Interview with David Sobolov:

"
Greetings -

I noticed your site tonight - the first I've found mentioning our show. I thought I'd write and update you on cast names... Akiko Morrison is playing Agent Miner. I'm playing Robocop, Blu Mankuma (from the tv show) plays Sgt. Reed, and Dean Haglund plays Neumier. Please click on my site if you'd like to know more about my background -

http://www.sobolov.com

Thanks for spreading the word and ENJOY THE SHOW!!

Regards,
David Sobolov
"

He also allowed me to ask him some basic questions about the show, because since it hasn't premiered yet, we have to be fair to MGM and let them keep some secrets, we wouldn't want to ruin any surprises now would we? So what follows are my questions to him, and his responses...

I might add, since he's now having to prepare to be future star, he's honored me by allowing me to be his fan-contact, since he doesn't want to get stuck answering hte same qustions over and over again. So if you have a question you'd like to ask him, etc. you have two choices, 1.) E-mail him c/o MGM Animation (though the response may not be as quick) and even visit his site (http://www.sobolov.com), or 2.) mail me your question(s) and I can relay them to him! The later is recommended.

"
Tee, hee... I'm just glad to be involved with shows that people might actually watch!! If I'm preparing at all, it's for the possibility that more than a few people might be interested enough to write... If that happens, I don't wanna be rude, but talking to one contact will make my life a lot easier.
"

1.) Anyways, just out of personal curiosity, what character are you voicing for Beast Wars?

Depthcharge - a new character in Season III. See my site and Benson Yee's site for the latest stuff on that - he's my Beast Wars fan contact... http://www.beastwars.net

2.) Do you work on the west or east-coast?

West coast.

3.) How did you start on the path to your current career? Any ambitions for the future?

I started out as a music student and performer (French Horn) then went to the Neighborhood Playhouse acting school in New York. After that, I did lots of plays before I got into the voice-over thing. (Ya gotta have a strong acting background to do these cartoon shows.)

Ambitions? I'd like to continue doing cartoons and get more into on-camera work. I enjoy singing too - I'll be working on a short CD this fall.

4.) Were you a fan of, well, the Robocop Legacy before you came into the role?

I've always liked the first Robocop movie. I checked out the tv show and the other movies to prepare for my audition, but I hadn't seen them before that.

5.) What kind of research did you have to do for the role?

Other than making sure I understood some of the character's history, I just jumped in and took it one show (or situation) at a time, just like Robocop might have done in real life, if he'd been a real person. As he met new people or found himself in new situations we discovered how he'd react and tried to stay with those choices as the series progressed.

6.) Are the episodes still being filmed? (I hear there's 40, are they all completed?)

This show was what we call "pre-lay" animation... For the most part, the voices were recorded first, then our voice tracks were sent to be animated. We're still recording a few pick-ups (line changes, new scenes, fixing little moments that need adjusting), but for the most part, the voice work is completed. I'm not sure about the progress of the animation - that's another department :)

7.) (*laughs* amusing one here) Do you have any of the show's merchandise yet, and if so, where did you put it? Any favorites?

Nope - Haven't seen it yet, but from what I've heard, it'll all be very cool!

8.) Off-hand, do YOU know what station it will be showing on? (There's so many rumors, but maybe you can settle them once and for all)

My understanding is that "Robocop: Alpha Commando" is being syndicated, which means you'll have to check your local listings to find the stations. I do believe it was sold in at least 85% of markets across North America, and in many places around the world.

9.) In your opinion, do you find the show to carry-on the human aspect that was stressed in the films, etc? (A LOT of fans are worried about this one, because we DON'T want it to be turned-into a purely "shoot-em-up" show, though I think your last quote may have answered this... |-))

(NOTE: his ending quote in the last letter he had written me is what follows:

"
"I an NOT a robot" (Robo says that on the new cartoon when people forget he's part human!)
" )

I didn't find there was too much emphasis on the shoot-em-up thing at all... There's lots of action, but also lots of dry humor and great interaction between the characters. I was REALLY impressed with the quality of the writing, and I think you will be too!

10.) Might there be a soundtrack, and/or more merchandise in the works?

A soundtrack would be fun, but I haven't heard anything about it. I don't know much about the future merchandising plans for the show, sorry!

Again I say, "WOW!" and thanks David for taking the time to write me and answer some questions that've probably been on ALOT of peoples' minds! And keep up the great work!

We'll all be looking forward to "hearing" from you soon! Sorry, couldn't resist that... |-)

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