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Estelle Ellis Interview, VA for Krystal :: 01-18-2012 20:49:41 EST :: posted by Kabrelle
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That's right, we roll on with yet another interview, this time with the talented Estelle Ellis, voice actress for everybody's favorite blue vixen, Krystal, in StarFox Adventures! For this one, SFE collaborated with The Krystal Lover's Association and created a set of questions that for sure, would make for an interesting read! For those of you not in the know, Estelle has also done work for various different games, from mocap to voice acting, her talents reach out to many of our favorite game titles. And so we begin the interview!
Q: How did you get into the video game industry? Is it something you enjoy?
Well, I kind of fell into the whole industry purely by accident. I had just finished my degree at Aston University, Birmingham, UK, in French and Translation and was doing a Masters in EU politics and translation to then seek a job to go to the EU. It was only when I looked for a part time job at RARE ltd, which was based in my home village of Twycross that I branched out. I had done drama and acting for a while in my younger years and that is what the team at RARE picked up on and got me in to work for voice overs… and the rest is kind of history!! When I finished my Masters, they employed me full time as trainee translator as part of the NINTENDO localization team. And that’s where I worked on the rest of the voice-overs, and my finest moment, the motion capture for Joanna Dark, in Perfect Dark Zero. I have been in the gaming Industry ever since! And not a politician in sight! J As for enjoying it, I love it!! I wouldn’t work in any other industry. Its exciting, fast paced and most importantly really good fun. I have now moved away from that part of the Industry and play more of a role in the hardcore gaming side, with StreetFighter, tekken and the audio aspects etc…but ultimately the people are all the same, really cool.. and so passionate about games. It’s a great thing to be part of, you know!
Q: You played a pivotal role in Starfox (A series loved by many). You and your character (Krystal) have many fans. How do you feel knowing so many look up to you?
I don’t really think about it and probably don’t quite realize if I’m totally honest. I like to think the whole fascination lies with Krystal herself and not me, after all, I am just her voice and I was kind of led by what the character did and was like anyway. As for looking up to her? Well, she is definitely a character I am happy for fans to look up to in this Industry!!
Q: How do you feel about the Starfox series as a whole?
I love them, they are part of the Old School days!!! When gaming was just that gaming J…They are now totally retro and part of a series of games that won’t disappear in the hype of the battling triple A titles we are seeing these days, where their life cycle is ephemeral.
Q: Did you know what Starfox was before Dinosaur Planet (the original title and concept of Starfox Adventures for readers) was converted to a Starfox title?
No, I don’t sorry.
Q: Looking back, are you happy with the way Star Fox Adventures turned out? Or would you have liked it to stay as Dinosaur planet?
I have never really thought about it to be fair, I’m a big fan of the talented guys at RARE and never doubted the ending they compiled for the game, and if I’m honest, when you work on a project for that long (not so long compared to the actual dev team) you just take it for what it is… and think no more of it. That’s the end and that’s all there is to it. J
Q: During Starfox Adventures, you and several other actors spoke in the fictional Dino Language for some of your lines. Could you talk about how you all performed your lines under those circumstances? Did they give you phonetic descriptions, or did you just wing it? Any other thoughts on the Dino Language?
I have to say that, recording Krystal’s character has to be one of the best times I had at RARE and in the Industry over the 12 years I have been working in it. Contrary to what fans must think, and I hope I don’t dash any illusions.,… Krystal and the Dino language kind of came about through a wing and a prayer if I’m honest. I am half French and part of my fear for Krystal was that she would speak Dino with a French slurr… and so, many hours were spent with the wonderful Ben Cullum and John Silk trying different voices and accents…I think in the end I tried for more of an eastern European voice trying to emulate a little sexiness… I’m not sure that came out in the end!! We had many outtakes, and at one point I am sure I did a few with a Yorkshire accent… how Krystal’s fate could have been a whole lot different! J But the whole Dino language was brilliant, I love the idea that we could create something from scratch that has since developed.
Q: Is Krystal's voice your natural speaking voice, or did you apply anything different (accent, etc?)
Krystal’s voice when she doesn’t speak Dino, of course, is actually pretty much my own. I have no real accent or twang, just a very simple home counties English accent. Bit boring I’m afraid. L
Q: When exploring the source files of Starfox Adventures itself, we found audio samples from previous versions of the game. Notably, we found a lot of the audio from cutscenes spoken in English that were spoken in Dino Language in the final game (a late change?). Some of these samples don't sound like your voice. Was there another Krystal voice actress at some point? Another notable find was you talking to Fox McCloud in what appeared to be a cutscene that described a different ending to the story. It implied that at some point towards the end of the game, Krystal was saved by Fox and then they continued to work together until the end of the game, where she explicitly says she will "join" which implies the Star Fox team. Can you give us any insight into canceled story ideas and what alternate plots the game had?
I’m afraid, that when it comes to ideas and concepts for the game, I was never privy to any of that information and to be fair might not even be able to recall. Of course, as with many titles, tweaks and amendments are made right up until the game is released, so there may have been some changes but non that I was aware of. I would just be given a set of lines… we’d talk about their settings and their context and then that was it… I never even really knew which lines would be used.
Q: Is there a specific reasoning behind why Krystal is the color that she is that you know of?
I have no idea, no.
Q: Did you expect Krystal to become as popular a character as she is now? Also, are you proud to voice such a popular character? And if given the chance, would you be willing to return as the voice of Krystal?
I had no idea no and I am incredibly proud yes, and like to think I helped a little make the title a success, but also by being loyal to the fans by doing justice to them through her character. Given the chance would I do her voice again? Absolutely J If the fans would have me J.
Q: It seems as though there is a 50/50 chance that voice actors and actresses will find a connection between themselves and their character. Have you found any similarities between yourself and your characters, Krystal in particular? Did you have the opportunity to put your own flair into the characters?
Hahaaa J Yes, I suppose there a few similarities between Krystal and I. I’m quite small and a little feisty too! I wouldn’t think twice fighting it out with a human General Scales! But I like to think my heart is in the right place too and will help those in need J
Q: If you had a chance to voice any other character in the Star Fox series (besides ones already done) , which one would you voice, if any?
Umm. I’m not sure…
Q: We have to know. Who is your favorite Starfox character?
Fox McCloud of course!….. GGrrrrrrrrrrrrr J
Q: Krystal has her own fan following amongst Starfox fans, and you are now forever part of her character, and the Starfox series as a whole. Is there anything you would like to say to the fans?
I would like to say that I’m glad that I have managed to play a small part in making this Title one of the industry’s loved old school favourites. The Giant that is Nintendo never ceases to fail and I am proud to have been part of this. And thank you so much for making me feel part of it all still, after all of these years!
And there you have it! Special thanks to Estelle Ellis for taking time out of her busy schedule to do this for us, the fans! And a thank you must go out to the KLA and everyone who submitted questions both there, and here! We have to say though, we honestly weren't expecting her to say Fox McCloud for her favorite character! If you by some chance stumble upon Estelle, wherever you go, be it online or perhaps even in real life, be sure to thank her for her fantastic contributions to the series we all know and love!
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•American Art Museum's Art of Video Games:
3/16/2012-9/30/2012
•*Starfox- athon: 7/21/12-7/23/12
•*Forum re-opening: 7/23/12
•Nintendo Wii U: SQ 2012 [?]
•SSB 3DS/Wii U: N/A
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