Review Fix chats with voice actor Tod Fennell who discusses his role in the Playstation 4 and Xbox One smash hit “The Division,†as well as his career in voice acting and a new original script.
Review Fix: What was it like to play two different characters in “The Division”?
Tod Fennell: It was awesome. They couldn’t have been more opposite. I played an escaped convict from Riker Island who revels in chaos, murder and destruction, wielding an assault rifle to an awkward lab tech who can’t get anything right. It’s fun to get to play these larger than life criminals, you have to have so much swag and attitude. They live in a world where any hesitation will get you killed. On the other hand, playing the lab tech was a little comic relief, for myself as an actor as well as the player in the game.
Review Fix: How was it different from your work in “Assassin’s Creed”?
Fennell: All my scenes in “The Division” were done in a motion capture studio, whereas all my scenes in “Assassin’s Creed” were done in a sound studio. In Assassin’s Creed, I played more manipulative characters like Bernardo Baroncelli and Mason Weems. They were more cerebral than physical. Mason Weems has got to be one of my favorite characters I’ve ever played. He’s a little mysterious, extremely loyal and intelligent.
Review Fix: What’s it like to play video games and see your character’s brought to life in the game?
Fennell: It’s one of the coolest things ever. The sound technicians, the game designers and the music all help make your performance way more badass when it’s all put together. Sometimes we don’t even know what our avatars will look like until the game comes out, then we’re like…WOAH! That’s me??
Review Fix: What are your goals as a voice actor?
Fennell: I want to work as much as possible on as much as possible. I really want to land a voice on Simpsons, Family Guy, Archer or anything by Pixar.
Review Fix: What kind of roles do you prefer?
Fennell: I like to play badasses in projects where the writer has a sense of humor. The badass who gets his ego smashed is always fun. But there’s also something cool about playing the stoic soldier who never gives up and never surrenders no matter what happens.
Review Fix: What’s next for you?
Fennell: I’m writing an original script for a workplace sitcom right now based loosely on the company Space X and it’s CEO Elon Musk. I also want to get to LA for pilot season this year.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Fennell: Don’t be afraid to chase the thing you want most in life. Work hard, don’t listen to the naysayers and work. Keep at it, no matter what happens or what anybody says. Yesterday was the last day for excuses, today is a new day and a new opportunity to follow your dreams.
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