by Haris Yar Khan- Jalya Writer
Ali is a voice actor based in Edmonton with professional training in the field and five years of experience. Ali studied acting at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton and has participated in online voice acting workshops, and completed courses in Audio Engineering. He operates from his own fully equipped home studio. Ali specializes in voice acting for various mediums such as animation, video games, TV commercials and educational content and his voice lends versatility to his projects allowing him to portray a diverse range of distinctive characters. Ali also actively volunteers for organizations such as Multicultural Health Brokers, Food Bank, voice-over work for non-profit entities, and has found homes for over 15 cats.
You have a great amount of education in acting studies, from the Citadel theatre, online
voice acting workshops, and audio engineering; which would you say has been the most
interesting experience, and which did you learn the most from (or what did you learn
from each of them that has made you a better actor?)
Acting classes at the Citadel were undeniably the most intriguing and enjoyable experience for me. These classes played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation for my voice acting career. While other classes were conducted online, the in-person atmosphere of the acting classes, particularly the opportunity to perform alongside a live partner, created an incredible and unforgettable experience.
What piece of work or works are you the proudest of?
I have gained significant experience in various areas of voice acting, including E-Learning, radio advertisements, toy commercials, and character work. Among my accomplishments, the project that fills me with the most pride is my Dunkin Donuts commercial.
It’s so much fun to watch you re-enact old and new anime videos on social media;
anime and cartoons must have had a big impact on the reason you choose to venture
into voice acting. Do you have a list of favourite anime and cartoons?
Absolutely! I was drawn to voice acting because of my fascination with behind-the-scenes content from Disney, Anime, and Pixar films. The idea of an actor, hidden behind a microphone, lending their voice to the characters on screen and breathing life into them always captivated me. Among my favorite Anime are Attack on Titan, Death Note, and Demon Slayer.
With your journey so far, how have you grown as an actor, and is there any field or
a genre of acting that you would like to try that you haven’t yet?
I am continuously evolving as an actor with every audition I undertake. I immerse myself in the character's perspectives and strive to portray them in a manner that best aligns with the scene. Voice acting has become a significant part of my life, and I dedicate a considerable amount of my spare time to honing my skills in this field. The concept of motion capture acting has always fascinated me. It involves capturing physical movements and facial expressions, which are then translated into digital animations, as seen in movies like "Planet of the Apes" and "The Lord of the Rings" for the character Smaug.
Where can people find you online, and is there any piece of advice you would like to
give to aspiring actors or artists?
These are all the socials that I post content to:
Website: https://aligoharvo.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ_8crplm0WWJpzoEm-QhMQ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeybladeAli
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aligoharvo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keybladeali
My advice would be to pursue your dreams and passions. Reflecting on my own journey in voice-over, it has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, challenges, and successes. This experience has taught me the importance of perseverance, the beauty of embracing vulnerability, and the fulfillment that comes from following one's true passion. Although I have a desk job from 9 to 5 that pays the bills, it doesn't provide the same sense of fulfillment that voice-over work does. I owe my gratitude to my wife, mother, and late father, who supported me throughout this journey. My father, who is no longer with us, helped me build my studio and would watch and share my online videos with his friends. I am committed to continuing my work in this field and making myself, my friends, and my family proud.
