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SEPTEMBER 12, 2003 at 4:38 PM
Posted by SANO ORBIS
Source: Copley News Service via Wizard News
Jim Dale relates how he literally fell into show business as he discusses his career in an interview for Copley News Service
. His work on bringing Author J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series to life for the recording of Random House Inc.'s Listening Library is emphasized as his most notable achievement.
The interview gives details of his experiences in performing the voices for all 5 Potter novels, with particular attention to the grueling process of completing Order of the Phoenix in time for the June release date. Mr. Dale had to record 255,000 words with 134 individual voiced characters in less than 3 months.
Despite the difficulties, Mr. Dale's feelings about his work are best expressed in his own words:
Being the voice of Harry Potter allows me to be the voice of J.K. Rowling to millions of children. And if that's the way I'm going to be remembered, by my grandchildren and, hopefully, their grandchildren, that isn't so bad.
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Witch
Points: 684
Malakite says:
Good on him!
I hope they have him do the next two, as well. Maybe he'll set more records! :)
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 5:14 PM EST
Witch
Points: 574
Tonks007 says:
Thats great I hope he will finish off the rest of the books.
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 5:28 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Alessandra says:
His performances are truly wonderful. I rather hope everyone who was complaining about the price of the audio books reads this article and sees how much work went into making the book come alive.
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 5:53 PM EST
Head House Elf
Points: 2756
Dobby says:
I love the audio books! Although, I do listen to them AFTER i read the books! I hope he does the rest of the books, too!
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 6:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1856
Rupert Baby says:
It would be awesome to be a reader for one of those and i love the HP audio books however i also read the actual book first that just wouldnt be the same...!
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 6:45 PM EST
Supreme Mugwump
Points: 2893
S.P.E.W. fan says:
I am of big on the Books on Tape. Reading isn't sufficent if you are a true blue Harry Potter fan because Jim Dale's interpretation of characters, character interaction and mood are very informative. I pik up different things in the Book on Tape than book.
Some things I noticed in the OotP on Tape:
I was one of the people who was shocked at how angry Harry was in OotP. However, the Book on tape really captured the essence of Harry’s anger but also the reasons. I understood Harry’s feeling better as it was “softened.” Harry’s not just screaming at the top of his lungs like a pouting 3-year-old. He’s emotional of course, but you feel his anger better. Before you say you don’t like how angry Harry was in the book, try listening to Jim Dale’s interpretation of Harry and I think you’ll find Harry is handling things remarkable well in extremely difficult circumstances.
However, the scene in the Department of Mysteries isn’t nearly as scary as I imagined it while reading the book. The book on tape couldn’t quite capture the horror of being school children that are outnumbered and trapped by full grown Death Eaters.
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 7:30 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1092
quidditch_queen says:
Really cool. I would like to listen the tapes someday! It would be very nice to listen the voice of them on the tape.
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 8:02 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
Wow! He sounds like an amazing voice impersonator. I haven't heard the books on tape, but I may have to check them out. I am sure he does a fabulous job.
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 8:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4247
gryfgirl says:
Good for him! He does an excellent job on all the HP audiobooks & I really look forward to hearing him on the remaining two. :)
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 8:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 742
TigerEyez says:
I've never actually listened to the books on tape. I dunno, I spend enough money on the books, I don't need the tapes.
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 10:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
Slytherin_Punk says:
Good. Hey i say just go ahead and do the other two.
Posted Sep 12, 2003 at 10:37 PM EST
Points: 363
Hedwig says:
Great job! I Hope he does the rest of them too. :)
Posted Sep 13, 2003 at 12:06 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
His job is really amazing. He couldn't had said it better to be JK Rowling's voice for millions of children is a spectacular opportunity.
Posted Sep 13, 2003 at 11:09 AM EST
Points: 383
electra says:
134 voices ? Damn. That's hot!
Well expressed, though :)
Posted Sep 13, 2003 at 12:59 PM EST
Witch
Points: 712
harryroxmysocks says:
Good job JD! I think the recordings are great!
Posted Sep 13, 2003 at 1:04 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
he he cool cool, hey that means he read the book before us if he had to finish before June! UNFAIR!!!.... anyway go Jim!
Posted Sep 13, 2003 at 2:18 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
HPN4eveRon says:
Good job! I am proude of him. Good work!
Posted Sep 13, 2003 at 4:46 PM EST
Points: 790
M. Sebastian says:
The really amazing thing is not only that he uses so many voices, but that he can quickly switch from one to another. I'm curious as to what type of script he reads from so he knows so quickly as to which voice he needs to use. He not only has to switch voices, but emotions. Quite a difficult task and very well done.
Posted Sep 14, 2003 at 12:03 PM EST
Student
Points: 257
witch_hazel says:
I've never heard his voice but from what people say, he's really good, so I hope he does the next two as well. Lucky him, he gets to read the HP books before anyone else!
Posted Sep 15, 2003 at 2:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1990
HarrysGran says:
Great, 134 voices! Amazing. I would like to listen to the tapes...
Posted Sep 16, 2003 at 4:36 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 333
HarryPotterNutcase says:
I really need to get those tapes sometime..
Posted Sep 19, 2003 at 4:27 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
"Being the voice of Harry Potter allows me to be the voice of J.K. Rowling to millions of children. And if that's the way I'm going to be remembered, by my grandchildren and, hopefully, their grandchildren, that isn't so bad." That is totally true.
Posted Feb 29, 2004 at 10:21 PM EST
Honeydukes Eye Candy
Points: 3501
Pansyful says:
Being the voice of Harry Potter allows me to be the voice of J.K. Rowling to millions of children. And if that's the way I'm going to be remembered, by my grandchildren and, hopefully, their grandchildren, that isn't so bad.
Posted Nov 30, 2007 at 11:47 AM EST