Adults dissatisfied by manufactured children’s literature, rejoice! The impish satirical tale of The Big Bad Wolf Strikes It Rich! Fairy Tale Memoirs is The Art of the Deal written by Red Riding Hood’s nemesis and it’s all sorts of brilliant. New Hollywood actor Kevin Rineer polished his New York dialect to play the eccentric and extroverted billionaire Manhattan wolf, Aladdin Todd Jackson for the hit audiobook edition.
What is the funniest thing that happened whilst recording the audiobook?
The funniest thing that happened while recording the audiobook was asking my grandparents about how my Elvis impression sounded and then needing to explain why I thought it was important I be able to represent him well. They didn’t know about my voice acting before then.
Our favourite line in the story is when you read how toxic waste rats were everywhere in the city thinking it is magic and you realise it’s another normal day in Manhattan.
How did you rehearse your acting to retain the humour?
The answer is a little embarrassing, but I started character training for Aladdin in Publix (a grocery store, if it’s not in your region). The cashier knows what I do, so when I try new characters on him, he knows I’m not trying to be rude like I was with Aladdin. Retaining the humour comes along with the ability to stay in character, so the Publix training seems to have paid off!
How did you get inside the role of a New York accented wolf?
I started out thinking just about your average New Yorker and figured Aladdin could be seen as even grumpier than average. So, I began becoming a New York accented wolf by becoming a New York taxi driver. Then, add a little bit of hunger – nay a lot of hunger.
When you start acting in front of the camera, what types of roles do you want? Here’s your moment to tell casting agents why you’re a brilliant choice.
I’m going to give two answers: The role I would like to experiment with and the role I feel I am best casted for.
I would really like to experiment with villains or anti-heroes – specifically those who aren’t fully sane. It’s been an interest of mine for a while and the reactions I’ve gotten from friends and colleagues about my take on that kind of a character makes me believe that I am well suited for such a role.
The roles I am best casted for are the “lawful good” protagonist kind of characters. The role fits my personality fairly well and my voice fits what one would expect a beginner hero to sound like – a natural warmth that one can feel at ease with.
What are your tips for new actors on moulding your voice into top shape? How can someone act well when not seen?
My tips for newer actors on improving their voice is to google search for vocal exercises. Since our voice is the same instrument that any singer uses, the way we improve on the quality of its sound is the same way any vocalist would.
As for the second question, most of the voice actors I know are basically acting behind the microphone as well. I know very few actors that are able to perform well without gesticulating! All the basics for camera acting apply for voice acting.
What is going to be the mark when you know you’ve finally made it?
I’m going to know I’ve made it at the exact moment I hear someone else imitating a character that I acted!
The Big Bad Wolf Strikes It Rich! Fairy Tale Wall Street Memoirs is available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Bad-Wolf-Strikes-Rich/dp/B01LYIMPH5
