Inspired by an uncanny early knack for getting into trouble (where so many great performers got their starts), Keith would often mimic his own cousins’ voices, saying inappropriate things to unknowing adults.
Those pitch perfect “voice-matching” skills would later prove to be quite an asset in the voice over world as Keith is widely considered one of the very few go-to clutch performers whenever producers would need talent to voice-match celebrities for games, films, toys, etc.
However, beyond merely voicematching some of your favorite celebrities, Keith has an even larger array of original voices that has propelled him to the pinnacle of the voice-over world. From the lead character of “Bloo” in Nickelodeon’s Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends to the character “Kaim” in the global hit video game “Lost Odyssey”, and too many others in between, Keith Ferguson is a highly skilled and sought voice actor who has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential with an even brighter future ahead.
Special thanks to Keith for taking the time to participate in this interview.
cap) How did you get introduced to the voice over industry?
kf) The short answer is I was discovered by one of my current agents, Pat Brady, in a voice over workshop I took after landing some vo work in a talk show that I actually used to work on as a staff member. Wait… that was actually the long answer.
cap) How long have you been in the voice over industry?
kf) About eight years so far.
cap) What would you attribute most to your voice over success?
kf) Hmm, hard to say. Definitely my representation is a strong factor. I’d say the reason I have a career is because of Pat Brady. She’s been relentless in championing my vo skills since the very beginning and has always made my capabilities known to those that had no other reason to be aware of me.</blockquote>
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Keith Ferguson plays two different racing announcers for Vitamin Water
cap) How long did it take you to land your first voice over job?
kf)Well, I suppose it was more of a lucky fluke, but I booked my first audition. As a matter of fact, Ms. Pat Brady got me the audition before I even officially signed with her the day I first went in to meet with her. I worked the following week. Now ask me how long my second vo job took.
cap) What was your first job you earned that really got you noticed in the voice over community?
kf) I’d have to say the role of Blooregard Q. Kazoo on “Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends” on Cartoon Network. I’d been working in the industry for about three years with a comfortable rate of increasing success, including a brief and exciting website series with vo veteran, Rob Paulsen (Pinky of “Pinky and the Brain”). But then when I booked Foster’s it was like, “Whoa, where’d this guy come from?!”
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Keith Ferguson as “Bloo” in Nickelodeon’s Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
cap) Finish the following statement: “One thing you might not know about voice over is…”
kf) It can be great physical exercise. Especially with bigger characters or almost 80 percent of video games. When finishing a session one can be so covered in sweat that one feels like they just ran a 10k.
cap) Do you feel that the industry has changed since you first started in the business? How?
kf) The gaming industry has exploded since I first started. It was already going at a pretty good pace, but now it’s on par with the film industry and sometimes surpasses it.
cap) What’s your favorite part of the job?
kf) The work itself. Feeling myself vocally slip into the skin of so many different characters is invigorating. It takes me so many places in my mind, giving me a rich world of countless perspectives from the real to the surreal.
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Keith Ferguson plays “Friend Owl” in Walt Disney’s Bambi II
cap) What’s your least favorite part of the job?
kf) I’m not sure. I really do enjoy my work.
cap) Finish the following sentence: “If it wasn’t for voice over, I’d probably…”
kf) …be trying to get into voice over. That or being some kind of psychologist. Or seeing one.
cap) If you were just entering the voice over industry now, would you do anything different?
kf) I’d establish my website much sooner, and be better about getting copies of everything I booked from the very start.
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Keith Ferguson as Steven Wright in Family Guy
cap) With several automated online based marketplaces opening up in the voice over industry like voices.com, voice123.com, etc., do you think this changes the playing field in terms of competition, agent value, barrier to entry in the field?
kf) Hard for me to say. I have heard that some casting directors do go directly to sites sometimes before going to agencies to audition. My agency happens to get an immense amount of audition copy in town, so for me, the effect may be different than for others. Also, there still will always be the need for the negotiator. Some performers have that inclination as well, but there will always be those who want to focus on the art form more than deal brokerage, myself included. I imagine that vo websites might open up opportunities of discovery for those not yet known. But then again, there is always high value in having a third party who’s industry-established, be it an agent or a manager, vouch for your ability and professionalism. My sense is that hearing someone say, “Trust me, this person’s really good,” carries more weight than merely hearing, “Trust me, I’M really good.”
cap) Do you have any voice over tips you’d like to share?
kf) Read aloud everyday. And in different ways, from emotional intent to vocal quality. Take a workshop. Then, take a workshop with agents when you feel really competitive. Have fun in the booth, unless it’s a really dark and serious project. Then just have fun between the takes. ;^)
cap) When you’re not working, how do you typically spend your time?
kf) Watching movies, running or cycling, hanging out with friends, and lavishing inappropriate amounts of affection on my cat.
cap) Complete the following sentence: “I wish…”
kf) I had discovered voice over even earlier in my life.
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You gotta love Daniel-San!
cap
Posted by cap
Posted by cap
Posted by cap
