The two celebrities provide their voices for “The Summer Oath,” an Audible Original
NEED TO KNOW
- Maya Hawke and KJ Apa share insights on the distinctions between voiceover roles and live-action performances in an exclusive conversation with
- “You must use your voice in ways that could be considered cliché,” says theRiverdale alum, as the Stranger Thingsstar acknowledges, “There are times when things get excessive, or actions taken that you wouldn’t normally do in front of the camera”
- Hawke and Apa appear together inThe Summer Oath, An Audible Original based on William Shakespeare’s timeless classicLove’s Labour’s Lost
According to Maya Hawke and KJ Apa, the “pressure” associated with film and television roles is different when working on voiceover projects.
Hawke, 27, and Apa, 28, appear together inThe Summer Oath, An Audible Original based onWilliam Shakespeare’s classic Love’s Labour’s Lost. As per an official summary, “Romance writer Livia Gaines flees to a Hampton’s home with companions under a no-romance agreement, only to encounter turmoil, revived emotions, and approaching deadlines that compel her to accept the complicated truth of her own love life.”
Taking on her voice-over role, Hawke says in an exclusive interview, was an obvious choice. “Ienjoy performing this type of taskShe says, ‘I find it incredibly liberating and an excellent method to explore and experiment with various types of characters and identities that you might not usually be allowed to adopt.’
Everyone ends up being typecast in some manner. However, voice acting offers a much broader range, allowing for greater freedom to experiment and discover the various nuances and depths of the characters you embody,” continues the actress and singer. “I consider it a fantastic opportunity to test your instrument.
As for APA? “What intrigued me was that there was less pressure. I’m not saying I didn’t approach it with seriousness, but it was a refreshing change to enter a studio and enjoy myself without the stress that comes with working on a movie set. I’ve done voice work before, but nothing this involved in terms of a storyline. … It’s just a different kind of enjoyment.”
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The Summer Oath was developed by Audible and Broadway Video, and was conceived, written, and directed by Claire Friedman.
Joining Hawke and Apa in the voice acting roles includeMilly Alcock, Ego Nwodim, Alexandra Shipp, Gavin Casalegno and Peri Gilpin.
With less “pressure” in their voiceover roles, Apa and Hawke say they were able to be silly at times.
“You must use your voice in ways that could be considered cliché,” says theRiverdale alum, as the Stranger ThingsStar admits, “There are times when you push too far, or perform actions you wouldn’t normally do in front of the camera, or that aren’t your initial reaction when the camera is on, but you have to do them to convey the story, since you’re only capturing the audio.”
Both Hawke and Apa were equally enthusiastic about working together on the Audible Original, not only because of its narrative but also as admirers of each other’s work.
The sole motivation for me taking on this project was Maya’s involvement,” Apa says with a smile, while Hawke responds, “I felt the same when I found out you were involved.
Referring to themselves as “fans” of each other’s work, Apa also mentions, “I really enjoy feel-good stories. You know what I mean? I’m a fan of romantic comedies. And I thought it would be enjoyable.”
I’ve always had a desire to work on a romantic comedy, and since I recorded this, I’ve completed two romantic comedies,” Hawke adds. “So the approach I believe is effective is: you manifest it into the world through an audio [project], and then you can expand into other formats.
To listen to The Summer Oath, click here.
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