Finally, the prodigal son has been cast. Incredibly thrilled and humbled to announce Oliver Smith as the voice of Fenrir, The Norse Wolf. So when I revealed Dimi's VA I sort of discussed the logic of casting certain characters before the 30-day "grace period." And sort of my justifications. And Fenrir helped sort of play into that too, let me explain. As usual, my concern first and foremost is casting who I think is right not just from a talent perspective, but a personal one. And I think these casting directors and even some VAs completely forget that tidbit or don't care about that notion when it comes to the industry, they draw the line at "can you act." I personally doubt most of the people who wrote off my logic or the entire project, ever really consider the importance of that aspect, I would doubt (in the case of casting directors) those people even really vet their VAs outside, "what's your resume." For me it's not optional. I always had an idea of maybe how Fenrir should sound. And I would say most of the auditions for him fell into that category. And most who auditioned for him did so because "it falls into my range" or "I like playing monsters." Obviously paraphrasing. Which, hey completely fine. Now let me explain why I picked Oliver, and how I knew Oliver was likely going to be the right guy regardless of whether or not I waited the full 30 days to cast him. And it goes back to what I was saying before. And why perspective is so important. Again if people want to be mad that I called it early so be it, I get it, but I don't regret my decision I did what I felt was right and in the end, technically I left them open anyways... There were only two. Two VAs who auditioned for Fenrir with a Norse accent. Two. Out of the let's say 30? Auditions I got, in that short period only two men did a Norse accent. Now no, never stated that was a requirement when I wrote him I never even imagined he had one. That being said, I did very much note he is Norse. And secondly while again no I never imagined it, I don't imagine a lot audibly when I write, and my accent bank in the back of my mind admittedly just isn't all that diverse I can admit that. If I heard a Norse accent I could probably pick it out, but I would not be able to even begin to imagine how it sounds on my own. So once I heard it, there was no going back. Because it was like, "yes of course Fenrir would have an accent, how could he not?" And so that then brought it down to just two men. And both were incredible, both did their own thing. So how do you determine then who's right? Just by looking at Fenrir? Well what if both voices work? What if both their gear is impeccable? Well, that's why I ask people to tell me the why. And that's where for me Oliver made the most sense. Aside from me just kind of favoring his take it was what he told me that said, "I really don't think anyone else is going to be better suited." He had just finished doing a Norse-themed audio drama, so he was already going to be at home with that accent. Fenrir is a character with a lot of nuance in his voice. So an actor needs to be able to not only be able to convince me that the accent is real, but also manage these subtle inflections and changes of tone. And listen that's not to say no one else could have done that. But I knew with his experience Oliver for sure would be able to do that. Additionally, when I heard Oliver's takes it made me perk up and really consider "how should Fenrir sound?" I mean does he have to be overly booming? Oliver, I think levels Fenrir in a way that makes him feel I guess human. I never wrote or thought of Fenrir as a god (some scholars would actually agree none of the Norse gods are anyways). So while he's intimidating and yes the Fenrir. I think it would have been a disservice to have him sound sort of overly imposing, and well- "godly". Because I didn't write him like that, I wrote him as a scared little boy puffing out his chest and telling him "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." Over, and over and over again each and every day so he can survive, so he won't get hurt, so the others he loves won't get hurt. So he can keep his promises. That's what Oliver did, different, that's what I could hear. Especially after hearing his complete read-through. Fenrir didn't sound powerful, he doesn't need to, the novel makes it abundantly clear just how strong he is, just how physically imposing he is, and in my opinion, makes it plenty believable he will destroy Asgard fully grown with no problem. So his voice needed to show the person, allow for him to sound joyous at times, and even affectionate- passionate. And Oliver did that. Really plain and simple, he brought a depth that would have been hard to achieve through words alone. The way in which he plays this character informs you there's more, makes these other facets of him believable. You know by the end of the event Fenrir has a good heart, you know what he respects, and by the end of the game, you know what he fears. And it's all believable because he sounds like us, he sounds like a teenage boy. Or the scared little boy I was of losing my brothers who when their courage failed them would think about that little engine who could my mother would read me, over and over again. And like Fenrir now, I would just keep telling myself, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." Hearing Oliver's performance was further validation of my thought process, of how I'm doing this. And getting to work with him is also humbling because he is so talented. I would have been foolish to turn down the chance. And I think I would have missed out on something special. So! It is my incredible joy and privilege to say, "Oliver Smith, welcome to Plesant Sparkle Academy."
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