Press Release from Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Beverly Hills, CA – The artists who voice Dug the Dog, Minnie Mouse, Natasha Fatale, Rocky the Squirrel and Winnie the Pooh will sound off at “Voices of Character,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 16th installment of the Marc Davis Celebration of Animation, on Thursday, August 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Hosted by animation historian Charles Solomon, the event will feature onstage discussions with such legendary voice artists as Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh), Susan Egan (Meg of “Hercules”), June Foray (Natasha Fatale and Rocky the Flying Squirrel), Yuri Lowenthal (Ben Tennyson) and Russi Taylor (Minnie Mouse), along with animation director Bob Peterson (who voices Dug the Dog in “Up”), animator James Baxter and casting executive Rick Dempsey.

While animators have been called “actors with pencils” who create the “illusion of life,” animated characters equally depend on the unique talents of voice artists to breathe life into their visual components. Vocal range and consistency, comic timing, emotional impact, character definition and song styling are just a few of the very specific choices that can make or break a coordinated effort between picture and sound. The panelists will discuss how they approach their work, as well as what they admire in the work of others.

Tickets to “Voices of Character” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets are available for purchase by mail, at the Academy box office (8949 Wilshire Boulevard, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or online at www.oscars.org. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved.

The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at the 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information call (310) 247-3600 or visit www.oscars.org.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.