While casting and recording for Kinect Sports Rivals throughout 2013, we got the chance to work with some highly talented, extremely versatile and occasionally hilarious acting talent. And it wasn’t confined to the voiceover booth: for KSR‘s team and training cutscenes we decided that full performance capture was the only way to go.
So we hauled our actors down to Shepperton Studios, stuck them in bodysuits and headcams, and let the magic happen. Then we got them to answer a few quick questions so that we could introduce you to the fine people behind the characters (in the English-language version, at least).
This week: Viper Network’s hyperactive tech and meme aficionado, Max. Or more accurately, fast-rising stage and film sensation Mr. Kyle Soller.
Q&A: Kyle Soller
Rare: Can you give us some background on yourself and how you got into videogame acting?
Kyle Soller: I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised in Detroit, Michigan. I’ve been in the entertainment industry in one form or another since the age of 12 and have always had the full support of my family. I got into video game work a little over a year ago simply because my voice fit the look of the character.
Rare: Was this your first experience of performance capture? If so, how was it? If not, are you worried that you’re starting to like the suit?
KS: I loved it! it was a lot of fun. I took too many pictures of me in the condom suit (can I say condom suit?) with the bobbly lights on it. As far as the performance capture aspect, it was a type of acting that I had to get used to very quickly but everyone made it so easy. It was really cool.
Rare: Where are gamers and non-gamers most likely to have seen (or heard) your work before?
KS: For the gamers – all the games I’ve done haven’t come out yet! So look out…
For the non-gamers, if you go to the theatre you may have seen me at the Young Vic, Royal Court, Apollo Theatre, or National Theatre…
Rare: How would you describe your character in Kinect Sports Rivals, and why do you think people should sign up for his team?
KS: Max is the master of the techno match! Or at least he THINKS he is. He’s got a lot of brains, is a whirlwind with any kind of gadgetry you can imagine, thinks very quickly, eats too much sugar and E-numbers and gets WAY too excited, but he means well.
He’s also in love with Zara. Just a little bit. OK, maybe a lot. But she is TOTALLY out of his league.
Rare: Did you have a particular favourite scene to shoot on the day?
KS: I had a such great time doing all of them – I can’t choose! but I guess the running joke of being secretly in love with Alana Maria (who played Zara) and trying not to let her find out was pretty fun.
About Max
A child prodigy, web entrepreneur and young CEO who nurtured Viper Network from a clutch of bedroom hackers into a world-leading company. Max’s love of videogames and Japanese culture is well-known, clearly influencing the futuristic design and ethos of the team. Physically slight but mentally unmatched, Max rarely competes in the games himself, preferring to exert influence through tactical analysis, cutting-edge tech design and of course Zara – his expert enforcer.
Team: Viper Network
Role: Second-in-command
Favourite sport: Bowling
Personality: Geeky but whip-smart, sometimes youthfully reckless
Interests: Technology, sci-fi, MMOs, making money
Most likely to… get so excited his voice breaks
Least likely to… be seen with last season’s gear
Soundbite: “Like a boss! And like his boss too!”
Look out for the full game, available now!
With thanks to Kyle, and also to the team at Side.