meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Slate Daily Feed

Working: Voice Actor Erika Ishii on Video Game Roles and Motion Capture

Slate Daily Feed

Slate

News, Society & Culture, Business

3.91.1K Ratings

🗓️ 15 May 2022

⏱️ 54 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week, host Karen Han talks to voice actor and performer Erika Ishii, whose very long resume includes video games, animated series, and live action projects. In the interview, Erika explains their process of bringing video game characters to life–characters like Valkyrie in the game Apex Legends. Then Erika discusses diversity among both characters and performers in the gaming industry and the ability to say no to projects that aren’t the right fit.  After the interview, Karen and co-host Isaac Butler talk about diversity in entertainment and the progress that has yet to be made.  In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Erika lists some of the voice acting that has inspired them over the years.  Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Big Mood, Little Mood—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is brought to you by Shopify.

0:03.0

That's what I hear when I make another sale on Shopify.

0:07.0

The all-in-one commerce platform that allows you to start, run and grow your business.

0:12.0

Shopify is revolutionising millions of businesses worldwide.

0:17.0

So sign up for a £1 per month trial period at Shopify.co.uk

0:23.0

Ask podcast 23 all lowercase and take your business to the next level today.

0:39.0

A lot of people I think when they think of voice acting, they think of the voice part of it

0:44.0

and not as much as the acting part.

0:47.0

And that's not necessarily done with accents or with pitch changes

0:52.0

but just with changing the character.

0:59.0

Welcome back to Working. I'm your host, Isaac Butler.

1:02.0

And I'm your other host, Karen Han.

1:05.0

Karen, it is so nice to be co-hosting with you again.

1:08.0

Uh, before we get into the episode, whose voice do we hear at the top of the show

1:12.0

and where are some places we have probably heard her voice before?

1:16.0

That was Erica Ishi. She is a prolific actor and voice-over artist whose voice you may have heard

1:21.0

in games such as Horizon for Bid and West, Halo Infinite, Death Loop, Psychonauts 2,

1:26.0

Apex Legends, Young Justice, The List Goes On and On.

1:30.0

You have probably heard her in something.

1:33.0

You know, as soon as I'm done with Elden Ring, I'm on the final boss right now

1:36.0

and I just need a friend to help me beat him or them.

1:39.0

I guess I'm going to be playing Horizon for Bid and West, which she plays a number of roles in.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Slate, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Slate and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.