Owner / Founder:
Arslan
1st Published On:
Jan. 1st, 2003
Stats:

Stephnie Nodalny

Q: How did you get into voice acting?
A: I am a professional vocalist and I did work for Chuck E Cheese back in 1998. While there I did some vocals for "Cyboars" which was produced by FUNimation. That opened the door to auditioning for Dragonball Z in early 1999. I expressed my interest in voice acting and Barry Watson called me in to audition.

Q: If you could do the voice of another DB/DBZ character, who would it be and why?
A: I would like to do the voice of Videl - I always dug her look and I also thought it would be cool to date "myself" - hahahaha - I also like Goten - but I'm sure I would sound too much like Gohan...just jokin'.

Q: Do you like Gohan or Goku more?
A: I started out with Gohan so I am partial to him, but since I have been doing Dragonball I am really digging Goku more - he is SO HILARIOUS and the slapstick comedy is more my style!! He is totally hilarious and a blast to do the voice for. I think in some ways he is more innocent and happy-go-lucky. There is so much more "slapstick" humor in Dball so I am really liking it.

Q: What is your favorite episode of DBZ?
A: I really liked the Summoning of the Dragon one - not sure of the number. I also like the ones where Gohan grows up and really gets super tough and wails on Cell. I have yet to get video copies of it but I am excited to see them all put together.

Q: Do you have any anime cels?
A: No - but I'd like to have some…

Q: Do you like your job?
A: I LOVE MY JOB!!! YEAH FUN NEAT COOL BLAST WOW MORE GIMME!!!!!!!! I wanna do it all day long every day - but I would have to save lots of time for singing and songwriting too!!!

Q: What is your favorite saga of DBZ?
A: The Cell Saga, but you know - the Freiza saga is where I first came along and that was some pretty cool stuff! I like the stuff that isn't always so serious. I guess that is why I love Dragonball so dang much. I'm a funny chic!

Q: What is the name of your group/band, and if you have a CD available, how can we order it?
A: The name of my group is "Bulletproof Brass". We only play in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area - it's a fun R & B soul jazz band that plays at weddings, clubs and parties. I have my own demos and I sang with Vince Vance and the Valiants for ten years. I am on several of his recordings. I sang lead and backups with that group from 1991-2001.

Q: Have you done any smaller parts in DBZ/DB, and do you plan to have any parts in GT?
A: I was the voice of East Kai, Baby Trunks, as well as Angela - Gohan's first high school date. Those were so fun, I really had a blast doing East Kai because she is nuts!! I would love to do more bit parts - I have done so many women screaming, babies crying, children etc... I was Ikose's mother - the annoying overweight red-head. Remember her? CRAZY!!

Q: If you had to be stuck on a desert island with a DBZ character, who would it be and why?
A: I would have to say Goku - he is so cute and funny and strong, and I am sure the two of us could figure out how to survive!! Plus we could talk about the old days - me as his young self!!

Q: Who is your favorite DBZ villain and why?
A: I thought Cell was pretty good - he had some funny smart-aleck type responses. I also like Vegeta - although he isn't really a villain. Someone needs to whip his attitude into shape!! But I guess that is why everyone likes him... I like all of Chris Sabat's characters because I am a big fan of his voiceovers abilities. We have fun joking around in all of our different voices.

Q: What is your favorite DBZ movie with Gohan in it?
A: Movie four and five were both great. It's all just so gosh-darn great!!

Q: What is your favorite memory from FUNimation?
A: Back in the days when we used to record downstairs in a complete other part of the building. I remember meeting these people here for the first time and now it's been three years and it's good to have long friendships with everyone. I remember when a lot of the editing crew here were brand new!! I also love all of the cast parties where we all come together and get to see who does all of the voices. Those are so much fun - I wish we could have one every month!!

Q: You are a singer, what is your favorite song?
A: I have about 100 favorite songs - is that possible?? I love anything by Donna Summer, Neil Diamond, ABBA, and Celine Dion. My most favorite would have to be "MAGIC MAN" by Heart.

Q: Who is your favorite character of DBZ?
A: My favorite character on DBZ is King Kai - I think Sean does a great job recording the funny quirky voice. But of course I have to love Gohan - I love his big heart of gold, and how he will do anything for his friends and their safety.

Q: Did you choose to play little Goku and little Gohan?
A: When I auditioned in Jan. 1999, I had never heard of either of these cartoons. I came in completely blank, and they decided I was best for Gohan by my audition. They called and left it on my answering machine that I was chosen to be Gohan. I did not know anything about him until we started recording. I loved him immediately. As far as Goku goes, they already had me in mind for the character after all of the work I did with Gohan. They thought I could pitch the voice up and make it goofier and happier to make Goku's voice.

Q: What is the funniest thing you've had to say?
A: I think they both have said some funny things but Goku has a million! Recently, he says, "Oh Drraaagggooonnnbbbaallll!! Where are you Dragonball!!? You would have to hear it to understand. Also when he refers to the actual Dragonball with four stars as his Grandpa!! It's so cute!

Q: Do you get the chance of hanging out with the other celebrities?
A: At the FUNimation cast parties we all hang out. I also recruited Meredith McCoy to the VVV band back in February or March. We have become friends and we stay in touch. I recently subbed for her with the Vince Vance band for Halloween. She is like the little sister I never had! I also see Chris Sabat and Justin Cook all the time because they direct me. Mike McFarland too!! He is HIlARIOUS! I love his character, Master Roshi.

Q: Why does Gohan always come off as so whiney?
A: I think it is because he has to learn to overcome his low faith in himself. For some reason he doesn't truly believe in himself until Goku pushes him. After all the times where he let himself and his friends down - he finally digs deep inside himself and realizes he has more inner strength than he ever realized!! It's a self-esteem issue for sure. Perhaps he just needed a little therapy - especially since Goku wasn't around enough when he was little.

Q: What is your favorite attack?
A: I think the "Masenko...Ha" stuff is always effective. The attacks against Freiza were super cool, but he got so stronger with Cell - you really see him mature and come into his own. It's so cool to see that FINALLY happen! No more whiney Gohan!!

Q: Who do you think is the silliest DBZ character?
A: Master Roshi is totally silly as well as Grand Kai and East Kai. All pure silliness! Of course, King Kai is pretty darn silly himself!

Q: If you could date any DB or DBZ character, who would it be and why?
A: I would date Roshi and try to get him to fall in love with me if we hit it off. Maybe I could get him to focus on ONE WOMAN and to stay faithful. If that didn't work out, I would want to date Yamcha. He is a total hunk and I always thought he was under appreciated.

Q: If you could be any girl in DB/Z/GT who would you be?
A: I think Android 18 is so beautiful! I am hoping I can play a female character again soon. I play so many little boys! What is up with all that? I also think Videl is cute as can be! She is good-hearted, yet tough too!

Q: Do you ever laugh or mess up during the recordings?
A: Yes of course and I am the first to laugh at myself!! Sometimes I get dyslexic because I am staring at the screen and the line isn't memorized yet. I would love to have a copy of the mistakes - you would be surprised at all of the weird noises and flubs that come out while recording! Sometimes I get lucky and get it right the very first time!! That is TOO cool, saves time and it impresses the directors. I have been given the nickname "The Reactress" because they like my first take reactions.

Q: What has been the weirdest question you have gotten so far?
A: Probably the one about the cels. I have no idea what those are!! haha Well - now I do!

Q: Do you do acting on any other shows?
A: I have only voiced characters on DB and DBZ, although I have auditioned for "Yu Yu Hakusho" and "Blue Gender". They were a little concerned that I would have too much of a workload especially with all of the Dragonball episodes we had to do so quickly. I will continue to audition for other roles and we shall see! I like to do the computer voices that come along - like when Vegeta was training in that special chamber. I am into parodies for radio and jingles too. I am hoping to pursue a lot of that in the next year, as well as put out an album of my own with the band "Brave Combo" from Denton, Texas. They are a nuclear polka band that won a grammy in 2000. They are fantastic!!

Q: How do you make your voice sound like a boy?
A: When I was little, I used to mimic everything I heard - on TV, my friends, etc. For some reason it has always come easy for me to imitate what I hear. I listen very closely to everything and somewhere in my collection of voices there were these little boy voices. The directors help us to try different things too. I lower my voice and make it a little raspy for Gohan and a little higher pitched for Goku.

Q: Do you think FUNimation would ever release any outtakes of you guys screwing up on some lines? Or at least just something showing you guys doing the voices?
A: YES!! We now have a web cam in both recording booths, which should make that possible very soon. We will be putting together some clips of the actors recording actual lines from the scripts and they should be on www.dragonballz.com within the next few weeks. Just remember, we don't always look too cool when we are screaming those lines - especially the fight scenes. It will be fun for the fans, though!!

Q: If you could get a real sensu bean, and Dr. Brief's greatest creation - the capsule - what would you do with them, and why?
A: I would try and heal someone who is dying of cancer - leukemia in particular. I would hope to get thousands more sensu beans to help others. I lost my mother in 8-99 to the dreadful disease and I would like to think I could help others who are suffering in that way. I would also put a huge cancer research building in the capsule - to provide more research to help other cancer patients.

Q: What's your favorite part of the job?
A: The MONEY!! haha No I am totally joking!! The best part is the "process" of the actual recording of the lines, the polishing up of the sound files, and then watching the final product with all of your friends and family. It's fun to hear the finished episode with all of the other cast members. Then we can all laugh at how the lines were delivered and compliment the directors and actors for a job well done!!

Q: What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
A: When I was younger, I LOVED orange sherbet... Now it's chocolate chip cookie dough. That is a complete DREAM! Whoever thought of it is a saint to all of the world and beyond!

Q: Who is your favorite person in the world?
A: My favorite person is my late mother who I lost suddenly over two years ago. She left at a time when my career was starting to flourish. She always called my character "Gonad" by mistake! She was such an unbelievable woman who is so greatly missed by so many people. I am lucky to have many fond memories of her and her support for my creativity my whole life. She took such good care of me and was always there to encourage me to strive to reach my goals and dreams. She is watching Dragonball with all of us now!!

Q: Is it hard to do the voice of Gohan powering up?
A: YES!!!! Especially being a vocalist who sings every weekend (and in the shower, and in the car, etc.) I have to be very careful not to stress out my voice, although I do all the time. I usually have a lot of stamina unless I am ill or something. It is always worth it to get the best power-up yell as possible - all for you wonderful fans!!

Q: If the dragonballs were real, what would you wish for?
A: VERY good questions - all of you!! My most obvious wish would be to go back in time and really cherish the times with my mother and to bring her back. However, I am a very spiritual person and I know things happen for us to learn from - so I would wish that I could continue on a very healthy and compassionate spiritual journey and would wish for all others to have an open mind like that. Ok - I guess that is too many wishes. That's not fair huh? Ok - WORLD PEACE!!! I ramble too much!

Thanks so much for coming and participating in my celebrity chat. You all made this so much fun. I really liked the questions! Very good ones - they made me THINK! (uh-oh) I hope you all continue to tune in to Dragonball and DBZ and always let us hear your feedback. We are here for YOU - the fans - the real celebrities!! Stay tuned for all of the new episodes we are putting out. They are SOOOOOOOOOO funny! You all ROCK!!! Oh - and have a Merry Christmas and Have an incredible 2002!! Ka-me-ha-me-HA!!