Robots In Disguise  Robots In Disguise / Interviews

Wally Wingert - RiD Voice Actor

We are proud to present an interview with Wally Wingert. The voice behind Side Burn and Mirage on the hugely popular Robots in Disguise TV Show. Join us for a discussion with Wally about his experience as a voice actor, developing the Side Burn character and working on the RiD TV series.

Recently, Daniel Suh (Suspsy), had a chance to interview Wally Wingert for Transformers Exchange about what one of today's hottest voice and character actors has been up to. Aside from his work with the Robots in Digiuse TV series, Wally is active on many other shows and projects. From doing voice work for FOX's Family Guy and Disney to impersonating Andy Kaufman this is an up and comming actor who we are going to see a lot more of.

Wally Wingert Inverview

TFEX: Please tell us a little about yourself

WW: I was born in Des Moines, Iowa, lived the first 26 years of my life in South Dakota and moved to Los Angels to get into acting and performing. I started as a radio DJ at the age of 6, but I had always had dreams of performing, doing voices and characters since I was little.

TFEX: What made you decide to become an actor?

WW: I've always had the urge to perform. I couldn't be untrue to the way I was created; so pursuing my dreams was a mission. I had to acknowledge the desires and drives that were an inherent part of my personality.

TFEX: What kind of education did you have to pursue in order to become an actor?

WW: The school of hard knocks. Ha ha really, a lot of the stuff I learned, I learned on the way. As a matter of fact I'm still learning everyday. But I never took any special schooling or college. I figured my time was better spent diving into the fray, though that may not be the case for everybody.

TFEX: What advice would you give to any would-be voice actors?

WW: Take a good class, learn how to take direction, get a great tape. Your tape is your calling card in this industry to get attention from agents, producers, directors, etc. And always keep a small cassette recorder in your car so if you come up with a good character, you can commit it to tape to develop it later.

TFEX: Besides RID, what other voice work have you done?

WW: Invader Zim, Family Guy, various Disney projects, Fairly Oddparents, (Complete list on my website at www.wallyontheweb.com)

TFEX: Tell us a little about your character, Side Burn. What's the deal with him and red sports cars?

WW: Our weaknesses make us human and interesting. If you'll notice, some of the greatest characters in film and TV history are driven by power, but sometimes defeated by their weaknesses. Superman wasn't interesting until they developed the Kryptonite scenario...he was too invulnerable! Not many of the other Transformers are fleshed out enough to have both strengths and weaknesses. Of course, red sports cars are a metaphor in transformers for being "girl crazy," which I can totally relate to!

TFEX: Do you think you have any traits or quirks in common with him?

WW: So many I can't list them! Ha ha ha. One difference is, as much as I love the ladies, I would never let my appreciation for them affect my work or my career. There's a time for work, and there's a time for play. But I like the fact that sideburn is a little immature. After all, he's the youngest of the Autobot brothers! Oh yeah, we both say dude a lot. Ha ha

TFEX: What is it like working with the rest of the RID cast?

WW: It's a dream come true! Sometimes when you work with celebrities it's tough to get a handle on them as actors or people, because they're celebrities and everyone's catering to them. But on a show like this, it's like we're a tight ensemble cast, even though most of us never get to see each other. The majority of us are on the upper side of "up & comers" so it's good to know that we're all interested in doing good work, and aren't just coasting based on our names or celebrity status.

TFEX: Are any of you close friends?

WW: Neil Kaplan and I had worked together before, and Transformers had made us better pals. I've had a good portion of the main cast over to my house before. I share the same agent with a lot of the guys, so now when we see each other in the agency waiting room, we chat and give each other the secret "Transformers" cast signal and handshake.

TFEX: Please describe for us a regular voice acting session.

WW: You'll get a script a few days in advance so you can highlight your lines, read the entire story and get a feel for the characters and the things that are going on. It gives you reference for things your character does and says. Then you go into record, shoot the breeze with the cast and crew for about 15 minutes, go into record, have a blast, it's a wrap, then you shoot the breeze with the cast and crew again and then you're off to your next session. Transformers is a little different because, since the animation is already finished, we record separately. But we see each other coming and going so we get a chance to catch up on each other's news then.

TFEX: Did the RiD directors allow you to develop any part of your character?

WW: It was pretty much collaboration between Steve Kramer (the voice director) and myself, though we knew what Jamie Simone (the producer) had in mind as well, so we took that into consideration. One term that Steve came up with for sideburn was "breezy." He liked the way some of the lines would just kind of float out there. He would sometimes say to me, "read that line a little more breezy." I came to really like that term because it aptly described exactly what it should be.

TFEX: Have you ever seen G1 or Beast Wars? If so, what Are your Thoughts/opinions?

WW: I'm still trying to do as much research into those Properties as possible, but haven't had much time. I look forward to seeing more of those in the future with great interest!

TFEX: As things wind up for RiD, is there any talk about doing a follow Up to It?

WW: There's always a lot of talk, particularly about how well the show is doing in the ratings, etc.--and how the producers may want to continue that streak. A lot of it is up in the air right now. But the fans have a lot to do with its future. So keep those cards and letters comin' folks!

TFEX: If it was up to you, what would be your dream Transformers role Come True?

WW: I love Sky-Bite, but Peter does such a great job with him that I couldn't improve upon it. I think of all the characters in RiD, I pretty much got cast as the one who I relate the most to.

TFEX: Each year, hundreds upon hundreds of Transfans From all over the world gather together for Botcon, the (now-official) Transformers convention! Would you be willing to attend Botcon if invited?

WW: I'd be there in a cybertronic flash! I'd warm up the intergalactic space bridge and be there in a second if asked!

Thanks Wally!

There you have it. If you want to learn more about Wally and his work check out his web site at www.wallyontheweb.com for lots of cool clips and background info.

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