Lia Sargent Interview

• Interview with: Lia Sargent
• Interviewed by: Nukunuku on January 15th, 2004
• Location: E-mail
• Publication Date: February 9th, 2004

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Anime Dream:

How did you get involved with the voice-over industry, specifically with an anime dubbing, and what was your first job as a voice actress?

Lia Sargent:

My first job as a voice actress was when my father placed me in front of a microphone for a movie he directed, to re-voice an Irish girl for a couple lines where the original audio was no good. The Irish actress wasn't available at the time. I was 14. I had no intentions of going into voice acting, but after attending college and taking a radio broadcasting workshop, one of the teachers suggested I audition for a Chinese action movie to dub into English...the rest is history.

Anime Dream:

What is your favorite anime genre, and do you have any personal favorite series or character?

Lia Sargent:

I have a hard time with that question...I find myself enjoying so much of what I've worked on...and the fact they there is a diversity within the work is part of what makes it so enjoyable. As far as a series, Trigun was a blast to work on...as a director and actress...so many situations, so many characters. I catch it on Adult Swim, now and then, and it's still enjoyable to watch. And yet the complete opposite, Lain, completely exercised my brain...I loved it. A challenge in a whole different way. But I could go on with just about all of the shows I've had the good fortune to work on.

Anime Dream:

Which character you've portrayed, do you relate to yourself most in terms of personality and the situation?

Lia Sargent:

All of them. Except when they whine. I stopped whining when I was ten years old. I hate whining. I have many personalities; the gift of being an actress. When I get cast as these characters, someone must be seeing the character in me. Or I don't think they'd cast me. Although the tougher ones tend to be the core of who I am. A la Chun Li , Sybel, Arashi Kishu, Marina from Cosmo Warrior. And then there's Yukino, she's the poet in me.

Anime Dream:

Which type of character is tougher for you to act: A cheerful and bubbly character such as "CBD May" from Hand Maid May and Judy from Bebop, or a dark and moody characters such as "R. Dorothy Wayneright" from Big O and "Morgan La Fay" from Ah My Goddess?

Lia Sargent:

At first Dorothy was very hard for me to play...flat tone, emotionless. I tend to have many colors in my voice, and within my read. So, Dorothy was work. But now, I grasp her very easily. May was a piece a cake, just took a hell of a lot of energy. Judy actually was a little difficult because I'm not usually cast as an air-head. There is a certain quality and emptiness you have to acquire, and I think I finally got a handle on it. Much like I did for Milly, she gave me a hard time also. And directing myself made it even worse.

Anime Dream:

And speaking of Big O, "You are a louse, Roger Smith." is by far the one of the best known one-liners in the anime history. How did you come up with that tone and the mannerism?

Lia Sargent:

First of all, mark me if I'm wrong, there are times when Dorothy says "You are a louse, Roger Smith" and other times she says "You are such a louse..."...correct? I mention this because, I think for dubbing purposes I had to add an extra word and fortunately, it came out better, stronger you might say, don't you agree? So, when quoting myself as Dorothy I tend to use the latter. Not that you don't have to, but when I do you'll know why. In answer to the question, I tried to copy the Japanese actress...and that's what I came up with. Emotionless and monotone and yet, a tinge of pathos. After all, she is in love, with a man she can never have.

Anime Dream:

Countless anime fans out there think your performance of Dorothy is superior to the original the Japanese actress. Have you seen the original episode prior to the dubbing, if so what is your opinion toward original actress?

Lia Sargent:

Well, now, I sure didn't check out these questions in advance. Ummm... interesting. Thanks...fans! Uh...I always tend to think the original performances are great. At least for me they tend to be a good starting point. On some occasions the English dub director doesn't want me to listen to the original. They want to start from scratch. But most of the time I prefer listening to the Japanese. I mean let's face it...they created the damn thing. (there's the tough gal in me) Maybe the pathos I added made the difference.

Anime Dream:

I've noticed that every project you are involved in (on the level of directing or ADR script) end up extremely well received by the fans. How do you choose which projects you want to get involved on that level?

Lia Sargent:

It's what I chose not to do. When I'm offered a directing job or a role, if I feel it's not a good project I tend to bow out. I've on many occasions taken just about any role/job that was offered to me, but there are times when you gotta say no. And I guess you can say, I've been fortunate.

Anime Dream:

Can you shed light on the process of getting involved as an ADR director or a script writer on a given project? How does one get selected for either job?

Lia Sargent:

Luck. Okay just kidding. I happen to work with some of the best in the business and we have developed a great working relationship, and when something comes along that they feel is a good project for me, I'm handed it on a silver platter...or so it feels like that. I'm very fortunate, and they seem to feel they're fortunate to have me do the job. The "mutual admiration society." Sometimes I'm just the director, sometimes the writer, sometimes both, but, either way, there is a system of sorts and those guys know it, oh so well.

Anime Dream:

As an ADR director, who are your favorite voice actor and actress?

Lia Sargent:

Oh, you know I can't answer that question. I'd be shooting myself in the foot.

Anime Dream:

As an actress, who is your favorite ADR director?

Lia Sargent:

Oh, you know I can't answer that question. I'd be shooting myself in the other foot.

Anime Dream:

So far you've worked as ADR director / script writer for Animaze. Would you like to work with Bang Zoom or any other local Los Angeles studios in that capacity?

Lia Sargent:

Hard to say, I have a ton of friends that work for Bang Zoom and I have no intentions of being competitive and stealing work. Besides they haven't asked me...maybe they won't meet my price. (tee-hee)

Anime Dream:

Do you ever get recognized when you are out on a public place just by your voice alone?

Lia Sargent:

No. But I get complemented on my voice. By complete strangers. That's always interesting to me. Very flattering.

Anime Dream:

I've been told by number of fans that you were the voice of Shion Uzuki in the popular, yet controversial video game, Xenosaga. What do you think about whole Xenosaga story line?

Lia Sargent:

Ummm...you had to ask. Doesn't excite me...it's a game...I don't follow games very well. Sorry. I love to play the characters, but....

Anime Dream:

What was your first impression of Shion and KOS-MOS?

Lia Sargent:

Oh dear, there you see? I just shot myself in the foot.

Anime Dream:

Did you see the finished game yet?

Lia Sargent:

No. And there's the problem. I felt detached from the process and the character. The way games are recorded is so different then a movie or a series. And as a voice talent one tends not to get very involved with the character. It's hard to, the pace is so fast and you never get to really connect with the other characters. It's more technical work than anything else.

Anime Dream:

Are you aware that Xenosaga 2 is in the work right now, and will you return to the role as Shion Uzuki, if asked again?

Lia Sargent:

Sure I would. And no, I wasn't.

Anime Dream:

I've also noticed that you were cast in number of video games. What is the different between an anime dub and a video game dub, if there is any?

Lia Sargent:

I seem to be beating you to the punch...don't mean to. Like I said, the games are more technical and faster. Anime dubbing, the characters seem to come alive more and you get a chance to breathe into the character...and the story.

Anime Dream:

Are there any upcoming and unannounced anime series or video games dub you are included as a VA, writer, and perhaps as a director too?

Lia Sargent:

I am always told not to tell anyone while we're working on them. Secrets. As if in this business there are any left. I will be in the .hack series though, I can tell you that much. Oh, and I know I can mention, Wolf's Rain, the part of Neige.

Anime Dream:

And finally, do you have any message for your loyal fans out there?

Lia Sargent:

As Yukino might say; (might want to count the syllables)

"The passion within you that driveth your souls doth ring out of Anime, and my heart with much gratitude forever shall beat."

I admire all of you.

Anon, Lia