Maggie Robertson interview — The surreal expertise of taking part in Woman Dimitrescu

The primary delight of Resident Evil Village is Woman Dimitrescu, the big vampire who has grow to be extraordinarily in style amongst cosplayers, fan artists are extra. So it was fascinating to see Maggie Robertson, the voice actor for the larger-than-life Woman Dimitrescu, win the award for excellent achievement in character on the latest DICE Awards.

Final week I joined a bunch of journalists within the offstage winners’ room for the DICE Awards celebrating the most effective of video video games in 2021 on the DICE Summit in Las Vegas. Every group of winners filed by means of our room and we collectively tossed a bunch of questions on the winners.

I requested the ultimate questions, whereas different journalists requested the remaining. Right here’s an edited transcript of our interview.

Query: What do you suppose, as an actor, you’re capable of do now after engaged on these video games that you just weren’t capable of do earlier than?

Maggie Robertson: Nicely, I believe a theater background is so necessary, particularly in this type of efficiency seize work, as a result of it’s concerning the storytelling of your physique. You don’t have units or costumes or make-up to inform the story for you. You simply have your physique. I love to do so much with animal work, animal research. Should you have a look at Woman Dimitrescu, she’s type of cat-like. She’s going to be extra sensual and curvy. She takes her time. Utilizing that to create extra of a definite physicality for every character can even show you how to create actually clear bodily characters in a short time. You should use that as a jumping-off level.

Query: When your character was revealed, it set the web on fireplace. What was that like for you because the particular person behind that efficiency?

Robertson: Oh, God, it was so unusual. Particularly unusual as a result of I used to be nonetheless beneath NDA. I couldn’t say something. I couldn’t inform my roommates. I couldn’t inform my mother. I used to be simply freaking out in my room on my own. It was so surreal, and a lot greater than something I might have imagined.

I’m extremely grateful for it. It’s given me a platform to create a secure house for plenty of totally different communities, just like the LGBT+ neighborhood. I like that. That’s been the best honor and privilege, and a completely surprising one. It means so much to me to have the ability to give again and supply a secure house. I like that Woman D is cherished.

Query: While you suppose again to if you had been first attending to know your character, what stood out about her? Did you get a way that she’d stand out in a sequence like Resident Evil?

Robertson: Nicely, she stands out anyway, however–I like the character design for Woman D. The very first time I noticed her, she’s so bodily distinctive. What I believe Capcom has completed such an exquisite job with is creating a picture that already signifies a lot character. You simply have a look at her, and even earlier than she opens her mouth, she slaps you throughout the face along with her character. Once more, they simply make my job really easy. I regarded on the picture and thought, “Oh, nice. I’ve 10,000 concepts now about what to do and who she is.” She tells a really clear visible story.

Query: Amongst all of the reactions you’ve gotten from taking part in this character, have you ever ever been creeped out or harassed by folks? How do you cope with that?

Robertson: Oh, completely. Hear, she was fairly the phenomenon when she first got here out. I used to be nervous about that going into it, earlier than the discharge even got here out. I used to be nervous that I used to be going to be getting that type of factor as nearly all of the interplay, as a result of she is so fetishized. However I’ll say that the neighborhood’s been actually wonderful. There’s no escaping the truth that you’re a girl on the web. That stuff exists. However the overwhelming response of the neighborhood has been constructive.

The primary issues I acquired had been folks reaching out to speak about my work and the way a lot they recognize what I did within the sport. And oddly I get quite a lot of strangers writing to inform me that they’re happy with me after I win these awards. They’re writing to say, “We’re so happy with you, genuinely so proud.” That’s touching, very shifting. It’s been pretty, really, the reactions.

Query: Has taking part in a personality who’s gained a lot possibly surprising renown in video video games–has that opened extra doorways for you? Or, conversely, has it been a factor the place folks attain out to you saying, “We’d such as you to play a personality that’s like her, however slightly totally different”?

Robertson: It’s so fascinating. Time will inform, as a result of I don’t know–that is my very first entry into the world of video video games. I occurred to get an agent per week earlier than the sport got here out, so it’s arduous for me to inform if my new auditions and new bookings are as a result of I’ve this shiny new agent, or as a result of I’ve this shiny new award. Both method I’m very joyful about them. However I believe time will inform. It is a very small trade. Relationships matter. I’m grateful to have labored on this sport with different creators and collaborators that I need to work with once more, who deal with folks effectively and are artistic and at all times open to new concepts, at all times prepared to work with you and never simply at you, telling you what to do. I worth these relationships, and I hope they proceed to develop.

Query: Is it bizarre for you that the face of the character is somebody totally different?

Robertson: I discover it reasonably liberating, to be sincere. It permits me to have that separation, in order that I can now watch the sport and expertise the sport as a fan myself, as an viewers member. I’m not overly critiquing my very own efficiency. Particularly when it comes to the fetishization and this response we’re having to her–I ponder how Helena Mankowska, the face mannequin, feels about it. However I get pleasure from that diploma of separation. It permits me to have that little bit of house and the protection round it. I can simply get pleasure from it.