John DiMaggio of "I Know That Voice" seeks top voice artists with Cartoon Voice Imitation Contest

LOS ANGELES - June 17, 2013 - PRLog -- Think you’re the next star voice artist? “I Know That Voice,” a pioneering new documentary that draws back the curtains into the intriguing lives and humor of the actors behind some of the most popular cartoon voices of all time, announced its Cartoon Voice Imitation Contest (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3__haaBnzE).

Animation enthusiasts, comic book buffs and video game junkies alike from around the world have a chance to win a poster signed by some of the star cast members along with an “I Know That Voice” DVD autographed by John DiMaggio, executive producer and Emmy-nominated voice artist of legendary cartoons including “Bender” in Futurama and “Jake the Dog” in Adventure Time. DiMaggio and the “I Know That Voice” team will handpick the Top 3 submissions.

Fans are encouraged to post a short video to the “I Know That Voice” Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/iknowthatvoice) sharing their impression of their favorite television cartoon voice by July 31, 2013, at 11:59 p.m., PST. DiMaggio and the “I Know That Voice” team will review each post and select the top three cartoon voice artists.

“As a kid, I was always making funny voices and mimicking cartoon characters, famous people, or even people I knew from around the way,” DiMaggio said.

Gearing up for its Fall 2013 release, “I Know That Voice” features John DiMaggio, who also plays the voice of “Rico” in The Penguins of Madagascar, “Fung” in Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness and “Joker” in Batman: Under the Red Hood.

The all-star cast of 100-plus brilliant voice actors also includes Matt Groening (The Simpsons), Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Seth Green (Robot Chicken, Family Guy), Billy West (Futurama, The Ren & Stimpy Show), Tara Strong (The Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony) and Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh).

Participants should post videos to the Facebook page Wall via YouTube, Vine, or any other video-posting medium. In order to be reviewed, participants must “Like” the Facebook page. Videos exceeding one minute will be disqualified. Fan videos can imitate any television cartoons created, but are limited to one video submission.

DiMaggio will post a video on August 5, personally revealing the best cartoon voice talent on the “I Know That Voice” Facebook page and the winners will be tagged.

“I’m looking for some of the best cartoon voice imitators on the planet,” DiMaggio added. “Many people don’t understand the level of difficulty associated in recreating cartoon voices—you need to find the exact sound, frequency, and persona that is distinctive of that cartoon. I’m excited to see some awesome submissions.”

In an A.V. Club interview, Billy West of Futurama and The Ren & Stimpy Show said Robin Williams understands sound performances and how to alter the voice. “He understands what it's like to have theatre of the mind—and with your little strip of vocal cords, you're going to create heavens and hells and universes and populations of people, which is the whole idea that a voice person has in their head,” West said. “But the voice people can physically escape the sound of their own voice.”

Want insider details about “I Know That Voice?” Every 100th person to join the exclusive VIP List on its website will win a limited collector-edition poster signed by John DiMaggio. Thirteen winners have been announced, and more than 1,500 fans have subscribed. Those who sign up will receive exclusive word about the documentary and can pre-order the DVD.    

For photos, videos and news on “I Know That Voice,” visit http://www.iknowthatvoice.com and http://www.facebook.com/iknowthatvoice. Follow the documentary on Instragram @iknowthatvoicemovie and #iknowthatvoice. Watch the trailers on YouTube that have garnered 765,000-plus views at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xivQ6_gu3W8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiSPvsTP02A. The full cast list can be found on IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2113683/.



About the “I Know That Voice” Team

John Di Maggio, Tommy Reid and Lawrence Shapiro’s combined chemistry and strengths came together to form the groundbreaking “I Know That Voice” documentary. Stated by Tommy as “a true labor of love,” the film took two years to make, collected extensive interviews and compiled never-before-seen footage making “I Know That Voice” truly one-of-a-kind of its subject matter. Emmy-nominated and Annie award winner John Di Maggio is known for his iconic role as “Bender” in Futurama and “Jake the Dog” in Adventure Time, as well as his roles in The Penguins of Madagascar, Gears of War, Kim Possible and more. Tommy Reid is a renowned producer of films including Kill The Irishman, Americans, Superthief: Inside America’s Biggest Bank Score, Danny Greene: The Rise & Fall of the Irishman and Strike. “I Know That Voice” Director Lawrence Shapiro directed films including Jam in the Dam, Los Lobos, Kiko Live, The Marshall Tucker Band: Carolina Dreams Tour and Blue Cheer: Rocks Europe.