Q: What got you interested in voice acting?
A: I was already acting, and already working in the studio (singing jingles and on albums etc.), and some of the people I sang for asked me to do voiceovers for radio/TV ads. Fun! Then I started auditioning for animation work, and have really enjoyed that part of the studio experience! I discovered how much less restrictive it is to be in a studio rather than on camera. I can be a little boy or an old witch or a hamster, or someone who just plain looks a lot more interesting than I do! Now I don't even go out for TV or film. I just sing live and in the studio, and do radio work and, a big favorite, cartoons.
Q: Who were some of your biggest role models growing up?
A: Uhhh, tough one. Wonder Woman? Charlie's Angels? (yes, I'm old) [laughs]. More like my dad, who's an incredible musician.
Q: What is your most memorable memory in the voice acting career?
A: Another tough one. I work with great actors and directors and engineers, so there are plenty of great (and funny) moments....it was fun, when I worked on a show called Kleo the Misfit Unicorn, to travel to France for Mipcom (animation convention) and see the thousands of cartoon ideas being showcased and the people trying to sell them.
Q: What is your favorite series you have worked on and why?
A: Man, you are asking some difficult ones.....Dragon Ball was one of them, though. I worked on it for so long, with different studios, and had a blast with the people I met. And Gohan is a cute, innocent, fierce little guy.
Q: If you could voice any other anime character who would it be and why?
A: Hmmmmm........I have to say I'm content with the broad range of characters I get to inhabit, for one episode or a whole series.
Q: I think you did a very good job with Lieutenant Noin. Did you enjoy voicing the character and what were you impressions on Gundam Wing in comparison to other anime series out there?
A: I liked Lieutenant Noin. Her character is smart and strong and her voice is just natural, which is always a nice break from the more acrobatic ones. Gundam Wing was fun to do, but I found Lieutenant Noin to be a serious character who had very few light moments. I wish she laughed a little more, but that would have taken away the edge she needed. There are goofier characters to round out the show. I think Gundam Wing was good series and definitely one of the better anime shows out there.
Q: Most people probably recognize you as Young Gohan from the earlier episodes of Dragon Ball Z. What was it like voicing this character and how did you develop your voice for the character?
A: Actually, I first played young Goku, many years ago, I think it was 10, on the original Dragon Ball Series. Once we started Dragon Ball Z and Goku was all grown up, I started on Gohan's voice. Gohan was easy to develop after working as young Goku. It's a cute, innocent character, and I miss that little guy. But it was also a tiring voice, 'cause it needs some grit, and Dragon Ball Z is full of battle scenes and long drawn out screams. Ouch! Sometimes I'd be booked for a solid 8 hours of Gohan, then attempt to sing at night with barely any voice left. I wouldn't be surprised if I wore a hole (or a node) in my vocal cords. But he is so sweet!
Q: What was it like when you and the rest of Ocean Group had heard FUNimation was moving to Texas, and the parts would be recast?
A: We were all disappointed, but we knew they were probably trying to save money and keep their project in a more convenient location, since that's where FUNimation is based. Dragon Ball Z started recording here in Vancouver again in 2000, and I enjoyed some more Gohan that year.
Q: What is your impression regarding how Stephanie Nadolny did the voice of Young Gohan after you? I spoke to her and acknowledged this interview to her and she wanted me to tell you she thinks you did a great job and she would like to get in contact with you.
A: I haven't heard Stephanie's Gohan, 'cause I don't usually have a lot of time to watch cartoons, as weird as that may seem! I'm sure she did a great job herself, and hope there are lots of shows coming through there for her to do. Shows come and go, but the people at FUNimation are nice, busy guys. And we voice actors need to keep ourselves stretched!
Q: It must have been rather exciting for you and the rest of the original cast when you heard that you would be re-dubbing the newer episodes of Dragon Ball Z?
A: We were happy to see those characters again, even if we did have to gargle salt water afterwards!
Q: A lot of talk went on saying you had to stopping voicing Gohan in the Cell Saga because of "stress-related causes", this wasn't the case, was it?
A: That's funny, I've heard that comment too. No, I didn't stop voicing Gohan because of stress or exhaustion or anything like that. The only thing that was stressful was the timing of my wedding! We'd planned it for months and months, before Dragon Ball Z even came back, and in order to work around my husband's availability (he's a baseball player), some immigration business (he's American) and to get our families together....... We couldn't change our wedding date when the producers decided they'd need me for a few days in January/Feb 2001. So we recorded as many episodes as possible by the end of 2000, and then they auditioned new talent for Gohan so they could continue with someone whose schedule they wouldn't need to work around.
Q: Now that you are back to work have you done any other small parts in Dragon Ball Z such as some of the other actors? I personally think you would make a great Android 18.
A: No, I haven't been back to Dragon Ball Z. I've been busy elsewhere, and they've got enough actors to cover all those parts now. They don't usually need to bring anyone extra in, because the core cast can do the incidentals. But who wouldn't love to be an android?
Q: Have you heard Kyle Hebert or Brad Swaille's voices of the adult version of your character and do you think they do justice to the character?
A: Sorry to say I haven't heard them. But I bet they're great!
Q: What is your all time favorite scene you have ever voiced?
A: Can't possibly answer that. But one of my favorites was the one where little Goku goes to Bulma's house and they each take a bath and he discovers she doesn't have a tail. He's hanging out naked in the Japanese version, and in at least one scene of the North American one, they had to paint a chair in front of his privates.
Q: Are you close with any other voice actors?
A: You bet! I've met some great and true friends, male and female, by working and auditioning with them. They tend to be very entertaining!
Q: What are your latest projects you are working on?
A: In terms of Anime: Hamtaro (cute little hamster show, with some very funny actors on it), Brain Powered, and recently an episode of Soul Takers where I was a bad, bad girl. And I just sang a couple of songs on Fancy La La. Another cartoon that I've been working on in the past couple years is "What About Mimi". Possibly also airing right now would be Kong, The Lost Continent, Kleo the Misfit Unicorn, and Roswell Conspiracies. I've also been creating a show with my sister, which we'll be trying to sell soon--very different from most of the shows I work on. Lots of voiceover and singing work. And I've been doing the female voices on some Internet Flash Animation at an anti-smoking website.
Q: Any words of encouragement to any aspiring voice actors of fans out there?
A: Hmmmmm...........how about GO FOR IT!! Whether it's acting or singing or writing or contributing anywhere in this world that you feel needed and fulfilled. We all need just the right balance of dreaming and doing. Speaking of doing..........there's some precariously piled dishes I'd better attend to. Lots of Love and Luck to Everybody! Saffron Henderson
