Lauren is a darling that I met through the Pathfinder group I am in on online through Roll20, the one ran by my fantastic narrator, Logan Anare. Rachael and Lexi are a part of it too! 🙂 Lauren is a kind, calming, and charming person who always makes me smile. She is so easy to adore and her voice is talent is as firey as her elf character. 😉
Please meet Lauren and the wonderful audiobooks she brings to life here. So grateful to have her! ^_^
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Lauren R. Narrator Interview:
- All right! Have to start with the basic question: What got you into narration?
- I was more interested in voice acting for animation but the more I took workshops and classes the more I started to lean into narration. I will focus back on animation again eventually, but I am loving narration.
- What were three of your favorite things to do growing up?
- Sing, watch movies, and be outside.
- What three books got you into reading in your life? One from childhood, one from teen/tween years, and one adult or more modern.
- Childhood: In a Dark Dark Room
- Teen: Ella Enchanted
- Adult: (It’s so hard to pick one) A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Technically YA but more adult themes)
- Tell us about the first book you narrated. How did it make you feel?
- Make it Count by Tamar Sloan (unfortunately no longer on audible). Casey can tell how many days a person has left to live with one touch. She becomes withdrawn until she meets PJ. When she sees his number she questions if they can change.
I love this book because it hammers in nothing is for certain, you only live once, and love is always worth it.
TW: My first day getting in my booth to record this was the day of the Parkland shooting so I had a lot of feels about the message of the book.
- Any tips for people aspiring to be voice actors?
- Treat it like a hobby. Consume as much as you can of what you want before jumping in. Take classes and play. Consider the avenues and genres (Commercial, E-learning, Animation, Narration. Children’s, Middle-Grade YA, Romance, Mystery). Slowly start buying the equipment. Then jump in head first!
- What are some of the warm-ups you do to prepare for a role?
- I will find a song that matches the tone and will warm up by singing and playing Ukulele
- What are your favorite impressions to do to entertain others? AND, are there any actors whose voices/personalities inspire your work?
- Vanellope Von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) Wreck it Ralf is one I love to quote.
Animation in general is what got me interested in voice acting.
- Please tell us a little bit about you and your lovely family. 🙂
- I am single with a cat and a dog (the Lady Tremaine meme is very real). I am very close with my grandma, mom and dad, my sister and her family of 4, and my brother and his family of 6. I love being a fun aunt and one that can be available to help.
- What attracts you to certain roles?
- As someone who has toxic positivity, a sense of hope in the story is nice. But it’s not a hard and fast rule because I also love horror.
- What would some of your dream roles be?
- Honestly, I love that dream roles surprise me. I never knew I wanted to be a descendent of Pandora but along came The Widely Unknown Myth of Apple and Dorothy by Corey Ann Haydu.
- How long have you played tabletop games/Pathfinder? Also tell us about the character in the one we share and how the campaign makes you feel?
- This was only my 3rd time playing a DnD-like game. My first time playing one in 2020, I had no focus on what I wanted my character to be. I wanted her to be a little bit of everything but ended up not being able to figure out her strength. I figured that out when I played my second game.
- With Mialee, I still had to try and find a focus for her while still making a fun character. I made her an Elf Druid and with the help of the DM saying ‘Your character likes using the fire bolt, lean into the fire spells’. She is a little more chaotic than I originally imagined her to be, but the journey has been so much fun!
- What do you do to relax?
- I love a relaxing bath or watching a movie.
- If you could tell your 14-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
- Don’t be afraid to go all in.
- What advice would you have for this upcoming generation?
- Try as many extracurriculars/ hobbies as you can until you find what you love.
- Have you ever read a book/movie that changed your outlook on life?
- Plenty! I wouldn’t be this invested in my narration if it didn’t, but it is so hard to name a few. I will say I was watching The Book of Life repeatedly when it was suggested that I look into voice acting,
- Do you have a classic piece of literature or a classic author you are fond of?
- Alice in Wonderland/ Through the Looking Glass – Not only the book but the movies that have come from this book have some amazing moments.
- If you could pick three people who are your heroes or role models, who would they be and why?
- 1&2: Selena and Selma Hayek: These were two very successful Hispanic/ Mexican American women in music and movies when I was growing up.
- Tara Strong: She is a fabulous voice actor, I can only hope I have a fraction of the career that she has.
- Dog or cat person?
- I have both! You can’t make me choose a favorite!
- What do you want to eat right now?
- Dessert, but I have ADHD decision paralysis.
- If you could be in any movie that has already been made, which one would it be?
- Little me always wanted to be in Grease. Adult me: The Greatest Showman.
- What is your favorite holiday or time of year?
- Fall, I love transitional seasons, and because of Halloween.
- Anything else you would like to add?
- You are amazing, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
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LINKS:
bio.site/lrodrgiuez
Website: LaurenRodriguezvo.com
Instagram: LaurenSuz
TikTok: LaurenRodriguezvo
BIO:
Lauren was born and raised in Texas. She has a background in music and a BA in theatre from Southern Arkansas University. Her love of performing in plays and musical theatre helped shape her passion for using her voice to tell stories behind a microphone.