satirical game I voiced for
@Rhete
In 2011
@RicepirateMick
famously animated my reading of it. I became Dust: An Elysian Tail's voice director as a result, allowing me to help launch many careers. Life's weird.
Recasts will always happen for one reason or another. It's part of the business, but performers being paid far less than their worth shouldn't have to be.
In-studio group recordings aren't a thing since 2020. However, with me recording from home, Shadow's actor and I *did* actually get to record an episode together, as a direct result of my Golden State Warriors thrashing the Toronto Raptors.
...That is not even an exaggeration! 🏀
I wore a Sonic theme to go hear Sonic themes!
Incredible show by
@SonicsSymphTour
. Unforgettable atmosphere of joy and positivity.
Happy bday to César, a doctor from Mexico who already attended the Japan show 6 days prior and
@zephyr_together
who made me this Chaos Sonic plush!
Many think that looks never mattered or black voice actors never historically got screwed over and pigeonholded.
Marvel as I ruined my prospects with a major cartoon studio by refusing to provide my photo after a heavily-praised callback for a blond-haired, blue-eyed kid.
I'm still really proud of what I got to do as Zeo Abyss, nearly 12 years ago. Very grateful it left an impression.
I didn't have any prior connection to the Beyblade franchise and wasn't expecting to have such genuinely interesting material to work with in the Team Dungeon arc.
Wishing a very happy birthday to
@IanStuartHanlin
!
The Shadow to my Sonic, Red to my Chuck, one of the greatest talents *anywhere* and an all-around wonderfully kind, wholesome and welcoming fellow! Taking the time to talk to "unknown" me during my first Van visit meant a lot.
Many video games use codenames for the title and characters. It's easy for voice actors to not know what they're actually auditioning for or the history behind it.
It's VERY HARD to make a living in voiceover. The majority don't. It's bad to carry or spread the idea that it's impossible. Education is key.
As a union actor in cartoons, if I book 3 to 5 sessions a month, I'm covered on all my expenses. This has been my only job for 18 years.
What a trip. Turning on my Xbox 360 for the first time in many years... Hmmm. But WHY?
It was very kindly gifted to me by
@NoogyTweet
in 2012, to play his newly-released Dust: An Elysian Tail. 3D Fidget as an avatar companion is as adorable as I remember!
Voice acting beginners, PLEASE never forget...
There are plently of people who've only been in the business for a sip of coffee, yet are happy to take your money to produce your demo and "guide" your career trajectory.
Always know your producer/coach's background and longevity.
A major highlight of last weekend's SDCC was getting to meet
@VOColleen
the first time; who is as much of a total sweetheart as she is a total superstar! 🦊
Not today, not tomorrow, but sooooooooooon...
Sonic Prime Voice Actors plays the *legendary* Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood!
For now, I'm playing Sonic Superstars online battle mode! Feel free to join in!
Show me 4 characters you wanted to be when you were growing up!
They could be your favorites, but specifically ones that YOU LITERALLY WISHED THAT YOU WERE.
Because this mix-up occurs to a point where even Cartoon Network doesn't have it straight...
I voice Chef Hatchet in the 2023 Total Drama Island Reboot and 2018's Total DramaRama. OG Chef (2007-2014) was voiced by the incredible Clé Bennett.
You don't understand what 8 months of Sonic Unleashed looming overhead did to me. I walk out of Walmart and my mind is like:
"You have to go back in and look for all the medals."
Whoops! Impromptu Sonic Frontiers Update 3 stream at 8pm ET / 5pm PT!
I am very happy for Tails and will try my absolute best to protect him. Unfortunately, he's not in the hands of someone much better at the game!
Only being invited to audition for the one cartoon animal who's specifically designated to "sound black". ❌
Being invited to audition for all the cartoon animals, with the freedom to make some of them as "black" as I feel like. ✅
Hope y'all are enjoying Sonic Prime on Netflix!
In about 1 hour at 8pm ET / 5pm PT, I'll be LIVE alongside voice of Tails,
@ash_leigh_ball
and voice of Rouge,
@kazooms27
on Geeked: Toon In, hosted by
@Kieraplease
!
- First 7 yrs of my TV career were hindered, as I was rarely allowed to audition beyond "the one black teen". Impossible to make a living. Nearly quit.
- Simultaneously, I was a dominant, faceless online voice actor working for free, even though I wasn't allowed to do that.
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