Interview With Michelle Ruff
Location: Anime Boston 2017
Interview Date: 4/2/2017
Truth be told, we were lucky to even have the opportunity to talk with Michelle. She had broken her foot before the convention. However, the convention staff went out of their way to make life easy for her, including showing up at the airport with a wheelchair for her. She was grateful for that, as it allowed for her to attend Anime Boston.
The first question zeroed in on Sailor Moon Crystal. Michelle explained that she had been concerned about how fans would feel when the original was redubbed.
“Fans have been accepting of Sailor Moon Crystal” -Michelle Ruff
She added she was happy to see both Tuxedo Masks together at Anime Boston.
The focus then shifted to an inquiry on how the industry has changed.
“People now download content. There is plenty of work to go around. It’s become much more mainstream, with a wider audience.” -Michelle Ruff
I was curious about how she builds her character for each role.
“It depends on whether I’ve done an audition, which is a 50-50 shot. Sometimes a producer knows what they want in advance. I’ve done a lot of work with Aniplex’s main producer.” -Michelle Ruff
She followed up, noting:
“If I feel strongly about a certain trait, I’ll speak up. Sometimes I’ll suggest we change the dialogue if the character wouldn’t say that.” -Michelle Ruff
Ruff added that it’s important to not get stuck in the choices she’s made. You need to be flexible and take direction from the team.
“Let your ego go.” -Michelle Ruff
She was then asked about her favorite roles.
“Erased is probably my favorite role. It was another Aniplex production. The director was impeccable.” -Michelle Ruff
Ruff noted that there was a lot of discussion and that the role changed after the audition. For Erased, she did something she never does, and watched four episodes in advance. Normally she doesn’t like to bias herself, but in this case she needed some sense of the story.
“Ben (Diskin) went first, so I had some sense of the flow.” -Michelle Ruff
She added that “[t]he show wrecked me emotionally.”
There was some curiosity as to how she got started in the anime voice acting business.
“I moved to LA from Chicago. There were classified ads for acting gigs in Backstage West. I saw an ad for an animated feature: Ninja Cadets! It was a small part. My first animated feature. Their first animated feature. We grew up together.” -Michelle Ruff
Ruff’s referring to dubbing studio Bang Zoom!. She talked about how the initial interview took place at Eric Sherman’s house. Eric was completely professional. Michelle was completely professional.
“Meanwhile, the dog is sitting with me on the couch.” -Michelle Ruff
Michelle ended up getting the part. The dog stayed in the picture.
The next question was about Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and it’s ten year anniversary:
“It originally aired on the Sci-Fi network, and then Toonami. It felt timeless.” -Michelle Ruff
Finally, she got the inevitable question: What advice would she give to someone trying to get into the voice acting business.
“Lot’s of people want to do voice over work. First and foremost, it is acting. You need to learn your craft and bring that to the table. Learn improv. You need to be fast on your feet and make choices quickly. Treat it as a business. There’s a lot of rejection. Auditioning is the work. The booking is the icing on the cake. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. One guy said to me ‘You have to watch your S’s. You’re too Midwestern.’ Ignore people like that and stay the course.” -Michelle Ruff
She added that these days, studios like actors with distinctive voices.
The next question moved to lighter fare, as Ruff was asked about what she’s watched and enjoyed. She admitted that she’s somewhat busy, but she watched Sword Art Online and enjoyed it.
The following question was about the most recent Lupin III production, known as the “Blue Coat” series by fans.
“They were trying to get the band back together. It was a bit rushed. I feel like we could have taken a bit more time on it, especially since it hasn’t been released yet.” -Michelle Ruff
She was asked about her favorite show growing up.
“I don’t know if it is my favorite, but Speed Racer. Maybe it’s my #1.” -Michelle Ruff
She added that she was happy to eventually work on the show as Mom Racer.
Ruff added a bit more insight on what it is like to work as a voice actor.
“Everyone is so nice in the voice acting community. Really, everyone is so amazing. It’s been easy to stay in the industry. It doesn’t feel like work. I’m more focused on my relationships with the people. I try to be easy to work with. Don’t be a diva or an asshole. Focus on the human connection.” -Michelle Ruff
She added:
“Word gets around. If people don’t like working with you, they won’t.” -Michelle Ruff
Ruff was then asked about her experiences at Anime Boston.
“Anime Boston has been super organized. Everyone has been great. They asked if I wanted to set some kind of cap on the autograph session. I didn’t cap it and I’m glad I didn’t. People gifted me artwork. Really nice stuff. One person gave me a picture of Luna. It’s been wonderful.” -Michelle Ruff
The next inquiry asked about her experiences working with Funimation in Texas.
“I’ve only worked outside of LA once. Chris Sabat called me and I flew out for a 16 hour weekend. It was hardcore. I ended up having to do another 16 hour weekend.” -Michelle Ruff
She added that she’d be willing to work with Funimation again. It just hasn’t happened yet.
I asked her which character she felt was closest to her.
“Rukia from Bleach. She’s the closest to me. I’ve voiced her for over seven years. A piece of her feels like me, with a veneer of strength. We’re both tough and vulnerable.” -Michelle Ruff
The next question was about playing two different versions of the same character (Yuki Nagato). Some backstory here. In The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Yuki-chan was an alien. In the story an alternate universe is created where Yukiis a normal human girl (albeit a brilliant one). There was a spinoff manga based off of this alternate universe, titled The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan, which eventually became an anime series as well. Whew.
“Having to change her was upsetting to me.” -Michelle Ruff
She explained that she had liked the original alien character, and that it was a huge change in personality. I’d imagine that was quite the challenge.
The final question was about voice work in video games.
“It really depends on what type of game it is. RPG’s have more of a story and give you more time. I recently finished work on a FPS, Lawbreakers. I voiced a female medic. I had very little time for the line and had to move quickly. The format drives the choices you make.” -Michelle Ruff
Ruff went on to discuss how important learning improv was, as it gave her the skills and knowledge base to be adaptable. Video game voice acting is not as easy or simple as it appears.
There was a discussion about Toonami, which had just had its 20th anniversary. It was notable how many different series appeared on Toonami that Ruff either worked on, or would eventually work on. In 2001, three different Mobile Suit Gundam shows appeared on the block.
“I think I worked on one of them.” -Michelle Ruff
She’s correct (Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team). Toonami has gone through a lot of different incarnations, but there’s no doubt that it helped grow the market for anime in the US.
I came away from this interview feeling like Ruff would be an excellent tutor or instructor for aspiring voice actors. It’s clear she has a passion for the work, and a tremendous amount of knowledge to impart. Remembering first and foremost that it is acting work, not “just voice work” seems key. I’m very glad that she was able to overcome her injury and make the cross-country trip.
Special thanks to the Anime Boston staff. They went above and beyond this time. Thanks to Michelle Ruff as well.
