Before Nerima Daikon Brothers was released here in the US, ADV Marketing sat down with Chris Ayres about his first gig as an ADR Director, and his feelings about the series. Here's what he had to say.
ADV Marketing: This is your first directing gig at ADV. How did this opportunity come about?
Chris Ayres: Well, it was funny. I've been working as a director here in Houston for over 14 years. I had actually just realized that I was working so much as a voice actor and doing conventions as such that I didn't have time to direct for stage anymore (it requires a lot of free time) and I had actually gotten very depressed about that. I really love directing, and the fact that it would be a while before I could do it again, really had me down. It was just a few days after realizing this that I got a call to come into ADV, and they asked me to direct Nerima Daikon Brothers.
ADV M: Did your theater experience help your transition into this new role?
C A:In some ways it did, but there was a whole new skill set that I had to learn. I was lucky enough to have an amazing mentor for this process, my producer Scott McClennen, and I've got a brilliant audio engineer, Jon Duckworth. Both of them have been real life savers in helping me learn the aspects of the job that I didn't know. I think directing in either medium comes down to communication, and perparation. I set out preparing for the show like I would a stage production and then focused on the things that I would need to learn as an ADR Director. One nice thing is that as a stage director, I've always had a fondness for working with actors on-on-one. In ADR recording, you're always working with the actor one-on-one. and in this case. the other actors are not waiting around while you do this. So it's really the best of both worlds for me.
ADV M: One of the main characters is your brother. Did your enjoy directing him?
C A: Well, Greg and I have a long history of working together. He's done quite a few stage shows for me as a director and he's one of my favorite performers to work with. I'm always floored by how much he brings to the table as a performer, and how willing he is to stretch and push himself. He brings the same gifts to the ADR booth that he brings to stage rehersals, and once again has produced an amazing performance. So the answer is a definitely yes!! I've always enjoyed working with Greg and I'm sure I always will.
ADV M: Tell us about Nerima Daikon Brothers.
C A: Wow! I don't even know where to begin. This show is amazing. It's all over the place and hysterical. In japan they called it a "Nothing is Sacred" show, and we've been trying very hard to live up to that. I described it the other day as being on a high speed roller coaster of a car ride with a driver who's blind... oh, and the brakes don't work. Ill just say it's a show that has to be seen to be believed. If you think you've seen "out there" and "outrageous," then you ain't seen nothin' yet!
ADV M: Did you campaign to direct this specific show or was it just handed to you? If yes, what attracted you to the show?
C A: I wish I could say that I campaigned for it, but since it's my first show, I guess it's obvious that I couldn't have. I think I landed this job because of my background as a director for musical theatre here in town. If I had already been directing for ADV, I definitely would have campaigned to get this show. I'm not only attracted to the musical aspect of the show, but the over-the-top nature, combined with the fact that I'm a huge fan of the creator, and the show is a riff in some ways of "The Bules Brothers" -- a movie that is one of my all-time favorites. I've seen it well over 50 times, and it just never gets old! So you roll all of those things together, and you can see why I would have fought tooth and nail to dirct this show.
ADV M: Nerima daikon Brothers is another quirky show from Shinichi watanabe, the legendary creator of the fan-favorite Excel Saga. Those are some big shoes to fill. Did that make you nervous at all?
C A: Yes I think I'd have been a fool not to be. I'm a huge fan of his stuff, and I realize what gigantic shoes they are to fill. In this case, I did what I always do... seek advice from people who could help. As I said, Scott McClennen was a big help. He has been acting as a mentor to me throughout whole process. I also talked to Matt Greenfield since I was so floored with his work on Excel Saga, and he gave me a lot of practical advice. David and Janice Williams were also a huge help to me in getting past my overall nerves. What I realized was that Watanabe, with this show, really wants to make the audience laugh, and at times shock them, and that's what I needed to concentrate on -- really cracking up the audience. I won't know until it comes out if we've succeeded in that or not, but I know that there were points in recording that I was crying I was laughing so hard! Hopefully that's a good sign.
ADV M: How much harder is it to direct actors singing their lines as opposed to speaking them?
C A: Believe it or not, it's in some ways easier. This music is very tricky in terms of rhythms and syncopation, but you do have the music there, and you know you have to match the music. There are times when what the music dictated didn't match the lip flaps of the characters at all, but in a case like this, you have to go with the music or things will fall apart. So in many ways, it's a lot easier.
ADV M: What would you say to people hesitatn to purchase the DVD because of the fact that it's a musical?
C A: This is the point where I'm supposed to beg people to watch the show right? Well I have to say this show isn't for everyone. You really have to have a sense of humor to like this show, regardless of the fact that it's a musical. If you're a person with no sense of humor, then I'm guessing this may not be the show for you. But if you have even a slight sense of humor, then you should definitely pick this show up. After all, at what other time or in what other show will you get to hear John Swasey and John Gremillion sing a love song to each other? It think that about says it all.
ADV M: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
C A: Well up until now I would have said ADR Directing, that's kind of out. I've never directed film. I think that might be interesting at some point.
ADV M: What professin would you never attempt?
C A: Anything to do with Math.
ADV M: If you could cosplay any anime character, who would you be?
C A: I'd have ot say Hideki or Ichiro from Nerima Daikon Brothers because the costumes would be comfortable.
ADV M: What is your most memorable performance at ADV?
C A: I'd like to think Kei Kourono in Gantz, but most people seem to remember Senior Class President Hayashimizu from Full Metal Panic? FUMOFFU.
-Interview courtesy of ADV Films.
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