Rockstar’s billion dollar project Grand Theft Auto V definitely has one of the most interesting characters in the video game history, Trevor Philips. The Canadian television and stage actor Steven Ogg did not just do voicing, but also spent almost 3 years in a motion capture studio to perform and give life to the character of Trevor. Despite his character in the game being a totally crazy and violent guy, we’d say Ogg is surprisingly such a kind and nice guy. Big thanks to him for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to do this GTATurk.com exclusive interview!
Steven: Hi Ipek and GTATURK.COM!
İpek: Grand Theft Auto is the biggest video game franchise in the industry. With Grand Theft Auto V, you’ve made a big progress in your career. Trevor Philips, the psycho meth dealer of Blaine County, is the most ruthless, crazy and funny protagonist we’ve ever seen in GTA history and he’s become the favoured character of GTAV for everyone so easily – us too! But under this crazy and notorious personality, Trevor is very loyal to his friends and he’s a really good guy in some ways. Do you think there are some similarities between you and Trevor?
S: I’d say we share passion – great passion. We are both committed and give 150% – balls deep in everything we do. The sense of humor – all be it a little dark at times. The love of life. As for the violence? Nope. We are also both VERY loyal – you get back exactly what you give in.
İ: You not only did the voice but also played Trevor in motion capture sessions. Was all we have seen for Trevor in GTAV your own work?
S: It was a full motion capture performance. Take any performance by an actor in film or television and animate it – that’s exactly what Trevor was. There was never any sitting around just throwing a “voice” on a character -everything seen in Trevor was performed in a motion capture studio and then the amazing animators and crew turned it into a fully realized animated character- the face, the body it was all captured during the performance of that character.
İ: What was the most interesting/exciting/memorable part?
S: The best part is the people I met and worked with. Obviously the brotherhood formed with Solo and Ned in addition to the entire family at Rockstar. It’s rarely the roles an actor remembers, but rather the relationships formed on set. Shooting for over 3 years it definitely became a family. There are some funny moments on set – usually the “blooper” type situations when you find yourself laughing uncontrollably or just giggling like a little girl at something ridiculous. Always felt good to laugh and we certainly had plenty on the set. A very fun, encouraging and free atmosphere that created the safety to perform at your best and always want to give your best every day.
İ: What do you think about fans’ reaction so far?
S: The fans are incredible. It has been amazing to see the global impact and to receive such lovely words of encouragement, support, and love from so many people from all across the world. It certainly surprised me to see the variety of people – certainly not your stereotypical gamers. It means the world to me to have people recognize me as Steven Ogg and comment how the performance of Trevor really touched them. It’s very wonderful and I really thank everyone for begin so generous with their kindness, loyalty and support – it really touches me and I hope to continue to have an impact on people and do my fans proud through my work.
İ: Most of the game dialogue really sounds natural, like it wasn’t scripted. Was there any point where you just improvised an unscripted thing in a scene?
S: There were always little moments when something might be added – I believed I did some “dry humping” of people in scenes that was not always in the script, but certainly felt very Trevor-like and appropriate at the time. Much of Trevor’s imitations of peoples’ accents and gestures – those were generally ad-libbed and then kept in. Behavior that was then repeated and became part of Trevor’s character.
İ: We’ve learned your son’s name is Bodhi. It’s so amazing that the truck that Trevor drives in the game is named after him!
S: It was a wonderful surprise for my son. He certainly deserves a planet named after him for being such a wonderful, beautiful son – I’m so lucky to be his father and it is a lovely gift.
İ: You also played the main character “Jake Conway” in the videogame “Ride to Hell: Retribution”. What was that experience like?
S: I thought – I’d kill the crazy bastard too!! ha ha. He is an interesting, dynamic and crazy character so everyone is fair game. It’s kind of fun when you lose a character that you really don’t want to see die just because he is such a gong show!
İ: Can you tell us about your current and upcoming projects? What’s next for Steven Ogg?
S: I love the opportunity to explore all the facets of humanity – the foibles, the dark side, the light side, and definitely all that grey in the middle is what appeals to me. Every character is an opportunity to explore and find the unexpected in the expected – that is exciting.
Thanks so much for your patience and support. It really means the world to me and I apologize for taking so damn long to respond. Life is a beautiful thing and gets rather hectic sometimes. There should be lots more projects upcoming for fans to check out and I hope to continue to grow, to challenge, and to give back as much as I have been blessed to be given. Into the fire baby! Into the fire!!!
I bet michael and trevor used to lay awake in dingey motel rooms with the static on the tv as the only light as they’d poured their hearts out to each other and tell each other things they’d never share with anyone else
And it was times like those that trevor would fall deeper and deeper in love with Michael…. sighs
Trev, sitting next to Mike, both in wheelchairs: *glares at Mike* I left a bag of chips on my table and someone stole it. Mike: Don’t look at me. Trev, leaning in closer: Oh I’m looking at you. MIke:*sigh* Trev: Hey, I’m sorry you’ve proven yourself untrustworthy. Mike: It has be 42 years, Trevor.
Hey! Remember that time when Michael lied through his teeth to Dave to stop him getting Franklin involved with the FIB?
Remember that time Michael vouched for Franklin to help him make some money and get out of poverty and the gang lifestyle?
Remember that time he repeatedly told Franklin to go home, even though Franklin was going to be the only one helping him fight off the IAA attack while he was dangling from a rope a hundred feet up outside their building?
Remember that time when Michael went out of his way to stop Franklin from getting involved with Martin Madrazo again, so he took Trevor instead and got himself into all kinds of trouble for it?
Remember the time when Michael was literally standing in the line of fire to protect Franklin and constantly checking on him during a gunfight and threw Franklin on the train first when it arrived, even though Frank wasn’t carrying any money and all the enemies had already been killed off?
Remember how mad Michael got when Trevor called Franklin up while they were in Sandy Shores because Trevor was potentially pulling Franklin into Madrazo’s crosshairs again?
Remember that Michael loved Franklin like a son and went out of his way to do right by him? Yeah, I do too.
Always remember that Michael De Santa didn’t sell Lester out even though he would have been a great catch for Dave and the the FIB.
Always remember that Michael De Santa went out of his way to protect Franklin on several occasions including: i. Lying to Dave to keep him from pulling Franklin into the FIB shit. ii. Telling Franklin to go home even after he knew he would be the only one covering him during the IAA raid. iii.
Chose to take Trevor to Martin’s house despite Martin requesting
Franklin to keep his boy from getting caught up in Cartel related shit again. iv. Kept putting himself in the line of fire during the Paleto Bay heist to make sure Franklin was safe from harm. v. Pushed Franklin onto the getaway train first even though he wasn’t carrying any of the money.
Always
remember that Michael De Santa is not a total asshole and that he is
capable of loyalty to those who he deeply cares about.
Stop talking and start doing: My Fallout Shelter for my Tumblr blog 