Matthew R Grego is the narrator of the first Stories of Oz audiobook, The Time of Thunder, available at: https://storiesofoz.selz.com/item/thunderaudiobook
I asked him some questions about his career as an actor and voice over artist.
- You’ve been acting and doing voice over work for some years. How did you first get into it? My pathway began in community radio at HHH 100.1FM in Hornsby as a presenter. Added to my duties was voice-over work for PSA’s and sponsorship announcements. Moving from the microphone to the camera (and back again) seemed like a natural progression.
- What was the best thing about the area where you grew up? I shuffled between Sydney’s north shore and the northern beaches. It instilled in me an appreciation of nature and what nature can do (for good or ill). I’ve also developed a keen bird-watchers instinct as a result.
- What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen on a film set? That’s a tough call. One assistant director on a horror film I did was having relationship difficulties. During any halt in filming he’d zone out on a worn out trampoline in the back yard. The springs and fasteners had completely rusted out and eventually something had to give. On his final descent (as we’re all watching him) the fasteners all failed and leapt into the air around him as he plummeted earthward.
- Who’s more important in the success of a project, writers, directors or performers? It’s that old cliche that ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ That’s the lesson you learn when you make yourself a part of something larger than you. Everyone involved contributes to a productions success or failure.
- If you could star in a movie based on the current health emergency in Australia, what part would you like to play? Probably a state level Chief Health Officer. I think I could pull that off.
- Why do you think Time of Thunder is worth listening to on Audio? I grew up listening to audio-books read by brilliant actors. The benefit of those (although the printed word is always important) is characterisation throughout the narrative that text does not necessarily convey at times. I hope my humble effort is of that standard.
- Who or what inspires you? Actors talk about having to ‘like’ their character, which is nonsense. I’ve played roles that have no redeeming features whatsoever. What inspires me most is a good story, a committed creative team putting that story together and ‘fighting’ for my character whether I like them or not.
