The Walking Dead: Comic Dub [VOLUME 5: The Best Defense]
Anthony Parise for Brian Blake (The Governor)
Age: 35
Brian Blake, better known as Philip Blake or by his epithet "The Governor", is a main character and an antagonist first encountered in Issue 27 of Image Comics' The Walking Dead. He takes his brother's name after Philip dies, and even adapts his personality through an out of body experience, and never revealed his real name to anyone in Woodbury. Prior to his arrival at Woodbury, Brian Blake was nothing like the villain he would become. He was a meek, insecure, and generally good-natured man. Weak and cowardly, he relied on the protection of his cold younger brother, Phillip. His insecurity took it's toll on him as days grew darker and humanity crumbled, and he ultimately succumbed to carnal instincts. To assure he would never be weak, he assumed his brother's identity as Phillip Blake.
As the Governor, Brian drowned in self induced psychopathy. He became utterly convinced that only the Phillip Blakes of society could make it in the world and that the Brians were destined to die. Against his internal ethics, he forced himself to commit atrocities to harden himself for the new world and repress the man who he once was. His true self emerges occasionally against his will, and he struggles with this severe internal conflict throughout his life as the Governor, rendering him insatiably callous, vengeful, belligerent, and paranoid. His thirst for power and blood to constrict the good within him is the dominant driving force of his character. He also showed intensely sexually perverted behaviour, such as raping Michonne and a sexual attraction to his dead niece. Despite his savage and perverse actions, he was a charismatic and well loved leader among the survivors of Woodbury, and was a skilled manipulator, as he never really cared for any of his people and only used them for his own benefit, even when they were attacking Rick's group at The Prison. However, his selfishness and sole goal of seeking revenge on Rick's group and sacrificing many of his own people ultimately led to his demise at the hands of one of his own people, Lilly Caul, who saw Brian for what he really was: a sadistic monster.
All the character info you might need: https://walkingdead.fandom.com/wiki/Brian_Blake_(Comic_Series)
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Time Commitment: 5 Months (5 Volumes)
Disclaimer: The Governor is involved in some of the most horrific, despicable, and perverted scenes in the whole comic series. Subject matters include but are not limited to bigotry, torture, rape, incest, pedophilia, and necrophilia.
This right here is one of the most important casting calls this project will ever put out. Genuinely one of the best characters in the entire length of the series, the Governor is a charismatic as he is ruthless, as carefree as he is intense. The delivery of his lines can fluctuate wildly, from insanely creepy (when he's talking to his captive, zombified niece) to charismatic and threatening (while talking to Rick and his group) and empowered (while he's manipulating the masses with his rhetoric skills). Definitely a rich personality to really sink your teeth into as an actor. Tons and tons of speeches and dialogue throughout, so it'll definitely be a challenge to get through all of the dense material.
He COULD have a mid-range to deep voice, COULD have an overtly charismatic voice, and/or COULD have a southern accent, but don't let these limit your vocal choices at all.
"Kindly shut the fuck up, sister. It might be difficult with your two armored escorts but I'm certain we could get a couple bullets in you with no trouble at all. In fact--can we just get something out of the way? Please. I think it'll make things at least a tad less tense. Can we just all come to the understanding that we've got all the guns--and if you struggle or try to leave this room my guards will kill you where you stand? Can you just acknowledge that you realize that? I don't care whether you live or die--don't misunderstand me. I just don't want you to get accidentally shot while I'm trying to talk. I hate getting interrupted."
—Brian Blake talking to Rick, Glenn, and Michonne calmly and charismatically.
"Behave yourself, goddamn it! I'm sorry, honey. What's got you so upset? You haven't tried to attack me in months. Oh. No food, huh? You need to be more careful. If you knock your bucket over it will roll out of your reach. I raised you better than this. See, you knocked your bucket over and now your food has spoiled. That's what you get. Even fresh, I don't see how you eat that stuff, really. I tried it--it's horrible. May taste different raw. But I'm not going to try it raw. I'd get you some more food, honey... but Daddy's tired. So you'll just have to wait until I wake up."
—Brian Blake talking to his captive, zombified niece.
"I knew none of you would want to see this, and I apologize for shocking you. I just want to make you all completely aware of the kind of people we're dealing with... Monsters! These savages know where we live! They know what we have! They know our strengths and they know our weaknesses! I say we strike at them before they have a chance to come at us! I refuse to stand down and allow them to destroy us--not after everything we've lost--not after everything we've sacrificed! We've worked too hard to build what we have here--and I'll be goddamned if I'm going to let anyone take it away from me! When it begins, when the killing starts, don't let their appearance deceive you. You will see women--children even, but I assure you these people are beasts, no different than the biters we kill without a second thought. Life out here--it's changed them, twisted them into creatures who kill without a second thought--with no regard for human life. They don't deserve to live. Kill them all!"
—Brian Blake, manipulating and riling up the people of Woodbury with a loud and extremely impassioned speech.
Amazing work and stellar audio quality, mate. I had half a mind to audition on this myself, but I wouldn't have been able to do the character justice unlike you have.
That is so kind of you! Thank you very much!
Anthony, I also just wanted to say fantastic job man. You have a great voice and can emote well. I checked out your demo as well and I can tell you got experience and it shows. I am new to voice acting and only have a snowball but your RØDE NT1-A and Scarlett sound fantastic! I'm rambling now but great job man.
Thank you so much for your kind words! You know, the Rode is not as expensive as you may think, and you can get a used Scarlett for a good deal. I think you will find that it makes a big difference in your vocal work. Again, thank you for the message and all the best!