PETER MCALLUM is currently in production (back to back) on another Animation series after working on the TV Animation “HEIDI”. Peter gives us an insight in his role as a voice actor & how it all came about….
What was it like to work on the Heidi series? Has animation been something you’ve always wanted to do? The Heidi series was an absolute joy to work on. Such a beautiful, iconic tale, which I remember so well from my own childhood – shades of Pollyanna, but in the Alps!
Flying Bark made it so easy for us, and it felt like a real family experience, which helped translate that feel on to the screen.
I started many years ago, working on well-known fairy tales and legends with Burbank animation.
As an actor, I’ve always loved tackling challenging characters, not to mention bunging on an accent and animation is the ideal vehicle!
How did you the get the part? My voice agent kindly recommended me for the production (ta heaps, KEVM – love your work!), and I went into Flying Bark’s HQ to give it a go. SO glad I did!
You had main a role in Heidi, plus some incidental characters, tell me more about this. My two main roles were Heidi’s Grandfather and Mr Sesemann – two men who were poles apart on the surface, but both good-hearted fellows when it came down to it.
Grandfather in particular was a multi-layered character, and I enjoyed the challenge of conveying his anger, bitterness and torment on the one hand, and his tender, loving qualities on the other.
I also played assorted villagers, station masters, etc. Now that WAS fun!
What are you currently working on right now? I’m doing a number of film, television and web-series projects at present, but we’re mid-production of another exciting animated series, details of which will be announced shortly. I could tell you now, but then I’d have to kill you! Heh heh
