Standish913.com has been blessed to do an exclusive interview with...
"MONICA RIAL"!
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: What originally inspired you to pursue voice acting, and how did you land your first major role?
Honestly, I never really considered being a voice actor. I started acting at around 12 years old and fell in love. I studied theatre throughout middle school, high school, and then went to the University of Houston to further my studies. While doing a Shakespearean play called “Cymbeline” my colleague Jason Douglas (you may know him as Lord Beerus) told me that there was a studio in Houston dubbing anime and that I would be perfect for it. He gave me ADVFilms’ info, I called, I auditioned, and the rest is history. My first major role came very quickly after I worked on a show called Martian Successor Nadesico as Mikako and a bunch of bits. I was cast as one of the leads, Miharu, in Gasaraki and right after that as Natsume, a supporting character, in Generator Gawl. I kept thinking, “Well, this is a fun gig but I doubt it’ll last”, and here I am 26 years later still doing the thing.
STANDISH: You’ve voiced hundreds of characters — do you remember the moment you realized voice acting would become your lifelong career?
About a year or two into working in anime, I started to realize all of my training had prepared me for a job in voice acting. I’ve always had a higher pitched voice and I used to get made fun of for it mercilessly. In theatre I learned that my voice was comedy/character gold but if I wanted to do more dramatic work, I had to find a lower pitch to use onstage. I remember in high school, another school’s director came to see our show and wanted to congratulate my on my performance in person. I came out and listened and thanked him to which his response was, “Omg! You sounds like a mouse!” Yeah… So I learned how to have two very distinctive voices for the stage. The first time I used my lower “stage” voice in anime everyone was shocked I could do it, but I’d been practicing for years so it was second nature to me. That was the first time I realized I could really do this and make it a career.
STANDISH: Who were some of your biggest influences or mentors early in your career?
All of my theatre teachers and professors over the years. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of them. I love comedy so Carol Burnett, Lily Tomlin, and Gilda Radner will all big influences on me from a young age. They inspired me theatrically and now they continue to inspire me in the booth.
STANDISH: Out of all the characters you’ve played, which one do you feel the strongest personal connection to, and why?
At this point, Bulma, by far. We have spent the most time together. I joke but it’s true, I’m not quite sure where Bulma ends and I begin at this point. She has become so much stronger, and in turn, has made me stronger. I love her so much and every time I get in the booth I’m just so honored to voice her. It still feels like a dream sometimes.
STANDISH: You’ve voiced so many beloved anime characters — which role challenged you the most as a performer?
Early on, I was in an amazing show called Noir that still holds up to this day. Without giving too much away, my character has amnesia and sets on a journey to find herself all while being a badass assassin. The character was super complex and she barely spoke. I had to infer meaning in every “Uh-huh” and head nod. It was so difficult but I learned so much from Kirika Yuumura. Those early shows and characters really made an impact on the voice actor I am today.
STANDISH: How do you approach finding the unique voice and personality for each new character?
I like to find any examples of the Japanese seiyuu that I can and read as much about the character as I can find, which can be hard in the days of simuldubs. I’ve been doing this for so long now that sometimes the voice just pops out. However, there are times, like Tsukuba Asui in MHA, where I have to play a bit to find the voice. Either way, I rely very heavily on the director to steer me in the right direction. They know the most about the show so I trust their judgement.
STANDISH: Can you walk us through what a typical recording session is like for a big anime series or video game?
They’re all so different! For a video game, you usually have your director, engineer, and clients on the line or in studio with you. Depending on the stage of preparedness of the game, you may have scenes to match to picture but most of it is reading the line aloud a couple of times and letting the team pick their favorites. You rely very heavily on your director and the client to help steer you in the right direction. With anime, it’s usually just you, the director, and the engineer. So when you go in, if you’re just starting a character, the director will show you some of the animation and give you the character’s back story and any other important information about them. If it’s a show you’ve worked on previously, the director will catch you up to speed and the engineer will play a “reference” line for you (lines taken from previous recordings) to say aloud to get into the voice. Then you watch the scene (or line depending on fast you are) and then go back and fill in the holes. Sometimes, if you’re recording toward the deadline, you’ll get to hear and respond to your colleagues who have already recorded. However, if you’re first to record, you’re speaking and reacting to nothing. It’s kind of trippy.
STANDISH: Have you ever had to record emotional or intense scenes that stayed with you after the session?
In theatre we are taught to “leave it on the stage” so I try to “leave it in the booth”. That said, there have been scenes that really hit me hard. One I can think of off the top of my head is DBZKai when Vegeta… well, you know… that really shook me even though I knew it was coming. Also, I worked on a show called Death Parade where I had some very dramatic scenes opposite Ian Sinclair (voice of Whis). I was screaming and crying so loudly that they heard me in the next studio. It feels good to get it all out in the booth though! The biggest issue I have is if I’m voicing a very high pitch or low pitch character for a long period of time, it takes my voice a while to get back to its’ normal register.
STANDISH: What’s your process for keeping your voice healthy with such a demanding schedule?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I drink so much water it's kind of crazy. I try to avoid caffeine and anything dairy before sessions. I also have a portable nebulizer called a “Vocal Mist” that I carry with me to the studio and to conventions. Speaking of conventions, I also travel with a humidifier that runs in my hotel room nearly nonstop. Oh! And always, ALWAYS do your warmups!
STANDISH: How does it feel to be a part of the DragonBallZ legacy?
It’s such an incredible honor, sometimes I have to pinch myself because I still can’t believe it. My family is Spanish and so growing up I used to translate anime on Spanish television for my little brother. One of his favorite was Dragon Ball Z. We probably bought every manga, figure, and magazine we could find in Spain. It took a while to come stateside, but when it did Miguel became an even bigger fan. I totally encouraged his fandom, as every good big sister should, and bought him all the DBZ stuff I could find. So it was really cool when I got to tell him that I’d be voicing Bulma. It was a really sweet brother-sister moment that I’ll never forget.
STANDISH: What was your favorite part of voicing Bulma?
She’s such a baddie. She’s always been strong but throughout Super and the new movies we’ve seen her get even stronger and more confident. I used to worry that she’d get sidelined like Chi Chi and Videl, forced to stay home with the kids, but instead she gave the Lord of Destruction her baby and said, “Y’all aren’t leaving me behind!” I love that she appeared in Krillin’s nightmare sequence and all the boys jump when she yells. Playing someone that strong and confident definitely makes you feel more strong and confident as well. I’ve learned so much from her and she’s truly become a part of me at this point.
STANDISH: What do you think about the rise of AI voice technology — do you see it as a threat or a tool for voice actors?
I know it’s still early days, but I’m not as impressed with AI as I thought I'd be and that has kind of set me at ease on the work front. Some studios have started using AI for subtitles and translations and they’re overrun with mistakes and mistranslations, so I don’t think the technology is there yet. I doubt it will ever truly be a threat to voice actors because no matter how good it gets at faking it, AI will never have heart. Humans are able to put subtext into their reads that comes across on a microphone in a way that AI could never. Now maybe in like 2050, but I’ll be long retired by then.
STANDISH: Do you have a dream project or franchise you’d still love to be part of?
My favorite anime movie of all time is “Perfect Blue” and while the dub is stellar I would love the opportunity to play Mima. She’s just such a cool character. Other than that, I have yet to be in Pokemon and I think that’d be a lot of fun. I really love making critter noises so I feel like I’d be really good at it. Maybe someday!
STANDISH: What’s the most memorable fan interaction you’ve ever had?
Omg, there are too many to list. I’m so lucky to be able to go to conventions and meet fans firsthand. We nerd out about the anime they love together and it just makes my heart happy. I love what I do and to be able to speak with the folks who have grated me the ability to do my dream job is just such an honor. I recognize that I wouldn’t be able to do any of this if it weren't for the fans who watch the shows, buy the merch, etc. By supporting the industry, you are allowing us to continue doing what we love. I don’t want to speak for everyone, but I think most would agree that we are eternally grateful to you all.
STANDISH: What's on Monica's playlist?
QVEEN HERBY! she is number one. My musical tastes are really crazy- I’m all over the place- but lately it’s been Queen Herby, Thot Squad, Lizzo’s new album, and Lily Allen’s latest… with a little Megan Thee Stallion. Somedays I need something stronger and that’s when I break out the Static-X, System of a Down, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails… And there’s always room for Beastie Boys. Oh and Gameboy Jones! "Hip Hop Froppy" always makes me do a little dance in the car.
STANDISH: What advice would you give aspiring voice actors trying to break into the industry today?
You may not think you need those acting classes but trust me, if you want a long career in this industry you have to be an actor. I do this because I HAVE to act. It’s like a disease, lol. The conventions and everything else are just a happy byproduct. I consistently rely on tools I’ve learned throughout my acting career in the booth. Do it because you love it, not because you want to be “famous”. Here are my other tips:
- take singing lessons- you’ll learn to control your voice and breathe from the diaphragm
- take improv classes- sometimes we have to come up with a character and voice in 5 minutes, you’ve got to be quick on your feet.
-READ ALOUD- I’m surprised by how many folks think that we get scripts ahead of time. Nope! We walk in, watch it once, do it, and then you move on. So if you have trouble reading aloud, voice acting is going to be tough.
STANDISH: What are your social links?
I’m currently most active on Instagram and TikTok where you can find me as @Rialisms.
STANDISH: Anything else you'd like to include?
I just want to say thank you to all of the fans. You are what keeps me going and makes me strive to be a better voice actor every day. Thank you for allowing me the ability to do my dream job. So much love to all of you. <3
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