Janet Varney interview: the voice of Korra

I had the privilege to interview the voice of Korra, from the “Legend of Korra”, Janet Varney. Janet Varney has done many other works besides providing the voice of Korra. She has appeared in many television shows and movies. She is also the co-founder of SF Sketchfest an improv, sketch comedy and stand up comedy event that takes place every year. She does a podcast every week called the JV Club, which can be found here. Her website is http://janetvarney.com.

You went to school at San Francisco State University where you studied theater, how did you make your transition into acting?

Well, I had been doing theater in school pretty much my whole life. So by the time I got to college, it was kind of just something I assumed I’d major in. But if you mean how did I transition into doing it professionally, that took a little more time. I assumed I would stay in San Francisco, where it’s very hard to make a living as an actor. So I had pretty much decided that school would be the last time I really could focus on acting. After that, I had jobs in the interior design and merchandising world, and it took a few years for things to roll back around to acting. I was very surprised when they did!

When you were in college did you have an inclination for what area of acting you wanted to go into and why?

In college I was just doing straight theater. I didn’t have any background training in comedy or anything, just the sort of traditional acting stuff. But I was always a huge comedy fan, and after leaving SF State, a couple buddies of mine asked me to join the sketch group they were forming. I was terrified at the idea, but they talked me into it. Once I started doing that, I realized how much I loved doing comedy.

Many of my readers are fans of “Legend of Korra” and enjoy hearing your voice as Korra. Did you ever think that you would be voice acting?

I had always had a dream of doing a voice for a cartoon, but I had no idea how to go about getting into that side of acting. Luckily I had an agent who believed in me, and he helped get me started in VO work. And I wish I had known about Dee Bradley Baker’s WONDERFUL Site, iwanttobeavoiceactor.com back then, because it’s the resource I recommend to anyone who asks me about getting into the business!

How did you get the role of Korra?

I just auditioned for it like any other job, except it WASN’T just any other job… it was the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!

Did you watch Avatar the Last Airbender before auditioning for “Legend of Korra”?

I did – not because of the audition but because friends of mine had told me how amazing it was. And then when I got the audition, I was extra nervous because I knew how special the show was going to be.

Considering that you have acted in live roles, what were the immediate challenges to providing a voice for a character?

Great question. I guess the thing I had to get used to the quickest was being in a dark room with a microphone and headphones rather than in an environment like a set, where you’re sort of surrounded by stuff that helps you “get into character.” Luckily the writing was so amazing, it was very easy pretty early on to just kind of disappear into the story!

Korra’s role has changed throughout the four seasons of “Legend of Korra”. What were the challenges voicing Korra’s character and emotions throughout the series?

To be honest with you, I never felt THAT afraid of the emotions Korra went through. It’s all stuff I can very easily identify with. It was a total honor to get to portray those emotions and it goes back to how great the writing was. It was just so easy to feel everything genuinely.

In what way are you similar to Korra? How do you differ from Korra?

Well, let’s first state the obvious: I AM NOT AN AVATAR. Korra is amazing and so strong. Stronger, I think, for having had moments of such weakness. I like to hope that I have become stronger from weaknesses or moments of crisis in my own life. And unfortunately like Korra, sometimes I can be impatient when I most need to take a breath and “be the leaf.”

If you could be any of the benders in the Avatar world which would you choose and why?

Wow, that’s tough! There are so many awesome ones! I think Kuvira is just AWESOME. I feel disloyal to Korra for saying that but what an impressive character she turned out to be!

What was your initial reaction to realizing what a large and intense fan base Avatar has?

I was terrified of letting the fandom down by not doing a good job as Korra. It was always so important to me that I try to honor and represent Mike and Bryan’s amazing vision as respectfully and passionately as possible. I love the fans!

Do you have a favorite episode of Korra and why is it your favorite episode?

Well, I think I would have to say the “Korra Alone” episode is my favorite. I had the privilege of seeing it with the fans at NYCC, and to experience their reaction as I too was seeing it for the first time was just extraordinary. It meant the world to me. And hearing Mike and Bryan talk about it made it all the more special.

What tips do you have for people who want to get into voice acting?

See above – Dee Bradley’s site!