A Nostalgic Look Back at Where It All Began
One of my most memorable experiences at C2E2 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo was sitting in on a panel with some of the most legendary voice actors in gaming history, specifically from the Uncharted series. It was like stepping back into history, listening to Nolan North, Emily Rose, and Richard McGonagle.
As soon as the panel started, it was clear that there was something special about these three individuals, not only as voice actors but also as creatives that had been a part of something monumental. The conversation quickly turned into a nostalgic look back at their history, all the way back from their time working on the first Uncharted game, which was created in 2007.
None of them knew that this was going to be something huge. It was just another opportunity that would change history in terms of storytelling in gaming.
Different Paths Which Led to One Legendary Project
One of the interesting things that I noticed during the panel discussion is the different paths which each of them took before finally working together in Uncharted.
Richard McGonagle talked about how he came from a theater background. It is easy to see that this had an effect on him, especially in terms of presence.
Nolan North talked about how he came from television, especially from soap operas. He talked about how this helped him in terms of having emotional consistency.
Lastly, Emily Rose came from a totally different perspective in terms of her background. She talked about how she came from a writing background, which gave her a totally different perspective in terms of her character.
All of them came from totally different backgrounds, but in the end, each of them found common ground in Uncharted, which became the turning point in their lives.
The Unique Way Uncharted Was Created
One of the biggest things that came out of the panel, though, was how different Uncharted was from other voice acting projects.
Rather than doing their individual dialogue in a booth, they would work together in a group setting, acting out their scenes almost as if they were in a live-action film. They would talk about how they would work through their scenes, interact with each other, and essentially act out their scenes in real life.
It was clear how much they enjoyed this process. It was no longer just voice acting; it was performance capture, where all of their emotions, movements, and reactions came into play.
“We Grew Together as Actors”
One of the most memorable parts of this panel for me was during the Q&A session with the audience. When asked about their experience playing for Uncharted, Nolan North’s answer really stood out for me.
Uncharted Panel Courtesy of Luis Garcia Jr.“We grew together as actors and the most fruitfull job ever and we were allowed to be ourselves.”
This quote really sums up this entire panel. This wasn’t just a job for these guys; it was an experience that really helped mold who they are as actors.
They spoke about how the environment allowed them to experiment and be themselves within the game. This is something that really comes through in playing the games; it’s like you can really sense that.
Reminiscing on the Journey and Its Impact
Throughout the duration of the session, there was an underlying sense of gratitude. The speakers reminisced about the long hours they had spent on the project, building scenes from scratch, and watching the project grow into something much bigger than they had ever envisioned.
The speakers also reminisced on the impact that the Uncharted series had on their lives. From what could have been just another project, they were able to build something that not only defined their lives but also impacted the gaming industry.
For the fans in the room, it was an opportunity to get insight into what had gone into creating something so iconic.
A Panel That Felt Personal and Inspiring
What made this panel so special was not only the sense of nostalgia, but also how personal it felt. It didn’t feel like they were reading off a script. It felt like they were having an actual conversation about this important time in their lives.
It was obvious that they still had a certain level of respect for one another, that they enjoyed talking about this time, and that they enjoyed what they created.
As a member of the audience, it was inspiring to hear how their different paths came together to create something incredible.
By Luis Garcia Jr
A Successful Journalist, Editor, and Media professional for over 8 years, where my focus is to inform the community and the world on current events.
C2E2- Uncharted: Celebrating the Adventure
Featured Image Courtesy Luis Garcia Jr.
Inset Image Courtesy Luis Garcia Jr.
