When it comes to video game villains you can’t go wrong when it comes to Albert Wesker. The man who will work his way to the top through the pain and suffering of others. Only caring about himself, and ready to betray you as soon as your usefulness has reached its peak. Even dying always seems to be part of the plan for this manipulating mastermind. The man even wears sunglasses at night! What’s not to like (or hate) about him?
For the fifteenth anniversary of Resident Evil we interviewed Richard Waugh, a humble, witty and enormously talented actor from Canada who embodied that very character in three Resident Evil games. Two of which will be re-released in HD this fall when RESIDENT EVIL REVIVAL SELECTION is made available for download on PS3 and Xbox 360 in the forms of Resident Evil 4 HD and Resident Evil CODE:Veronica Complete HD. In this interview we ask him a variety of questions about the character submitted by the fans ranging from acting to movies to animals to even RoboCop! It’s sure to be an interesting read for any Wesker fan.
For the fifteenth anniversary of Resident Evil we interviewed Richard Waugh, a humble, witty and enormously talented actor from Canada who embodied that very character in three Resident Evil games. Two of which will be re-released in HD this fall when RESIDENT EVIL REVIVAL SELECTION is made available for download on PS3 and Xbox 360 in the forms of Resident Evil 4 HD and Resident Evil CODE:Veronica Complete HD. In this interview we ask him a variety of questions about the character submitted by the fans ranging from acting to movies to animals to even RoboCop! It’s sure to be an interesting read for any Wesker fan.
Interviewer: Smiley
Date: 22/07/2011
Date: 22/07/2011
Project Umbrella Transcript
Smiley: How did you break into acting, and more precisely when were you involved in voice over?
Richard: I started acting in school and community productions when I was just out of grade school. By the time I was seventeen I was "Artistic Director" of a Story Theatre company that performed in a local amusement park. Voice over work came much later. Somewhere in the early nineties my theatrical agent told me she thought I should pursue voice work and before the end of the week had signed me with a voice agent. It didn't really go well at first. I think I did over a hundred auditions before I got one gig and it was a steep learning curve but eventually it became my bread and butter.
Smiley: How and when did you first become acquainted with Capcom?
Richard: It was just another audition. I have to say Susan Hart, the beautiful and talented casting director, was instrumental in bringing actors with stage experience in to the mix. She felt strongly that the game would be more successful with experienced actors in front of the mic.
Smiley: What was the audition process like? Were you auditioning for other characters besides Wesker?
Richard: I barely remember, which probably means that the audition itself was fairly unremarkable. I think I auditioned for Ashford as well, which my friend Peter Oldring played.
Smiley: You are the second voice actor to portray Wesker. Did you have to listen to the previous actor’s voice and match up to it or were you given more creative control with the voice?
Richard: No I didn't hear the first actor but that does happen. Often when replacing a performer you do make an effort to match at least tone or rhythm but I'm pretty sure I wasn't played a reference because I made an almost instant decision on how to approach Wesker and stuck with it.
Smiley: Were there any specific directions on how to voice the character? Did you have any inspirations to draw from?
Richard: My kids were toddlers at the time and we had been watching a lot of Disney films. As soon as I read Wesker I thought, wouldn't it be cool to have this military-type have a really cultured, chocolaty voice like George Sanders in The Jungle Book. Wesker is basically my version of Shere Khan.
Smiley: Was it difficult to follow up on your character’s background or the storyline? Were you given any details or did you have to research the part? Did your work on Wesker’s Report help in any way?
Richard: We weren't given a lot of literature. There may have been a plot summary and brief character description at the first session but after that we just got our lines and rudimentary visuals. Susan Hart's directing was indispensable. She was our resource.
Smiley: Did you have any influence or say in the character or some of the dialogue? What are some of your favorite Wesker lines?
Richard: I seem to remember that it was my suggestion to have Wesker never use contractions. It made him more precise and inhuman. Of course , eventually he actually was inhuman so ,in retrospect , that may have been gilding the Lily. I also remember that there were one or two lines that just struck all of us as odd translations and needed to be smoothed out. The issue was usually redundancy.
There was one Wesker/Chris exchange in which Wesker went on and on about "Today you have won but next time we meet I will win and you will lose so losing today will mean nothing when I win..." or something to that effect. It was just clunky and run on. I remember suggesting "Today was your lucky day. Don't expect another." (or something very close) and that made it into the game. I guess that's my favorite line. I'm a narcissist that way.
Smiley: Were you aware of how popular the games were when you were recording for Wesker? If not, when did it dwell on you?
Richard: I had no idea what the fan base was for these games and I didn't until well after I'd done my last recording session. A friend told me to check out the Wesker fan pages on the Internet. I thought he was yanking my chain. Not long after that I was invited to a Fanime convention in San Jose Ca. and my education in RE fans was fully rounded out. I was simultaneously humbled and flattered.
Smiley: Now you voiced the character in three of the games in the series (RESIDENT EVIL CODE:Veronica, Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 4). Did you have a different experience recording for each of them? and
Richard: I was just happy to come back each time. There were huge gaps between editions and there were never any guarantees I'd be included in the next one. I'd like to think I got better as we went along. I certainly enjoyed it more, the more I spent time with the character.
Smiley: CODE: Veronica and Resident Evil 4 were re-released with additional scenes involving an emphasis on Wesker. Were these bonus scenes planned ahead of time or were you brought in for additional recording after working on the two? Were any of the games ever stressful to work on?
Richard: I was recording RE during a rather hectic few years. It was my busiest work period to date and I had a growing new family. I don't remember much accurately but I did get the impression that Wesker was getting popular. I was quite thrilled to have more time on mic.
Smiley: Where did Wesker’s Report factor into all this?
Richard: Wesker's Report seemed like a last minute addition and a good indication that he was becoming more and more central to the story. As I said before, I was just happy to be invited back to the studio with every incarnation.
Smiley: Do you have any favorite characters in the series besides Wesker?
Richard: I like the Redfields.
Smiley: What is it about Wesker that appeals to you? Why do you think he’s popular among the fans?
Richard: Wesker has a good time. He loves conflict, strategies, battle, violence and most of all being Albert Wesker. It's hard not to like someone who loves who they are and what they do even if what they do is unspeakable.
Smiley: Speaking of the fans, have you ever encountered any of them that recognized you based on your name or voice?
Richard: I have been recognized by my voice. I had a waiter hover around the table listening to my conversation before he just flat out asked me if I was Wesker. It was perfect timing. I was having lunch with a television director I wanted to impress.
Smiley: Have you actually ever played any of the Resident Evil games? (Oh yes, I went there) Or have any of your friends or family?
Richard: I have been very honest in the past about my lack of gaming ability. I did attempt to play Resident Evil but I didn't last long. I don't think I even got out of the first room. I have friends who've played every one.
Smiley: After CODE:Veronica, did you audition for any of the other games that had Wesker involved such as the biohazard remake or Resident Evil 5? Or were you called in when they were specifically working on Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil 4?
Richard: I never auditioned after the first one and I never knew if I was going to be asked back. I was thrilled when I was called and quite disappointed when I'd see an edition come out in which I had not been involved.
Smiley: Is it true that you had worked on Umbrella Chronicles? If so, to what extent?
Richard: I believe that I said I was once, and that was wrong. The names had blended in my head and I was thinking Wesker Chronicles (which was of course Wesker's Report).
Smiley: Have you heard any of the other actors who’ve played Wesker besides yourself? Or have you followed the games in any way?
Richard: Nope.
Smiley: Have you seen any of the Resident Evil movies, and if so what do you think of them? If offered to play a role or cameo in the movies would you be happy to?
Richard: I have seen the movies. I even auditioned for the role Kim Coates played in Afterlife. That would have been awesome. I'd have had scenes with my vocal self. Kim was great, we worked together years ago. He's the real deal. So is Milla Jovovich . She might be one the most underrated actresses out there right now. I would love to be in one of the films. I'd love to play Wesker! He's mostly CGI now anyway so it would be a snap to make me look ten years younger, blonde and buff.
Smiley: Because Capcom seems to move production between Canada and L.A. (sometimes using actors from both in the same game) should Wesker ever return in the series would you still voice him if offered the role?
Richard: I would voice Wesker again in a heartbeat, or any other regular character for that matter.
Smiley: Some of Wesker’s lines throughout the years have been animal specific including your line “Oh little fishie come see my hook”. Do you believe Wesker fancies himself as an animal lover or would you believe there is more to it than that?
Richard: Wesker isn't an anything lover other than a Wesker lover. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure he views himself as a pure and efficient predator so he would admire like- beings.
Smiley: Fans have been wondering, and I kid you not. From your experience in the games which of the Resident Evil ladies does Wesker have his sights on? Claire, Ada or Rebecca? Or do you find his obsession with Chris to be more than what he’s letting on?
Richard: I think for Wesker sex and violence are the same thing so he isn't gender specific or even person specific but he does light up around the people who challenge him, like the Redfields.
Smiley: To be fair though, Alyson Court (voice of Claire) is “Team Wesker” in this case and has voiced her views on Wesker X Claire. Your thoughts?
Richard: I don't know any male who has met Alyson who doesn't have a bit of a thing for her so I'm afraid I am a little biased. Claire is a favorite.
Smiley: What do you think Wesker did with Sherry Birkin or Steve’s body?
Richard: Ate 'em.
Smiley: It should also be noted that in an episode of ReGenesis Sally Cahill (voice of Ada) is seen serving your character breakfast. Your character also works with diseases, has samples and seeks human experiments. Coincidence?
Richard: [Smiley], you are so far down the rabbit hole I can't even see you.
Smiley: You also worked on a number of television shows including the Robocop TV series. Hypothetically speaking: Who would win in a fight between Robocop and Wesker?
Richard: Robo would be severely and unfortunately hampered by his sense of justice, fair play and respect for life. Wesker would probably treat him like a lobster dinner and pick his teeth with fragments of the shell.
Smiley: Resident Evil is having its fifteenth anniversary, how has the series reflected on you throughout the years? Are you excited that the games you’ve worked on are still being played on many systems all over the world to this very day?
Richard: I've admitted before that I'm not a gamer and I'm not a net surfer but regardless of that I am overjoyed that a character I helped bring to life is appreciated. Truly. It feels a bit like Timothy Dalton once told me about being a Bond. Even if I wasn't asked back, I still got to do it!
Smiley: What would you like to say to all of the fans around the world right now?
Richard: Thank you. The entertainment business tends to be brutal. Fans can make it worthwhile.
Smiley: Is there a way the fans can reach out and contact you be it an e-mail or fan page on Facebook/Twitter?
Richard: I can always be reached through my agent Sandra Gillis at Premier Artist Management. I'm in touch with her almost daily.
Smiley: Do you have any advice to those out there seeking to be an actor on stage, film or television? How about voice over?
Richard: It is a frustrating, soul destroying line of work and if you have any marketable skill outside of entertainment, do that.
Smiley: What’s next for Richard Waugh? Will we be seeing you in any upcoming television shows or movies? Perhaps even hear you in more video games?
Richard: I am currently dubbing the latest incarnation of Beyblades playing, wait for it, the bad guy. I'm also waiting on some on-camera projects that I may be involved in this fall. I'm not naming them because I'm an old fashioned, superstitious actor but cross fingers for me.
Smiley: Thank you so much for answering all these questions. Is there anything more you would like to say to all the fans out there?
Richard: More to say!? Are you kidding? I ran out of things to say 20 some odd questions ago.
Thank you. This was fun. I hope your readers enjoy it.
Richard: I started acting in school and community productions when I was just out of grade school. By the time I was seventeen I was "Artistic Director" of a Story Theatre company that performed in a local amusement park. Voice over work came much later. Somewhere in the early nineties my theatrical agent told me she thought I should pursue voice work and before the end of the week had signed me with a voice agent. It didn't really go well at first. I think I did over a hundred auditions before I got one gig and it was a steep learning curve but eventually it became my bread and butter.
Smiley: How and when did you first become acquainted with Capcom?
Richard: It was just another audition. I have to say Susan Hart, the beautiful and talented casting director, was instrumental in bringing actors with stage experience in to the mix. She felt strongly that the game would be more successful with experienced actors in front of the mic.
Smiley: What was the audition process like? Were you auditioning for other characters besides Wesker?
Richard: I barely remember, which probably means that the audition itself was fairly unremarkable. I think I auditioned for Ashford as well, which my friend Peter Oldring played.
Smiley: You are the second voice actor to portray Wesker. Did you have to listen to the previous actor’s voice and match up to it or were you given more creative control with the voice?
Richard: No I didn't hear the first actor but that does happen. Often when replacing a performer you do make an effort to match at least tone or rhythm but I'm pretty sure I wasn't played a reference because I made an almost instant decision on how to approach Wesker and stuck with it.
Smiley: Were there any specific directions on how to voice the character? Did you have any inspirations to draw from?
Richard: My kids were toddlers at the time and we had been watching a lot of Disney films. As soon as I read Wesker I thought, wouldn't it be cool to have this military-type have a really cultured, chocolaty voice like George Sanders in The Jungle Book. Wesker is basically my version of Shere Khan.
Smiley: Was it difficult to follow up on your character’s background or the storyline? Were you given any details or did you have to research the part? Did your work on Wesker’s Report help in any way?
Richard: We weren't given a lot of literature. There may have been a plot summary and brief character description at the first session but after that we just got our lines and rudimentary visuals. Susan Hart's directing was indispensable. She was our resource.
Smiley: Did you have any influence or say in the character or some of the dialogue? What are some of your favorite Wesker lines?
Richard: I seem to remember that it was my suggestion to have Wesker never use contractions. It made him more precise and inhuman. Of course , eventually he actually was inhuman so ,in retrospect , that may have been gilding the Lily. I also remember that there were one or two lines that just struck all of us as odd translations and needed to be smoothed out. The issue was usually redundancy.
There was one Wesker/Chris exchange in which Wesker went on and on about "Today you have won but next time we meet I will win and you will lose so losing today will mean nothing when I win..." or something to that effect. It was just clunky and run on. I remember suggesting "Today was your lucky day. Don't expect another." (or something very close) and that made it into the game. I guess that's my favorite line. I'm a narcissist that way.
Smiley: Were you aware of how popular the games were when you were recording for Wesker? If not, when did it dwell on you?
Richard: I had no idea what the fan base was for these games and I didn't until well after I'd done my last recording session. A friend told me to check out the Wesker fan pages on the Internet. I thought he was yanking my chain. Not long after that I was invited to a Fanime convention in San Jose Ca. and my education in RE fans was fully rounded out. I was simultaneously humbled and flattered.
Smiley: Now you voiced the character in three of the games in the series (RESIDENT EVIL CODE:Veronica, Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 4). Did you have a different experience recording for each of them? and
Richard: I was just happy to come back each time. There were huge gaps between editions and there were never any guarantees I'd be included in the next one. I'd like to think I got better as we went along. I certainly enjoyed it more, the more I spent time with the character.
Smiley: CODE: Veronica and Resident Evil 4 were re-released with additional scenes involving an emphasis on Wesker. Were these bonus scenes planned ahead of time or were you brought in for additional recording after working on the two? Were any of the games ever stressful to work on?
Richard: I was recording RE during a rather hectic few years. It was my busiest work period to date and I had a growing new family. I don't remember much accurately but I did get the impression that Wesker was getting popular. I was quite thrilled to have more time on mic.
Smiley: Where did Wesker’s Report factor into all this?
Richard: Wesker's Report seemed like a last minute addition and a good indication that he was becoming more and more central to the story. As I said before, I was just happy to be invited back to the studio with every incarnation.
Smiley: Do you have any favorite characters in the series besides Wesker?
Richard: I like the Redfields.
Smiley: What is it about Wesker that appeals to you? Why do you think he’s popular among the fans?
Richard: Wesker has a good time. He loves conflict, strategies, battle, violence and most of all being Albert Wesker. It's hard not to like someone who loves who they are and what they do even if what they do is unspeakable.
Smiley: Speaking of the fans, have you ever encountered any of them that recognized you based on your name or voice?
Richard: I have been recognized by my voice. I had a waiter hover around the table listening to my conversation before he just flat out asked me if I was Wesker. It was perfect timing. I was having lunch with a television director I wanted to impress.
Smiley: Have you actually ever played any of the Resident Evil games? (Oh yes, I went there) Or have any of your friends or family?
Richard: I have been very honest in the past about my lack of gaming ability. I did attempt to play Resident Evil but I didn't last long. I don't think I even got out of the first room. I have friends who've played every one.
Smiley: After CODE:Veronica, did you audition for any of the other games that had Wesker involved such as the biohazard remake or Resident Evil 5? Or were you called in when they were specifically working on Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil 4?
Richard: I never auditioned after the first one and I never knew if I was going to be asked back. I was thrilled when I was called and quite disappointed when I'd see an edition come out in which I had not been involved.
Smiley: Is it true that you had worked on Umbrella Chronicles? If so, to what extent?
Richard: I believe that I said I was once, and that was wrong. The names had blended in my head and I was thinking Wesker Chronicles (which was of course Wesker's Report).
Smiley: Have you heard any of the other actors who’ve played Wesker besides yourself? Or have you followed the games in any way?
Richard: Nope.
Smiley: Have you seen any of the Resident Evil movies, and if so what do you think of them? If offered to play a role or cameo in the movies would you be happy to?
Richard: I have seen the movies. I even auditioned for the role Kim Coates played in Afterlife. That would have been awesome. I'd have had scenes with my vocal self. Kim was great, we worked together years ago. He's the real deal. So is Milla Jovovich . She might be one the most underrated actresses out there right now. I would love to be in one of the films. I'd love to play Wesker! He's mostly CGI now anyway so it would be a snap to make me look ten years younger, blonde and buff.
Smiley: Because Capcom seems to move production between Canada and L.A. (sometimes using actors from both in the same game) should Wesker ever return in the series would you still voice him if offered the role?
Richard: I would voice Wesker again in a heartbeat, or any other regular character for that matter.
Smiley: Some of Wesker’s lines throughout the years have been animal specific including your line “Oh little fishie come see my hook”. Do you believe Wesker fancies himself as an animal lover or would you believe there is more to it than that?
Richard: Wesker isn't an anything lover other than a Wesker lover. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure he views himself as a pure and efficient predator so he would admire like- beings.
Smiley: Fans have been wondering, and I kid you not. From your experience in the games which of the Resident Evil ladies does Wesker have his sights on? Claire, Ada or Rebecca? Or do you find his obsession with Chris to be more than what he’s letting on?
Richard: I think for Wesker sex and violence are the same thing so he isn't gender specific or even person specific but he does light up around the people who challenge him, like the Redfields.
Smiley: To be fair though, Alyson Court (voice of Claire) is “Team Wesker” in this case and has voiced her views on Wesker X Claire. Your thoughts?
Richard: I don't know any male who has met Alyson who doesn't have a bit of a thing for her so I'm afraid I am a little biased. Claire is a favorite.
Smiley: What do you think Wesker did with Sherry Birkin or Steve’s body?
Richard: Ate 'em.
Smiley: It should also be noted that in an episode of ReGenesis Sally Cahill (voice of Ada) is seen serving your character breakfast. Your character also works with diseases, has samples and seeks human experiments. Coincidence?
Richard: [Smiley], you are so far down the rabbit hole I can't even see you.
Smiley: You also worked on a number of television shows including the Robocop TV series. Hypothetically speaking: Who would win in a fight between Robocop and Wesker?
Richard: Robo would be severely and unfortunately hampered by his sense of justice, fair play and respect for life. Wesker would probably treat him like a lobster dinner and pick his teeth with fragments of the shell.
Smiley: Resident Evil is having its fifteenth anniversary, how has the series reflected on you throughout the years? Are you excited that the games you’ve worked on are still being played on many systems all over the world to this very day?
Richard: I've admitted before that I'm not a gamer and I'm not a net surfer but regardless of that I am overjoyed that a character I helped bring to life is appreciated. Truly. It feels a bit like Timothy Dalton once told me about being a Bond. Even if I wasn't asked back, I still got to do it!
Smiley: What would you like to say to all of the fans around the world right now?
Richard: Thank you. The entertainment business tends to be brutal. Fans can make it worthwhile.
Smiley: Is there a way the fans can reach out and contact you be it an e-mail or fan page on Facebook/Twitter?
Richard: I can always be reached through my agent Sandra Gillis at Premier Artist Management. I'm in touch with her almost daily.
Smiley: Do you have any advice to those out there seeking to be an actor on stage, film or television? How about voice over?
Richard: It is a frustrating, soul destroying line of work and if you have any marketable skill outside of entertainment, do that.
Smiley: What’s next for Richard Waugh? Will we be seeing you in any upcoming television shows or movies? Perhaps even hear you in more video games?
Richard: I am currently dubbing the latest incarnation of Beyblades playing, wait for it, the bad guy. I'm also waiting on some on-camera projects that I may be involved in this fall. I'm not naming them because I'm an old fashioned, superstitious actor but cross fingers for me.
Smiley: Thank you so much for answering all these questions. Is there anything more you would like to say to all the fans out there?
Richard: More to say!? Are you kidding? I ran out of things to say 20 some odd questions ago.
Thank you. This was fun. I hope your readers enjoy it.
(Special thanks go out to Karen Palmer for helping to set up this interview, Mr. Spencer over at Project Umbrella for hosting it, the fans who contributed their questions and most importantly to Richard himself who took the time to answer them.)