Eric Lopez - The Simpsons, Trollstopia, Young Justice | AW16
/When asked who your “Favorite cartoon family” is, who comes to mind first? The Proud family? The Jetsons? Or is it the PG-rated Simpsons? I’ve watched a few episodes of the Simpsons here and there, and I got to say, though I’ve had my share of laughs, I’m definitely not going to let Bodhi watch it yet.
Still, I find myself watching The Simpsons more and more, maybe because of our guest this week. Eric Lopez is a dear friend of mine, and you know I just had to get him on our show. Eric has had countless roles, and his repertoire speaks for itself. With all that experience, you just know it’s going to be a fun episode. Let’s listen to it now!
Show Notes:
[3:35] How Eric’s voiceover journey started.
[15:38] Eric as Bumblebee Man on The Simpsons.
[20:48] How the voiceover community has changed the game for people of color.
[27:43] Advice on how to approach a new character role.
[33:07] Eric’s voiceover samples from his most famous roles.
[54:49] Q&A with Eric during the Live IgTV.
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YouTube: Alicyn Packard
Twitter: @Alicyn
Transcript:
Intro
Welcome to Alicyn's Wonderland. I'm your host, Alicyn Packard. Join us as we journey through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole into the wild and wonderful world of animation and video games.
Hey, do a girl a favor, and please subscribe to this podcast and go on iTunes and leave us a good review. If you like the show, please help spread the word. It really helps us to get heard by more people. Thanks so much.
Alicyn
Happy Wednesday, everyone. Welcome to Alicyn's Wonderland. This is a little preview of what we're going to be talking about tonight. Let me show you guys here. This is the main title theme of the one and only, Simpsons. Because we have special guest, Eric Lopez, coming on the show tonight. Eric Lopez is a voice actor. His credits are numerous but one recent credit to note is Eric is the new voice of Bumblebee Man on The Simpsons, which is super, super exciting. I just want to give a shout out to everybody that's joining live SamBravo. Good to see you. Jeremy. Got some new faces. MatthewDavidRed. Good to see you again. And AnnaGrisco. You guys, I'm so excited to welcome Eric Lopez to the show tonight. Eric is a great friend as well as an incredibly versatile and talented voice actor. I'm going to go ahead and welcome him onto the show and feel free to chime in to the question box at the bottom. If you guys have questions for Eric, we're going to go ahead and add Eric right now. Here he is. Welcome you guys. The one and only Eric Lopez. Sorry, Jeffrey. I'm so sorry. You guys welcome Eric Lopez to Alicyn's Wonderland. Eric, it's so good to see you.
Eric
Hey, it's good to see you too. Thanks for having me. It's good to finally be here.
Alicyn
It's so good to see you. I haven't seen you since our little walk around North Hollywood Park a couple months ago.
Eric
Which was awesome, by the way, and I apologize for huffing and puffing. It was like the first time I'd taken a walk in the whole pandemic. Oh my god, I was so embarassed. You're like all just briskly walking and I was like, I hope she doesn't hear me wheezing.
Alicyn
We got to get those lungs pumping, right? You know, I know you use your lungs a lot.
Eric
Yeah, I gotta, yeah, no, I'm back into it now. I'm working out again. I'm getting strong.
Alicyn
You getting the bod on fleek?
Eric
Get it on fleek. Got to be, gotta look good for the mic for the booth.
Alicyn
And for interviews like this. Have you been doing a lot of interviews? I mean, I read a couple online since you took over.
Eric
Just that one. I actually haven't really done many. I've done, I mean, I've done podcast stuff in the past, but I've never done a live interview. Which is pretty crazy as I'm like, I hope I don't get canceled.
Alicyn
Nobody's gonna cancel you on here, I promise. You guys, help me promise, reassure Eric for me that this is a fun and safe forum for him to speak candidly. Eric, it's so good to see you. I mean, obviously, I think I definitely I mean, you have a lot of different projects on the table. So many fun things, especially in the past couple years. I'm incredibly impressed.
Eric
Give me a second. Let me turn this on real quick. Sorry. There we go. There we go.
Alicyn
Yeah, yeah, it's, IgTV does this weird thing where it zooms in really quick, but
Eric
Yeah, am I framed right? I mean, I know there's a little,
Alicyn
It's fine. Yeah.
Eric
Okay.
Alicyn
I can see you good. So, I know that a lot of people are curious to hear about the Simpsons, and I do want to definitely get into that but I kind of want to start at the beginning because I'm curious how you got involved in voice acting from the get go?
Eric
Oh, yeah, that's actually a funny story, a fun story.
Alicyn
I'm funny.
Eric
Funny and fun. Well, I guess life is funny and fun when it works out, right? I was actually doing, I was doing stand up. I came out here a long time ago. I came here a long time ago.
Alicyn
And where did we come from?
Eric
I'm originally from Arizona. I'm born in Kingman, Arizona. And then I moved to Phoenix, moved to Mesa, lived with my brother for a few years, took some classes, I was going to college, sort of, wasn't really real college, just taking community college classes. Because I mean, I knew when I was a kid that I always wanted to be an actor. And, and I was always like an artist too, and an illustrator. So I'm like, you know, like you always have like options like, this is what I really want to do. But this is what I will do if I have to, you know, fall back on it because like, this is what I do anyways. So like I knew I always wanted to be an actor. I knew I wanted to be an actor since junior high. And I was in theater class in junior high, and I freaking loved it. It was the best thing ever. The biggest highs, you know, and not many lows because it was, you know, parents are supportive, you're a kid, no one's gonna crap on you when you're on stage in junior high, but, and so I knew then that I wanted to be an actor, and so I was like, I'm gonna do that. I'm gonna be an actor. I said it my whole life. And then getting later in high school and stuff because of my artwork, I was like, Oh, you know, I could be an artist too. I could, I could do both. And, and I was like, and I was really, I've always been into animation. So I was like, and I was a huge Pixar fan, I am a huge Pixar fan, I should say. So I was like, man, I saw like a documentary and I was like I'll go to the art institute in San Francisco and go to school there and, and then I saw the price tag. I was like, Oh, no, maybe. My mom is awesome, though. She's like, supportive of everything I wanted to do. Like she, my mom, by the way is the best. I was in high school. And she offered to drive me to Vegas to do stand up. And I did this before I even knew I wanted to be a stand up comedian.
Alicyn
From Arizona?
Eric
Yeah, she's like, it's like, I grew up like two and a half hours from Vegas. So she's like, I'll drive you to Vegas if you want to do stand up. I was like, I just want to be an actor, and not knowing that I would end up being a stand up. So she knew, I mean, yeah, and I should have taken her up on that. I wish I kind of would have known so you know, you hear about Chappelle and all these people starting out all young. Man, I should did that. But yeah, so, and later on in high school, you know, doubt starts to seep in. I need a sure thing to fall back on. Which, in theory, animation isn't a sure thing. It's like the same thing, your contract, you know, independent contractor, jobs a job. It's like being an actor sort of, with way more longer hours, I'm sure. So I went to someone, I moved to Arizona, I took some startups taking art classes, tons of art classes. That's what, I'm proud of myself now. Like, I was like, man, I wasted five years, and now in Arizona, after high school when I should just came out here. But then I think about I'm like, No, because everything I did was adding to what, you know, to my life now, like, enriching everything like I took art classes, I still use all those principles that I learned. I took some computer animation modeling classes, which basically, which basically cut the, made the decision for me, I'm like, this is way too hard. I'm not good. I'm not good at these like commands that you need to learn and like, looks like I'm gonna be an actor. So then, like right after that my very, so it was, yeah. So I did stand up once in Arizona. I killed and I was like, This is it, man. I'm leaving. I left like a couple months later came out in October of that year, and been here ever since.
Alicyn
That's so funny, my best stand up comedy show ever was also in Arizona.
Eric
Really? Yeah. I mean, they got some good comedians there.
Alicyn
Good crowd. Yeah.
Eric
You gotta have a good sense of humor growing up in Arizona. So, it's very hot. Some crazy people.
Alicyn
Did you take a writing class or you just got up in an open mic one day?
Eric
No, I mean, I just basically, it was basically just of me doing impressions and then talking about some of my nuttier family members. So it was all just stuff that I do anyways, you know? I mean, growing up, I always just do impressions. And so I was like, Oh, just doing some impressions. It was five minutes. You only get five minutes. So I was like, let's do an impression of Sean Connery and I'll do a couple of my uncles, all drunk, and then I'll, you know, and I'll do that and they worked. I did good. And I moved out here and it's been going good. I stopped doing stand up after a while though, because I did get kind of burnt out on it cuz I wasn't getting any stage time. So like, and I kind of wish I wouldn't have, I kind of wish I would have stuck with it. I'm still, I'm back. I mean, I'm going back and I've been writing, I never stopped writing. But I still perform whenever I can. Before the pandemic I was going up pretty often and then the pandemic hit. Oh man this is throwing a wrench in my plans. But yeah, it's definitely fun. I did miss it for the longest time.
Alicyn
Yeah. So do you see more stand up comedy in your future?
Eric
Oh, for sure. Yeah. I've been putting my act together. I got a lot of material which just needs to be you know, I need to start getting up again. Whittling it down. It seems a little safe now. A lot of my buddies are going back up and doing stand up. So I'm like, maybe it's safe. Maybe it's safe. I don't know. But hopefully it's safe.
Alicyn
I went to go see my first stand up show a couple weeks ago. It was really fun to just be be out, and be in the crowd.
Eric
Yeah, I miss it. It's, we were at, my brother was in town this last weekend. And we went to, we were at the Third Street Promenade and it was, felt really, it felt kind of weird, but because I hadn't been there during the pandemic, and sort of was like, there was a bit of like, Oh, this is just normal. This is how it always is. I didn't see it when it wasn't normal. So it felt, it was weird. It was like, because we weren't wearing masks and when nobody's wearing masks. We were like, okay?
Alicyn
The ever changing guidelines from this.
Eric
Yeah. It's really weird. I respect everybody's, I respect everybody's opinion. Everybody's right to do what they want. You know?
Alicyn
How, how has the pandemic affected you on a personal level? By the way, Elle Newlands,
Eric
At home recording, is that what you mean? Like at home recording and stuff?
Alicyn
Yeah. Oh, by the way, Elle Newlands says she loves how you framed your video.
Eric
Thank you, Elle. I called her. I actually called her for advice. And like, how did you frame your video? And she told me, and I was like, how did you get your phone? And you know, cool. Cool. Little ring light and stuff. Thank you, Elle. If you're still here, thank you. But um, to be honest with you, the pandemic, the shutdown, the lockdown, I liked it. I'm an introvert, I mean, I'm extrovert when I'm out. Like, it's weird. It's a weird balance. I think, I'm a very balanced person. When I'm home, I love being home. I love just I mean, like I said, sketching all the time, writing all the time.
Alicyn
I mean, you cook a lot also.
Eric
Yeah, I cook, that's how the time, yeah, got really good at making pizza in the pandemic and making, trying out something. I make homemade pretzels now. It's like, yeah. So I learned a lot. A lot of good cooking. Yeah, you know, I realized that like, it's just basically steps. It's like, it's like putting together some IKEA furniture, you know? You get the recipe, you put it together, you make it, and you try the right timing, you know, you don't over cook anything, you don't undercook it, and it comes out and you're like, wow, this is like the restaurant. That's like, it's crazy.
Alicyn
So, okay, so the pandemic hit, now primarily, I would see you, we have the same agent, for anybody who's wondering and so I would see you. You would do a lot of your auditioning in the agency with the booth directors. Now when the pandemic hit, did you have to build up your home studio or was your home studio already ready?
Eric
Luckily, we have a mutual friend, right? Kiff VandenHeuvel? Awesome, dude. That guy, him and Scott Whyte are like my VO like, jedis, you know? They always, any questions I have, they're always there to answer for me and help me out. And Kiff actually, before the pandemic hit, Kiff turned me on to this Rode NT-USB mic. I was like, Oh, it's cool. It was only, it was super affordable, and like an app, which apps to use to record, which apps you use to edit. And so I started doing it from home because like gas was getting crazy, gas prices were getting crazy. And it's just like I was always showing up late, you know, to the office, it's a long trek from the valley over to the west side. And so, so I was like, man, I need to find a way to record at home and it's just like, one line for a commercial you know, or something, like I need to, cause I love going in. I love going in, I mean that's how I met you. That's how I met some of my best friends now, and you know, you get to hang out with celebrities and stuff and we just shoot the stuff and just, you know, talk. Can you cuss on this?
Alicyn
Yeah, it's okay.
Eric
Oh okay, then we just shoot the shit with celebrities and you hang out you're talking stuff, talking shit and it's awesome. And, and but like so that was it for the long waits and I met so many cool people at CESD. I met so many awesome people and I'm so grateful for it. So I did love going in and, but for those little things and or whatever, when I had a job, I didn't have the time, that I didn't want to go all the way out and then have to come back. And so I needed a way to record at home. And Kiff and Scott helped me out a lot, they gave me a lot of advice. And so I took this little walk in closet and I just padded it up a little bit, put some blankets up, and it sounds good. All these studios that I recorded now from here, when I do have to record from a good room. It's quiet. It's nice. It's awesome. So like I got into that rhythm of recording from home.
Alicyn
Oh, sorry.
Eric
No, no, go ahead.
Alicyn
Are you still on your USB mic? Or did you upgrade your microphone?
Eric
I am, but it's just for auditioning, just for auditioning, and some, because some sessions will send out a mic, like I just booked a show on Nickelodeon, and they send out a mic. But it's a USB mic, this USB mic, but it's a good one. Yeah, so I'm still on that. But yeah, my, Scott's like Yeah, dude, you gotta step your game up. Like yeah, there's no excuse for me not to bother you.
Alicyn
Do you? Really, Eric? With the shows you're booking these days?
Eric
Well, I mean, I should it's, sorry about my camera. It would be, I think it would be bad, I think it would be kind of a jerk move. You know, I'm working and I'm like, I don't need a better mic. You take what you get. That's me. I should get a better mic, just in case.
Alicyn
Hey, do you know who I am? Eric Lopez.
Eric
Do you know who I am? No. Good. I didn't think you did.
Alicyn
Are you Eric Lopez the first? Or, according to SAG?
Eric
Oh, I'm Eric Lopez 2.
Alicyn
Eric Lopez 2.
Eric
For anybody who's on right now, I'm not Cuban. They took this other guy's profile and they just blended it with mine. It's like born in like, 1960 something. Like I walked into a session with him. I said, Wow, man, you look good for 60. I'm like, that's not me. Yeah, I mean, Eric Lopez is like John Smith of, you know, he's like the Mexican John Smith. There's so many Eric Lopez is out there. So like, yeah, so I was actually born in Kingman, Arizona. And I'm Mexican-American. And yeah, so that's the, someone needs to help me you know, change that.
Alicyn
Come on fans, get to it. Well, and so you're a Mexican-American as well as Bumblebee Man is Mexican-American, and you had mentioned in one of your articles that he's actually based on a Mexican celebrity.
Eric
Yeah, he's based on this character Chapulin Colorado. He's like this chess finito, guy, actor. He's a Mexican comedian. He's hilarious. He's huge. He's, all my family's all huge fans of them. Oh, Bill, I was gonna say hi, Bill. Bill, nicest guy I grew up with, Bill Collins. Bill, what's up, man? I had to say hi. Yeah. So he's a really funny guy. And really funny comedian, physical comedian. You know, like slapstick guy. And yeah, so I totally knew who he was like when someone says like, Oh, that's that comedian, it's yeah, so he's based on that guy. It kind of sucks. I think they want the real guy to play him originally, but he just passed away, I think a year or two ago.
Alicyn
So then how did it come about that you ended up scoring that job?
Eric
So that was, they put out a, they put out an audition for it. I'm assuming is because you know, all the backlash. There was a whole documentary on Apu, you know? And people were just like, just saying, oh,
Alicyn
And then in 2020, The Simpsons came out and said they were going to have non-white actors play non-white roles.
Eric
Yeah, so they started to, they start casting for the right ethnicities. And so, I got, I thought it was for like, like some little spot like, I didn't think was for the TV show. I was like, Oh, no, this isn't my thing, I'm not, they're not gonna give me this. So they put out this audition for it and I got it. Oh, gosh. And I don't know, if I told anybody this publicly, I don't even know if I said this, but I almost passed, because there's so much other stuff to get done, right? I had like a ton of auditions. I think I had a session. And I was like, I was like, I'm not gonna get this thing. I was like, well, I don't even think I can that voice. Like can I match his voice? And so I was like, I don't even want to read for this. Like, you know what? Just knock it out. Get it done, then just send it. And I did. And then I found out it was for the show. And they were, you know, trying to try to keep this character alive without, you know, creating any controversy, or just doing the right thing generally, I guess. And, I was,
Alicyn
You've worked on Simpsons before, right?
Eric
Yeah. CESD we do the group, the background stuff for the Simpsons. So I was doing that. Over the years. Yeah. So I, so I knew some of the team over there. And I think that helped. I think they're like, Oh, he's a guy we know. We like him already. And they said I got the closest out of all the audition. So I was like, so they booked me, and I was like, shocked when Pat, our agent Pat Brady called. And I was like, Whoa, man, it was weird. It felt like it was like a, like a wash of like, dream state, just you know what I mean? It's like the reverse of when you find out something bad and you feel numb. It's like, the reverse of that, but the good, in the good way. So it was weird. And I was like, it's fine, because I've been in there so many times. And like I've done, you know, countless sessions of other stuff, but I felt like I booked my first job ever again. It was weird. And I like I know, I was such, so like I was, I took my phone and I was like documenting everything, like we travel a lot. This is the first time I ever get to park in the actual space, you know? So a part of the challenge is to take a picture of my beat up car and the talent space.
Alicyn
Do you like to drive your beat up car?
Eric
But, you know I like my beat up car because there's so many people ding your car here, I don't, I'm never buying new ones, I'm just driving my beat up car everywhere. Let people ding it all they want. And I'll buy a nice car for the, you know, when I can valet. Yeah. It was awesome. It was so much fun. And they're quick sessions, or quick, you know, you go in there and do a couple but it was just, there's so much weight, so much gravity to it. I'm like what happens every time I go in there. It's like going in for the first time it feels like just so grateful to be there. It's crazy.
Alicyn
Have you had the opportunity to work with any of the other voice actors?
Eric
Sadly, no. Because it started like, I think the first time I did it was, it was during the lockdown, I think. The first session was during the lockdown. Yeah, it was. I went in masked up and everything. So I haven't got to, to like meet, really hang with any other actors or anything or, or take a picture. I love to take a picture.
Alicyn
Or go to the party.
Eric
Go to a party or anything. But oh, it's funny. I just had a session today. And for something completely different, something new for Netflix and, and as I pulled up, I'm sitting waiting for them to let me in. And Nancy Cartwright pulls up. She's got a session, same studio. But she had to go the whole opposite way. I was gonna try and talk to her.
Alicyn
Yeah, Wow, what an iconic, amazing show. What a great story. I'm so, I'm so proud of you. And so happy for you. That's awesome.
Eric
Thank you so much.
Alicyn
Now I know,
Eric
Thanks for having me on to talk about it.
Alicyn
Oh, yeah, absolutely. I've been wanting to get you on for months now. So glad we made it happen. You know, I know that you mentioned previously, have kind of mentioned a little bit about how people of color have been characters, been made as caricatures in certain different animated shows. And I just was kind of curious to hear your take on that. And you know where you're at these days. I know, you also kind of said that, well, for voice acting. It's like people can stretch into different characters. But I was curious to hear, you know, kind of how you've you feel about all that, the way it's been and if it's changing and evolving?
Eric
Oh, it's definitely changing for sure. Like, I feel like it's getting so much better and a lot more fair. And people are more open to like they'll ask you like when I the first people that really open up and asked me about like, Is this how you would say this? Like how would you say this? How would how would someone living this lifestyle? How would they say this like was was Young Justice was there they were like, there was some of the first people to Greg Greg, Greg Weissman and Jamie Thompson. They're the team, the brand Vietti those guys are great. They're so awesome. They're there. They write these characters, and they try to get as close as they can. to, to to being authentic. But then when you come in, and they ask you like, Hey, is this line sound weird? Isn't read weird. Just Just read it, how you would read it, you know, whatever slang, you know, use as long as it's appropriate, use it there. And, and they're, they're cool like that. And I'm like, that's, that's some people should direct. That's how people should approach projects if you if you're gonna have. And I think that maybe that's maybe that's part of the reason why not a lot of representation in media is, is, you know, President or whatever, because, you know, people just stay right what they know, you know, and, and that's why you need you need to you need diverse voices in your writers room. You need diverse voices in your, you know, in your Yeah, with your consultants and stuff. I think I think that that needs to be out there. Because it's important, you know, if you get something wrong, not only is it it's, it could be could come off offensive, it is more than anything, it's kind of embarrassing for the team, you know, the creative team, because they you know, nobody wants to get it wrong, you know, everybody, and I feel like anybody making making, you know, putting out Art Media and, and stuff. I feel like they all want to get it right. They everybody wants to put out good stuff. And I feel like that's part of it, you know, you got to you got to hire, you know, diverse voices. And, and not everybody you know, is even, there's diversity within the communities to you know, like, I get, like back to stand out. When I first started doing stand up, I'd come out here and I do like the Latino circuit. And I would get like, people would make fun of me because I'm not all those is white guy over here. Like, I'm not, you know, I'm just a different Latino. Yeah, I brought a smile
Alicyn
on and yeah, I'm getting flack for not being Latino enough.
Eric
Yeah. Yeah. Like, not good enough, you know, for for LA, whatever. But, I mean, it's weird, because I had the extremes. You know, I grew up in a predominantly white town went to, you know, predominately white school, but then I had like, a super, you know, the opposite with vacations going to Mexico and being with my, you know, fully on full Mexican family, you know, so. So in a sense, I kind of have more rank. But like I said, I think I feel like yeah, there's there needs to be diversity in the writers room. And in. That's the first that's the thing. That's the first step diversity in the writers room. And that will in turn, help diversity in the booth and, you know, on the screen, because, because, yeah, it's, I mean, you got to get it right. You don't get it right. It's just more than anything. It's embarrassing. Because I'm Korean sometimes I'm in video game sessions in line. Right? Yeah. Yeah. played a lot of cartel guys night in my day. Sure.
Alicyn
Yeah. And I mean, there definitely seems to be a shift. What do you see? I mean, do you see it shifting away? I'm in casting as well. I feel like there's a real trend for more. Yeah,
Eric
I mean, I've been booking a lot of stuff just based on on diversity based on like being a driver. diverse character in the show and that's it. It's great. It's I mean, it's good to book you know, it's good to book some stuff and, and to book something that you're close to, you know, like a book from characters that where I'm like, wow, this is close, or this is me, this is me. Or this is my this this is characters, my uncle or these characters like my dad. And it's like, wow, it's really cool to get to play that stuff. Yeah, so I mean, I think I think it's, it's changing for the good. I think in the industry. I think it's changing for the better.
Alicyn
When you came on board with the Simpsons, you know, it's such a long running show. It's such an iconic cast. Did you have any inhibitions about joining the cast as one of the newest members? Do I? Yeah,
Eric
I mean, you know, I felt I didn't they just didn't want people to be like, Oh, is this generic Guy COVID. And, you know, voicing Hanks role, you know, I yeah, you get you get these little these, your mind goes a little nutty. And, sure.
Alicyn
Yeah. There's always going to be in every type of situation. There'll be haters, right.
Eric
Yeah, but luckily, I have a great sense of humor, so I can laugh at it. Like being a buddy, my buddy is one of my really good friends, Vince Navarro. We did a we did a video together where we do like he did like a like a take almost like drunk history, but like, like a retelling of like a movie or like a breakdown or a movie breakdown basically, but like drunk and I got really plastered, and it broke down. And it got a lot of really good feedback. But there was some really, really heavy haters in there. And they were just like, calling me like a pumpkin had all kinds of weird stuff. cracking up. So funny. I was like, Man, these guys are really going for it. I was like, so I mean, luckily, like I can have fun with with that type of stuff. I mean, cuz I know, we all grew up like that. We always just cracked on each other. Yeah. But But as far as I did, I did there was pressure to to get the job done and do it right. I didn't want to like, you know, go in there. Because the first episode was just one line. I went in for one line. And I was like, Oh, we did it. A lot of times. I was like, we're doing a lot of times. So they have options that are we do a lot of times because I just I'm not getting it right.
Alicyn
I was just interviewing Brian hell two weeks ago. And that was exactly the same thing he was mentioning to when you get that redirect, and that redirect and the redirect not being like, what's wrong? What am I doing wrong?
Eric
Yeah, yeah, I'm like, Hey, he's just got to take a step back and take yourself out of that. Otherwise, you'll get in your head. I've gotten I've been in sessions and like, these, we keep redoing the line to where like, I just read it in a whole way that it shouldn't even be read like, okay, and we need to, I need to go like, get some coffee or something and reset, cuz I'm reading this line wrong. Now that you
Alicyn
mentioned, kind of what is your process for approaching a brand new character? If you have an audition? come in? You're excited about the character? How do you how do you start with your process? You
Eric
know, it's funny, that people have always talked about process, you know, careers and stuff on like, I don't really think I have a process. But then I started to pay attention I do I do have a process. So I think what I do is I love when they give you a picture that's like, it's like, all the work is done. Yeah. You know, if they give you a picture, then a voice immediately comes into my head. And I usually go that's your instinct, right? Yeah. So you go, you go, you go with your instinct. And, and that's usually pretty good. And, and I usually, it sucks guy to admit this. But once that happens, it's hard to like break out of that. Yeah, so I usually just go with it. I'm like, if that's what you're going with, and that's what you're committing to. And that's where your, your heart keeps going to then just do it. Because there's no, it's because if you're trying to find him, then if you're trying too hard to find the character, then it's probably not meant to be if your instinct isn't the character that they want. So So I usually just read, you know, read the whole read the whole audition. And definitely, if it's good, too, I feel like casting directors, it's great. When you guys give a little chunk of dialogue, rather than a lot of people are super secret with their stuff. And they'll just give you your stuff like your, your character, your character, your characters, like I don't know, what who they're playing off of.
Alicyn
Right the story then, of course,
Eric
you need context. I feel like you need the context. Because there's so it's that that interaction, so rich, and you could like, oh, man, this can go so many different ways. And you know, most people, I think, like to do two or three takes when they send an audition so. So when you do that, it's good to have that. But if not, you know, you just basically take the use the dialogue, there's no picture and there's no real dialogue other than your own lines, then you just you really just read that and the personality is usually in there. And that personality usually fits into someone you know, so you can use that as an inspiration. Jump with, you know, jump to whatever. Whatever instinct. Yeah, wherever instinct takes you. Mm hmm.
Alicyn
Hey guys, this is Alicyn Packard. Sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to let you know that if you like the show, please, please, please. Please remember to subscribe to this podcast. And leave us a review on iTunes. It really helps us to get heard by more people. Thanks so much.
Alicyn
So you're very much like work from your instincts and and I've always just kind of gone on my gut, my heart and just follow those things. And rather than really racking my brain than I used to, I mean, I used to really think overthink things way too much.
Eric
Can't do that he's got to go.
Alicyn
Especially not with the volume. You know, when you're reading on a lot of stuff.
Eric
Yeah. Oh, yeah, for sure. Yeah. Luckily, stuffs a little bit more. I feel like it's more procured for me now. Like, this is like, oh, Eric can do that. Eric can do that. Because in the beginning, it would just throw a bunch of stuff at you, like, do this.
Eric
Right. Yeah. Yeah. And you just read on everything you get, or are you? Oh, yeah. I mean, yeah, everything, everything I get, right. I spend, I just tries to spend a little time with it. So part of my process is also, that's why I like it, when the, they send you stuff early, like a couple days early. And it's not due the next day, because if it's due the next day, I got to read it right there. And like over and over again, and just like, take it in quiet, you know, quiet time and take it in, because I like to have some, some some time to just sit with it. You know, you read the character, like really rough, really raw. And then you just got to sit with it for a couple days. And you're like, ah, like, okay, I can go there with it. Or you know, it's kind of finds itself you know, they just record it. Lay down, sit down. Are you like a multiple taker? Are you kind of like, give it a few shots. And yeah,
Eric
that's another thing. That's another thing that really changed during the lockdown. And when I started recording myself home, auditioning from home was when you go when you go into CST or you go into your agency, you're auditioning there you got like maybe one maybe two takes and you have to be prepared and they don't want you know, there's so many people waiting you don't want to be rude. But here at home you can just do as many as you want. for better for worse. Yeah, and then you end up like Judo oh my gosh, do like a bunch of I try to approach it like a session I'll do each line three times. Three different ways you know give different variety and then I go back and just play it through and then pick what I like just whatever feels right and then fit together and then yeah, and then send it because if I early on I started to just I would be in the closet for hours it's like I went to Narnia or something Eric might have died in there. Yeah. them forever. And then I would delete something that I
Alicyn
ever accidentally delete that. Yeah, one file that had like three different editions on it.
Eric
Oh gosh, you know, or, or you're like cord or your mic is glitchy and then like you play it back. It's a little bit. Oh, no, I got to go back and record all this stuff.
Alicyn
Your USB mic, dude. You're right. You're right there. Keep it underground. That's what I do. Now, I know you're also somebody was asking if they could hear your guest tumbleweed voice from trolls topia.
Eric
gusta tumbleweed. Okay, yeah, we're still recording that one. Nice funny. We're still I think we're still on season two. But we're doing pickups and stuff now. So we're still we're still trying to think what was asking do they have a line they want me to read? Do they have a favorite line? Are they still here?
Alicyn
I don't know. What is he just have like a tagline or something he says after
Eric
they want in the first episode. Holly Darren is the nicest trolling trolls topia.
Alicyn
Now like now I'm gonna try and like do my impression of you can I hear him again? Oh 809 she's trolling trolls topia darling. Nice just trolling toes copia as pretty close. Coming free job, Eric. I know I bet I got a I'll be your understudy. I'll be your understudy. I'll be your understudy. And you also work in a show called glitch tech such as on Netflix really popular show on glitch tech. Yeah, that was such a fun show. Are you guys done? Is it all?
Eric
There was a lot of there was a lot of problems with that one we actually got I think we got like, shut down. Like I think they shut production down. I heard really I remember one of my buddies was like, Hey, man, really sorry about glitch text. What happened? He's like, they shut production down. And I was like, why? And so and I mean, I I was in a limited role I was playing the main characters. Grandfather like his father figure and his dad. His dad was in prison like his grandpa was raising him. But yeah, so I heard this I wasn't in a lot I was I was in a ton of episodes. So I was just waiting for the call to come and then I heard that they got shut down and then and then they started up they had to come back and and because it was originally supposed to era Nickelodeon I think and then they were like well we're not gonna aired on Nickelodeon but we're done netic so then they then when they did that, then it gave it new life so then we were back in the studio the pickups and ADR and stuff and then they made it tonight thank god image is such a beautiful show like that. The the the action scenes, it's like anime style, sorta, and the video game references and they, they do homage to like the 80s video games in the 90s 80s 90s video games. It was just really cool. It's a really cool cast team was great. Like, Dan mellado and Eric robots. They're the best I mean, just working with those guys. It was it was super fun. So yeah, so when I was really bummed out when I heard about that, cuz I know how much hard work goes into that. And, man, it just gets shelved. That's that's a sin. I was like, this is a great show. And it was good to see it. Make it and it has a huge fan base to them. I we haven't been renewed, but everyone loves that show. Actually. Yeah, you never know me. You never know it can be renewed. Cuz I mean, they killed you. They killed off Young Justice and brought us back like two, three years later or something like that.
Alicyn
And working on Young Justice.
Eric
Oh, that that show was like so much fun because we recorded on ensemble before the pandemic. Yeah, it's the best you get to play off each other. And you're in there with like frickin legends. Like I recorded with with Bill fat finger bake from from from SpongeBob and that was a huge coach fan when I was a kid. Like, I was always watching coach whenever I think he was like, in the original Stan movie movie. That's who's like, like, I love that guy and I get to work with him was I worked with so many cool people in that on that show. And, and and like, getting to meet him and hang out with them stuff. And that shows just it's great. And there's so much depth and substance in that show because being a comic book nerd myself. These guys like put me ashamed like their stuff. I didn't even know like characters I never even heard of like, Oh yeah, this guy showed up in issue number 178 in 1975. Like, wow, these guys. Like, like geek cyclopedia is they just they know everything like I cuz I worked with Greg Weisman before first spectacular Spider Man and I'd never even heard my character was his name's Moulton man. And he was like, before that he was a character from like, the 60s or 70s, I think. And I had looked him up in voice for us. I think I just use my regular voice for that. Yeah, I think I did. I think I think I used for both of those. Which that was another thing. That was kind of bummed me out. But like it was, I guess, you know, because you're a grown up. You never like to hear the sound of your voice. And that's probably why do so many impressions and other characters. I just wanted to talk like somebody else. So so when I was booking these these characters early on with my regular voice and like, I want to do like I want, I want to I do something outside of myself. I want to like, oh, what are you crazy characters, but then I'm like, Okay, I guess I got a good voice because I had to accept that. You know, I mean, that guy's got a unique voice and like, I'm like, Okay, cool. Now audition more such as myself. Yeah. I love doing the big characters.
Alicyn
With some of your favorite big characters that you've done. I would have say
Eric
like, I really had a fun I really have fun doing that my character Papi from glitch, Tex. And then and also, we do him first. He was basically he was he was like an amalgamation of my uncles and my dad. Because he had a really big, really big boat, boisterous t boys like he behold, come here, I got some, I'm gonna tell you something, you know, let me give you some advice, you know? And like, so this is all these like people that I met growing up all these father figure types, you know, and I put them all together in this character, and which is which got me the job because Eric, I connected with it, you know, he was like, Oh, I that's He's like, Man, you really tapped into seminaries you're writing my deals, you know growing up with Yeah, it was my deals and my dad to like that and that's, you know, truth in it. Right? So yes. So yeah, there's that that guy was a lot of fun. Yeah. Big it's tall. He was like 60 years old. I'm like, Okay, let's play this older guy.
Alicyn
Cuz you actually have done a few older character Yeah, yeah, good.
Eric
I've done I I've done like little kids and like, like older guys. So it's good. It's good to have. It's good to have my rainy but like these these these some of these video game sessions are a little bit of a screaming
Alicyn
Hey guys sound 10 years older now,
Eric
I finally I ordered a case I ordered a case of the Do you know the the Fred cashore juice they call it no one ever heard of it. Now? I think this Chinese cough syrup.
Alicyn
I know I've seen that. Yeah, Sarah. Yeah, yeah.
Eric
You go to these sessions in these video games and and there's always like, Oh yeah, you could give me some of the friend chatter star stuff. I didn't know that. He brings it he'll he just leaves it at the someone told me he just brings it in and leaves it there at the studio. Oh, so how generous. So I'm like, Okay, I'm gonna order some of that. And I got a bunch of throat coat. And I just like sip that after a session. So yeah. Try to speak choose to young in here.
Alicyn
Yeah, keep it young. It is funny how the voice does change over time. When I hear stuff that I recorded 10 years ago. I do sound a little younger. I mean, you could still go there but like, Well, yeah, where your placement sits? Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. You grow you kind of ground more into your chest voice I think.
Eric
Yeah, for sure. Act from my gut. Like I've heard nolan north and those guys. They really they they, they? They they yell from there. They project from their gut. I don't know how to do that. I'm still glad I do that.
Alicyn
singing lessons, maybe I do need sing lessons. I actually just started working with them. Katie rakes? Who is Seth Riggs daughter, the creator of Speech Level Singing and she's wonderful and happy to share for anybody that might be looking for singing lessons. So this commercial break sponsored by Katy that's so interesting. How is someone Marie was just mentioning impressions. And I so many voice actors I talked to over and over again. It's either like I got into it from theater and acting or you know, the impressions route. And the impressions really helps to kind of feed the characters and even if they say even a bad impression, really great character. And so how do you approach doing your impressions?
Eric
Well, you know, what's funny is like, I I'm not, I don't think I'm a good impression. I think I'm a funny impressionist, I think I just do that. And I just make it funny, right? Like, I just, I'm not very good. Like, there's people because when I started doing voiceovers, when I realized what a good impression was, and like I thought, you know, doing comedy like do stand up a lot a lot of comedians do impressions and like they're not not all of them are good but they're funny because they make them funny they they their their characterization of the actor, you know, so But yeah, I think Yeah, I used to do I think it did alpa Chino and like, produce Sean Connery. Oh, do all these.
Alicyn
Please do your Sean Connery.
Eric
Oh my gosh, I can't do it anymore. Why I used to do this bit. That was my very first stand up my very first stand up game. Yeah, very, very first open mic. And I was like, I'll just do a talk about how growing up I was not, I'm not good at talking to girls. And like, I wish that I had a cool accent. So that I could play on talk to women and like sound cool, like Sean Connery. And then I would be like, this you standing over there by yourself. I was wondering if you weren't doing anything late, or you'd like to come over to my place and check my prostate. And it got a big laugh. I was like, yeah. I mean, it's not the best. I'm sure there's better out there. But but it's all I will say I make them funny. I do make them funny. Comedy for ya.
Alicyn
So your first credit on IMDB is World of Warcraft. Which is so funny because I also did that was my one of my first games I ever did. And I was I was wondering which was it burning crusade? Or was it prior to that?
Eric
I think it was the panda one. The panda one. Cuz he was called something of Penn. dariya I don't know.
Alicyn
Okay. laughter. Was that something you got for your agent? Or was that did you?
Eric
Yeah, yeah, I booked it through. I actually have a horror story about that. Oh, I don't know if I should do it. Anyway, your time now you could i i got i was returned. I was a returned item like a like a, like a store purchase that you don't like. I didn't a character for that. Because I did two characters. I think the one on IMDB is the one you see. Yeah. And the no return. They did a whole Yeah, did a whole session. And they called Kathy, my agent and our agent. They're like yeah, it's not gonna work out. And I was so like, hurt. And like, Oh my god, I was so like, sorry. You know, I was like, I I'm so sorry, Kathy. I'm like, I'm gonna Yeah, they just said didn't work out. I'm like, I think played the audition for me. I matched it exactly. I don't know if I just my energy wasn't right. Or like, I don't know, cut it. So I was like, yeah, maybe changed your mind. So I feel like I got returned from a returned item. No, but I was, I was really bummed out. I was so so bummed out about like, you know what you tell me. I'm like, No, no, they're gonna pay you. I'm like, Okay. All right. I was like, I felt so bad. I didn't want to get paid. I was so bummed out about that. Oh, yeah.
Alicyn
Everybody that's been in this business for any period of time working in any consistent way has been returned. Right? Yeah. Yeah, just part of it. And it doesn't mean anything about your level of skill or talent. It just might be what they were looking for. Something different. So Oh, my God.
Eric
Yeah. It was it was another thing another time that happens. So it almost happened didn't happen. But it almost happened. audition for a voice match for Vince Vaughn. I don't do Vince Vaughn. So like, and I just basically matched you know, they give you a reference. Yeah. And then you match what they would they give you and I just matched it with the gaming. And then it was like all the other like really low talking like that. He talks really low. Jesus rantings couple rants. So I booked it off that, but then he's the projects, he projects a ton in that movie. It was the watch for the watch. And he projects a ton. I'm like, oh, and it wasn't like, it wasn't working with the higher projection. Like, we don't know if we're gonna be able to use this shit again. It was like right after that. Right after the other experience. I was like, man, it was like, two in a row. And they were able to, like, tweak it a little bit. And it worked out. Wow, thank God. Yeah.
Alicyn
I mean, do you have any advice for, for people dealing with rejection? I know that rejection as a performer is like its own particular thing. Because it's really, they're not just rejecting your work, but in a way that rejecting part of you. You put yourself into that, yeah,
Eric
you know, as much as you try to put as much as yourself into a performance as you can. So like, we don't like you.
Alicyn
We don't like you, you know, getting worse at dealing with rejection.
Eric
Actually, I'm getting so much better with it now. I feel. Yeah, I mean, cuz I've dealt, I've dealt with, like rejection in my whole life. In a sense, you know, but, but I can just push through, you know, you find you find your validations where they where they matter most, and where they count, and you hold on to those like for dear life. And for me, it's been, you know, my family members and my close friends. And that's, you know, that's all the validation you really need. You know, look at it as a job right. And it's a job. audition is our job we put too much I think we put too much of our, our personal selves on these on booking and stuff and I think he can he can't really do that you you got to try it because there's been stuff like some of the stuff that I wanted the most I've got a lot of things that I've wanted the most, but there's been stuff that really really want it and I didn't get it and when you don't get it you still water the bars. I was it's been like, you know, wanting to play that since I was a kid. And, and you can't be like that. You just got to let it go. Like soon as you do it. It's out of your mind. You know, it's like a Instagram story post. Let it you let it sit in there for a little bit he call Gong Gong. Exactly. He's got to let that thing just disappear. Because it's I mean it's not it's not a knock on you personally really isn't it's just he's worn right? I mean it's It has nothing to do they wanted something else most the time it's just and and when you sometimes you get to see that sometimes you could see the who they booked and Oh yeah, it's totally better than what I did. I don't care so just I guess for people struggling with the rejection in in this industry just yet don't worry about it. It's not your faults on you. You know it's a good it's a good scene in Good Will Hunting. It's not your fault. That's your fault.
Alicyn
It's not your fault. I love this dark warrior pop said you take the rejection let it create a small Elsa regroup and move on. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Eric so you also have tons of artwork from your drawings, Funny Cartoons, detailed portraits, all that on your Instagram page. Have you ever thought about making your own cartoon like pitching your own animated series for internet or? network?
Eric
Definitely, yeah, I didn't work food I haven't been working on. It's like one of those things right? But we don't know how to go about it and don't know how to get in or jump on it or just, you know, take up take the leap. So I have to have ideas but nothing super fleshed out to where there's like a pilot script or anything, just tons of ideas and, and I think I brought it out, but I have a an animation ideas book. And I have a ton of like, sketches ton of like, like sketches inks I mean some colored others just raw and and i just i write out like if I get a funny idea like even if it's just a character like I had a it was as soon after, like when for Stan Lee died actually right before Stanley died. I don't know why he says Excelsior all the time. And so I drew like this little egg with like a Stanley glasses and the mustache and his name was eggs, lcwr stupid ideas like that. But you got to write it down. You got to put it down. You got to sketch it out. Because you never know what it could turn out to be.
Alicyn
Yeah, yeah. And collaboration is a great way to get into that sort of thing. Just the creative process, like brainstorming with another writer, you know, we should meet over at the coffee shop when I was working on a show called puppy cat I love like that preschool kind of thing. And so I had reached out to the executive producers to see if I could pitch some ideas and I wrote some specs and then they ended up hiring me to write an episode. And so from there, from there, it kind of progressed to working with a writing partner and that made the the process go just a lot quicker. And instead of stopping myself every time I would like have a question about a plot point we would just kind of bounce off each other and I found that to be super helpful, so maybe that's something that might be Yeah,
Eric
you definitely gotta get some like creative freedom and grab this like Yeah, yeah, things burning out, so I'm gonna put another light up, but yeah,
Alicyn
I got your window looks good, too. I don't know if you're on a tripod. Yes. It's like a Clippy thing. Oh, there's somebody used to kit used to watch puppy cat with her son. That's awesome. I'm so glad you liked that show. The episode I wrote with snowflake like I was all not the bunny. Oh, puppy cat. I just love my blue pearls. No, it's poppy cat not copycat. copycat. No, write it down. That's a good idea. Puppy cat. A puppy and a cat. Get together and they that's a great idea. Puppy cat. Yeah. Did you get your lighting switch?
Eric
Yeah, a little bit. A little bit more light here. So cool. You look great. Thank you. Where are you at? You must have like a your own personal style is back there. You always look great in these things. You always put up these pictures and like she's
Alicyn
from the waist up? I do. I do put on makeup for the show. Which is funny, because these days it's pretty much done. And I have a ring like every like did you did you see my musical comedy short for ring light I've designed it to people are always you know, people do like your skin looks so great. I'm like, it's literally just the ring light. I mean, it's like light as light is amazing. And whether it's natural, or whether it's like just lighting. Lighting yourself well makes such a difference on how you feel through sometimes it's everything. Sometimes it's everything. But I want to save a few minutes at the end. I know we're coming up close on an hour. Do you have a heart out by the way at seven or no No, no, I know. I want to make sure we wrap it up a little bit I have to pack at 7am flight tomorrow. I'm actually going to go to Massachusetts to go to the northeast Comic Con I'm going to be there for a few days doing a couple panni point Hong Kong bookings and stuff. First con some of them are Yeah, the smaller ones Comic Con got moved to November Comic Con I believe they're doing it Thanksgiving weekend is the plan that is a San Diego Comic Con yes that's a Oh wow. It's going on so we'll see about that but I'm excited to my family's also from there so we'll get to them a little bit but it's early
Alicyn
yeah hope I don't know flying out of Burbank or No dear lord brings the best to Boston anymore. They used to they used to but I think the pandemic they just had to probably cut back a lot of the flights so
Eric
but this is how much I hate going to LX last the last like we take me my buddies we take a trip. We try to take a trip every years go to new new football stadium New Year right? Yeah, we took a man trip. And we went to Philly. We did one in Philly and there was no direct flights to Philly. So I was like, I was like I went to I was like I'm flying to Burbank. I don't care I drink connected like twice to three times. It was Yeah, I was like I'll go through the trouble I I'll go through that trouble. Rather than have wanting to drive that lax was like screw that.
Alicyn
I know I'm kind of regretting it but it is what it is. But um I do want to say some time to have some audience questions. So guys, your questions in the box. Now if if you get into it. And and yeah, I'll just pick on we might not get to all of them but just know that we love you all equally if we don't get to your question. Let's see. Okay, it's a bit generally a bit general. Okay, here we go. This relates to the Simpsons and Bumblebee, what was the hardest thing about being the superhero
Eric
hardest thing was probably trying to straight stay true to the, to the legacy of the character. I mean, he's a beloved character, and he's always I think, I think Hank is there, he did a good job. And, you know, I, but I'm glad that I'm glad I got the opportunity. It's kind of like a, like a bittersweet thing. Like, because he had to stop playing the character, but then I get to play it. So it's super, super, super sweet. More or less, because like, I just wanted to do the character justice and, and, and not not make the fans.
Alicyn
fans love you. I mean, did it? Have you been? Have you have a lot of people been reaching out and connecting with you on social media? Or is it still too new? Some? Yes.
Eric
Some, some people reaching out, it's, and it's always cool when people reach out because, you know, it's like, when you don't, when you're doing the work and you're, you know, you're just living your life in your new little bubble in your pockets, you know, you just kind of you don't, you don't think about that, like, other people are, you know, it's affecting this is all affecting other people's lives in some sort of way. You know, they're, you know, they're fans and stuff. So it's good to get to get feedback and hear from them like wow, cuz cuz it's nice. It's nice that I don't think about it. Because if I knew if I thought about that stuff, while I was going into these, these roles and characters and stuff that I would probably, you know, get too nervous.
Alicyn
We are human beings, right? I mean, you're not invincible. I really appreciate you sharing that vulnerability because, you know, it's it. I'm seeing these reoccurring themes with people whose work I really admire that we all are at the end of the day share this these the same humanity and the same struggles and challenges. It's really great. Yeah. So thank you for sharing that. So someone is asking what was it like to be on Star Wars Rebels?
Eric
Oh, just insane. That's another one that was just insane. character. I did too. I did two different characters on that one. I was the first one I did was this cadet named Oh, leg. The the map didn't even show his face. He was like, in full, like, start with a stormtrooper like cadet gear. Okay. And he was just like being being a dick the whole time to like the Astra characters is like, you know, kind of be kind of a bully, like schoolhouse bully, you know, just a jerk. And like, that was that was fun. And then the second character I played was the later on, I think it was more towards the end of the series was this character, john Ergin. He was like a, like a mechanic type, like laid back. It's cool because like, it's kind of like the character I would be if I was on some like ship. You know, actually, I'm not a very good mechanic. So that not that part. But you know, the laid back and you know, just taking everything and going with the flow type guide. He was playing him was fun, because it was that was like a meteor rose. It was a really fun episode. Like some like, this was like a ragtag group of like, people that were driving. It was I think they were they were out in like a transport ship. And they were dropping, like, dropping like all these these these crates on ships, like try basically try to do their part for the for the resistance. And it was, it was a cool episode. But it was fun, like, because they record ensemble too. And getting to record a Freddy and Vanessa and, and all that was was super fun. Dee Bradley Baker, it's just you're seeing all these legends work. It's that that's huge. I love recording ensemble, because you get to see how other people work. And like seeing how they approach things. And a memory may make it look easy. But you know, you know, they did all the work previously to get into that pocket. It's cool to see.
Alicyn
Thank you. That's awesome. Another really interesting question, which has been something that's been coming up a little bit more is there was a time when voice actors were really not in the limelight. We were very much behind the scenes and not really recognized. And now there is a trend more and more social media Tick Tock conventions. And I think more and more people from Gen X that are wanting to do voice acting voiceovers. And so I was wondering, what do you think about that trend in voice actors sort of becoming more recognizable and being more in the spotlight?
Eric
I think it's cool. I mean, I feel like we made a lot of voice actors deserve recognition. I mean, it's, it's not it's not always, you know, me, it's never really easy, but it's not. It's not a super easy job. It's, you know, and people put a lot of time and effort into it. One little recognition, a little something, you know, a little bit of a fan base. It's nice, you know, I think it's cool. I mean, It's weird to think anybody would be a fan of you. So it's a little weird.
Alicyn
Your family?
Eric
Yeah, exactly right. your family and your friends are always like, cares for you, but so it's cool. I mean, I think any anything like that is cool with me. It's always positive fans are always really cool. Especially if the cons everybody's always supportive. And they always they open up, they got a little story to tell you about, like, you know, your, their favorite episode or, or the way and they tell you like, Oh, you do this character justice. I was a fan of this character before. And now I hear your voice when I you know, when I read the comics or when I you know, anytime I see this character, I hear your voice and that's a huge compliment.
Alicyn
Yeah, definitely. Kate. Kate had asked. She said, guest tumbleweed is the best character on telescopio. And he does so much Kate, that means a lot. That's huge. And she asked how much do you relate to him as a character?
Eric
Why did you grow up in Arizona? So I was I wanted to be a cowboy when I was little boy. Yeah, my mommy said, What do you want to be and grow up but I want to be a cowboy. Not knowing what that was. I just wanted to wear a cool hat or ride a horse and shoot guns. True. Yeah, right. As I told my mom was like lip balm. I said I want to be a coward. Apparently, I just wanted to play one on TV. Yeah, there's there's definitely like, I know, I grew up knowing a lot of cowboys and stuff. That's it's cool to get to play on AIDS. It's just like, Oh, yeah,
Alicyn
I know. The Western grew up in the west southwest. Oh, that's awesome. But see, well, I guess this is a pretty simple question to answer about what voice actors do for health insurance. Oh, thank you after health insurance through sag offers a 30,000 a year. I forget. Exactly. But
Eric
yeah, I think Yeah, the offer is good. It's pretty good health insurance. But it's it's kind of bumming a bums me out to this because the big controversy now with it with the older people, older actors getting dropped. And that's a problem. I think that that's not right. I think they should. Yeah, I mean, it was it's been a big thing. And I think they should, you know, that should be remedied by our union. Because it said, you know, just because you're not working as much as me. You don't deserve insurance.
Alicyn
Absolutely. Brick man. mosaic art asks, would you rather live the celebrity life you have now or would you rather live a more normal life? I live a normal life.
Eric
I don't feel like I said, Well, I don't feel like a celebrity. I can go anywhere. No one ever says hey, you yo. Yeah, you guys. So I like I like where I'm at now. It feels good. You know? I mean, if I had to fight a real celebrity life, like, you know, freaking Will Smith or these guys. Like I don't know if I can handle that. But like, I think I think Yeah, I go back and forth. Do you think about it? Like, I don't know if I pick a celebrity? I think it'd be too nice to my stalkers. I pray hang out with them. My stalkers and stuff. Come on. Let's go get a drink. I'm probably a terrible celebrity on me.
Eric
Yeah, but I mean, I think it would be fun, but I'm sure yeah, there's definitely is definitely I don't think I'm at the point where it's detrimental to my life. So, which is cool. I like the life I have right now. I'm happy. Oh, well, we're
Alicyn
happy for you. Okay, last question from the audience. If Bumblebee had man had a drink like def beer, what would you drink? Oh.
Eric
I had a drink like def beer. What would it be? Oh, yeah, of course. Maybe bumblebees drinking a drink, dude. He's gotta be like, Mexican beer man. It's gotta be a Modelo. Or Corona or something like that. A little little salt. The lime you know, maybe a little bit tequila in there. Yeah. surface. Yeah, you gotta do it, man. That Yes. Season the beard season it.
Eric
Nice to meet you louder. Is that Mexican mutual? Adam? Yeah. Do you like me? shallows? I don't like them. I guess.
Eric
They're so great. I've had them before. And I'm like, I'm not a big fan of tomato juice. That's what it is.
Eric
Do you like spicy? I like spicy. I like spicy ly. Yeah, I still like tomato juice. I think that's what it is. like tomatoes. I mean, tomato juice as pizza is.
Eric
I still like liquid tomatoes. weird to me. Just drinking a gallon of milk. I hate milk. I can't drink milk.
Alicyn
Cool. Well, before we go, do you mind just saying saying your name and saying like you're listening Alice's Wonderland like Hey, thanks for Listening or like, I really like to show or some some kind of thing like Eric Lopez doing question something.
Eric
So just the way like, like to like look at bumper to bumper Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Coffee Hey everybody, my name is Eric Lopez and you are watching and or listening to Alison's Wonderland with my awesome, wonderful, beautiful friend, Alison Packer.
Alicyn
Thank you. Okay, Eric, one more question. One more question. If there was a song in your heart, which there is of course, what would your song be called? Oh.
Eric
Song in my heart. I guess it would just be called mama because I love my mama so much.
Alicyn
I love my son so much, too. There's like nothing like that. Right?
Eric
Yeah, there's no I mean, honestly, I can honestly say I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my mom. She's been the most supportive person my whole life. It's just yeah, I get teary eyed. You made me cry. called you. I would. Now Yeah, my mom. She's the best ever. I love her. She's the I got to take her to the Simpsons party. She got to go with me with my girlfriend did her hair with like, like this like, like 20 style because it was at the it was like 20 like 2030 style like this hairdo. Really cool. And it was at the Roosevelt in Hollywood, you know, old school, like, fancy party. Like, I remember. I don't remember what it was for if it was for the treehouse wars. Or it was like a milestone one cuz it was at the Roosevelt and I got to take my mom and it was one of the best things ever.
Alicyn
She came out from Arizona? She still lived there?
Eric
Yeah. She came out from Arizona. I think I picked her up. I might have went to, drove to Arizona, and I brought her here with me, and I get to take her because she had to dress up and eat delicious food. She doesn't drink, so she didn't get to take advantage of the open bar. I did. But yeah, it was one of the funnest parties and I got to take my mom.
Alicyn
Oh, that's amazing. Well, please, thank your Mom, for us. Such a great guy.
Eric
Oh, thank you.
Alicyn
Yeah, it's been a pleasure, pleasure chatting with you. And we'll have to go for another walk soon. Or
Eric
Yeah, for sure.
Alicyn
Get together because we're neighbors.
Alicyn
And I got to come hear you play when you play again. I wanna hear you, I want to hear you play and sing when you do it again.
Alicyn
Yeah. I haven't been doing much of that lately, to be honest.
Eric
Yeah, I figured.
Alicyn
Music's fallen by the wayside, casualty of the pandemic. But let's hope, I'm hoping that it's coming back. I'm open to it, and doing some more recording and stuff. So, but thank you. And it's been a pleasure. For anybody that might have missed the beginning. I am going to post this to my IgTV and you can check it out and watch it you know, ad infinitum. You can just put it on repeat while you're doing dishes and also for anybody that hasn't already heard, Alicyn's Wonderland is also a podcast. So what we do is we rebroadcast the audio a few weeks after as a podcast so you can check that out and stream it and subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts. It debuted at number 23 in the US for anime and manga.
Eric
Congratulations.
Alicyn
If someone's listening on Spotify, Spotify as well and amazon music, so check it out if sometimes I know when I'm on Instagram I have, my attention span on the live is not that thorough, so you can always check out, check it out. next week. We have Max Middleton, who is an amazing voice actor. He's done a ton of anime.
Eric
He's a great actor. He's cool dude.
Alicyn
Great actor. So check that out. And then we have Cristina Vee coming up the week after that. So it's been a voice actor-palooza. Voice actors are just so fun to interview but we also do interviews with animators and writers and people that work in every aspect of animation and video games. So if you're just tuning in for the first time, be sure to subscribe to this channel. We'll catch you next time. Eric, thank you so much.
Eric
Thank you. Thank you so much. It was a lot of fun.
Alicyn
Okay, I'll talk to you soon.
Eric
Okay.
Alicyn
Bye, everyone.
Eric
Bye, everybody.
Outro
Thanks for tuning in to Alicyn's Wonderland, where we explore the wild and wonderful world of animation and video games. Please remember to subscribe and leave us a review. For more episodes of Alicyn's Wonderland. Please visit us at www.AlicynPackard.com. See you next week.