Is Scott McNeil becoming a bit under-used?

[Pokejedservo]

Okay you might be asking HOW can this known VA be POSSIBLY under-used? And this is by all means a fair question after all a few years back he has had plenty of prominent lead/side roles to do.

However nowadays he only has a few solid roles such as Piccolo and Majin Buu on the "Westwood" dub of DBZ, along with Beastman, Stratos and a few others on He-Man. (And of course Wolverine on X-Men EVO.) However the roles he gets for the most part are generally rather small, such as those whom are only on certain episodes (such as Inu-Yasha's Koga and Hamtaro's Mr. Yoshi) and many of those are only small bit roles.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but is this situation different when it comes to the dubs he is in that are on DVD only? (I generally don't get to see anime thats not on TV very often.) Is he used more frequently there or no? Now don't get me wrong but I do not REPEAT do not have anything against the other Ocean Group VA's at all!

However forgive me if this rant seems highly unnescessary but while some compare him to the likes of Steven Jay "David Lucas" Plum when it comes to exposure. But to be honest I think he is becoming a bit under-used IMO. Now I know there are good VA's whom are a LOT less used then him. (Such as Robert "Gene Starwind/Beck" Wicks for example.) Does anyone else feel the same or no?

Pokejedservo

[DianaGohan]

Scott McNeil underused? Not really. He still has some good roles, and will have them in the future. Ocean probably is preparing a new role for him now in fact in one of their upcoming acquired animes/cartoons.

[Pokejedservo]

Scott McNeil underused? Not really. He still has some good roles, and will have them in the future. Ocean probably is preparing a new role for him now in fact in one of their upcoming acquired animes/cartoons.

I guess I was just being a bit too worried, its just that when it comes to Anime dubs its been a while since the last time I've seen him in a role that is generally more than a few episodes. I'm not saying that smaller roles are necessarily "bad" I just find it kinda unfortunate that this is all what he seems to be doing nowadays while most of the other known Ocean Group VA's seem to be still getting plenty of good stuff. (Such as David Kaye, Paul Dobson, etc.) And since I've seen some people act like he is no different compared to Steven Jay "David Lucas" Plum (Spike Spiegel/Roger Smith/Makoto Shishio) when it comes to exposure. (Don't get me wrong I whole heartedly agree that ol' SJP is a truly great actor but still.) And I was also worried that while other known Ocean Group VA's still get prominent roles more frequently he seems to be getting less.

But you do have a very solid point on how this could be just a temporary thing DG, this probably is just temporary.

Pokejedservo

(P.S: And besides right now Scott McNeil looks like he is in a hopefully temporary slump. Ocean Ocean Group VA's have gone worse such as the known Saffron Henderson for example, I mean the only role above occasional side is Hamtaro himself. And even in small side roles she is only getting very little such as Sota from Inu-Yasha and was on X-Men Evolution only about once or twice. I know she had a baby very recently and all so she has her reasons but I still do think its unfortunate nevertheless.)

[Dr Kain]

I think McNeil is the Frank Welker of today.

Here is something I find funny, I've been watching Highlander on dvd, and it is like a Beast Wars reunion. McNeil, Venus Terzo, Gary Chalk, and others have made at least one appearance.

[Pokejedservo]

I think McNeil is the Frank Welker of today.

Here is something I find funny, I've been watching Highlander on dvd, and it is like a Beast Wars reunion. McNeil, Venus Terzo, Gary Chalk, and others have made at least one appearance.

McNeil is very much the Frank Welker of today, this might seem a bit TOO much for some people. But I think that he'll continue on with Welker's legacy when Frank Welker dies like how Frank Welker did with the late great Mel Blanc when he died. (Of course thats my opinion.)

And personally I'd LOVE to see Scott McNeil and Frank Welker on the same cast list of any hopefully good North American Animated show and/o anime dub. (AND its actually not impossible, since companies are starting to use Voicebox Productions which is a VA studio in Vancouver Canada that uses American AND Canadian VA talent. Even though the VA talent in the Canadian animated shows that use VP do have a decent variety of talent, the anime dubs generally use Ocean Group VA's only. HOWEVER the people at VP did say that if a dub company wanted to they COULD use other talented VA's alongside WITH Ocean Group on anime dubs they just haven't yet. Though fortunately there are some dub companies whom MIGHT want to use VP's casting capabilities in the future such as Ganeon/Pionner and the like.)

And as for Highlander yeah I noticed that too (however so far I've only noticed McNeil but I might see the other ones you've mentioned). And yeah Ocean Group VA's do have a occasional habit of appearing in bit roles of certain live action movies and TV shows in the past.

Pokejedservo

[Wanted]

I think you, Pokejedservo, mean "Stephen Jay Blum." Don't forget the "B." His most notable role is the role of TOM on Toonami.

[Pokejedservo]

I think you, Pokejedservo, mean "Stephen Jay Blum." Don't forget the "B." His most notable role is the role of TOM on Toonami.

I dunno why I do keep forgetting that, and yes he was by all means a very intresting TOM. (I wonder if thats HIS opinions while he reviews the games during Toonami as TOM.)

Pokejedservo

[Obi]

Well, Scott was Jetfire on Transformers: Armada, so he'll probably return for that role in Energon.

[Pokejedservo]

That is true indeed...

[Animelee]

Thought Jetfire only had a few lines per episode...

Here's hoping Jetfire, now Skyfire, will have a bigger roll in Energon.

[Dr Kain]

And as for Highlander yeah I noticed that too (however so far I've only noticed McNeil but I might see the other ones you've mentioned). And yeah Ocean Group VA's do have a occasional habit of appearing in bit roles of certain live action movies and TV shows in the past.

Pokejedservo

Gary Chalk was in episode 4 os Season 1, where the hick-ville county wanted to kill the crazy guy because he was framed for cutting off Duncan's friend's head. The sheriff was the villian. Chalk played the one dude in the restaraunt that got into a fight with Duncan.

Venus Terzo played the Duchess in one of Season 4's eps. I think it was the one with the Immortal Cimmoli.

Scott McNeil was both Robert Macleoud from Season 4's premier, and played Dennis in ep 9 of Season 1. That was the episode with the Russian dude, and Dennis got shot towards the beginning.

[Sheamon]

Well, as I said over at AnimeOnDVD's forums as well hopefully these actors have a few upcoming projects (like Gundam F91 I hope :D) which just haven't been made public yet. While there are a few Ocean actors that I won't mind never hearing again since Ocean has used them so much (Lisa Ann Beley, Kirby Morrow...) Scott McNeil and Saffron Henderson are not among them.

[Pokejedservo]

Thought Jetfire only had a few lines per episode...

Here's hoping Jetfire, now Skyfire, will have a bigger roll in Energon.

Agreed...

And thanks for the info Kain and I do understand what your saying here Sheamon.

Pokejedservo

[HellCat]

I'd want to see more of McNeil if he could do more voices. His tough guy voice and layed back guy voice get used way too much.

[Pokejedservo]

I'd want to see more of McNeil if he could do more voices. His tough guy voice and layed back guy voice get used way too much.

When it comes to his more unique voices that he did in the past he has done...

Mr. Yoshi (Hamtaro)
Fat Majin Buu (Eastwood dub of DBZ)
Elder Kai (Eastwood dub of DBZ)
Stratos (He-Man: 2002)
Waspinator/Merman (He-Man: 2002)
Rattrap (Beast Wars)
Silverbolt (Beast Wars)
Cobra Commander (Dic G.I Joe)
Cornelius, Hermie the Elf (Recent Rudolph Special)

And probably more that actually weren't your common "Tough" or "Laid-back" voices. The man is well known for variety.

Pokejedservo

[drakh]

Last I heard, Scott was so busy he had to turn down roles in Transformers: Armada repeatedly until he finally was able to squeeze in Jetfire, so just because he hasn't been in much of what you've been watching, it doesn't mean he's not working. He's probably not focusing on dubs though, since they're pretty much the lowest paying form of voice acting, so original animation, video games, commercials, and live action work takes preference for those who can get it. Also, not everything he does will be well known... For example I know Ocean has created English versions of various European cartoons (Scott was in one about Trolls), which probably won't ever get much exposure in the US.

Saffron Henderson... I believe she does a lot of commercials, and sings at various clubs etc. in Vancouver, so she undoubtedly gets by. Not that I wouldn't mind hearing more of her.

As for getting Frank Welker in an anime dub... That'd be easy... Same way Animaze got Kiefer Sutherland and Elizabeth Berkely in Arimtage: Poly-Matrix... Offer lots and lots of money. The thing is, somebody has to pay that money, and most anime distributors are content with the regular dub VAs who come at a fraction of the price.

[Pokejedservo]

And I didn't even know that about Armada, however unfortunately most info sources that I go to only focus on whats availible in America. (However I am aware of how it could be more in the dvd only animes since I usually only watch the stuff on TV due to funds.) I haven't even HEARD of anything about Video Games yet, and aside from being in the upcoming 2nd Scooby Doo movie I haven't heard anything on Live Action. (Maybe THATS the reason why...)

And as for Saffron Henderson, hmm didn't know that well I am happy that she is still getting work. (I admit I still miss her Anime dub VA work but still at least she is doing something worthwhile.)

And as for Welker well it is sad that he'll most likely never be in a dub. (The only that'll probably happen is if Hasbro wanted all the currently living VA talent in G1 Transformers/G.I Joe, Beast Wars/Machines and Armada, Transformers RiD ESPECIALLY since they can with the recent VA studio in Vancouver Canada known as Voicebox Productions. I recently had a talk with someone who works at VP online via E-mail and she said that they are perfectly able of having other VA's along with or instead of just the Ocean Group VA's. Granted companies have only just recently used VP and its only for the first Cardcaptors Movie, Zoids Fuzors and Transformers Armada. Granted aside from the financial costs, most VA studioes are generally so limited they were probably use to it by now as well. Something a little nicely different MIGHT happen in the future, but right now its only being hoped on. I hope that a dub company would use VP's casting capabilities more as that person event old me that they hope so too.)

However I am also aware of anime dubs are generally a lot cheaper than most North American animated shows. (Even cheaper ones like Hey Arnold! and Family Guy.) But things have been changing so who knows what will happen in the future...

Pokejedservo

[Andrew T. Hingson]

McNeil was Cobra commander? That's news to me... but he was Despero on Spy Troops.

McNeil does have quite some range.

He has the laid back but occasionally angry or excited voice which he uses for many side characters, one shot characters, and some more prodominent roles he has had: such as Duo Maxwell on Gundam Wing, Jetfire, Rattrap, Silverbolt Koga on Inuyasha, Protoman on the original Mega Man, and Dead Eye Duck on Bucky 'O Hare.

His rough, tough, and gruff voice which he uses for Piccolo, Wolverine, and several characters on He-Man

His freaky goofy voice he uses occasionally for side characters like Waspinator (the first I heard of this voice) and Mer Man on He-Man.

His reptiliian voice which he uses for Cobra Kan on He-Man and Dinobot on Beastwars.

His occasional BIG guy voice for characters like Ram Man on He-Man and Gutsman EXE on NT Warrior (but even those two sound pretty different).

McNeil most certainly has some range and I find that I enjoy his work with all his roles.

And quite a few plain out random voices for characters like Dr. Wily on Mega Man.

He has been doing a lot of side line work lately though. He plays minor characters in Zoids Fuzors, has done some random stuff like a spot on KND, played Koga and several minor characters on Inuyasha, a couple of voices for Armada and a whole lot of voices for He-Man.

Though for as long as McNeil has been around... I don't think he's ever really had a LEAD role. Sometimes the main bad guy but I don't think he was ever the main good guy. He's usually a support character, a loner, a tough guy, or a combination of that.

[RAINMAN]

Did scoot ever do any voices for RW? In 2 ep`s cale voice sound different then it did in other ep`s he apperead in. His voice sound like one of scoot other char voices.

[HellCat]

I suppose it's worth mentioning that he did a Texan accent when he physically played Bonesteel in Next Mutation and also voices Senor Hasbeena in Mucha Lucha.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

I suppose it's worth mentioning that he did a Texan accent when he physically played Bonesteel in Next Mutation and also voices Senor Hasbeena in Mucha Lucha.

He was Texan for Next Mutation? I didn't recall that, but its possible.

[HellCat]

He was Texan for Next Mutation? I didn't recall that, but its possible.

Bonesteel is basically a psychotic hunter. The turtles meet him when they stumble across him making an illegal deal in the sewer to kill a turtle for its shell. Needless to say they stop him and the episode ends with him declaring he's now going to be hunting them. Like most of the cast in Next Mutation, he was very goofy. He had this habit of talking to himself and slowly moving his head in one direction away from the camera and then (accompanied by a goofy sound effect), quickly turning it around to the other side.

[Pokejedservo]

a spot on KND

When? I never knew that, please inform me whom he was. (Even if its just a very bit role.)



Though for as long as McNeil has been around... I don't think he's ever really had a LEAD role. Sometimes the main bad guy but I don't think he was ever the main good guy. He's usually a support character, a loner, a tough guy, or a combination of that.

True, then again most (if not all) the main good guys in the shows/movies are too mild-mannered. I certainly don't doubt his range and acting abilities. (And while he certainly can do serious roles, he is more seasoned pro as the more charismatic ones.) But most of the good guys in the shows that use Ocean Group are either...

1. Too Young
2. Too Mild-Mannered


And possibly more, there might be SOME of those kind of roles that might work well. However most of them I'm not completely sure. (However there are shows on which the main good guy would fit in well with McNeil however they do not use Ocean Group such as Outlaw Star, Lupin the III and Irresponsible Captain Tylor.)

Pokejedservo

[Pokejedservo]

I'd still like a answer to my question please....

[Andrew T. Hingson]

He was the cheeze guy that numba 4 fought in one of the episodes this year. I believe it was him at least... I only saw the promo but it SURE sounded like him.

[Pokejedservo]

He was the cheeze guy that numba 4 fought in one of the episodes this year. I believe it was him at least... I only saw the promo but it SURE sounded like him.

You mean Roquefort the Samurai? That wasn't him at all, it was Kevin "Gantu" Micheal Richardson.

Well this was somewhat disappointing, but oh well this mistakes happen....

Pokejedservo

(P.S: I was initially beginning to wonder if he was going to be in the future episodes that were not shown yet in Season 2. Due to the fact that I checked out all the sources and NOTHING has been mention on him yet but oh well...)

[Cyporiean]

Cobra Commander (Dic G.I Joe)



umm.. no... Chris Latta was Cobra Commander.

[Andrew T. Hingson]

You mean Roquefort the Samurai? That wasn't him at all, it was Kevin "Gantu" Micheal Richardson.

Well this was somewhat disappointing, but oh well this mistakes happen....

Pokejedservo

(P.S: I was initially beginning to wonder if he was going to be in the future episodes that were not shown yet in Season 2. Due to the fact that I checked out all the sources and NOTHING has been mention on him yet but oh well...)

My mistake

What studeo does the VA work for KND BTW?

[Pokejedservo]

VA studios are rarely ever mentioned when it comes to North American Animated shows. (Actually so far as I know is that Wally Burr studios was used for G1 Transformers, G.I Joe and their respective movies.)

And as for you Galvatron, while the late great Chris Latta was most defintely Cobra Commander in the 1st 2 seasons of the show and the movie. The show's production moved to DiC during the 3rd season and all the VA's were known Ocean Group VA's. (Heck even Scott McNeil said so himself in a interview that I downloaded off of Kazaa, and he did a exceptionally accurate impersanation of Chris Latta's Cobra Commander.)

Pokejedservo