Check out our interview with one of the most sought-after voiceover artists in Hollywood the talented Alicyn Packard.
Starting with her first series for Cartoon Network where she voiced 3 series regular characters on The Mr. Men Show, she went on to voice characters on such shows as The Tom and Jerry Show, Yokai Watch, Rugrats, Space Racers, and Man with a Plan just to name a few. Branching into the Video Game Genre, Alicyn’s talent can be heard as Chef Tulio in the award-winning Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, Minnie Ambrose in Outer Worlds: Peril on Gorgon and TIE Fighter Pilot in Star Wars: Squadrons. Upcoming projects include Transformers: Beyond Reality, a new VR game for PlayStation and PC and the Neon White video game by Annapurna.
As a writer, this multi-hyphenate artist is a member of the WGA Animation Caucus and has written for such shows as Barbie: Dreamtopia and Poppy Cat. She hosts and produces a weekly interview show and podcast entitled Alicyn’s Wonderland in which she interviews some of the biggest talents working in animation and games. Alicyn’s talents have not gone unnoticed in the industry which has nominated her for three Voice Arts Awards for excellence in voiceover, and a BTVA Award for Best Female Lead Vocal Performance.
Follow Alicyn on IG @alicyn & TikTok @alicynpackard
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Creative, contemplative, offensively good looking (what… is that more than three?)
How did you get started into acting?
I’ve wanted to be an actor since I was 6 years old and started badgering my family to put me in every musical I could find. Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts there weren’t a lot of professional opportunities, so I was a stage kid with no outlet. I would coerce the neighborhood kids to be in my ragtag backyard plays, I walked around at the mall talking in phoney accents, and I even convinced my mother to let me enter a beauty pageant. (Spoiler Alert: Years of therapy ahead from that experience). But I was always just driven to create, perform and entertain. Much to the chagrin of my teachers, I’m sure.
How has this changed your life?
My path led me from Boston to Los Angeles to pursue a career with no clear roadmap and no guarantee of success. So I guess you could say it changed everything! There was a time when I thought I would pursue Broadcast Journalism and get behind enemy lines to get the truth of the story, but someone told me journalists usually wake up at 4am, so that was a hard pass. But I persevered and I guess eventually they just had to give me some jobs to make me go away.
What is the best and worst part of being one of the most sought-after voiceover artists in Hollywood?
Oh, hey there! Are you *Flirting* with me?! Ok, the best part is getting to work with some of the amazing directors, writers, producers, animators and other collaborators I’ve been lucky enough to work with. Honestly, it’s such an amazing career and I feel downright giddy just thinking about making magic. The worst? Everyone thinks I record in my pajamas! Hello, I NEVER record in my pajamas! I record in my bathrobe, duh.
How do you prepare for a voiceover project?
Honestly, this depends on the project. Some characters come out really fully formed and it’s just about taking those characters into the world and the scene and making them come alive. Other roles might need more time. I try to physicalize my character, and figure out what makes them tick. I try to see what they see around them and think what thoughts they have, what they love, how they feel about different things in the scene and in their life. I basically activate the parts of myself that resonate with this character. Sometimes I record and audition and let it sit and then come back to it later to see if it rings true. Sometimes I improvise my way through a scene. My method really depends on how I”m feeling at the moment.
Tell us about the experience of working in popular shows and cartoons like “The Mr. Men Show,” “The Tom and Jerry Show,” “Rugrats” and “Man with a Plan?”
The actual recording process is usually the best part of my job. All of these projects you mentioned are comedies, so we do our best to crack up whoever happens to be in the room, whether that’s the writers, directors and producers or just someone’s mom that’s stopping by. It’s a very fun process! Man with a Plan was recorded on set and not in a recording studio, so that was very different. I was just off stage with a microphone and reading my lines with the other sitcom actors. That was a blast!
And about the Transformers: Beyond Reality VR game for PlayStation?
It’s amazing to be joining the Transformers Universe. It’s a brand that’s been around forever and it happens to be coming out at a time when my son is super into Transformers. So when I play Transformers with him, I get to use the actual voice from the game, and then I have my agent send him a bill.
How different is it to work on a movie, series, cartoon or a video game? And if you have a different preparation for each.
The genre of the project does affect the work. Doing a movie might require going to set, a series might require being in a recording studio. There are many different ways that projects shake down. The main similarities are the sound booth, recording engineer and director. The main difference is the snacks. The Craft Services at my home studio are severely lacking. I thought about firing my husband, but we don’t really have the budget for that.
What other projects have you been part of?
I got to voice a character called Chris for It’s Pony on Nickelodeon. She has real anger management issues so she was super fun to play. She’s also the sister of Brian, who’s played by Bobby Moynihan, so I was inspired by some of his amazing character work on SNL to go big for Chris. I love how she turned out.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I’d love to be a character on the Simpsons. It’s such a funny and iconic show it would be a dream come true. I’d also love to be a new big, bad powerful evil villain for a game. I’d love to bring that larger than life energy to the world.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Definitely interacting with fans! I love going to conventions and getting to see how my work has impacted people. To have people come up and have me sign different toys and items they’ve collected is the best. I love it.
What’s your advice for the newer voiceover actors?
Take the little wins and celebrate them. Whatever it takes to keep going and build momentum, do that. It’s those thousand little steps that build your path. Don’t worry about doing it perfectly, just stay in motion and keep moving.
What would you say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Umm… did I mention the snacks? TRY ALL THE SNACKS! Snacks are delicious! Also, treat everyone with the respect you would want to be treated with. Kindness goes a long way in this business.
How would your best friend describe you?
Did I mention offensively good looking? Oh, I did? Well then I guess they’d say incredibly humble.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
Sass and Class in a Glass, because rhymes are fun.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
As a performer, I would have really loved to have worked in casting. Seeing it from that side must be so eye opening. When I first started I took things too personally and once you understand how decisions are made, you see it’s not personal at all.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
The 5am Club by Robin Scharma This book changed my life! Sure, I scoffed at 4am, but 5am? Let’s do this!
What’s next for Alicyn Packard in 2022?
I’m really excited to be starring in the upcoming game by Annapurna Interactive, Neon White. The character I’m playing in Neon Red and she’s one of my favorite roles of all time. I hope the fans resonate with the game and storyline and I’m really excited to see it out in the world.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Huge chopped salads with lots of ingredients!
And your favorite cheat food?
Pizza everything.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Being able to fully access the joy and gratitude of everyday life with those you love.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Oprah! She is such a light of positivity in the world and has worked so tirelessly on her self growth. I’d love to have dinner with Oprah, I would just listen to everything she had to say with rapt attention.
Best advice ever given?
Don’t quit your daydream. As a performer there can be a big gap between the work you want to do and the work you’re capable of, especially when you’re getting started. Keep fueling your dreams with inspiring stories and people and over time that gap will lessen.
Do you support any charity?
I work with an organization called Rise Up Animation which is dedicated to increasing diverse talent in the animation industry by providing BIPOC with industry advice, portfolio feedback, resume feedback and the tools needed to turn their dreams into a reality.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I hope to continue to bring life to amazing characters that uplift and entertain. I hope to create content that inspires and continues to further the depth of human knowledge through positivity, connection and kindness.
Favorite song? Why?
Anything by Robyn. That woman speaks to my soul.
What do you think of Social Media?
Social Media is a tool for communication, but like any tool you don’t want to use a hammer to wash your face.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram: @alicyn
TikTok: @alicynpackard
Twitter: @alicyn
Facebook: @alicynpackardartist
Photo Credit: Robyn Von Swank (the colorful shirt) / Suzanne Strong (retro pic)
