Owner / Founder:
Arslan
1st Published On:
Jan. 1st, 2003
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Chris R. Sabat - Script no. 1

Thank you everyone for attending our first official celebrity chat. Please hold all questions until we let you know it is OK to begin submitting questions. We are very excited to have Chris Sabat, voice of Vegeta, Piccolo and Yamcha here with us. Chris is also the head voice director at FUNimation. For the next hour, Chris is here to answer your questions and get to know you. Remember you are only allowed to ask 3 questions, so make them count. DBZ fans I give you Chris Sabat.

“Hey guys... I'm glad you were able to make it over to us today. I know that I've met many of you at various conventions and I hope I will be able to answer all of your questions. There are a couple of topics I wouldn't mind steering you away from: 1.) DBZ Music... I have nothing to do with it. 2.) Basic questions about the plot of DBZ... episode summaries can be found almost anywhere. 3.) Questions beyond the scope of my job. Just to refresh you, I am the Voice Director and a VA. I don't write scripts for DBZ, compose music for DBZ, make programming decisions about DBZ, translate DBZ, etc... Asking questions about any topic from the above list would be a waste of your time. Oh... and I'm pretty darn happy to be doing this. Let us begin... "

Q. Who’s your favorite Villain?
A. My favorite villian, honestly... is Vegeta. Nothing to do with my voice, of course.

Q. Chris, are you as sexy as your voice? I think you are!
A. Er... I am rather sexy. Yes.

Q. Oops, I thought this was the chat...Hi! I'd like to know, why do you voice so many characters? Just wondering...
A. I auditioned for FUNimation in '99. I was selected blindly for the parts that I am currently playing. I was not involved with casting at the time. Remember... FUNimation was just kicking off it's production of DBZ when I was cast... the actor pool was a lot slimmer, I suppose. Sorry if any of you are offended about it.

Q. How did you become interested in doing the voice for an anime character?
A. I have always been interested in using my voice. Who would turn down a role on DBZ, or any anime property if it was offered.

Q. Which is your favorite character, Vegeta, Piccolo, or Yamcha?
A. Vegeta is my favorite, but hard on the voice. Yamcha is my least favorite (he is a wuss) but is the easiest on my voice.

Q. What animes have you seen?
A. That is a long list, bro. Recently… Gasaraki.

Q. Mr. Sabat I am a College Student in my Twenties and I am very interested in becoming a voice actress. It is a career I hope to pursue. What advice can you give me?
A. Read a lot. Read out loud. Make contacts. Take acting or voice lessons. Keep an open mind and don’t let opportunities pass you by.

Q. What advice would you give someone who is trying to get into voice acting?
A. Er… I thought I just answered that. Oh… and try not to take my job, okay?

Q. Will Piccolo be in the original DB and if so will it be the same voice? Another one is when will DBGT finally air?
A. As long as I work for FUNimation, I will voice Piccolo, at least I hope. DBGT = 2003

Q. Do you play the voices in the uncut versions?
A. Yes *&$#^!! (Sorry... that had to be edited.)

Q. What was it like going SSJ?
A. Super Saiyan Jesus? Just kidding... I feel a real kinship with my characters... Vegeta’s crowning moment was as special to me as anyone. Probably more.

Q. How was it working on Dragonball Z?
A. It was fine. Thanks for asking. Oh… wait. It is still happening.

Q. Whats it like playing the two meanest characters in the show?? (except with the gohan piccolo thing)
A. FAN-FREAKIN' TASTIC! Although I can tend to be pretty crabby after a long session.

Q. Ok, Sabat, if you could do the voice of another character, who would it be?
A. I no longer wish to do any more voices on DBZ. Although... Mr. Satan is pretty darn fun to direct.

Q. How much money do you get paid?
A. More than I make in a year.

Q. How do you feel about the editing/censorship between the Japanese and American DBZ episodes?
A. That is a long long answer. I do not prefer censorship of any kind. I am not responsible for the editing of DBZ. It is beyond my control. Sorry, guys.

Q. Chris, first question, being an actor, I know how hard it is to change voices, how hard is it for you to change your voice for all three characters?
A. It was hard at first... but it got easier. I use a reference line for each character so as not to mix them up.

Q. What is your favorite episode?
A. That is a tough one. I love episode 194… Trunks returning to the future.

Q. How did you learn all the DBZ terms?
A. "Learn DBZ in 10 easy steps." Book on Tape. Random House. Actually... over time. A long, long time. I study the episodes as best I can and read as much as possible.

Q. If you didn't do voice acting what would you do?
A. Haunt other voice actors on chat rooms.

Q. Have you ever watched the Japanese version to study the characters you portray, and if so why is your take on them so different?
A. My take on the characters was already set by the Ocean cast. I was only hired as a mimic. Of course, their cast kicked booty, so I did the best I could.

Q. Which one outta the three voices you do, do you find yourself most alike?
A. I find myself most like Mr. Popo. Need you car washed?

Q. How do you get pumped up for doing all the voice work such as screams, I mean how do you make them sound like they are real and not all fake?
A. Red Bull. And a lot of practice. I have a philosophy when directing that I also apply to myself. Scream right the first time and you don’t have to do it again.

Q. Out of all the sagas, which one did you hate the most?
A. Friezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzza.

Q. When will you be doing signings in Wisconsin?
A. Next time I need some cheese. No idea, bro.

Q. Who do you think has the best lines?
A. Icarus. Seriously… I like Vegeta’s line… he is such a bastard.

Q. What was you favorite battle scene?
A. 17 vs. Piccolo

Q. Boxers or briefs?
A. Commando. No, boxers.

Q. I heard you came to New Zealand for our Armageddon, what did you think of our country and the people?
A. I LOVE NZ! If I could go there again soon, I would be very happy. The sheep were very nice to me (wink, wink).

Q. Second question, how does funimation go about holding auditions for voice actors? Are auditions by appointment or do people just come in or send demo tapes or audition at conventions?
A. What auditions? Just kidding. We hold auditions regularly. Some people send us tapes, but we usually cast locally (DFW area).

Q. Was it weird to do the recording of the fight between Goku and Majin Vegeta, like it was an anticipated battle?
A. It was one of my favorite moments. Heck, I’ve wanted to clock Sean Schemmel in the head many times in the past. J/J

Q. What was is like for you growing up as a kid?
A. Loving. Warm. Tender. Living in a garage in a box is more fun than you’d think.

Q. What is you favorite fight in any Dragonball series?
A. I have only seen half of DB. I am more interested in the humor of DB.

Q. Does your voice sound more like Vegeta, Piccolo, or Yamcha?
A. More of a mix between Piccolo and the narrator. When I wake up in the morning I sound like Lucifer himself.

Q. 3rd and final question, are you going to do any voices for other funimation productions (DBGT, DB, and the newer show that has yet to be seen)?
A. My focus is mainly on directing. However, I still audition for roles when they come up.

Q. What’s your opinion of Yu Yu Hakusho?
A. Rocks! Yu Yu Yeah!

Q. Hey Chris, are you going to be doing any of the voices for Blue Gender?
A. Yes... Keith. He is really on one episode, however. You are really going to like that show.

Q. What kind of preparation do you go through before voicing characters?
A. I talk and talk and talk and talk. Oh… and the Red Bull.

Q. I was wondering, how do you get all of the characters that you play to talk at once?
A. Digial mulit-track recording. And magic.

Q. How old are you and the rest of the voice actors?
A. We are all 28.

Q. Do you collect DBZ cards?
A. Yes… mostly the ArtBox cards… because I don’t have time to play the Score game.

Q. How long does it take to dub an episode approximately 18 minutes long?
A. Depending on whether the characters are fighting or talking... I can finish an episode in 3 days.

Q. Do you like the show? I mean, do you watch it and stuff?
A. Approximately. Er… I was still answering the last question, FUNMAN! Yes… I like the show. I can’t wait to watch it again when I am more removed from the current recording of it.

Q. Does Vegeta have hemorrhoids?
A. No, he has a powerful hemorrhoid-like condition that only Saiyans develop. You should see the bumps when the full moon is out.

Q. What's it like to work with the other voice actors?
A. Horrible. Just Kidding. I love working with everyone. I can’t say the voice actors have actually “worked” yet. Again… Just kidding.

Q. Do you have an email address I can contact you at?
A. Yes… dbzvox@yahoo.com… But don’t get your hopes up. I cannot respond regularly.

Q. What other character voices have you done for any other anime or cartoons?
A. I have been an announcer on many radio stations and national commercials. DBZ is my first real cartoon.

Q. Can you relate to any of your characters, I mean, have you been able to recognize or put in parts of your personality into them?
A. Yes... I can relate to many of them in many ways. You would be surprised at how similar many of our actors are to the characters they play. I feel like Vegeta right now.

Q. How many hours a week do you spend in the recording studio?
A. 80+ No joke.

Q. Do you think Bulma is hot?
A. Er… She is a cartoon, but I prefer Launch, really.

Q. What are you thoughts on Anime becoming more mainstream in the United States?
A. Happy. Distressed. Interested. Cool. I hope that more anime is introduced to the US. I hope it is good. I know I will be trying my best to make it happen. Watch Blue Gender.

Q. Are you in anyway involved with Blue Gender or any other animes for that matter? As voices or anything. (If so I need to pick them up)
A. www.bluegender.com you’ll see, my friend.

Q. Are you guys done with the DBZ series?
A. No… We are just starting to dub the Majin Buu saga.

Q. Do you have a pride just like Vegeta?
A. No, I have no pride whatsoever.

Q. Where do you record the voices?
A. Fort Worth, TX. Also… in an orbiting satellite.

Q. How do the other voice actors and you get along?
A. I love them. They hate me. Truthfully, I really get along with all of them. Heck -- I live next door to Trunks and Cell. (Eric and Dameon)

Q. How is walking into a store and finding a toy of a character you have voiced and have you collected any?
A. I pick up anything with my voice in it. It is completely freaky.

Q. Have you ever met the Japanese voice actors for Piccolo, Yamcha or Vegeta?
A. Only in flashbacks.

Q. What’s the recipe for Vegeta’s hair gel?
A. Anger, rage, and Salon Selectives.

Q. Which do you like better, the American Version of DBZ or the Japaness Version?
A. I don't speak Japanese... but I have a world of respect for the original version. I sure do like to speak English, though.

Q. When you’re in the shower, do you ever tell your girlfriend, "Servant woman, bring me a drying cloth?”
A. As often as possible. But... she dresses me in pink when I do.

Q. If the dragonballs were real, what would you wish for?
A. ETERNAL LIFE!!!

Q. Chris, how do you feel about people downloading dbz episodes over the Internet?
A. Well... it's not really legal... but... er... I sure like MP3's!!!

Q. What do you do for fun on the weekends?
A. Sleep. PS2. Sleep. PS2.

Q. Hey Chris, let me say that you're doing an awesome job! (The new dubbing is much better!) Is being the voice director for DBZ, DB, Blue Gender, and Yu Yu Hakusho hard work?
A. Yes it is. I wish everyone knew how hard I worked to make your show. I feel that sometimes I get a beating.

Q. Do you ever walk up to someone and start talking in one of your characters voices to mess with them?
A. Yes, I really do. At rock concerts: Piccolo ----> YEAH!!!! At a restaurant: Vegeta ----> Bring me my mashed potatoes -- AT ONCE!

Q. Do you have any autograph sessions coming up within the year, and if yes, where?
A. Chicago 17-19 Aug Toronto 24-26

Q. Who is you favorite Fusion? Vegito? Gogeta? or Gotenks?
A. Can't say just yet. Let us get there first.

Q. Do you have a favorite sports team?
A. I am allergic to sports.

Q. What is your favorite DBZ movie?
A. 13

Q. I have some built up aggression. And I need to take it out on you. Is there any way I can do that?
A. Purge...purge... Feel free to hit your monitor as much as you would like. FUNimation is not responsible for any of the damages.

Q. Why are you so funny and talented? ^_^
A. I wished those traits from the dragon.

Q. What is Blue Gender?
A. www.bluegender.com It is the 'coolest' series I've worked on.

Q. Do you have a fan club, if not you should.
A. No. But my parents call me every once in a while.

Q. Are you provided with free merchandise from funimation?
A. I get free coffee and Fresca every day. Otherwise I have to buy most things.

Q. Do you pull pranks on the other voice actors?
A. Yes. We once had a remote-controlled fart machine. That was fun. Also adding addition 'beeps' to their cue can really hose them up.

Q. Hey Sabat, how do we know you’re the real thing and not some guy who acts like him on a chat?
A. Would you like to see my bum?

Q. Whats the stupidest question you have ever been asked?
A. Would you sign my baby’s butt?

Q. How tall are you?
A. 5'10". But like in DBZ, my height varies.

Q. Do you have any animation cels?
A. Yes. I have started to collect Yu Yu cells recently. I have many, but I have to find them the same way you do. We don't have any around here.

Q. Do you have a girlfriend on the z set?
A. Yes. She goes by the codename: "Agent Mai". She is responsible for the DVD production.

Q. Were you forced to do this chat?
A. Yes. (OW!!!) I mean, no. Truthfully, I love this.

Q. Do you hang out with the other voice actors besides at the recording studio?
A. Yes. We try to keep a good relationship off the z-set. (Z-set? I like that.) We hang out quite a bit... well as much as I can, considering the hours I work. I can kick Kyle Hebert's butt in Twisted
Metal Black.

Q. Do you ever dream in anime?
A. Slow servers… sorry. That’s… weird. Er… yes… I guess you could say that. Sometimes in hentai(hee hee).

Q. Do you ever break out in anger and slap people?
A. Yes... I just slapped 'funman'. Oh... and he's not gay. Really…

Q. Why does Vegeta always have a bad attitude?
A. Because he can.

Q. Are the Rumors about Dragonball AF true? If you have no idea what I’m talking about go to www.dragonballaf.com
A. We answer that on the website... but look forward to
Dragonball CS!!!!!!!

Q. Does it feel weird to hear your voice over the TV?
A. I don't get home in time to see it run... but when I have -- yes. It is a real trip. Very humbling.

Q. Are there going to be any celebrity signings near the western part of North Carolina (I hate traveling)?
A. No idea, bro.

Q. Do you smoke? If so.... you are a loser...lol other then vegeta....
A. I cannot answer that question… but I am getting a bit jittery.

Q. Do u have a website?
A. Catreena's site ( I love her for this ) csabat.hypermart.net

Q. What do you like to read?
A. Charles Bukowski. And US Magazine when I'm on the john. Last question... sorry guys...

Q. If you could be Vegeta for one day what would you do?
A. EVERYTHING! ANYTHING! But not Bulma.

Q. What is Dragonball CS???
A. Oh… and that Dragonball CS comment… I was kidding. Get it? Dragon Ball Chris Sabat. Ha ha ha. Sorry about the confusion.

I hope I didn't offend anyone with any of my answers. I am a pretty cynical guy… much like yourselves and I have a dry sense of humor. I appreciate anyone who watches DBZ with a careful eye. You are much like me. I hope you continue to watch DBZ and FUNimation grow into exactly what you all want. I plan on sticking around for a while and meeting many of you at the conventions. So... bear with me. As I said earlier... I can't answer many e-mails... but I usually want to. Just remember that we (the actors, the directors, the WHOLE production staff at FUNimation) are working very hard to bring this show to your television. And we hope to make many more of them. I monitor your comments on the Internet pretty closely and I am aware of your concerns. Please stick with me and you will see what happens… Good luck all… and keep watching. Chris

Thank you so much for participating in our first official celebrity chat. It has been a great time.