Uncharted's Nolan North's Weird Ability to Yell

Our guest Nolan North has brought to life your favorite videogame characters with his voice! From Uncharted's Nathan Drake and Assassin's Creed's Desmond Miles, to scores of others, he is a top talent in the industry. We discuss the freedom of preparation and being broke but happy - this week!

Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] From Soap Operas to Sound Booths: Nolan North’s Unexpected VO Journey
Nolan shares how a friend encouraged him to pivot from acting on Port Charles to voice acting—kicking off a prolific video game career.

[00:06:00] Recording Anywhere: How Remote VO Work Changed the Industry
Nolan explains how post-pandemic voiceover work allows actors to record high-quality audio from home studios across the country.

[00:12:00] Childhood Impressions and Baseball Dreams
Hear how Nolan’s early love for mimicking voices and playing sports shaped his journey before he ever touched a microphone.

[00:20:00] Breaking In with $750 and a Yell
Nolan recalls his first video game gig, yelling lines for just $750—and how that led to a reputation as a go-to, reliable voice actor.

[00:26:00] Bringing Nathan Drake to Life with Performance Capture
Nolan details how Uncharted rehearsals, ad-libbing, and trust from Amy Hennig made the character of Nathan Drake feel human and iconic.

[00:33:00] Going Beyond the Voice: Crafting Penguin, Joker & More
Nolan dives into his diverse range—from his gruff Penguin in Arkham to an offbeat version of the Joker and even made-up languages.

[00:47:00] Voice Acting Wisdom: It's Not Rejection, It’s Fit
He reflects on casting experiences and why actors should focus on authenticity over perfection—it’s about the right fit, not the best read.

[01:00:00] The Power of Preparation & Professionalism in Voice Work
Nolan stresses the importance of showing up early, knowing your lines, and respecting the team—success is in the discipline.

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