PROBE

Tiffany Grant

By Chuck Shandry

CHUCK: What did you do for Second Impact (Sept. 13, 2000)?

TIFFANY: Not too much really, but I DID receive at least ten emails that day wishing me a "Happy Second Impact."

CHUCK: What can you tell us about your current or future projects, the Eva movies, for instance, and are you planning to attend future cons?

TIFFANY: Current anime projects include the recent release of the end of the Sorcerer Hunter: Spell Wars videos, my ongoing role as the fiery Aestevalis pilot, Ryoko Subaru in Martian Successor Nadesico, and small parts in ADV's first theatrical release, Spriggan, as well as the new AD Police.

As far as The Eva movies are concerned, fans can check out the Manga web site for any updates. It's basically in a holding pattern right now. As far as I know, it is still a go, and Manga is just waiting on receipt of all the necessary materials. Fans may or may not know that Gainax, the parent company, has suffered many legal woes including tax problems and bankruptcy. Not to worry, however, thirteen of the original cast members have committed to the project and I know fans will be pleased to hear that.

Another project I am especially proud of is the live action feature film, Laughing Boy. A locally produced comedy, it is also interspersed with brief animated scenes (by Houston based Stone Soup Traditional Cel Animation). We recently got an international distribution deal with Bonano Entertainment, and fans should soon be able to get their own copy at "a video store near you"! We are also hoping for cable and/or Pay-per-View distribution as well. To find out more about the film, please visit our site at : http://www.grisaffi.com/laughingboy.html

CHUCK: And finally, what advice can you give to someone trying to break into voice acting?

TIFFANY: Oh, boy. The most "F" of the "FAQs." The number one thing I can say is: persistence. Number two is: persistence.

Honestly, anyone who is considering pursuing any form of acting or entertaining (et cetera) as a career should ask themselves this one major question: Is there anything else I could possibly be happy doing?

If the answer to this question is "yes," go with THAT answer. I am totally serious about this. This is not a career to be entered into lightly. There is a great deal of rejection involved. You must be completely dedicated to this as a career choice.

I recommend pursuing any and all possible opportunities in your area including, but not limited to, local/community theatres, movie/TV or commercial work - even as an extra, radio work and any other performance work. Most VAs I know have a theatrical background, so I think any stage training is very helpful.

You would absolutely need to live in an area where the type of work is being done that you are attempting to pursue. This is non-negotiable. Yes, yes, I know people think that they would go anywhere to work, but it is just not possible. The thing is, you must first get an audition - no small trick - which is going to be on very short notice. That project may be recording in the next week or two or in several weeks and, if you are lucky enough to get booked, it is going to be on two or three day's notice at best. Also, there are occasional "pick-ups" required where a line or two may need to be re-done (for any number of reasons), and you may be called and asked to come in that day or the next. I have actually had a call to come in and work the same day with only a couple hours' notice.

Because I live near ADV and have a very flexible schedule, it puts me in a good position to be available when they need me. Studios are not going to be terribly accommodating to conflicts such as a job with inflexible hours or people who live a great distance away. They are not going to fly you in or pay your gas mileage or put you up in a hotel.

Bottom line: an actor's life is not for the faint of heart. Be true to yourself and follow your dreams.

CHUCK: Tiffany, thanks again for your time, and hope to see you soon.

TIFFANY: Thanks for all the great questions, Chuck as well as all your terrific support through the years. If anyone would like further information, please contact my website at http://www.eva-r.com/tiff/tiff.htm.

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Reference in Eva to a (supposed) meteor strike that hit Antarctica and killed off most of humanity. (Didn't hear about it? Then you must be one of the suriviors.)

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AD. Police takes place in MegaTokyo in 2027 AD. Relentless technological development has resulted in the creation of Boomers, artificially intelligent androids with the potential to free mankind from physical labor. But anything that can be used can also be misused ...

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