Questions for Dominic Armato!

[Xocrates]

Dude! Like... totally!

I miss the 90's

[Peepgood]

What IS the secret of Monkey Island?

[Mromson]

Originally Posted by Peepgood

What IS the secret of Monkey Island?

I don't want to know, don't tell me.

I don't want to find out, ever.

[Dmnkly]

Originally Posted by backslash

Did your wife marry you because you were the voice of Guybrush?

Good question... I'll ask her! Let me get back to you on this one... seriously!

Originally Posted by Vongrove

What exactly would you recommend a demo consist of?

Well, traditionally speaking, it's either snippets of your work edited together, or if you haven't done any, you make it up. Here's my character demo. It's old -- I haven't made one since I left L.A. in 2001 -- but I think it holds up mostly okay.

Originally Posted by freerad22

1) can you tell us if you did VOs for new insults?

I believe it's been reported elsewhere, so I don't think I'm giving anything away by saying that there are insults, and there is swordfighting, but there is no insult swordfighting (so far, anyway).[/quote]

Originally Posted by freerad22

2) what does grog taste like and do you have to take a break to let your vocal chords recover after a chug

Watered down rum, because that's what it is. Exciting, huh? In all seriousness, I have actually used alcohol in a professional capacity. If I have to sound a little gruff or gravely (not something to which my voice is accustomed), I find a shot of vodka before bedtime helps. This is highly unscientific. And between this and my previous answers, it's starting to make me sound like a lush. Which is kind of funny given how little I actually do drink.

Originally Posted by Joe Newberry

My suggestion to anyone trying to get a start in "funny voices" is to try to create your own forum for your talents.

Great suggestion! Like I say, I'm really not the best guy to ask about this.

Originally Posted by monkey_05_06

Are you really Dominic Armato or are you one of those MySpace/FaceBook-esque celebrity profiles who are actually just some secretary giving text book answers to all us fanatical zealots?

Ja........ I MEAN YES!

Originally Posted by Fury

Dom, have you ever used a walkthrough for a classic adventure game?

Hell no!

Originally Posted by Xocrates

1) Have you ever tried Portuguese food? If so what's your opinion on it?

No! Though certainly not by choice. Portuguese seems to be a little tough to come by in the States. But the timing of this question is excellent, as I'm moving up to Boston at the end of the month where I understand there's a pretty large Portuguese community, and I'm really looking forward to trying some.

Originally Posted by Xocrates

2) Was there ever a particularly clingy MI fan that really annoyed you at any one point? Was it me?

Probably.

In all seriousness, my threshold is pretty high. Somehow my early interactions with the old mixnmojo.com crew ended with a trip to Disney and me cooking pasta for them at my house. I should note for the record, however, that my wife is (understandably) somewhat less enthusiastic about inviting internet strangers into our home, so -- uh -- don't expect dinner :-)

Originally Posted by andrew603

Anyway, I was wondering, have you ever played any of the Sierra adventure games like Space Quest and King's Quest (my two fav's after MI)? If so what do you think of those games?

You know, I never got into the Sierra games. Never played Space Quest. Tried King's Quest and didn't get very far, because without the humor I just didn't enjoy it. And Leisure Suit Larry just wasn't doing it for me. As mentioned, I loved the original Gabriel Knight. Was that Sierra?

Originally Posted by andrew603

Also, do you enjoy the MI music?

I'm far from the first person to say so, but the music may be the best part of the series. I've been singing the Scumm Bar theme in my head since the announcement was made on Monday. Or was that one of the actual classic sea shanties they used? In any case, Michael Land is as responsible for the character of the series as anybody else who has worked on it, and more than most.

Originally Posted by andrew603

I am curious what types of music do you like; Game soundtracks, Rock, Jazz, Reggae, Classical, other?

Oh, gosh, a little bit of everything. I'll try to refrain from using the cliched "My collection ranges from (insert high-brow artsy music here) to (insert pop artist generally recognized to have significant artistic merit here) to (insert pop artist generally recognized to produce total trash here)" and just list some that are special to me for assorted reasons, in alphabetical order since that's how they show up on Media Monkey:

Bang Camaro, The Bobs, Cake, David Bowie, Django Reinhardt, Duran Duran, Frank Black, Freezepop, Front 242, Helmet, Information Society, James Brown, John Adams, Loudon Wainwright III, Louis Prima, Michael Penn, The Mills Brothers, Milli Vanilli (shut up), The Minibosses, Morphine, Nine Inch Nails, Paul Simon, Philip Glass, The Pixies, The Police, The Postal Service, Randy Newman, Stevie Ray Vaughan, They Might Be Giants, Tom Waits.

Originally Posted by serweet

What would you say is your favourite intro to a game, be it just music or movie as well?

Almost definitely Grim. But I reserve the right to rapidly backtrack when somebody points out something I'm forgetting.

Originally Posted by fiduch

How hard was it for you to not tell people about these new Monkey Island projects??

Fricking torturous. Especially with the timing of that CMI feature over at Mojo. I don't like to make a habit of lying through my teeth, but... well... ya do what ya gotta do. Lucas' NDAs are more than a little intimidating :-)

Originally Posted by Tjibbbe

I was wondering, when you're in the recording booth, how much of a grasp do you have on what's going on in the story? I know the other voice actors are not in there with you, so how do you handle reading one side of a conversation without really knowing what you're talking about?

The story is rarely a problem, at least with MI, since I know it so well. Even with new material, I still understand the characters and universe and feel and all. Working without other actors, however, can be very, very difficult. There's no question that the best thing by FAR is to have everybody in the same room reading together. But as mentioned elsewhere (Upthread? At Mojo? Can't remember.), that just isn't practical from a dollars and cents standpoint. There's a lot of guesswork involved, and you just have to trust that the actor on the other end of the dialogue can imagine your participation just as well as you can imagine his.

Originally Posted by Tjibbbe

Also, for something completely different, you probably know that Monkey Island has been the most requested franchise for Telltale to get their hands on for the last five years. I wonder, what would you like Telltale to make a game about?

I didn't know that, but I can't say I'm surprised :-) Good question. Which is what I usually say when I can't think of an answer. So. Um. There you go. (sorry!).

Originally Posted by Tau/Tigz

Have you ever been tempted to get some random map, stain it beigey-brown, tear it haphazardly into four pieces and frame it?

I think this is one urge I can safely say I've never experienced.

Originally Posted by Xocrates

Did you at any point suggested or improvised a line that made it through?

Originally Posted by Daigowedd

I think the monkey in my pocket stuff was improv. IIRC.

The tunes, not the lyrics. And that's it. Script's pretty rigid. 'Sides which, the writers are funnier than I am.

Originally Posted by ChazFox

Oh! I guess I do have one question, now that I think about it: What do you think of this series being abbreviated to TMI? Y'know, with TMI already being an acronym for "Too Much Information". :P

It's better than DMY, I suppose.

Originally Posted by Fury

Dominic, have you ever played Psychonauts? Why weren't you voicing in that? Hmm?

Loved Psychonauts. Why wasn't I in it? 'Cause Tim Schafer's a big old bed wetting doody head, that's why. An immensely talented big old bed wetting doody head at whose feet I'd gladly grovel if it would get me cast in one of his games, but a big old bed wetting doody head nonetheless.

[Joe Newberry]

Originally Posted by Dmnkly

Well, traditionally speaking, it's either snippets of your work edited together, or if you haven't done any, you make it up. Here's my character demo. It's old -- I haven't made one since I left L.A. in 2001 -- but I think it holds up mostly okay.

That...is...hilarious.

I thought for a second your old timer net browser guy was going to turn into a Bill Thompson as Droopy/Wallace Wimple impersonation.

[IpFreely]

Ohhh Yeah! Wow! This is like.. Getting the once in a lifetime chance, to insult someone who´s voice you´ve heard a million times in your most favourite game! hmmm... time for some payback! (Rubs hands in evil motion) ... you sound like a girl...! there you go! An insult! muhaahahaha!

I only have one question for you Guybru... Ahem!....Dominic!

Have you ever achually played the MI games yourself or was it just too wierd listening to your own voice all the time, oohhh and if so! Who was your favourite character in the game ?

That was two questions in one.. kinda like when you buy McNuggets and get a human finger with your bag.. its all crunchy but you wish you only got the nuggets!

Regards
Your biggest fan! (seriously im very tall!)

PS. Eat Healthy, dont drink too much and never watch dr. phill! I dont want you dying before you´ve completed the voice acting for MI 6 7 and 8!

[Fury]

3 Questions.

1 - Have YOU preordered Monkey Island 5?

2 - Are you psyched about Brutal Legend also? (not as much as monkey island of course)

3 - If you could be any type of donut, what would it be?

[Secret Fawful]

So, Dominic, what was retirement like for you during your MI draught?

[Fury]

I was looking at IMDB and your digital resume.

I have a question.

Why did I not recognize your voice in Crysis?

[Laserschwert]

Originally Posted by Dmnkly

The story is rarely a problem, at least with MI, since I know it so well. Even with new material, I still understand the characters and universe and feel and all. Working without other actors, however, can be very, very difficult. There's no question that the best thing by FAR is to have everybody in the same room reading together. But as mentioned elsewhere (Upthread? At Mojo? Can't remember.), that just isn't practical from a dollars and cents standpoint. There's a lot of guesswork involved, and you just have to trust that the actor on the other end of the dialogue can imagine your participation just as well as you can imagine his.

As a follow-up to that answer: Regarding VO or dubbing (those two are different, aren't they?) I was always wondering, if any of the already recorded lines are played to the actors in the booth, just to get the reaction just right, OR if maybe the director reads the counter-part... I couldn't make that out from your answer.

[Bruno83]

Hey Dominic!
Is your console still working?
I've only played the german versions of the old games, because back then, I wouldn't have been able to understand anything in the english versions.
(Aaaaand It would have been hard for me to get the english versions)
You've already answered the question about the french voice actor, but have you ever heard the german voice of Guybrush? (Norman Matt)
If so, do you think he does your work any justice?

[hamzie]

1. Guybrush and Elaine .. married.

Too soon? Too late? Shouldnt have happened? yOUR CAWMENTS ? (a.k.a comments)

2. Whose idea was it for you to answer alllllllllllllll these questions

[Vodiara]

Hi Dom, glad to hear your voice, just bought the game. ?
Everything looks great about the game, xept one thing, how you feel about guybrushes new look? Its kinda too different form the classic ones, that the only complaint atm Dont you think so?

[Dmnkly]

Originally Posted by Fury

1 - Have YOU preordered Monkey Island 5?

Nope. Being Guybrush has its perks. (I hope!)

Originally Posted by Fury

2 - Are you psyched about Brutal Legend also?

I'm psyched about anything Tim Schafer does. Including scratching himself.

Originally Posted by Fury

3 - If you could be any type of donut, what would it be?

Hmmm... my favorite growing up was the Chocolate Long John, but that's just creepy coming from a 33 year old, so given my future home, I'll go with my old second-stringer, the Boston Creme.

Actually, that's not much better.

Ah, who am I kidding. I'm filled with jelly.

(Just stop now.)

Originally Posted by Secret Fawful

So, Dominic, what was retirement like for you during your MI draught?

Oh, you know, living life. I did VO in California until 2001, a few games, a few shows, plenty of commercials. Had a recurring role on Rocket Power for a few seasons. Then I decided it was time to come home to Chicago, did some work for the family business, kept up with commercial VO (not much character work in Chicago), got married, had kids... you know the drill. Now I pretty much follow my wife around since she's super smart and squeeze in some VO when I can. Little ones are, predictably, a great drain on time to do much else.

Originally Posted by Fury

Why did I not recognize your voice in Crysis?

Because I was doing my job :-) Actually, I'm glad you didn't notice. That means I did well. But I wasn't any of the lead characters. Just random pilots/marines/scientists, that kind of thing. You never would have heard more than a line or two from me at a time, which might have something to do with it. Plus, a lot of them would have been screaming, and while I'm sure a burly marine loosing a girly Guybrush-like scream while being ripped to shreds by some manner of alien weapon would be amusing to you, I'm quite certain it would be less so to the guys at Crytek. I was mo-capped, though, which is pretty sweet!

Originally Posted by Laserschwert

As a follow-up to that answer: Regarding VO or dubbing (those two are different, aren't they?) I was always wondering, if any of the already recorded lines are played to the actors in the booth, just to get the reaction just right, OR if maybe the director reads the counter-part... I couldn't make that out from your answer.

Ehhh, not so much. You certainly don't have pre-recorded lines fed to you (which wouldn't even be an option if you recorded first), though I'll sometimes ask to hear a quick sample of the other character if he's been recorded already just so I have an idea of what I'm playing against. Of course, context is SUPER important, so whenever it isn't clear exactly what I'm reacting to, I ask. Hopefully whoever's running the session knows. With TMI, I ask for read-in lines whenever possible. Not because I need an actor to play against, but just so I know exactly what I'm responding to. But it isn't like we sit there and read through a script in dialogue fashion.

Originally Posted by Bruno83

Is your console still working?

Working and getting a workout lately! Mass Effect. I'm... uh... a little behind.

Originally Posted by Bruno83

You've already answered the question about the french voice actor, but have you ever heard the german voice of Guybrush?
If so, do you think he does your work any justice?

Can't say because I've never heard it. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever heard any of the localized versions. Or if I have, it was a loooong time ago and I've long forgotten.

Originally Posted by hamzie

1. Guybrush and Elaine .. married.

Too soon? Too late? Shouldnt have happened? yOUR CAWMENTS ? (a.k.a comments)

This is a really tough thing. Of course, Ron has said publicly that he didn't think they should have gotten married, and of course I understand that. Even setting aside his feeling that she saw him as more of a kid brother (though after that scene on the dock, that's a little... um... creepy), it's a resolution of dramatic tension. On the other hand, we've made a bunch of these games now. You have to resolve something along the line, and I think it's less a matter of do they or don't they and more a matter of how it's handled.

Originally Posted by Vodiara

Everything looks great about the game, xept one thing, how you feel about guybrushes new look? Its kinda too different form the classic ones, that the only complaint atm Dont you think so?

I don't, and the reason is that while you need to honor the history, you also need to give the designers some leeway to do their thing. The people working on these games are artists, and if they feel too constricted by canon, that's stifling from a creative standpoint. I mean, nobody wants a musclebound hulk of a burly pirate for Guybrush, but for me, part of the fun is seeing how different design teams approach the MI world. Comic book characters, for example, will go through transitions and updates and such as different writers and artists take over the storyline, and that keeps it dynamic and interesting. I don't see why this should be any different. You'll have your favorites and those you don't like quite as much, but I much prefer that his look not remain static.

Clearly, however, voice is another situation. The voice should always be provided by the same actor. Always. Always. (always.)

If I skipped your question, it's because (I think) it was already answered upthread.

Keep 'em coming!

[Joe Newberry]

Originally Posted by Dmnkly

Clearly, however, voice is another situation. The voice should always be provided by the same actor. Always. Always. (always.)

And you think the writers are funnier than you? You clearly don't know your own comedic strength.

[ZombieAtPlay]

In Rocket Power you didn't actually say any words, you just kinda mumbled. Was that easier or harder as an actor?

(look at that, a proper question from me! Is that a sign of the apocolypse?)

[hamzie]

Are you going to make your kids play the whole MI series + Tales of MI

Has your wife played the whole series

[slayer777]

It is comforting to see that the voice of Guybrush Threepwood, Might Pirate!, is in professional and capable hands. I have to ask you a question Dominic: What other acting or voice acting jobs did you do outside of the Monkey Island games?

John McCluskey from Montreal, QC

[Cohen]

Which Guybrush design is your favourite?

Originally Posted by Dmnkly

Tossup between MI2:LCR and CMI. I'm leaning MI2. The coat fricking rocks.

But it's a girlie coat... Amanda in "Jack Keane" wears the same outfit

[bizarro]

Hey Dom, im (as all the guys here) a big fan of MI and i did my preorder also. Im living in ARGENTINA (indeed its a country way down in the south). Can u send me and my bro (Sebius) a greeting? (it looks like Guybrush is talking to us... just in our imagination, but). Regards, keep up the good work and see u in the remake of the Monkey II !!!