Synopsis - Mr Sobolov is renounced for taking on the cyborg cop in the cartoon series of Robocop! His resume includes voicing for Spider-man Unlimited as the character Lord Tyger. David has been in a few films and voiced for some major computer games. He worked along side Melissa Joan Hart and Bob Bergen whilst voicing for his favorite character "Spookie Jar", in Sabrina : The animated series! Please read the interview and visit his site for further updates.

Question – Did you initially want to become an actor? What inspired you to become a voice artist?

Sobolov - I’d always wanted to act, but there wasn’t much opportunity during the time I was growing up in Windsor in Ontario, Canada… I started out as a French horn player. I performed professionally in small ensembles and pit orchestras early on. Just as I was building that ‘life’ I was accepted into the Neighborhood Playhouse acting school in New York where I was fortunate have the opportunity to study with the legendary Sandford Meisner.

Question – What other ambitions did you have as a child? What were you doing before acting?

Sobolov - I made my living as a stage actor for a while… appeared in around 30 plays and musicals. Over time I began working more as a singer than an actor and I started performing with a cappella quartets, and singing in cabaret shows. Around 1995 I finally listened to all those people who’d been telling me I should ‘get into voiceovers’ and started auditioning (and booking) projects.

Question - There is mention you did professional theatre and music gigs? Where did you study?

Sobolov - I rely on my music and acting background a lot in my work. Voice acting IS acting… often more difficult than on-camera or stage work because all you have is your voice to work with. I’ve seen seasoned tv actors freak out in their first animation session saying “I didn’t know it was going to be this hard.” And if you think animation work is challenging, voice work for games is about twice as difficult. They want theatrical film level realism now for those battle scenes! In games, or animation, our job is always to make the audience ‘believe’ the particular reality we’re creating.

Question - What qualifications did you need to become a voice actor?

Sobolov - I think there are many ways to get to the point where you’re ‘qualified’ for this job… acting or improv training can be very useful. It’s all about acting – staying in the moment – and finding a musicality to a character for me. Each character has its own tempo and it’s own unique way of looking at the world. Some people have a great stable of characters they prepare in advance. For me it works best if I try to craft a new one to suit the part before the audition based on the information they give me to work with… but in the audition (or on the first day we record) part of this job is being prepared to totally throw out your pre-conceptions of what you think the character is if the direction takes you in another direction… and in reaction to what the others are doing if you’re lucky enough to have them in the room. That’s where improv skills come in, for sure.

Question – One of your first movie appearances was in “Unforgetable” what was it like to co-star along side Ray Liotta, Linda Fiorentino and Kim Cattrall? I’m aware you only had one line but did you get to meet any of these actors?

Sobolov - Thanks, but I wouldn’t elevate my teeny appearance in that film by calling it a ‘co-starring’ role. :) I met Ray Liotta and Linda Fiorentino briefly during the two days I was on set. Ray Liotta is VERY concerned with his craft while he’s filming. He and John Dahl spent almost an hour trying to decide how my line was going to be worked into the scene… then most of what we shot was cut from the film - that’s showbiz! Linda was talking a lot about basketball the day I met her… very lively on the set. Ray was all business and seemed to keep mostly to himself when I was there.

Question – What was the director John Dahl like to work with? What is he like as a person?

Sobolov - Since I only had the one line, we had almost no contact… I think by the time we got to the moment I spoke we were running late and he just wanted to shoot!

Question – What is like to portray super cyborg Robocop? I’ve read you were proud that this character was so many bad puns to say? What else does he now say then?

Sobolov - Puns and me go way back. I thought the writing on that show was hilarious… too bad so few people got to see it. I think Robocop was the last project ever produced by MGM Animation. Sigh.

Question – Spookie Jar, is the character you play in “Sabrina The Animated Series” how do you find your role? What is it like to co-star with Mellisa Joan Hart and Bob Bergen?

Sobolov - Spookie was a lot of fun. You might be surprised to learn that the basis for that particular character was the Agnes Moorehead incanting spells on Betwitched! I’ve met both Melissa and Bob socially, but they recorded their parts in Los Angeles, and I recorded mine in Vancouver… we never actually met while the series was in production. Whenever possible, animated shows are recorded like old radio plays with the entire cast in the same room together. Sometimes, though, we have to have entire conversations with people who aren’t there and just imagine their responses.

Question – How did you decide to portray Lord Tyger for the TV series Spider-Man Unlimited? What is it like to be a part of the Spiderman tales? Lord Tyger sounds a lot like the comic hero Black Panther. If Lord Tyger were to star in one of the Spider-man movies would you rise up to the challenge of voicing for him?

Sobolov - Lord Tyger was regal and proud, but secretly sympathetic to Spiderman which gave him some interesting moments. I was very happy to have the opportunity to play a small part in the long history of the Spiderman franchise. Of course I’d be happy to revive the role if ever asked.

Question – What would you like to pursue other than cartoon related projects?

Sobolov - Music will always be a part of my life… I’d like to get back to singing again. I’ve also written lyrics professionally – that’s definitely an area I’d like to pursue in the next few years along with the voice acting. Lately I’ve been producing animation demos for actors getting started in the business – that will certainly continue. I’d also like to direct voice actors in animated shows and games someday.

Question – Would you ever consider voicing for radio or becoming some sort of tour guide for Universal or Disney?

Sobolov - Might be a hoot to do a morning radio show… I’d definitely enjoy doing more radio drama. I often do work as a tour guide at Universal and Disney… when friends and relatives come to town and want to spend a day at either one of their L.A. theme parks!! :)

Question - What were you favorite cartoons growing up? You are a big Warner Bros fan?

Sobolov - When I was a kid I loved watching the old Bugs Bunny and Looney Toons gang… stuff from the 40’s and 50’s especially.

Question – To get the correct tone is the use of body language essential? What kind of voice did Depth Charge have and what research did you undertake for the role?

Sobolov - There was a lot of Clint Eastwood in that character… that was my research. The character was ‘built’ in layers in collaboration with the producers during the audition process. And yes, body language often plays a part. I never sit when I perform behind a microphone. As long as I take care of the technical parts of working with the equipment (staying within the ‘pattern’ of the mic – not popping my ‘p’s’ etc.) I often find voice acting to be a full body experience.

Question – How do you psyche yourself up to perform a character? Surely there must be days when you just can’t be asked?

Sobolov - That’s part of being a professional…. making sure I never ‘phone in’ a performance no matter what’s going on in the real world. It’s my job to give 110% every time.

Question – Have you ever considered voicing for anime movies?

Sobolov - If I were offered work in an anime movie I’d consider it for sure. Years ago I did quite a lot of anime for Viz Video though not much of it is listed on my resume these days. 

Question – What advice can you give to someone who is really serious about acting and performing as a voice artist? What should come first in terms of experience, what do directors and producers look for first?

Sobolov - Casting directors listen for consistency, acting ability, an unusual or particularly strong characterization. They look for enthusiasm for the project, and an ability to have some fun but still get the job done. I recommend acting classes, improv classes, and finding a very good producer to create a great demo… many agents and casting directors won’t even give you a first meeting without one.

Question – In the event of a sore throat what usually happens to keep the show running smoothly?

Sobolov - That’s when it becomes very technical… and very holistic. My ‘thing’ is Ricola throat drops and lots and lots of water. If I’m sore, I just pace myself. Luckily I’ve never had to stop or cancel a session because of a sore throat. It’s amazing how the adrenaline kicks in sometimes to clear up a stuffed nose or sore throat when its time to work!

Question - How vital is it to have a good demo tape? How did you get yours done?

Sobolov - It’s beyond vital, especially for someone just starting out in the biz. I edited together my own demo using selected moments from shows I’ve appeared in over the past few years. Of course, when you’re starting out, you have to create your own moments from scratch.  Best to use ‘real’ animation copy if you have access to some. As I mentioned earlier, I produce demos for others. Please see the demo production link on my web site - sobolov.com - for a longer discussion about demos and my take on how they should be done.

Question – You have done some computer game work, how different is it to voice over work for cartoons? Will you be involved in anymore computer games coming out soon?

Sobolov - It’s like doing animation kicked up a notch to the level of a full-blown live feature. They want it painfully real (especially in the war games), they ask you to put yourself in extreme situations that change every couple of pages (during my last game session they asked me to die… about 15 different ways… in a French accent – can you imagine???)… AND you usually have to do it all in only a two hour session with no rehearsal! It’s a very exciting challenge. I actually have to bring a towel to game sessions… it’s the most intense workout in the business!

Question – What are the upcoming projects you are working on right now? What has been set aside for next year? There was mention of a CGI flick in the works? In your last e-mail you spoke of a major project?

Sobolov - I just completed work on a well-known character from a famous series of comic books the producers don’t want me talking about yet - sigh. Please visit my web site in a few weeks for all the exciting details on that and other projects I’ll be involved in as soon as they become ‘public.’

Question – You collect your action figures of all the characters you have ever portrayed on a shelf above your pinball machine? Which figures do you have? What is the theme of your 1950’s pinball machine?

Sobolov - Alas, I no longer have my old pinball machine (it was called “Dealer”), but yes, I do have a nice collection of action figures based on characters I’ve played around my place. Only three of my characters have been made into toys so far (another one is coming up based on that project I’m not supposed to talk about mentioned above)… Depthcharge, Robocop, and Lord Matrix (from a 1996 show called “Vortech”). Why they didn’t make a toy out of Spookie Jar I’ll never know – that would have been a fun one!