A Few Questions with Pat Fraley

*Master Splinter* · 12-13-2009, 01:48 PM

I recently had a chance to ask Pat Fraley a couple of questions. You can read the entire article over at www.mutantooze.org but I went ahead and posted the good stuff below.

How did you prepare for the roles in the TMNT series?
I didn't do any specific preparation for the roles beyond being a trained actor and knowing how to work fast. For example, for Slash, I looked at the design of the character at the session. The character had a mouth full of teeth, so I made a splayed-out "s" pronunciation. Then, reading he was nuts, I did a kind of Kirk Douglas impression when he gets upset, particularly in the movie, "A Lust for Life." That's a way I work when I have no time. Think of the sound (Form) and the psychology (Content), and hope they come together.

How was it working with all of the other actors, actresses, directors, producers, etc on the series?
A joy. Walt Kupiak, the producer was a bit of a challenge, as he came to the show a year after we began, I believe, and we couldn't ad-lib as much as we wanted, but it was a happy cast.

How much different is voice acting for a cartoon versus video games?
Interactive/Video games, with some exceptions, call for a more realistic style of acting than most animated projects. They are drama driven and not comedy driven, and the style is more real.

Any memories that stand out?
No, they all blend together. For years, I sat next to Rob Paulson (Raphael) in the back of the booth, and we egged each other on to ad-lib and push the outside of the envelope. Wonderful having a brilliant actor, like Rob, encouraging me to push, push, push.

Out of the several characters you voiced in the series was there a favorite?
Krang, I'd have to say. I also liked doing Ray Filet, as I got to do my bad Marlon Brando impression.

You mention Kurt Douglas and also Marlin Brando, are there any other actors or celebrities that you are fond of doing impressions of?
I enjoy doing Jack Nicholson, Sean Connery, and Paul Lynde.

Looking at your website and your IMDB resume, you have been in a lot of great shows. Other than the TMNT series are there any roles that really stood out for you? Are there any that you regret?
Wildcat in TaleSpin was a favorite. No regrets. Of course I have done some pretty awful shows in my day, but never something where I took the Lord's name in vain, or dropped, the "F-Bomb." I'm a Christian, and I just don't take that work.

What’s next for Pat Fraley?
I have taught all my life as well as performed, so it's more of the same. Love the combination. Lately, I've been doing some on-camera work on "'til Death," Brad Garrett's TV show, and that's fun. I'm blessed by a wonderful career that is very diverse.

Aside from my TMNT fan site I work in the education system with a lot of great people and I think it is awesome that you teach. One of my favorite questions to ask educators is… What made you want to be a teacher?
God. I had no choice. I was born with the teaching desire and ability.

So there you have it! He is a very nice guy and was really nice taking the time to answer my questions. Hope ya'll enjoy the read...

-ms

*oldmanwinters* · 12-13-2009, 06:59 PM

Nice interview! I had forgotten just how many roles Fraley has done! The Wildcat role should have been obvious to me, though. Talespin is one of my all time favorite shows as well! (Oh, when will Disney ever relase that Volume 3.)

It's nice to see him open up about his personal beliefs. As a Christian, I certainly appreciate how he seeks to use his work in consistency with his faith.

EDIT: Hmm, just noticed he mistakenly cites voicing "Ray Fillet" even though that particular villian from "Rebel without a Fin" was changed to just "Ray" because Ryan Brown & co. didn't want him made into a bad guy, IIR.

12-13-2009, 01:48 PM	#1
Master Splinter 幸 - 愛 - 思う Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 2,824	A Few Questions with Pat Fraley I recently had a chance to ask Pat Fraley a couple of questions. You can read the entire article over at www.mutantooze.org but I went ahead and posted the good stuff below. How did you prepare for the roles in the TMNT series? I didn't do any specific preparation for the roles beyond being a trained actor and knowing how to work fast. For example, for Slash, I looked at the design of the character at the session. The character had a mouth full of teeth, so I made a splayed-out "s" pronunciation. Then, reading he was nuts, I did a kind of Kirk Douglas impression when he gets upset, particularly in the movie, "A Lust for Life." That's a way I work when I have no time. Think of the sound (Form) and the psychology (Content), and hope they come together. How was it working with all of the other actors, actresses, directors, producers, etc on the series? A joy. Walt Kupiak, the producer was a bit of a challenge, as he came to the show a year after we began, I believe, and we couldn't ad-lib as much as we wanted, but it was a happy cast. How much different is voice acting for a cartoon versus video games? Interactive/Video games, with some exceptions, call for a more realistic style of acting than most animated projects. They are drama driven and not comedy driven, and the style is more real. Any memories that stand out? No, they all blend together. For years, I sat next to Rob Paulson (Raphael) in the back of the booth, and we egged each other on to ad-lib and push the outside of the envelope. Wonderful having a brilliant actor, like Rob, encouraging me to push, push, push. Out of the several characters you voiced in the series was there a favorite? Krang, I'd have to say. I also liked doing Ray Filet, as I got to do my bad Marlon Brando impression. You mention Kurt Douglas and also Marlin Brando, are there any other actors or celebrities that you are fond of doing impressions of? I enjoy doing Jack Nicholson, Sean Connery, and Paul Lynde. Looking at your website and your IMDB resume, you have been in a lot of great shows. Other than the TMNT series are there any roles that really stood out for you? Are there any that you regret? Wildcat in TaleSpin was a favorite. No regrets. Of course I have done some pretty awful shows in my day, but never something where I took the Lord's name in vain, or dropped, the "F-Bomb." I'm a Christian, and I just don't take that work. What’s next for Pat Fraley? I have taught all my life as well as performed, so it's more of the same. Love the combination. Lately, I've been doing some on-camera work on "'til Death," Brad Garrett's TV show, and that's fun. I'm blessed by a wonderful career that is very diverse. Aside from my TMNT fan site I work in the education system with a lot of great people and I think it is awesome that you teach. One of my favorite questions to ask educators is… What made you want to be a teacher? God. I had no choice. I was born with the teaching desire and ability. So there you have it! He is a very nice guy and was really nice taking the time to answer my questions. Hope ya'll enjoy the read... -ms __________________

12-13-2009, 06:59 PM	#2
oldmanwinters Overlord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Between yesterday and tomorrow! Posts: 15,497	Nice interview! I had forgotten just how many roles Fraley has done! The Wildcat role should have been obvious to me, though. Talespin is one of my all time favorite shows as well! (Oh, when will Disney ever relase that Volume 3.) It's nice to see him open up about his personal beliefs. As a Christian, I certainly appreciate how he seeks to use his work in consistency with his faith. EDIT: Hmm, just noticed he mistakenly cites voicing "Ray Fillet" even though that particular villian from "Rebel without a Fin" was changed to just "Ray" because Ryan Brown & co. didn't want him made into a bad guy, IIR. __________________ Experience the TMNT Fan Commentaries! Check out my TMNT fan comic, "Nothing to Fear"! View my sketch work! I'm selling some of my hard-to-find TMNT items! Last edited by oldmanwinters; 12-14-2009 at 10:30 AM.