[Screamers]

An Interview With Frank Welker

I had the chance to recently interview Frank Welker and I wanted to share with my fellow cartoon friends!



Screamers: Starting off as I do in many interview, I must ask..How did you get into voice acting Frank?

Frank: My first professional acting job was while I was doing non-professional work in college...many plays, in fact while performing in one play, "Cinderella" with the now famous film maker Don Bluth (he played my baker brother), a woman in that production said I would be great in commercials and sent me to her agent. He was mildly amused but sent me out on an audition for Bold detergent, which I ended up getting. I decided right there and then that the biz was going to be a piece of cake. Wrong! Little did I know it would take 10 more auditions until I got another role. However, I managed to make a pretty good income to sublimate the hard earned funds from my parents who were actually putting me though college. I forgot they watched television too and that soon ended my slush fund.


Screamers: Your favorite when it came to cartoon voices?

Frank: That would be like asking who is the best kisser in front of your wife, x wife's, and girlfriends...they were all good but it's usually the one you are with at the time.

Actually, a lot can depend on the director...if they let you just do the job you were hired to do instead of trying to box you into a corner with over directing and their personal creative input...most all voices are a blast. I do enjoy "Curious George," and Slimer, and Jabberjaw was great fun...the goofy ones (if they let you ad lib) always have a soft spot in my heart. Of course I like the bad lads too, like Megatron and Soundwave.


Screamers: Your favorite character?

Frank: Sentimental favorite, Freddy Jones from Scooby Doo, always liked Slimer, Baby Kermit, Megatron, Curious George, Hefty Smurf...



Screamers: Favorite Transformer character to voice for?

Frank: Megatron is always much fun...and if I am working with Peter Cullen it becomes even more of a delight.


Screamers: Personal thoughts on the movie and the latest Transformers 'Prime'?

Frank: Well, there is actually three distinct venues. The G1 show, which to this day is very important and sentimental, we had such a creative fun time doing that show. The cast was stellar, the hours were long and the laughs were many. Just the size of the cast and talent alone were worth the price of admission: Scatman Crothers, Don Messic, Jack Angel, Chris Latta, Mike Bell, Peter Cullen, Sue Blu, Dan Gilvezan stop me I could go all night.

The movie was the directors vision a very ambitious and amazing journey into special effects and action.

The latest show is yet to be seen but the fans will make a call on what they like and don't like...from what I've seen it looks awesome. "Transformer" fans are very vocal and loyal, I think that is why I am still around...they have been very good in their support of Megatron.

[Note: After doing this interview I mention Frank going to conventions, but in regards to that he's a very private, so conventions would most likely never happen. But he's a fun guy to interview and joked in his email with me!]