2023-12-09 19:31:55
Humberto Vélez, Nancy Mackenzie, Claudia Motta and Paty Acevedo may not have the most recognizable faces in film and television, but they just have to open their mouths for the charm to take place: they are none other than Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa, the endearing Simpson family that these days is one of the main attractions of a new edition of the Argentina Comic-Con at the Costa Salguero venue in Buenos Aires.
The quartet occupied the main stage this Friday at the very busy 3pm time slot of the biannual event that pop culture fans have in the city. With an exclusive panel, which will repeat Saturday and Sunday, the voice interpreters, dubbing artists and announcers covered part of their careers and anecdotes as the voices for Latin America of the most famous family in Springfield.
Voices that were recorded in the collective memory
“It is unforgettable; I remember May 1990 more than what I did today. That changed my life, it is a train that takes you to Medellín, Oaxaca and today in Buenos Aires, and tomorrow in who knows where. That is changing your life and we will never be able to forget it,” Vélez recalled in statements to Télam regarding the first time he wore the Homer suit.
The Mexican actor, who played the voice of the Simpsons patriarch until 2004, and then returned to it in 2021 following 17 years, is already a Buenos Aires regular with a long career in conventions, interviews and media appearances.
His irreplaceable voice gave the character a Latin corporeality since the series arrived in the region, a year following its start on American TV, and it remains there following 35 seasons. Such was the impact of his Homer, that it overshadowed the rest of his extensive career, with dubbing for dozens of films, soap operas and series such as Winnie Pooh, Stuart Little, Shrek, Futurama o rugrats.
“It didn’t open doors for me, it closed almost all of them for me. The fact is that when I start talking, everyone says ‘but there’s Homer’, or ‘get away Homer’. The thing is, how am I going to advertise shoes with Homer’s voice? That’s my voice. So for me, on the contrary, far from opening doors for me, it has closed them,” Vélez said sincerely.
Mackenzie, born in Peru and of Mexican nationality, and who, in addition to Marge, has voices for animated series such as Sailor Moon, The Powerpuff Girls or Disney’s Clarabella character, supported the idea of his long-time companion: “We realized all the fanaticism that people had for The Simpsonwe had no idea we were so famous and it surprised us.”
For her part, Motta, also a Mexican, who was not in the series from the beginning, said: “I am from a new generation, but I was focused on doing a good job, leaving everything regarding myself and preparing to have a character.” as important as Bart Simpson. It is wonderful that these characters have entered my life, it is an impact for the four of us, who are heard throughout Latin America and in other countries.”
“What impresses me is that parents come to these events, who have already seen The Simpson from the beginning, with their children, who also see it,” Mackenzie added regarding the transgenerational characteristic of the sitcom animated created by Matt Groening.
What is the secret to being a dubbing artist for “The Simpsons”?
Regarding what the secret of a dubbing artist’s task is, Vélez assured that it is, above all, “hard work.”
“There are no secrets to succeeding in this profession and in none, the only secret is blood, sweat and tears, just like anywhere else. Hard work, perseverance, discipline, knowledge, punctuality, everything that he does to any profession,” he expressed.
Finally, the actor pointed out that one of the things that most often surprises fans is the less luminous side of the task: “I think it surprises the public every time I say certain truths regarding dubbing, such as how little we earn. or how difficult it is to do it, because people think that it’s just talking and that’s it, and trying to make a funny little voice as if anyone would suit the character.”
The Argentina Comic-Con continues all Saturday and Sunday in Costa Salguero, with the artists’ alley, musical numbers, competitions cosplaytributes, parades, medieval fair and gastronomic offer.
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