Summary
Highlights
Rodo Balderas starts his day with vocal exercises to prepare his voice, especially crucial since voice actors often don't know what character they'll be voicing next due to project secrecy. He also practices specific sounds to warm up his lips and tongue, improving diction for immediate, accurate readings. He emphasizes voice care, avoiding shouting, not smoking, consuming alcohol moderately, and checking vocal cords regularly with a phoniatrist to maintain vocal health and resistance for long recording sessions.
Rodo began his career in Pachuca as a formal announcer for Cellular Millenium, a Telcel distributor. He initially studied architecture but realized his passion lay in using his voice, having enjoyed reading stories, making YouTube videos, and portraying characters. Despite initial fears from his parents about the stability of a communication career, his early successes in radio and television convinced them that it was a viable path. This early work eventually led him to do voiceovers for memes, some of which became widely recognized even without an official voice, transforming the content they accompanied.
The pandemic brought a halt to traditional studio work, forcing a shift to online dubbing. This necessitated actors to set up home studios, an advantage for Rodo who already had recording equipment. He and his family built a soundproof booth at home, allowing him to continue working and contributing to his family's income during uncertain times. This period opened up new opportunities, allowing him to voice characters in films and animations for a Miami-based studio, which he used to build a demo reel and gain further recognition in the industry.
Rodo experienced a significant transformation from locution to acting, moving beyond just having a 'nice voice' to genuinely feeling and portraying emotions. He found that acting reshaped his worldview, making him a keen observer of human behavior. He learned to connect with emotions, remembering how they feel in his body to bring authenticity to his characters. This deep emotional connection is crucial for dubbing, allowing him to become the character rather than just voicing them, particularly enjoying roles that are more grave or older than his actual age.
Rodo views the inclusion of influencers in dubbing as a marketing strategy rather than a threat to professional voice actors. He believes there's room for everyone but highlights disparities in working conditions and pay. Influencers often take longer, have extended recording sessions, and receive higher compensation than professional actors for similar roles. He advocates for increased rates for professional dubbing actors, aligning them with the budgets allocated for high-profile film projects.
Rodo recounts an early career experience recording animation for 'Tiendas 3B' with Mario Castañeda, the renowned voice of Goku. Despite initial skepticism about the collaboration, he found himself working alongside Castañeda. He admired Castañeda's professionalism and natural talent. A particularly memorable moment was when they recorded a commercial together, where Castañeda offered words of encouragement, reinforcing Rodo's dedication to his craft.
Income in voice acting directly correlates with workload, as actors are paid per project without royalties. While union-established rates exist, especially for film, streaming and other platforms often have standard rates. Voice actors often diversify their income through theater, TV work, directing, or attending conventions to maintain financial stability. Rodo emphasizes the importance of continuous activity through various projects, understanding that relying solely on dubbing can be challenging. Staying active in castings for commercial locution also provides financial security.
Rodo's career took a significant turn when he auditioned to be the Spanish voice of MrBeast. The casting process was standard, but the scale of the project quickly revealed itself to be immense. He didn't immediately grasp the full impact, initially viewing it as another YouTube channel. However, a formal contract and the need for his full availability for extensive content made him recognize its importance. He has since been the consistent voice for MrBeast's YouTube channels, Amazon series, and other projects, committing to uphold the brand's image and energy.
Rodo is consistently amazed by the vast production teams behind MrBeast's videos, often larger than those for major film or TV productions. The complexity involves hundreds of people managing security, fulfilling requests, filming, and post-production, including a dedicated dubbing team in every major language. MrBeast's commitment to global accessibility means simultaneous release of content in all dubbed languages, a logistical feat that ensures immediate impact for diverse audiences worldwide.
Rodo also voices Caine in "The Amazing Digital Circus," a psychological horror animated series. Caine, an AI controlling a digital circus where human consciousnesses are trapped, attempts to be entertaining and cheerful, oblivious to the characters' suffering. This role is a fun challenge due to Caine's dynamic, shapeshifting animation, requiring Rodo to match his voice's pitch and speed to Caine's expressions. The complexity lies in portraying Caine's layered personality, showing human-like emotions despite being an AI.
The proliferation of AI in voice acting is a growing concern. While AI can replicate voices, Rodo believes that human identity and connection cannot be replaced. He notes that MrBeast uses AI dubbing for languages without an established voice acting industry, but emphasizes that the human touch remains essential for meaningful engagement. He highlights recent legislative efforts in Mexico to protect voice actors' voices from unauthorized AI use, underscoring the importance of human artistry in storytelling.
Rodo dreams of a lasting legacy in dubbing, contributing positively to the industry. He aspires to work on iconic characters like Batman or the Joker someday. Ultimately, his biggest goal is to continue voice acting into old age, enjoying challenging roles and leaving behind a body of work that continues to resonate with audiences, ensuring his voice is heard for generations to come.