Interview with Sandra, Lara's new French voice(The Times Exclusive Level)

- Core-Design.com -

Interview available in French here. Interview disponible en Français ici.

Sandra (alias ErisGoddessDiscord) is the new voice of Lara Croft in the upcoming exclusive level Tomb Raider The Times in French version that is going to be released soon. She accepted this exclusive interview that will allow you to discover her a little bit more while waiting for this brand new version of the game.

Hi Sandra, thanks for accepting to be interviewed. What made you start the experience of dubbing?

Hi! And you're welcome, all the pleasure is mine. :) I started dubbing from a simple YouTube video that made me want to do the same thing. Those who know me know that I'm passionated by mermaids, and so Ariel makes no exception. One girl has sung the moment when she gives her voice to the sea witch and I've found this very nicely made, so I wrote to her to know how she did to record herself, do the editing etc... I thought complicated softwares were required while in fact, it can be accessible to all. So I took the headset that I had under hand at the time and I started to alternate singing and fan dubbings, "fandubs" as the saying goes, except that in the beginning it was more a hobby than anything else. But the more time flew by the more I wanted to work on them more seriously, to improve my acting. And then, I love using my voice like an instrument. I like trying to get noticed by people only by this vocal presence.

Do you have a particular model in this domain?

Françoise Cadol is a pearl. When I was young, each time a new Tomb Raider was released, I recognized her voice and I was delighted to find her. She has a lovely tone, so attractive and soothing, we want to listen her for hours. And of course her acting talent is no longer in doubt, she catch our attention easily. I'd like to have her ease, and I hope I could meet her someday. On the men's side, I enjoy a lot Bernard Alane's performances. There are many actors/actresses who deserve some praise, but Françoise is the one who inspire me and who have all my admiration.

Sandra dubbing Lara in the trailer of Rise of The Tomb Raider. Her performance here caught our attention.

When did you start dubbing and what was your first dub?

I hardly remember it precisely! I believe I started 6 years ago, in 2008 back then. My very first dubbing, that was Ariel's vocalizations... But my first "spoken" dubbing, I don't remember.

How did you notice your vocal capacities to dub characters?

Well I never wondered about it, even now. I'm perfectionist, severe with myself, I'm hardly satisfied ! But the advantage is that it's always pushing me to work to progress. I didn't stop dubbing simply because I love it and when I discover a new passion, I try to invest in it the more than I can. I draw since I was young and it's a personal pleasure, while in dubbing I have to externalize these emotions, I animate myself. This is what made me want to continue. It intrigued me to test how far I could go, to test another way to express myself and to dissect the intricacies.

Sandra dubbing Pocahontas. That was enough to convince us to contact her to dub Lara.

Who are your favorite characters to dub?

Generally, it's very often women with a certain class... And who don't let anyone or anything bothering them. Therefore Lara Croft, definitely... I feast myself dubbing mischievous women too, characters with psychopathic tendencies like the character of Shion in the manga "Higurashi no naku koro ni". We can let us go completely, it's enjoyable from time to time! Yes, I also believe that the type of characters that I prefer dubbing are tormented people who are acting bad for their own vision of justice. Otherwise, I don't have any specifical names to give.

Does the fact performing dubbings on YouTube gave you new opportunities and have you ever received some weird dubbing propositions?

Tomb Raider dubbings gave me a lot, from an artistic and human point of view. I thought I'd get bashed, generally when we touch to a famous character voice so appreciated like Lara's voice, people tend to react pretty badly. Instead of that, I found myself drowning under lots of compliments. "You should be the official dubber", "Your voice remembers Françoise's one" when I see comments such as these ones, my little heart goes boom ! So, some fans have started to write to me to ask if I could dub Lara in their fan projects. Others wrote to tell me that they appreciate what I do, and that they got to know me through TR dubbings. One of my subscribers has sent me a video of a guy who was talking about me at the end, to say that he was feeling some motivation and feeling in my interpretations about the latest TR game released. I don't forget fansites either that were so kind to share my dubbings on social networks. That was the first time I was receiving these various attentions. I thank all the persons who were interested by my work ! And consequently, this allows me to meet new very nice people!
Some weird dubbing propositions? No, none as of now! Generally, I'm always asked on the same register: women dubbings that need my voice to be turned into "sensual mode", haha.

Dubbing of Sandra with C'hoari Del Croft in a scene from The Last of Us, that made us discover who would become our future French Peter Stothard voice.

What made you accept to dub Lara Croft in a new French version of Tomb Raider The Times specially created by the fans for the fans?

First: how to resist to a dubbing proposition concerning my favorite heroine?! I love Tomb Raider, I love dubbing, it's already a very good point. Until now, my propositions were more about short or long films. I was wondering: that'd be great if one day I'd get asked to dub Lara in a level created with the popular "Tomb Raider Level Editor". Because after all, Tomb Raider, it's principally a game. And that'd be pleasurable to hear myself on this support, that makes me dream, it's a bit like I was allowed to be the official successor! Besides, an official Core Design level... That was too tempting! And it's a very good initiative to propose several translations, it's always very enjoyable when some fans work for other fans, this can only deserve some encouragement. Thanks for allowing me to contribute to this French version! :D

What did you think about this new experience?

I consider that every experience, long or short, is rewarding for me. This helps me to practise, to gain self confidence and to improve. This allowed me to find my dear Lara back again. I try to respect the character like we knew her the more that I can. I'm always having a good time, because she entertains me and because I almost grew up with her. So I want to give her justice. And like I said above, it gives me a good occasion to hear myself in a level for the first time!

Sandra as Ariel, interpreting a touching version of the film song. Simply stunning!

How do you see the character of Lara and do you think you have some common points with her?

I see Lara as a strong, talented, independant woman, who reach the end of her objectives. But I also think her solitary side is a bit used by her as a shield to not have to suffer to see people she loves disappear. She's intelligent and smart, and not a sort of bimbo who is only able to give some winks to the camera and to show her assets every thirty seconds. Then, for the common points... The biggest, it's surely the independance. I prefer doing things by myself, and I appreciate my loneliness moments (but you can approach me, I don't bite!). When I have an idea in mind, I don't have it elsewhere... And I think I share her taste for exploration. Hard to find ruins or temples where I stand, but well...

Do you have a favorite Tomb Raider?

It's too hard to name only one! The first three games are my favorite. They are for me the most thrilling expeditions. The first one is a pure adventure wonder, the only one where you really feel far from the real world all along, with various mythic locations. The second is I think, like a lot of fans, the one I must have played the most. It's more action oriented, yet it is very popular as well, I love the China levels and the fight against Bartoli in his dragon form! And the third one, I don't know why, it feels special to me. Because it's a good mix of the two first games, I think. It's the most challenging adventure too, it can also be very frustrating I'd say, there's something to be proud of when we finish it! Then, I tend to choose this one if I really have to choose one but this makes me sad for its two superb predecessors. :P

In this scene from Aladdin, discover Sandra dubbing Jasmine. Another from our favorite videos.

To conclude, what would you say to the fans who would be tempted by the dubbing experience of The Times in other languages but would hesitate to join us?

To get into it, of course! We all dreamt to get closer of our favorite characters from one way or another, to enter in their respective universe. Nothing prevent you to try if you really want it, so enjoy yourselves. When we are fan, we invest a lot and the other fans can feel it. And because we share this passion, we feel the sensations of a good old TR in these community works. I appreciate this particularly because unfortunately in the long run, according to me, Crystal fades more and more what made me want to follow the serie with great interest.

Thanks for this interview and again a big thank you for accepting to dub Lara in The Times French version.

Sandra dubbing Lara Croft in Tomb Raider The Angel of Darkness.	Another dubbing of Lara in Tomb Raider Chronicles.

We invite you to discover more dubbings of Sandra on her YouTube account here.