Raz's Adventure!

I was part of Team Blawesome AKA the Feaginites, and did the super sweet Raz the saber tooth kitten ice jumping video game. I’ll be honest, when I heard that we would be required to do a group art project, I was not excited. Most people are surprised to find out that I, despite all public appearances and performances, I’m actually extremely shy when it comes to dealing with people one on one. I still think that anyone that enjoys jumping into the skin of other human beings probably isn’t the most comfortable or secure person. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy collaboration, but I enjoy it with people I know and trust. I need to be able to trust the people I’m working with, especially a director, because I find acting to be very intimate, at least in my work. Whenever I work with a new director it takes me awhile to sort of allow myself to sink in. I always end up surprising directors as they can’t understand someone who is so out going in the audition process, and then is a mouse for the first few days of rehearsal. However, working with David, Brian, and Katherine was a very satisfying experience. I think being in the theatre it is easy to forget the outside art world. When we first starting talking about what we would to make and the idea of video game came out, I was a little worried. Because, there are few things I know less about than video games. Except for cars. I know absolutely nothing about the magic of the automobile. Anyway, my ignorance for gaming is not for any pretentious reasons, I just get bored and I’m horrible at them. I very dislike being bad at things. When we first starting working together I was surprised how random we all seemed to be. The section of the power point that detailed out brain storming conversations—wasn’t a joke; we definitely discussed all those things in detail. I do however wish that we would have had more time to work on it, as my main contribution the actual voice over, as it was planned to be, didn’t get to happen. We just didn't have time.In researching voice over work I was very struck with the connections I found there to be with mask work.

The voice over actors are able to create in complete freedom. Much like constructing a character from thin air.
I did however, help out in the thought process and I did a lot of research on my own in the voice over area and I did work out everything I would have done. I kept Raz's ever changing image on my wall and began working on his voice. It sounded like my little brother used to, when he was 11, and if he were British. I have no idea why that emerged. But it did!



I’m not sure without all of us in this group if we would have come up with the game we did. I now have massive respect for game design and graphic designers, what David and Katherine did was really incredible in making all our crazy ideas become a tangible ice jumping creature, and Brian for fleshing out the story.

Because I sadly was unable to do the voice for Raz I thought I would include the completed character work I did for my voice over class.

The Script:

First think of the person who lives in disguise,
Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies,
Next tell me what's always the last thing to mend,
The middle of middle and end of the end?
And finally give me the sound often heard,
During the search for a hard-to-find word.
Now string them together, and answer me this,
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?





This is my favorite Harry Potter creature!
Character Voice Worksheet
Name: I have many names, but I prefer to be called Shesmetet Isis. Shesmetet is after the female lion deity of war and Isis for the deity of purity.
Source: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Age: Age does not apply to me. I am as old as the world.
Height: 6’2. But I’m over 12 feet on my hind legs.
Body Type: Very muscular. But it’s Lean muscle like a dancer.
Appearance: Half lioness, half gorgeous woman. I have the full body of a lion but I have a female face and neck. My mane is a mixture of Blond human hair and a lion’s mane. My tail works as an extension of my limbs. It’s part of my allure. Very intense dark green eyes that fix on to my prey. Unrelenting.
Energy: Menacing. As if at any moment I could leap and attack you. We are very violent creatures. Hence, why I was put in the maze.
Placement: Vertical: Very, very low. Almost like a continuous growl. I’m a lion not a kitty! From the chest.
Quality: A little gravel. But not for a old affect. More of a growl affect.
Horizontal: Growls that resonate from the center.
Pitch characteristics: Centered in that the pitch doesn’t change from the low register.
Vocal dynamics: Tempo/ Rate: slow, contrived. Always hunting.
Rhythm /Inflection: A little sing song, it is a riddle after all. Melodic. But it is also governed by my interest in my potential prey…Almost as if I am casting a spell on them. Stun them. So I can eat them.
Attitude/ tone: Badass. Powerful. When I’m around everyone takes notice. Or else.
Emotion: Excited. I am probably going to eat you. There’s no way this Harry Potter knows the answer to the riddle.
Volume: I don’t need to yell to make a statement. Everyone listens. My volume may get louder as I get closer…
Physicalization: Stance: Hunched over, ready to pounce.
Walk: Sly, fixing on to a target. Speed varies. Feline like obviously.
Laugh: More of a hungry growl. Only comes out when I am pleased.
Body: Strong. Very strong. Dangerously strong.
Hands/Arms: I have paws. I like to extend my claws as I get excited.
Mouth Work: Bottom Lip pulled down, like an eternal growl.
Dialect/ Accent/impediment: Sucking air in, in order to create a quiet growl before I begin a new part of the riddle.
Color: Maroon. Sound: Cello. Haunting but fierce.