Artistry and Antics on Final Fantasy XVI – with Hannah Price, Oli Chance, Morgan Rushton & Martin Vaughan
Ever wondered what goes on inside the studio for one the most acclaimed game series of all time? In this episode of the ReadyAimFire Podcast, hosts Kez and Tom welcome an extraordinary panel featuring the performance directors, casting directors and localisation experts whose fingerprints are all over Final Fantasy XVI, Alan Wake II, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and many more beloved games: Hannah Price, Oli Chance, Morgan Rushton and Martin Vaughan.Dive with us into translation trials, performance tribulations and endless T poses, as our guests reveal what really happens when scripts are top secret, the pressure is high, and the gaming magic that fans demand has to make it to the screen. You’ll hear:About dramatic graveside scenes with Ben Starr that had directors literally crying in the studio – and they almost didn’t shoot themHow Kez had to snog – with a mocap camera strapped to her face! (Imagine forgetting how to kiss, live on set!)The time Martin had to cast a character described as “Rebel Wilson, Kanye West, and Cristiano Ronaldo, all in one”How performance direction and localisation aren’t just technical roles, but creative, deeply personal crafts, turning even awkward technicalities (like the interruptions of endless T poses) into breakthrough moments.“That's kind of the most magical thing somebody can do, is be in that room in that stupid suit and then give a heartbreaking performance” - Oli ChanceFrom unscripted laughter to bonding over onion rings, this is the emotion, the mess, and the beauty of storytelling in games. Settle back, press play, and enjoy! 🧭 Timestamps:00:01:07 – Introducing the performance team behind Final Fantasy XVI00:03:12 – RADA, BAFTA, and “onion rings on a spike” - forging industry friendships00:05:40 – From theatre to games: Hannah’s transition and juggling specificity00:11:28 – Directing actors through grief – handling vulnerability with care00:15:36 – The essential question that fosters safety in the booth00:17:36 – Talkback gone wrong: the perils of studio silence00:19:39 – Beyond the role – casting for character and chemistry00:24:12 – Unhelpful casting notes and the “Rebel Wilson, Kanye, Ronaldo” brief00:29:24 – Alan Wake II madness: musicals, buses, and Sam Lake’s process00:32:51 – From cleaning toilets to Square Enix: Ollie’s unlikely career start00:36:02 – Cultural shifts: British English and Dragon Quest VIII’s localisation00:41:36 – Translating Japanese dialogue: subtext, literalness, and ellipses00:45:20 – Performance capture puzzles: syncing bodies, voices, and scripts00:49:57 – Game of Thrones meets Final Fantasy XVI – what the game really is00:53:05 – How do you kiss in mocap? Navigating intimate scenes👤 Guest Info:Hannah Price is a performance director, theatre director and filmmaker. Her many credits in gaming include: Alan Wake II, The Division 2, Forza Horizon 4, Hitman 2. 🌐IMDb 📸 InstagramOli Chance is the co-founder of Shloc Limited, localisation and performance specialists. His credits include Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age and several titles in the Inezuma Irebun series. 🌐IMDb 📸
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