Darren Dunstan Interview (4Kids)

By David Rasmussen
23rd Oct 05

Rasmussen - Good day, could you please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us what you do?

Mr. Dunstan - Hi there. I’m Darren Dunstan and I play Splinter on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on 4Kids TV. I also voice direct the additional additions/changes made to the episodes once they’ve been animated.

Rasmussen - Tell us a bit about your work on the TMNT series. What's a day in your life like working on that series?

Mr. Dunstan - We generally record one new episode a week as well as making changes/additions to another episode once it’s been animated. The actors playing the turtles record together in one session and then additional characters record their lines separately. Splinter’s lines might take 1-2 hours a week. The directing of episodes once they’ve been animated involves bringing in each actor one by one, showing them the material that is being added/changed and recording those additions/changes.

Rasmussen - When you speak of additions and changes you make to the episodes, what does that entail? Also what goes into deciding which additions or changes are made to a particular episode?

Mr. Dunstan - A number of people (producers, production assistants, director) watch the episode once it’s been animated to decide what needs to be added, re-written or re-done. Lines are often re-written to add more clarity to the plot or to punch up the humour. Most of the fight sequence reacts are added after animation (grunts, strike reacts, etc). Lastly, actors are asked to re-read various lines for clarity, re-emphasis…stuff like that!

Rasmussen - What is the general rule of thumb when it comes to deciding on how to make changes to an episode? And what kind of content in an episode would be considered too strong for TV (i.e., meaning the entire episode would have to scrapped altogether or put into a "uncut" release of uncensored episodes)?

Mr. Dunstan - Changes are made to make the episodes more action-packed, more humourous and more dramatic. The whole TMNT team (including the creators) really want to make a great product that’s entertaining to viewers and consistent with the TMNT comics. No TMNT episode has been scrapped due to censorship. Other 4Kids shows have been revised for various reasons. Often U.S. censors are more strict than in other countries when it comes to violence and adult content.

Rasmussen - How did you first become involved in the series?

Mr. Dunstan -There were casting sessions being held for the new series and I was brought in to audition. I was already working on other shows on 4Kids TV and got a chance to read for numerous roles on TMNT. I was cast as Splinter and soon after began directing for the show.

Rasmussen - Are you familiar with any of the previous incarnations of the TMNT series, including the original Eastman/Laird b/w comic? What is your impression of these works?

Mr. Dunstan - I haven’t seen much of the 90’s Turtles series although I remember how popular the show and its characters were. I watched the first live-action movie before my audition to get a feel for the characters.

Rasmussen - You do the voice acting for Splinter in the series, right? How does that work out?

Mr. Dunstan - The initial recording sessions are run by another director which is very helpful.
I direct myself after the animation is complete, tweaking Splinter’s lines and adding lines or reacts where necessary. I think I’m probably my own worst critic so I definitely scrutinize my performance a lot.

Rasmussen - A typical day's work as a voice actor, how does that work out? And which is easier? Working as a director or as a voice actor?

Mr. Dunstan - A voice actor often has numerous sessions in one day. I may have a “Winx Club” session, then have a “TMNT” session and finish with “One Piece”. It’s a lot of fun creating new voices and going from show to show, each with a different character. Directing is much more of a full-time job as it involves very full days of coaching many actors. It’s as creative as acting but is a bigger responsibility.

Rasmussen - How odd. I’m presently reviewing Winx Club for 4Kids. What role do you play in Winx Club, and what is your thought on the series (and its chief rival, W.I.T.C.H. from Disney)?

Mr. Dunstan - I play small parts on Winx, filling in various scenes. I think the show is really great…fun animation and a sleek show, especially for female viewers. I haven’t seen “W.I.T.C.H.”, but boy that title isn’t easy to type!

Rasmussen - Did you reference any of the previous actors (voiceover and otherwise) who played Splinter in the past when you approached the job? How did you get into the "mood" to do that particular voice?

Mr. Dunstan - Yes, I started by listening to the Splinter voice in the live-action movie.
It gave me a good understanding of the accent and voice quality needed. His role also reminded me of Mr. Miyagi in The Karate Kid, so I definitely had him in my mind as well. It’s always a cool challenge to figure out how a character can be expressive and humourous while at the same time keeping the voice quality consistent. I think that’s an on-going challenge!

Rasmussen - Besides TMNT is there any other series you are working on as either a director or voice actor that you can tell us about?

Mr. Dunstan - I direct Pokémon the animated series and do some voices on that show. I work on Yu-Gi-Oh! (Pegasus), Sonic (Bocoe, Mr. Tanaka) and do occasional work on One Piece and Winx Club.

Rasmussen - Any Anime series you particularly liked working on?

Mr. Dunstan - We had a show a few seasons ago, “Fighting Foodons” that I thought was really promising. There were various reasons it didn’t continue, but it was such a fun concept that kids could relate to. Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon continue to be really high-quality shows. I’m proud of them.

Rasmussen - You direct the Poke’mon series? How does that work? Also what voices do you do for the series (if I may ask)?

Mr. Dunstan - Episodes are sent from Japan, translated and re-written. I record each actor one at a time, review the episode, record various fixes and then the episode is mixed and shipped to the network. The actors on the show have been doing their roles for years now…they’re all extremely good at their work and we have a great time together. I play a bunch of Pokemon…Loudred, Grovyle, Swellow, Blaziken, etc.

Rasmussen - How is the Poke’mon fanbase going ever since Misty left the series? Has anyone been writing e-mails asking to bring her back? (I don’t know what fans thought of it, but I think the series stopped being interesting once long time character Misty left the series and was replaced by the new girl “May“.)

Mr. Dunstan - I think the show is just as interesting now as ever. I don’t really check fan sites to see the reactions of the viewer, I usually just concentrate on making the show as good as I can make it.
I think ‘May’, the new female character is a great role model for girls. She competes in Pokemon contests, showing that girls can be assertive and that they can set and achieve goals.

Rasmussen - Regarding Poke’mon, have you ever felt that the series has overextended? That it has pretty much went as far as it could go and there isn’t anywhere else to explore? Has the series run out of ideas? If not then what is keeping the series going in your opinion (in both storytelling and fanbase attraction)?

Mr. Dunstan - I think the characters have heart. Ash is still an appealing role model for kids and his relationship with his friends is something a young audience can relate to in their own lives. I think people who are a little older look down on Pokemon as ‘uncool’, when really they used to love the show for its tales of adventure and friendship. It’s interesting…I’ve worked on the show for 3 years now and it still feels fresh to me. The Team Rocket humour is still fun and the newer characters, May and Max have added a new dynamic. So many kids watch the show every week…we must be doing something right!

Rasmussen - Have you done any work on the Poke’mon movie franchise? If so do you think it’ll last any longer? In consideration that the stories seem to degrade and each movie becomes weaker and weaker in terms of it’s story and overall plot content can the movies last much longer?

Mr. Dunstan - I disagree with you that the movies are in a slow decline. I think the last two movies were very well done and that they took the Pokemon stories in a new direction. As long as kids want to keep watching the movies (which they seem to!) we enjoy producing them!

Rasmussen - As you may, or may not know, the TMNT video game franchise is in rather rocky waters, with a batch of very bad games lately it is in need of a serious overall. Hypothetically let's say you were approached to bring a revitalization to the series (similar to the way Resident Evil 4 revitalized the entire Resident Evil franchise for CAPCOM). How would you remake the series if you had the chance, in order to return it to a more successful footing in the gaming industry?

Mr. Dunstan - I’m not a good person to ask, honestly! I’m not a big game player and am sorta out of touch with what kids/adults want out of a videogame. I know the TMNT games we’ve been involved in have been well acted and produced…as for whether they’re what the public wants, well, I don’t know!

Rasmussen - Are you interested in Japanese Anime and/or Manga? If so what are you into right now?

Mr. Dunstan - You’re not gonna like this, but…I don’t really watch or read anime. Yikes!
Sorry! I can appreciate it artistically but there are so many other films/books that interest me more.

Rasmussen - Can you tell us a bit about the films and books that interest you? What kind of genres do you find fascinating in either films or books (and why)?

Mr. Dunstan - I love movies…anything with good acting. I especially like films that toe the line between mainstream and art house. Mainstream films can be too fluffy and art house can sometimes be flaky and pretentious. I read a fair bit…a variety of things…fiction, non-fiction, magazines! My favourite author is Michael Ondaatje.

Rasmussen - Are there any ideal jobs you'd like to tackle as a voice actor? Any series or franchises out there (in either animation/anime or video game voice acting) that you would like to give a shot as a voice actor?

Mr. Dunstan - I definitely like the comedic moments in voice acting. It’s a cool challenge to create humourous moments. Voice recording allows you multiple takes to get things just right. Don’t get me wrong, I like the action-based cartoons but the funny moments of an episode are always the highlight to me as an actor, director and audience member.

Rasmussen - The new Fall episode lineup is coming. Without saying too much can you tell us what we can expect from 4Kids for the 2005/2006 season in terms of new and returning animated series?

Mr. Dunstan - The new block of shows has been announced and it seems like a really cool line-up of girl-friendly and boy-friendly programming. Some shows are returning…Winx, Sonic, TMNT and some new ones are getting started up. The new GI Joe series looks awesome. It has a great cast and a really fresh look. Exciting!

Rasmussen - Any final words for our readers?

Mr. Dunstan - Thanks for watching TMNT! The upcoming seasons are looking amazing…lots of action and humour. The designs I’ve seen are awesome and the show is really going to places it’s never been before. Thanks again!

-- David Rasmussen 23rd Oct 05