Thank you so much for joining us once again for the Celebrity Chat. Today we are glad to have Sean Schemmel as our guest. Sean is the voice of Goku and King Kai from Dragonball Z.
Hello everyone! Thanks for coming to talk with me... I've been gone a while and I am very excited!!
Q: How many times have you been killed in a show?
A: I think 3, I'm not entirely sure....
Q: First I want to send a thanks to you and to the rest of the cast for making the English version of the show fun to watch. My first question is, how did you become interested in doing voice acting?
A: I used to do puppet theatre work, and I have done impersonations my whole life, and it kind of went from there....
Q: What's your favorite color jellybean?
A: I detest jelly beans, because they remind me of boogers.
Q: What did you have to go through to get a job at FUNimation?
A: I answered an open call for voice actors. I went in, auditioned, and got the parts...
Q: Do you really eat when you do a scene with Goku eating?
A: Actually, I recorded a scene today with Goku eating, and I had a Dum-Dum sucker in my mouth, but normally no, I usually just stick my finger in my mouth...
Q: Do you have any dogs?
A: I used to...
Q: What is your favorite Saga of DBZ?
A: I like the Buu saga...
Q: What's it like working with Chris Sabat?
A: Chris is absolutely insane. Working with Chris is like working with a really fun late night DJ...
Q: Is it fun to work there?
A: It's the most fun ever...
Q: How boring are you?
A: I am 30% boring.
Q: Do you have a lot of bad cases of sore throats while playing Goku?
A: During the Freiza saga my voice was killing me, but no, not too often.
Q: Are you gay?
A: No I am not gay. Although, sometimes I am very happy.
Q: If you ran into an angry Majin Buu, would you rather be turned into chocolate, jelly, or a cookie?
A: Chocolate.
Q: I am in college, what degree would people need to get into the business of anime?
A: There is no college degree for anime per se, but animation schools are probably good...
Q: How do you make Goku so funny?
A: Well though I am 30% boring, I am 70% funny. That's how.
Q: Does your normal voice sound like Goku's voice?
A: Sort of... to be Goku, I think really, really happy thoughts and shift into more of a tenor voice and use really clear diction.
Q: If the voice actor for Vegeta asked you to bow down to his characters prince-ship, would you?
A: Actually Chris asks me to do that every time I record, and I refuse unless he buys me lunch.
Q: Are you on drugs?
A: No. I do not take drugs.
Q: What's your favorite kind of dog?
A: I love Shelties...
Q: What's your favorite scary movie?
A: I don't really like scary movies.
Q: How can you stand these stupid questions?
A: I get paid to stand these stupid questions... just kidding... this is tons of fun.
Q: What kind of music do you like?
A: I like progressive rock, techno, ambient, I am huge Bjork fan..... I love Celtic music too.Me and Bjork have the same birthday!
Q: If you were trapped on a island, would you train like Goku to waste time away or make a coconut TV and watch DBZ?
A: I wouldn't train, but I would make a coconut Game Cube, and call it a Game Sphere like on South Park...
Q: How did you get picked for King Kai's voice?
A: I was required to mimic the previous actor, and he reminded me of the famous comedian Buddy Hackett, and so I referenced that in my mind and voila! King Kai!
Q: What is progressive rock?
A: Progressive is a term that was coined in the late 60's to describe a more unique genre of rock music...Progressive rock pioneers include Rush, Yes, Genesis(the old stuff)
Q: Do you play any video games? If you do, then what?
A: Yes I do. I just got a Game Cube and I love it!!! Actually years ago I used to sell video games...I've probably owned every system at some point...
Q: Do you like Adult Swim?
A: I've seen a little Adult Swim and from what I've seen, I like...
Q: Did you see the Kamehameha marching band in the Rose Parade on New Years Day.
A: No I didn't, but I wish I had, I was in marching band for years.... I hope it was legal...<snicker>
Q: How can you change your voice?
A: Changing ones' voice has more to do with mentally being "in character" and just having a good and flexible voice to begin with. I don't really go through a "voice changing" process....
Q: How was your New Year's Mr. Schemmel?
A: I spent New Year's in New York City, and I had the time of my life.
Q: Is there any part of Goku's character in yourself?
A: I am frequently compared to Goku, especially if I've had too much caffeine or sugar.... I've got pretty high energy.
Q: Sean what do you do in your free time?
A: I read, meditate, compose music, play my Game Cube, talk to my girlfriend, call my friends... eat Chinese food... juggle squids.
Q: Do you ever watch Miracle Pets? It's a really good show.
A: I've never seen miracle pets, but I hear those pets are miraculous.
Q: Why are King Kai's jokes so corny?
A: Because the writers wrote them so corny. By the way, even though I mainly do Goku, King Kai's sense of humor is similar to mine...
Q: What are your favorite video games?
A: For Game Cube, Rogue Squadron, Wave Race Super Monkey Ball...For other systems, Soul Calibur, Virtual Fighter....
Q: Why does King Kai where sun glasses?
A: Because he is a huge fan of Whoopi Goldberg.
Q: Do you watch the show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"?
A: No. But my girlfriend makes me watch it. I like it.
Q: Did you enjoy playing the part of Nail in the Freiza Saga?
A: I very much enjoyed Nail. I wish I was still playing him. He's one of my favorite characters...
Q: What instrument did you play in marching band?
A: I played french horn, and then I majored in French Horn performance in college, and then I played the thing for 10 more years for a living...
Q: Why are all the Kai's fat except for Grand Kai and Supreme Kai?
A: Because we all love Chinese food. I don't know.
Q: Do you like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?
A: That is my favorite movie of all time. When I was kid, I was scared of the Oompa Loompas, and I used to want to be Willy Wonka when I grew up. And now that I am grown up, I still want to be Willy Wonka. Did you see the crappy Oompa Loompa cartwheel at the finale of the Oompa Loompa song? That's funny.
Q: If you could turn back time would you have done it any different? With your career and all?
A: I would have started out as an actor or comedian instead of a musician....
Q: Are you happy about your life?
A: At this point in my life, I'm the happiest I've ever been... and much of it has to do with being associated with DBZ...
Q: Do u like the bands Creed and Linkin Park?
A: I like Linkin Park a lot, but I think Creed's music is a bit contrived and the new song sounds just like the old one, in fact I think it's almost the same chord progression.It's like "Eyes Wide Open the Sequel."
Q: Do you like macaroni and cheese?
A: I like it cold and sometimes I mix ketchup and Tabasco with it.
Q: What's your out look on life? Do you have a motto you live by or anything? What just basically keeps you going?
A: I do a lot of Zen study and meditation. I recommend books by Thich Nhat Hahn. He is a famous Zen master who has radically enhanced my life.
Q: Who are your favorite Actors and Actresses?
A: I like Kevin Spacey a lot, and Julieanne Moore...
Q: Why were you scared of the Oompa Loompa song, because I was to?
A: I wasn't scared of the song so much as I was of the Oompa Loompas themselves. The song is in a minor key I think, and that makes it more scary...
Q: What superhero do you like better: Batman or Spiderman?
A: Mmm.... ironically I have my Spiderman watch on today... but I must say I like them equally... but Batman is cool too... well ok I like Batman better...
Q: Do you like the World Wrestling Federation?
A: No, but I used to love the Slim Jim commercials when that wrestler would destroy things for a Slim Jim...Well actually...I like the wrestling because it's funny, much like I think heavy metal, rap, and televangelists are funny, I watch and listen to them for the pure comedic value.
Q: Do you secretly dress up as Goku and go out to fight crime?
A: No, but for Halloween, people would ask me who I was, even though I wasn't dressed up and I'd say "I'm Goku" and they'd say why? And I'd say "because I'm Goku."
Q: What's your favorite movie of the three: American Beauty, American Pie or American History X?
A: American Beauty.
Q: Is bulma hot in real life?
A: Well I haven't tested her temperature, but I am sure Tiffany Vollmer is at 98.6 degrees just like everyone else.
Q: What is your girlfriends name
A: I can't tell you that, or I'd have to kill you...Actually, her name is Lisa...
Q: who do you think are better, boys or girls? Think about it and answer carefully....
A: Um...Well uh...Mmmm...I dunno.
Q: Beatles or Stones?
A: Definitely Beatles.
Q: Did you ever work in a movie?
A: Actually, I've done two independent films with small parts, and then me and some friends made a funny movie with a puppet...To see it go to www.defeatyou.com.
Q: Do you like sum _41?
A: I do like sum 41 a lot. In fact if I could do it over again, I would be in a band like that. They're a lot of fun.
Q: Do you like to eat carrots?
A: I used to eat only carrots as a boy so I would get x-ray vision. But then I didn't get x-ray vision so I sued the Carrots.
Q: Are there any ladies that you work with that you are attracted to?
A: Um No. But there are very pretty actresses that work for FUNimation. In fact I would say they are all pretty.
Q: Do you eat garlic? (It makes me sick)
A: I love garlic. It's also a natural anti-biotic.
Q: Would you let your kids watch the uncut versions of DBZ?
A: I don't have any kids, but yes I would.
Q: If you had a tail, would you want everyone to call you monkey boy?
A: Actually my late grandfather used to call me monkey boy when I was a boy...
Q: Who is the administrator, and is he always watching us?
A: The administrator is sitting next to me. He is a giant oracle with one large eye. He has super powers far beyond those of mortal men. I am going to punch him now.
Q: What are you having for dinner tonight?
A: I'm thinking about Schlotsky's because I will absolutely not accept a substitutsky.
Q: What's your favorite type of cookie?
A: I looooooooooooove chocolate chip cookies. My girlfriend makes the best ones...
Q: What's your favorite food: pizza, burgers, chili, or bananas?
A: In this order: burgers, pizza, chili, and I'm allergic to bananas.
Q: If you were at a bar, what would DBZ fans do?
A: Well usually, they are drunk, and they say "hey... you're that Goku guy...my kids love you.... can I have your autograph?" Actually, they don't do that.
Q: Does it feel weird to be a celebrity?
A: Well it's weird. Online I feel very honored and celebrity like, and it's very nice, but in public, no one recognizes me and I have some personal space, so it's nice...But DBZ fans are always cool to me...
Q: how many voice actors does FUNimation fit into the studio?
A: Actually, when we do crowd scenes, we put a bunch of actors in the booth. I think I have been in the booth with 5 or six people at one time. It's cramped and smelly.
Q: If you had one wish from the dragon what would you wish for?
A: A third nipple like that evil guy in that old James Bond movie.
Q: Do you like The Rock?
A: I think he went to my college, but I doubt he is actually made of rock.
Q: Do you know any Japanese or Chinese?
A: I know two words in Japanese.
Q: Why and what would you want a third nipple for?
A: I told you, so I could be like the evil guy in the old James Bond movie.
Q: What two words?
A: In Japanese I assume you mean. I know "domo origato" and "ja ne."
Q: For quick thinking do you usually think like Goku in a circumstance or are your thinking patterns completely different?
A: I try to let go when I quick think. I guess Goku does that... I'm not sure. Sometimes he seems to win by luck.
Well the evil oracle administrator has deemed this session over. I must obey his wishes. So i want to give a shout out to all of my DBZ homies. Thank you for coming. Yo Yo!
