Nancy Cartwright.

Dear Fans,

Over the next few articles, I am branching out and asking my industry friends to give me their insider takes. I am going to focus on subjects that professionals need to have some knowledge of and get opinions from a wide range of specialties and hats in the business.

So far I have interviewed by good friends Jack Thomas (The Replacements), Mike Scully (The Simpsons) and Carolyn Omine (The Simpsons). These responses are from my good friend Ginny McSwain, a long-time voice-over director.

Nancy Cartwright: How did you get your "lucky break"? And what go you interested in working for animation?

Ginny McSwain: When I graduated from Stephens College (majoring in theater and art) and moved to Los Angeles in '74, I would never have dreamed that I would have a 31-year career in animation! It was an artistic fluke! I used to pass Hanna-Barbera Prods. on the freeway going to my grunt job, and thought "Hmmmm... Flintstones, Huckleberry Hound... maybe they'll hire me there!" When I walked through the door to reception, there was a lovely man in the lobby who turned out to be a producer. He asked if I had an art portfolio, so I lied and said yes. He asked me to return the next night with my "artwork."

I came back with my meager collection of refrigerator drawings, and he introduced me to the art director, Iwao Takamoto (designer of Scooby-Doo) and I was hired -- not because of my artwork, but because I had a college degree! It cracks me up to this day!

NC: As one of the top voice directors for animation, how much do you rely on what the actors do to contribute to the final product?

GM: It's what the actors "do" that gets us all to Bart Simpson or SpongeBob! That's how a great animated character is born. The more the performer brings to the table with creativity, imagination and humor, the more fleshed out a role becomes. Obviously, the competition for animation voice over is intense. I'm looking for the talent that thinks outside the box. Often, a client or writer/producer doesn't have great actor communication skills.... the more the talent can read minds and "plus" the copy, the more everyone looks good!

NC: Please describe the directing process for a show (i.e., the preparation, the rehearsal, the record, post-production, etc.).