Actor Laura Bailey Talks About Her Career and Stray Gods
Aug 14, 2023
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Laura Bailey, an actor known for her iconic work in games and animation, discusses her early career, catching her first big break, her transition from animation to video games, and her process for getting into character. She also talks about her role in the highly popular Critical Role and working alongside the all-star cast of the recently released Stray Gods. The podcast covers topics such as breaking into the voiceover industry, motion capture challenges, fan reactions, and the importance of creating familiar music for performers.
Laura Bailey discusses her transition from animation to video game voice acting and how motion capture allows for a more theatrical and imaginative experience.
Bailey shares her experience of working on 'The Last of Us Part II', including auditioning for the role of Abby and aiming to make the audience empathize with the character's journey.
The podcast explores the impact and polarizing reception of 'The Last of Us Part II' and how many fans have revisited the game and gained a better understanding and appreciation for its storytelling and performances.
Deep dives
The transition from animation to video game voice acting
The podcast episode discusses the transition from animation to video game voice acting. The guest, Laura Bailey, talks about her journey from starting in theater and anime voice acting to eventually working on motion capture projects. She highlights how motion capture combines her love for acting with voice acting and allows for a more theatrical and imaginative experience.
The experience of working on "The Last of Us Part II"
Laura Bailey shares her experience of working on "The Last of Us Part II". She mentions auditioning for the role of Abby, initially not intended for her, and the pressure of living up to the high standards set by the first game. She discusses the challenges of playing Abby and how she aimed to make the audience empathize and understand the character's journey, even after the game's storyline flips perspectives.
The impact and reception of "The Last of Us Part II"
The podcast episode explores the impact and polarizing reception of "The Last of Us Part II". Laura Bailey addresses the backlash the game received, particularly towards her character of Abby. She explains that while some fans had a negative reaction initially, many have since revisited the game and gained a better understanding and appreciation for its storytelling and performances. The episode highlights the dedication and hard work put into the game by the entire team at Naughty Dog.
Growing in Confidence and Challenging Roles
Acting can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming profession. The podcast episode discusses how actors may sometimes question their suitability for certain roles or feel intimidated by the unknown when starting a project. However, the guest speaker emphasizes that it is important to embrace these challenges and push oneself to explore new territories. The speaker shares personal experiences of working on projects that initially felt difficult or overwhelming but ultimately led to personal growth and development as an actor. They highlight the importance of being open to new experiences and being willing to go to emotional depths as required by the character.
The Evolving Process and Growth as an Actor
The podcast episode delves into the evolution of the acting process and how actors' involvement in creative decision-making can change over time. Initially, actors often have limited information about a project and must trust the director and team to guide them. However, as they gain experience and take on more significant roles, they become more involved in the creative process. They have the opportunity to contribute ideas and collaborate with the team to shape their character's journey. The speaker expresses appreciation for this growth and involvement, while also acknowledging that it could create pressure to deliver exceptional performances.
Austin Wintory chats with actor Laura Bailey about her iconic work in games and animation. Together they discuss her early career and catching her first big break; her work in animation that led to a prolific career in video games; her process for getting into character; being a part of the highly popular Critical Role; and working together alongside the all-star cast of the recently released Stray Gods.
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