My voice acting career

Author: Su Xi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Every voice actor of that generation was imbued with an extraordinary talent, as if they had bet everything on their emotions in the career of voice acting. Moreover, how did these outstanding voices find their place? I am deeply grateful to the genius voice actors of that era. They were like a small "external" sky within the cultural system, spreading the voices of humanity from above. — Chen Danqing
Su Xi's voice remains as melodious as ever, tinged with a touch of weariness, yet even more enchanting. Her voice is bright, grand, and very down-to-earth. I believe her voice can brighten the people around her, and it must be a very comfortable experience to interact with someone like her. I envy her family and friends. Although I also have such family and friends, who wouldn’t want more of the good things in life? Regarding the current state of voice acting, Su Xi does not express too much melancholy about the inevitable passing of time. Instead, she shows a calm and steady composure. This attitude toward life is something I greatly admire and long to possess. I also have a slight desire to grow old. — Sai Ren
The translation of "The Voices of the Past" by Su Xi has been widely circulated online. One passage reads: Ironically, many of the excellent dubbed films were completed during the culturally barren period of extreme leftism, such as The Blue Bridge, The Sound of Music, and Jane Eyre. At that time, they were made as internal reference films for the Gang of Four's enjoyment. Actors like Qiu Yuefeng, such as us outstanding voice actors, used a serious artistic attitude to dub numerous classic films, which were watched by only a few people in the world. For those who remember this, reading Su Xi’s writings will surely bring many artistic and non-artistic insights.
In Part Three, "My Predecessors, My Comrades," she writes about more than thirty people in one breath, from the former director Chen Xuyi to Wei Yuping, Qiu Yuefeng, Bi Ke, Li Zi, and the legendary names like Cao Lei, Liu Guangning, Tong Zirong, Shi Feng, and Shen Xiaoqian, all of whom are unforgettable voices that evoke a bygone era. She describes the days these people spent in the sacred and almost mystical Yujia Road recording studio, or portraying characters, or adopting different personas, effortlessly taking us back to those closed yet open years, where countless youthful memories of innocence and purity are buried.
Part Two is a collection of notes on dubbing directors and film art, including What Do Dubbing Directors Actually Do? My Thoughts on Dubbed Films The Many Ways to Interpret Dialogue Psychology Behind the Microphone. In these chapters, Su Xi’s unique and exceptional talents are subtly revealed. As a dubbing director, how does she work with translators to revise scripts, fully grasp the original intent of the filmmakers, assemble the cast, and guide actors into character during recording sessions? Why is it said that greatly acclaimed dubbed films should make the audience forget the voice actors’ presence? Her directorial art, her work experience, and her rich scholarly demeanor, accompanied by revealing analyses, make this section of the text particularly valuable. The examples and figures she mentions are both familiar and fresh, making the reading experience engaging and even, I dare say, captivating.