Erin Fitzgerald has worked on over 100 series during her career as a voice-over artist, playing some of the most popular, bad-ass and all-round awesome characters in anime and video games.
Her most notable roles are Agnès Obligein Bravely Default, Genocide Jill and Junko Enoshima in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Noire/Black Heart in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, Teepo in Tales of Xillia, Chie Satonaka in the Persona franchise and many, many more.
We were lucky enough to interview Erin this week, so here it is:
Let’s start off with the most basic question, what inspired you to become a voice-over artist?
It was never my intent to do voice over because I had no idea it was a job. I only knew I wanted to become an actress from the age of 3.
Which role has excited you most?
The one that will be announced this fall and Stubford on Rob Dyrdek’s Wild Grinders series.
Have you played any of the games you’ve worked on? Which is your favourite?
I am addicted to playing Dragon’s Crown but do not play as my character, sometimes I do turn on the narration I did for it though.
On average how many hours a week do you spend recording?
Depends on the week. Anywhere from 2 hours to 60 hours.
Have there been any memorable scenes that were particularly difficult to act?
Yes, in Bravely Default I had a particularly emotional scene to record where my character is crying and upset, the whole time I was performing the director was crunching chips in my ear. I had to keep a straight face, in the moment and in character without breaking concentration. As soon as the take was done I broke into laughter! It was like a voice-over exam!
Are there any anime or game series you wish you could be a part of?
Every job I have auditioned for.
Outside of your voice over work, what do you enjoy doing?
Spending time with family and friends, scuba diving, my dog, Cards against Humanity.
Any future projects you can tell us about? … obviously we’ll keep it quiet…..
Keep your eyes and ears peeled this fall for I have a big one coming.
Reader questions:
Darren DeHat Gian:
Do you feel you have a close affinity with the character Chie after voicing her throughout your career? (Persona 4 The Golden, Persona 4 Arena 1 & 2, and the animated series)
I feel that Chie is a big part of me, I get tremendous joy in my heart being her. I think it comes across in the performance and why so many people have enjoyed her.
Sharon Smith:
What’s your favourite part of being a voice actress?
The incredibly talented people I get to work with. Seriously, they are insanely talented and I wonder “how did I get into this room?! I’m just a kid from Canada!”
Do you have any advice to anyone wanting to be a voice actor?
Study the craft of Stage acting because it will save you a ton of hours of learning the hard way.
John Louis Smith:
Have you tried voicing any characters just for fun?
That’s all I do.
Finally, Andy Soto asks:
Do you love meat as much as Chie does?
No. I have been mostly vegetarian in the last 5 years but I am going through a period right now where I am eating a TON of meat. I wonder if it correlates to recording Chie. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
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You can next hear Erin as Chie Satonaka in the Nintendo 3DS game Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, which will be out on November 25th in North America and November 28th in Europe.