Several months ago, I did an interview for a show called The Technofile, hosted by a guy named l a z l o w. Now, anyone who has played Grand Theft Auto 3 or Vice City knows that is a big part of both those games, so when I called him for our interview I was able to keep it together for about 75 seconds before I blurted out, “Oh man, I have to tell you how much I love Vice City, especially the soundtrack, and it’s just super cool that I get to talk with you!”
He was very gracious and endured my fanboy explosion, and we did our interview. When we were done, we chatted a little bit more, and somehow the topic of GTA: San Andreas came up. One thing lead to another, and lazlow asked me if I would be interested in being a caller on one of the radio stations.
I just about crapped my pants, and told him that I LOVE the GTA games, and I’d do any part at all just so I could be part of San Andreas. He told me that he’d bounce some ideas around, and get back to me about it.
A few weeks later, he called and offered me a part as a news reporter in the game. Of course I accepted, and back in summer, I got to spend the better part of an afternoon in a sound booth, bringing the character of Richard Burns to life. It was some of the most fun I’ve ever had, because lazlow, just like the producers of GR2, worked with me, and encouraged me to take some risks, improvise a little bit, and really push the limits of what we could get away with.
It’s super cool, man! Richard Burns is one of those characters that most people would probably say I couldn’t play, and most studios would have probably dismissed me out of hand, but lazlow believed in me, and took a big chance on me . . . and apparently it’s paid off, because about a month after I did my sessions, lazlow called me, and told me that he’d played my bits for some very important people at Rockstar Games, and one of the Really Big Important Dudes said something like, “I love Richard Burns!”
I haven’t been able to talk about this since I recorded it, because I signed an NDA. I haven’t discussed the details of my scenes with anyone, not even Anne or the kids, and none of my friends even knew that I was in it at all. Matter of fact, the only person who knew about it was my brother, and that’s because he’s also a talented voice actor who has a cameo on the game. But even when we talked about it, I couldn’t discuss specifics with him, and we kept calling it “The Project.”
It has been killing me to keep this to myself, because being in GTA: San Andreas is like being in Empire Strikes Back, but Rockstar was obviously very concerned about protecting the story, and I respect that. However, since it’s come out today (and it already breaking sales records, apparently) I can do the excited geek dance right here on WWdN –> w00000t!
As an actor, I always want to be part of projects that I am proud of, that I can confidently tell my friends about, and that doesn’t happen very often . . . I can’t believe that I get to be part of what is already being called “the single best title on the PS2 [the reviewer has] ever played.”
Again, I say: w00000t!
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re: someone commented on them only crediting him w/ being a caller- I’ve actually caught lots of little mistakes like that in the game (watching my bf play mostly) dialogue that doesn’t match up with the subtitles, etc. I think they were just really rushing at the end, and not everything got out perfectly. With such an anticipated game, you can’t really push back the release date if anything goes wrong at the end, you just hae to cope and fix it and hope all the other little details go together as best you can. I have a friend who works for another gaming company at at the end things are often just right down to the wire and super crazy with everyone putting in overtime. Someone probably just used an old (or, which was most current then) sheet that had wil penciled in as a caller- just as someone probably put in earlier versions of what the characters were going to say in the little subtitle stuff at the bottom. Then at the end they didn’t have enough time to double check.
Awesome Wil. I was already planning to get the game, just because I love the series. This is the icing on the cake. I’ve heard that GTA: SA revenues are expected to be on par with major movie revenues. Who knows, maybe you can be one of the stars of this new, exploding medium.
Saw your name in the GTA book and had to check if it was really you. Guess this confirms it… Rock on!
-B
That’s really cool. Unfortunately, GTA San Andreas doesn’t live up to all the hype. Everyone thought it would be soo amazing, and they messed with the original formula that worked so well and now its just a poorly made RPG. They shouldn’t have tried to make it so real, they should’ve just kept the old style. Not worth the money.
You rock, Will! I hadn’t checked the site in a week or so, and when I was playing the game I could have sworn it was you!
One question though, I don’t see your name in the manual, though they listed your brother twice! Am I just missing it?
That’s kick-ass, Will. Even though the GTA aren’t my cup of tea, personally – I’m more of a FPS guy (HALO 2 is right around the corner, baaaaaaybeeee) – I’m in awe that you’re in one, bro – maybe I’ll loan it from a friend to check it out.
Oh, yeah – go vote!
Awesome Wil! I want this game so bad
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GTA:SA is the best game i have ever played. If u dont have this game u need to be running out the door right now to get it. I havn’t turned away from it since i got it. I’m really trying to slow down though. I dont want to beat it to fast. 😉
how funny are your parts! Richard Burns is my second favourite character behind Maurice (from Gardening with Maurice, not Maurice Chaves)
Richard Burns, WCTR news. Back to you Lianne!