Meet Andrew Frankel: Voice Actor, Dialect Coach, and Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrew Frankel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrew, why did you pursue a creative career?
It’s really not in my nature to do anything else. It wouldn’t matter if I was in school or working some other job, I’m always making things regardless of whether or not people pay me. At a certain point I had to sit down with myself and come to terms with the fact that my brain has never been well-suited to repetition, lists, numbers, or following instructions to a tee. If I can get the way my mind wanders naturally to make a living, I’m happy because I’m not trying to be something I’m not.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve never thought of myself as an actor. If anything, I’m a surrealist. This started with visual art and being a Salvador Dalí imitator, worked its way into the music and lyrics I write, and has burrowed into my professional life as a cartoon voice man. In college I studied and became fascinated with the physics of sound, and so I can reason out how to imitate voices and accents or make animal and monster sounds if I hear it. I see fewer and fewer distinctions between the art forms though, especially because voice acting is musical, but less obviously very visual because I visualize my environment or create mental images for people who may be listening. It’s not easy, but I can’t tell you how thick my skin has gotten from regular rejections. Not only does it make the victories sweeter, but I’m really not afraid of rejection anymore—that opens more doors than it closes. That grants me the freedom to be as bizarre as I interpret the characters to be. Freedom like that comes though speakers, slaps casting directors across the face, and gets you the job.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I like museums so probably a good idea to see the Broad, LACMA, MOCA, Bergamot Station, and the Brewery Art Walk (if it happens to be open). And as a Valley Kid I know a bunch of the hidden gems like Augustine in Sherman Oaks–if you like wine. And your best slice of pizza will be at Pagliacci’s. Otherwise I’m hiking out by Malibu or Topanga and staying far far away from improv theaters. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been very lucky to have the family I do. Raucous and genuinely fun dinner banter has been a constant source of encouragement, support, and cutting jokes that keep a massive ego like mine in check. Outside of my girlfriend, these are the people who really get me and have faith in me.

Website: www.andrewfrankel.com
Instagram: andrewfrankelvoice
Youtube: youtube.com/c/andrewfrankelworld
Other: www.accentman.com reddit.com/u/whurpo

Image Credits
Images are mine