By Joy Tanner
(4-minute read)
Tell us about your award-winning role in Sonic Prime and what inspired you about playing Sonic the Hedgehog.
It’s a surreal experience to have provided the current voice for such an iconic character that I deeply admired in my own childhood. As a shy, quiet kid, I looked to Sonic the Hedgehog as the epitome of coolness and confidence with a larger-than-life attitude. In Sonic Prime, we get to see him make mistakes, be overzealous and fall flat on his face. A lot. But what connected most with me through Sonic’s journey was his sheer resilience, positivity and constant desire to do the right thing.
As he strove to be an encouraging big brother figure, I found the opportunity to tap into a vulnerable, soft-spoken and comforting side of Sonic that I hadn’t seen thoroughly explored in his many previous adventures. I will always deeply cherish these moments on a personal level.
The Outstanding Performance award nominees and winners are decided by a jury comprised of ACTRA Toronto members. How does it feel to be honoured by a jury of your peers?
As I approach my 20th year as a voiceover professional and an ACTRA member, to receive this great honour from my peers truly feels like the culmination of a long journey. A journey where I learned to find peace with the idea that it might never happen, while still maintaining confidence in my work. There are so many incredible yet unrecognized talents out there. I believe an award should never truly define one’s skills and value to their craft, but it can still be a very meaningful reassurance.
The ACTRA Awards in Toronto celebrate and applaud the outstanding performances, achievements, and artistic accomplishments and contributions of unionized performers. What does being a member of a professional performers’ union mean to you and why is it important to honour union performers?
As an ACTRA member, I am so proud to stand alongside some of the greatest performers in the entire world. Largely inspired by ACTRA Montreal legends Rick Jones, Terrence Scammell and Sonja Ball, I was able to come into this industry as a minor player and always feel protected; I never felt pushed beyond my means. I want all would-be performers to know the dignities and protections they deserve and the whole world to know of the sheer diversity and legacy of the countless amazing performers under the ACTRA banner.
Do you have any advice for performers just getting started in the industry?
I would tell any aspiring and veteran voice performer to take in a wide variety of media and remain aware that the landscape is constantly changing. Among the most valuable things anyone can have in acting and in life is a reliable support network of peers who seek to challenge and encourage each other to become their best selves.
What is the most significant role you have ever had and how has it impacted your life or career?
Aside from Sonic, the most meaningful character I’ve ever performed is a rambunctious, young ex-villain named Rockoon from a 2011 web series called TOME: Terrain of Magical Expertise. I had the honour of performing in and, eventually, helping craft a subplot that saw an obnoxious, comedic sideshow gradually transition into an emotionally broken, humbled and empathetic hero. I continue to write stories for the character and through the magic of technology, he’s gone on to have livestreamed interactions with fans and even help direct young voice performers over Zoom.
Have you ever had a specific challenge with a role and how did you work to overcome it?
There’s no individual role that I consider to be a particular struggle, though I still had a major period of self-doubt as a performer. I took the next step in my career when I stopped seeing auditions strictly as a means to impress producers and directors. Instead, I took to seeing them as an opportunity to present material from a perspective that was genuinely fun or interesting to me on a personal level.
Can you share anything about any upcoming projects?
I look forward to audiences seeing my continued work as the lead protagonist, Arin, along with numerous other characters in the LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising series on Netflix. I’ve also been providing voice direction for the PBS Kids series Lyla in the Loop and an upcoming fantasy-comedy for all ages called The Wyrm & The Worm. Each production features phenomenal ACTRA talent that I’m grateful to work with.
Deven Mack | Toon Platoon Voiceover Casting
x.com/DevenOClock | facebook.com/OfficialDevenMack
