Jay Paulson

Now, as far as this project, it came about pretty much the way a lot of these sort of do standard, my people or what have you sort of send over the appointment. And I recorded it, you know, sent in a tape, and the positive response, we went and met on a Zoom and did more of that, and yeah.

Now, as far as this project, it came about pretty much the way a lot of these sort of do standard, my people or what have you sort of send over the appointment. And I recorded it, you know, sent in a tape, and the positive response, we went and met on a Zoom and did more of that, and yeah.

There were times in the booth when we pretended to smoke.

There were times in the booth when we pretended to smoke.

You know, because that does shape your behavior. It shapes where you breathe in a line. It shapes how you deliver a line. If you know you're inhaling at this point, you know you can't finish a line at this point, et cetera. You know, there were moments when you'd pull a gun and you'd want to. Oh, right. You'd wanna have something to go with there.

You know, because that does shape your behavior. It shapes where you breathe in a line. It shapes how you deliver a line. If you know you're inhaling at this point, you know you can't finish a line at this point, et cetera. You know, there were moments when you'd pull a gun and you'd want to. Oh, right. You'd wanna have something to go with there.

Then there's the more comical stuff where you're beating yourself up in a booth by throwing yourself on a wall and then on the other wall and hoping that it sounds like someone getting pummeled. And then the more intimate moments where they might ask, How about kissing your hand, you know, when you go to kiss Essendon? Listen, let's go for it. Let's do it. What can we do?

Then there's the more comical stuff where you're beating yourself up in a booth by throwing yourself on a wall and then on the other wall and hoping that it sounds like someone getting pummeled. And then the more intimate moments where they might ask, How about kissing your hand, you know, when you go to kiss Essendon? Listen, let's go for it. Let's do it. What can we do?

Let's see how it goes, you know?

Let's see how it goes, you know?

He's he has his faults, but he's all, but he's got his his code that he does live by. When he makes a mistake, he owns up to it. He faces the music. He does have that sense of right and wrong. And even when he speaks to them and says, we can bend these things a little bit, but we can't break them or else we're just as bad as they are.

He's he has his faults, but he's all, but he's got his his code that he does live by. When he makes a mistake, he owns up to it. He faces the music. He does have that sense of right and wrong. And even when he speaks to them and says, we can bend these things a little bit, but we can't break them or else we're just as bad as they are.

And I do think that's his sort of heart and his psyche speaking his truth.

And I do think that's his sort of heart and his psyche speaking his truth.

Absolutely. I mean, we knew that that was his, like we were using the word code, but yes, that was his center point, you know? And that was what they had all agreed on, you know, when they had that, when they have the meeting and this is how things are going to go. And then you're right. How much do we bend them? How far do we bend before it breaks? Yeah.

Absolutely. I mean, we knew that that was his, like we were using the word code, but yes, that was his center point, you know? And that was what they had all agreed on, you know, when they had that, when they have the meeting and this is how things are going to go. And then you're right. How much do we bend them? How far do we bend before it breaks? Yeah.

Oh, the actual experience of reading?

Oh, the actual experience of reading?

Well, the artwork. I mean, the artwork was insane. I mean, that's iconic. That pose he does with the lightning flash going down. It's just like, yeah. I mean, so that was... As a young reader, that art was captivating, absolutely captivating. And the way he could tell that story from frame to frame with those characters and that line, his line was really incredible.

Well, the artwork. I mean, the artwork was insane. I mean, that's iconic. That pose he does with the lightning flash going down. It's just like, yeah. I mean, so that was... As a young reader, that art was captivating, absolutely captivating. And the way he could tell that story from frame to frame with those characters and that line, his line was really incredible.

It was incredible, and I felt like I'd been knocking on the voiceover door for a while, and finally someone answered. That was really, and not just anybody answered. You know, I mean, it was really an amazing opportunity. And it was great to learn on the fly. You know, I have a bunch of friends in the business who've been doing voice for a long time. And I would say,

It was incredible, and I felt like I'd been knocking on the voiceover door for a while, and finally someone answered. That was really, and not just anybody answered. You know, I mean, it was really an amazing opportunity. And it was great to learn on the fly. You know, I have a bunch of friends in the business who've been doing voice for a long time. And I would say,

So do you have any tips for me on this? What do you think I should do here? But in general, everyone who was behind the scenes knew exactly sort of the tone they wanted and what they wanted out of it. Then it really did feel organic. I felt so supported. I felt like everyone was there to sort of help me do my best. And I just did my thing.

So do you have any tips for me on this? What do you think I should do here? But in general, everyone who was behind the scenes knew exactly sort of the tone they wanted and what they wanted out of it. Then it really did feel organic. I felt so supported. I felt like everyone was there to sort of help me do my best. And I just did my thing.

And as long as people kept coming back like, this is going well, this is going well.

And as long as people kept coming back like, this is going well, this is going well.

There's always times when you wish you'd had someone to bounce it off of. And a lot of the heavier scenes, I was very grateful to have directors or people who would read the person opposite. And that's always helpful, I think, just in terms of what we were talking about earlier, catching your breath and recognizing where you would interrupt someone, this kind of thing. But...

There's always times when you wish you'd had someone to bounce it off of. And a lot of the heavier scenes, I was very grateful to have directors or people who would read the person opposite. And that's always helpful, I think, just in terms of what we were talking about earlier, catching your breath and recognizing where you would interrupt someone, this kind of thing. But...

You know, I read to my boys, I read books to my boys until they were about 15 years old. And maybe that has something to do with it, but I loved bringing them all to life. So, you know, maybe that had something to do with it.

You know, I read to my boys, I read books to my boys until they were about 15 years old. And maybe that has something to do with it, but I loved bringing them all to life. So, you know, maybe that had something to do with it.

Yeah, yeah. But it was an amazing opportunity. And it was really interesting to learn the differences, specifically with How Subtle. I couldn't believe, as I mentioned earlier, Coy, that you can just toss it, toss it, toss it. No mustard on it. I'm an actor, I'm a character actor. I'm an actor who loves character. I love to build the character. I love to throw stuff on it.

Yeah, yeah. But it was an amazing opportunity. And it was really interesting to learn the differences, specifically with How Subtle. I couldn't believe, as I mentioned earlier, Coy, that you can just toss it, toss it, toss it. No mustard on it. I'm an actor, I'm a character actor. I'm an actor who loves character. I love to build the character. I love to throw stuff on it.

Obviously we talked about the accent. I'm that kind of actor who wants to make a bold choice and put my shoulder behind it. And I believe that ends up with usually a more dynamic performance. something that's more delightful to the audience. And in this instance, I think it was really interesting how much you can take away and still come up with this richness and this dynamic performance.

Obviously we talked about the accent. I'm that kind of actor who wants to make a bold choice and put my shoulder behind it. And I believe that ends up with usually a more dynamic performance. something that's more delightful to the audience. And in this instance, I think it was really interesting how much you can take away and still come up with this richness and this dynamic performance.

I so appreciate it. Again, my gratitude to everyone behind it, the directors and the writers, obviously, and the production. I mean, it was really a team effort. And I was just so grateful to feel like we were all in there with the same goal in mind, wanting to make the best Batman ever, you know?

I so appreciate it. Again, my gratitude to everyone behind it, the directors and the writers, obviously, and the production. I mean, it was really a team effort. And I was just so grateful to feel like we were all in there with the same goal in mind, wanting to make the best Batman ever, you know?

So cool, Koi. Thanks, man.

So cool, Koi. Thanks, man.

Well, I think at this point, like you said, some of the trust is eroding, and I'm not sure Gordon knows exactly where he is in terms of his relationship with the Batman. And if it's possible that Bruce Wayne might be involved in this, what does that portend for the future?

Well, I think at this point, like you said, some of the trust is eroding, and I'm not sure Gordon knows exactly where he is in terms of his relationship with the Batman. And if it's possible that Bruce Wayne might be involved in this, what does that portend for the future?

Especially, like we talked about, especially recording in order. You really see the chips fall as they do. You know what I mean? Like one at a time, you're chasing this lead. Nope. You're chasing that lead. Nope. Did he really believe it was that lead? Nah, I guess so.

Especially, like we talked about, especially recording in order. You really see the chips fall as they do. You know what I mean? Like one at a time, you're chasing this lead. Nope. You're chasing that lead. Nope. Did he really believe it was that lead? Nah, I guess so.

You know, it's like, that was fascinating to see, you know, all those different degrees of the hunt, the chase, and yeah, then solving the mystery, as you said.

You know, it's like, that was fascinating to see, you know, all those different degrees of the hunt, the chase, and yeah, then solving the mystery, as you said.

You know, one of the things that happened early on was a little bit of the Chicago accent. Sure. Because having him been from Chicago was important, seemed to some of the people involved. And I thought that also humanized him. It placed him sort of in a world outside of Gotham, too. So I thought that was really cool. You know, again, you talk about his humanity and the fact that –

You know, one of the things that happened early on was a little bit of the Chicago accent. Sure. Because having him been from Chicago was important, seemed to some of the people involved. And I thought that also humanized him. It placed him sort of in a world outside of Gotham, too. So I thought that was really cool. You know, again, you talk about his humanity and the fact that –

A little bit, yeah. But I just think you've hit on something that's to me the most exciting thing about the whole thing, which is the idea of reading the whole thing while you listen. To me, that was what we were doing that was really different.

A little bit, yeah. But I just think you've hit on something that's to me the most exciting thing about the whole thing, which is the idea of reading the whole thing while you listen. To me, that was what we were doing that was really different.

Absolutely. I would do them the night before we worked. I would refresh on where we were in the story and use the visuals to help. And then it was very often it would help in recording. to bring it up and for everyone to remember, okay, this is where we were at this point. This is what the frame is. This is, you know, this is what Frank put here. So, you know, that definitely brought it to life.

Absolutely. I would do them the night before we worked. I would refresh on where we were in the story and use the visuals to help. And then it was very often it would help in recording. to bring it up and for everyone to remember, okay, this is where we were at this point. This is what the frame is. This is, you know, this is what Frank put here. So, you know, that definitely brought it to life.

It was really cool to have that as sort of like a background inspiration.

It was really cool to have that as sort of like a background inspiration.

I love the imagery with the sound. Yeah. I think it's really amazing to watch the thoughts and the words come into my ears as my eyes go over them. Something really special there.

I love the imagery with the sound. Yeah. I think it's really amazing to watch the thoughts and the words come into my ears as my eyes go over them. Something really special there.

Oh, I do too. And a testament to your work, man. It really is something special. It means so much to me, Coy. It was a true honor. You know, I mean, when it finally comes together and you're like, this is happening, you really do feel in a very real way welcomed into a pantheon. And it just feels like, what a gift. And the fact that everyone was willing to...

Oh, I do too. And a testament to your work, man. It really is something special. It means so much to me, Coy. It was a true honor. You know, I mean, when it finally comes together and you're like, this is happening, you really do feel in a very real way welcomed into a pantheon. And it just feels like, what a gift. And the fact that everyone was willing to...

to allow me to put some personal stuff in, you know, to allow me to work with it the way I wanted. And, you know, I felt just so great, so well supported.

to allow me to put some personal stuff in, you know, to allow me to work with it the way I wanted. And, you know, I felt just so great, so well supported.

Thank you.

Thank you.

He is, you know, coming into this situation with his own set of doubts and concerns and a pregnant wife. And so, you know, there's a lot going on for this guy as we find him in the start. But I was blown away myself with what a big part he was. I couldn't believe it when I started to actually look at the thing, I go, oh my gosh, I'm in this thing a lot.

He is, you know, coming into this situation with his own set of doubts and concerns and a pregnant wife. And so, you know, there's a lot going on for this guy as we find him in the start. But I was blown away myself with what a big part he was. I couldn't believe it when I started to actually look at the thing, I go, oh my gosh, I'm in this thing a lot.

You think about Batman's show, and then you're like, this is pretty amazing. Year one's kind of mine, I think. I don't know about that, but I won't go that far, but you're absolutely right. I'll do it for you, I got it.

You think about Batman's show, and then you're like, this is pretty amazing. Year one's kind of mine, I think. I don't know about that, but I won't go that far, but you're absolutely right. I'll do it for you, I got it.

Absolutely. I mean, seeing him now as an adult, as a grown-up, or however you want to put it, you do see him as a grown-up.

Absolutely. I mean, seeing him now as an adult, as a grown-up, or however you want to put it, you do see him as a grown-up.

Whereas as a youth, I saw him a lot more as an archetype. Sure. You know, the head of police, this associate of Batman's in some regard. Whereas, you know, coming to him now, you see him as a husband, a father, you know, a father.

Whereas as a youth, I saw him a lot more as an archetype. Sure. You know, the head of police, this associate of Batman's in some regard. Whereas, you know, coming to him now, you see him as a husband, a father, you know, a father.

Absolutely. I mean, if anything, there's been some, I'll say one of the most fun things about reading it after having played him is like, was I tough enough? Because he's such a badass in the books, you know, with his stash and his glasses and stuff. And I was like, I didn't wear glasses. I wonder if I'd worn glasses if that would have affected my behavior, my voice. Could it have? Maybe?

Absolutely. I mean, if anything, there's been some, I'll say one of the most fun things about reading it after having played him is like, was I tough enough? Because he's such a badass in the books, you know, with his stash and his glasses and stuff. And I was like, I didn't wear glasses. I wonder if I'd worn glasses if that would have affected my behavior, my voice. Could it have? Maybe?

I don't know. Can they hear the lack of glasses? Could they hear that I was wearing glasses? I don't know. Or the stash, you know, but it's like, so in that sense, that was all, that was really cool to see him, you know, to want to, you know, bring that badassery to life as it were.

I don't know. Can they hear the lack of glasses? Could they hear that I was wearing glasses? I don't know. Or the stash, you know, but it's like, so in that sense, that was all, that was really cool to see him, you know, to want to, you know, bring that badassery to life as it were.

I think you just, you live into the questions and the problems as they're happening. If that makes any sense. Yeah. You know, this guy's having all of this stuff thrown at him and how he responds to it is what's going to allow him to become that version of himself in the future.

I think you just, you live into the questions and the problems as they're happening. If that makes any sense. Yeah. You know, this guy's having all of this stuff thrown at him and how he responds to it is what's going to allow him to become that version of himself in the future.

Yeah. That was one of the real gifts of this was getting to go in sort of in a booth. You're kind of on your own too, which is a blessing and a curse in a weird way. Now, everyone behind us was incredible and the directors knew exactly what they were after and the tone. We all knew what we were shooting for. So in that sense, I felt very well protected and well held.

Yeah. That was one of the real gifts of this was getting to go in sort of in a booth. You're kind of on your own too, which is a blessing and a curse in a weird way. Now, everyone behind us was incredible and the directors knew exactly what they were after and the tone. We all knew what we were shooting for. So in that sense, I felt very well protected and well held.

But yeah, it was very liberating to be able to sort of go for that with a little more trepidation than I might've, feeling like I had to come into it as one that already existed, as a Gordon that we knew.

But yeah, it was very liberating to be able to sort of go for that with a little more trepidation than I might've, feeling like I had to come into it as one that already existed, as a Gordon that we knew.

Well, one of the true blessings about this process, one of the things that was really pleasurable for myself as more of a film and television actor coming to this in voice is that we did do it in order. So we were able to record it more or less in chronological order.

Well, one of the true blessings about this process, one of the things that was really pleasurable for myself as more of a film and television actor coming to this in voice is that we did do it in order. So we were able to record it more or less in chronological order.

Now, I didn't always have everyone with me in terms of reading with people and that kind of stuff, but that was a gift because we did get to go moment through moment. Now, Some of the earlier ones, I want to say in year one, we did a lot of the internal voice first. And that was really helpful too, because you get to really get into the mind of Gordon.

Now, I didn't always have everyone with me in terms of reading with people and that kind of stuff, but that was a gift because we did get to go moment through moment. Now, Some of the earlier ones, I want to say in year one, we did a lot of the internal voice first. And that was really helpful too, because you get to really get into the mind of Gordon.

You got to really be thinking that the way, you know, because so much of it's thought. And so we did all the thoughts and then we went back and did sort of the vocal stuff. Now is a really great process.

You got to really be thinking that the way, you know, because so much of it's thought. And so we did all the thoughts and then we went back and did sort of the vocal stuff. Now is a really great process.

Literally, which is really special. It's what you always shoot for. And here we are doing it.

Literally, which is really special. It's what you always shoot for. And here we are doing it.

I'll say that the internal voice, the thoughtful voice was so thrown away. As we say, that was like, the note would be, throw it away, throw it away more, throw it away even more. And I'd say, gosh, if I keep throwing this away, what are we going to have? What are we going to have here? But sure enough, I thought it actually ended up getting us to a really subtle place.

I'll say that the internal voice, the thoughtful voice was so thrown away. As we say, that was like, the note would be, throw it away, throw it away more, throw it away even more. And I'd say, gosh, if I keep throwing this away, what are we going to have? What are we going to have here? But sure enough, I thought it actually ended up getting us to a really subtle place.

Absolutely. Well, the thing I was most concerned about with voice was too much, you know, as we got into putting too much on it because it's such a subtle medium. And when people are only approaching it with their ears, you know, every tiny little thing makes a difference. So that attention to detail blew me away.

Absolutely. Well, the thing I was most concerned about with voice was too much, you know, as we got into putting too much on it because it's such a subtle medium. And when people are only approaching it with their ears, you know, every tiny little thing makes a difference. So that attention to detail blew me away.

Sure. There were all sorts of sort of like we were interstitial sort of grunts and groans and moans and you could do a lot. You could get a lot with a little, you know, you really could. So that was definitely something to discover.

Sure. There were all sorts of sort of like we were interstitial sort of grunts and groans and moans and you could do a lot. You could get a lot with a little, you know, you really could. So that was definitely something to discover.

Yeah, you know, I think generally, I think we all started to just feel more comfortable with one another. And I know early on, you want to make sure you're doing right by your higher ups. You want to make sure everyone's digging what you're doing and stuff. And then something like this, you start to hit a stride. People seem happy with what's going on.

Yeah, you know, I think generally, I think we all started to just feel more comfortable with one another. And I know early on, you want to make sure you're doing right by your higher ups. You want to make sure everyone's digging what you're doing and stuff. And then something like this, you start to hit a stride. People seem happy with what's going on.

You're feeling better about what you're doing. The ins and outs are more available to you at your disposal. So then there does become a little bit more of a freer... I remember, you know, we would... do smaller, small jokes with one another by the time we were doing Long Halloween, whereas on year one, I was sort of just here to work and make sure I do this.

You're feeling better about what you're doing. The ins and outs are more available to you at your disposal. So then there does become a little bit more of a freer... I remember, you know, we would... do smaller, small jokes with one another by the time we were doing Long Halloween, whereas on year one, I was sort of just here to work and make sure I do this.

We're not effing around here.

We're not effing around here.

I'm doing great, Coy.

I'm doing great, Coy.

Well, as a comic fan, I just love the Batman for what he does, for everything he does and how well he does it. Yeah. And I always really appreciated that he was human. Sure. That to me was what set him apart from so many of the other characters that I was reading or that I was introduced to. There's no true superpower here. It's a guy who's working to be his best vigilante self. Yeah.

Well, as a comic fan, I just love the Batman for what he does, for everything he does and how well he does it. Yeah. And I always really appreciated that he was human. Sure. That to me was what set him apart from so many of the other characters that I was reading or that I was introduced to. There's no true superpower here. It's a guy who's working to be his best vigilante self. Yeah.

And using all of the resources at his disposal to come up with that best version. So- You know, that I always really admired as a reader. I think Gordon at first is a little peeved with the vigilante thing, right? Because it's like kind of doing my job. Also kind of makes the police look bad. You know, we can't do it on our own. So we need this guy out there helping us.

And using all of the resources at his disposal to come up with that best version. So- You know, that I always really admired as a reader. I think Gordon at first is a little peeved with the vigilante thing, right? Because it's like kind of doing my job. Also kind of makes the police look bad. You know, we can't do it on our own. So we need this guy out there helping us.

But of course, you're absolutely right. He does need Batman at the end of the day.

But of course, you're absolutely right. He does need Batman at the end of the day.

Sure. Well, first of all, I appreciate it because I think that's a really cool thing that came through was that sort of like old, you know, that tone. You know, so much of it was there in the actual dialogue, in the actual words on the page. So whether Frank Miller wrote it with that unconsciously or subconsciously or... you know, it's there.

Sure. Well, first of all, I appreciate it because I think that's a really cool thing that came through was that sort of like old, you know, that tone. You know, so much of it was there in the actual dialogue, in the actual words on the page. So whether Frank Miller wrote it with that unconsciously or subconsciously or... you know, it's there.

It was, you know, and so we did try to stay true to the word, which I was really, which I think is really cool. And I was mindful of when we were turning trying to into trina, you know, like that's not, today we say trina. Yeah. But I didn't want Gordon to say, you know, Gordon says trying to.

It was, you know, and so we did try to stay true to the word, which I was really, which I think is really cool. And I was mindful of when we were turning trying to into trina, you know, like that's not, today we say trina. Yeah. But I didn't want Gordon to say, you know, Gordon says trying to.

Yeah. That happened on, you know, fairly, not regularly, but we were cautious to make sure that we weren't sliding, eliding too much.

Yeah. That happened on, you know, fairly, not regularly, but we were cautious to make sure that we weren't sliding, eliding too much.

There were moments like that that were surreal. Absolutely. Where you're just like, is this happening? And especially later in the sessions. If you've been doing it for two or three hours, you're sort of like, you sometimes can be in altered states. Sure. Where am I? What's going on? Who am I? You know, we've been doing this a while.

There were moments like that that were surreal. Absolutely. Where you're just like, is this happening? And especially later in the sessions. If you've been doing it for two or three hours, you're sort of like, you sometimes can be in altered states. Sure. Where am I? What's going on? Who am I? You know, we've been doing this a while.

But I would say the other thing that was fascinating was seeing where we overlapped. I'm a proud father of two boys. Shout out to Lee and Val. Yeah. The stuff with James was very, I remembered being with my son and I was very blessed to take a large role in being a primary caregiver for my children and for helping out my kids. I remember the stuff with James was very personal.

But I would say the other thing that was fascinating was seeing where we overlapped. I'm a proud father of two boys. Shout out to Lee and Val. Yeah. The stuff with James was very, I remembered being with my son and I was very blessed to take a large role in being a primary caregiver for my children and for helping out my kids. I remember the stuff with James was very personal.

So that was really powerful to be able to sort of be in the booth and you're patting your shoulder, but you're imagining your own son and it's all happening. And I do think it brought something to that.

So that was really powerful to be able to sort of be in the booth and you're patting your shoulder, but you're imagining your own son and it's all happening. And I do think it brought something to that.

Well, my personal entry point was reading the books as a youth. Amazing. And I was a huge fan of them and I loved them. Dark Knight was my Batman growing up in the book, you know, the graphic novels and the comics and stuff. That was my technical entry.

Well, my personal entry point was reading the books as a youth. Amazing. And I was a huge fan of them and I loved them. Dark Knight was my Batman growing up in the book, you know, the graphic novels and the comics and stuff. That was my technical entry.

Right on. Like that is such a special beat. Well, it's so cool to hear that. Cause I know that's obviously what we wanted. And those are, those are a little anxiety making in, in the booth because you're like, you're literally, you're in thin air. I mean, it's a microphone and you and, and maybe it's the people on zoom and, and, and someone helping you with the sound. And yeah.

Right on. Like that is such a special beat. Well, it's so cool to hear that. Cause I know that's obviously what we wanted. And those are, those are a little anxiety making in, in the booth because you're like, you're literally, you're in thin air. I mean, it's a microphone and you and, and maybe it's the people on zoom and, and, and someone helping you with the sound. And yeah.

you know, you just, you have to get there. You just have to. And again, you do, you pull out all the tricks of the trade and you pull out all the tools in your toolbox and you just go for it.

you know, you just, you have to get there. You just have to. And again, you do, you pull out all the tricks of the trade and you pull out all the tools in your toolbox and you just go for it.

Well, for me, it brings it completely to life. That's the most exciting thing.

Well, for me, it brings it completely to life. That's the most exciting thing.

You know, like I, so I did, let's just say we start with the subway scene, you know, and, and I did, and I'd been doing the subway scene for the audition and I did the subway scene for the callback and I did the subway scene in the booths twice sometimes, or we did pickups on the subway scene and, and it's always been just me in the subway, you know, and then to hear it with,

You know, like I, so I did, let's just say we start with the subway scene, you know, and, and I did, and I'd been doing the subway scene for the audition and I did the subway scene for the callback and I did the subway scene in the booths twice sometimes, or we did pickups on the subway scene and, and it's always been just me in the subway, you know, and then to hear it with,

people grumbling, people reading their newspaper, people bumping into one another. I mean, it really does just enrich it. It just really brings it to life. And it's so exciting. But I will say when I first listened to it, I thought, that sounds like me. That's funny. I thought it would sound like, I don't know who I thought it would sound like.

people grumbling, people reading their newspaper, people bumping into one another. I mean, it really does just enrich it. It just really brings it to life. And it's so exciting. But I will say when I first listened to it, I thought, that sounds like me. That's funny. I thought it would sound like, I don't know who I thought it would sound like.

You had an out of body experience later where you're like, wait, no, no, that was.

You had an out of body experience later where you're like, wait, no, no, that was.

I'm on this thing.

I'm on this thing.

Now, as far as this project, it came about pretty much the way a lot of these sort of do standard, my people or what have you sort of send over the appointment. And I recorded it, you know, sent in a tape, and the positive response, we went and met on a Zoom and did more of that, and yeah.

There were times in the booth when we pretended to smoke.

You know, because that does shape your behavior. It shapes where you breathe in a line. It shapes how you deliver a line. If you know you're inhaling at this point, you know you can't finish a line at this point, et cetera. You know, there were moments when you'd pull a gun and you'd want to. Oh, right. You'd wanna have something to go with there.

Then there's the more comical stuff where you're beating yourself up in a booth by throwing yourself on a wall and then on the other wall and hoping that it sounds like someone getting pummeled. And then the more intimate moments where they might ask, How about kissing your hand, you know, when you go to kiss Essendon? Listen, let's go for it. Let's do it. What can we do?

Let's see how it goes, you know?

He's he has his faults, but he's all, but he's got his his code that he does live by. When he makes a mistake, he owns up to it. He faces the music. He does have that sense of right and wrong. And even when he speaks to them and says, we can bend these things a little bit, but we can't break them or else we're just as bad as they are.

And I do think that's his sort of heart and his psyche speaking his truth.

Absolutely. I mean, we knew that that was his, like we were using the word code, but yes, that was his center point, you know? And that was what they had all agreed on, you know, when they had that, when they have the meeting and this is how things are going to go. And then you're right. How much do we bend them? How far do we bend before it breaks? Yeah.

Oh, the actual experience of reading?

Well, the artwork. I mean, the artwork was insane. I mean, that's iconic. That pose he does with the lightning flash going down. It's just like, yeah. I mean, so that was... As a young reader, that art was captivating, absolutely captivating. And the way he could tell that story from frame to frame with those characters and that line, his line was really incredible.

It was incredible, and I felt like I'd been knocking on the voiceover door for a while, and finally someone answered. That was really, and not just anybody answered. You know, I mean, it was really an amazing opportunity. And it was great to learn on the fly. You know, I have a bunch of friends in the business who've been doing voice for a long time. And I would say,

So do you have any tips for me on this? What do you think I should do here? But in general, everyone who was behind the scenes knew exactly sort of the tone they wanted and what they wanted out of it. Then it really did feel organic. I felt so supported. I felt like everyone was there to sort of help me do my best. And I just did my thing.

And as long as people kept coming back like, this is going well, this is going well.

There's always times when you wish you'd had someone to bounce it off of. And a lot of the heavier scenes, I was very grateful to have directors or people who would read the person opposite. And that's always helpful, I think, just in terms of what we were talking about earlier, catching your breath and recognizing where you would interrupt someone, this kind of thing. But...

You know, I read to my boys, I read books to my boys until they were about 15 years old. And maybe that has something to do with it, but I loved bringing them all to life. So, you know, maybe that had something to do with it.

Yeah, yeah. But it was an amazing opportunity. And it was really interesting to learn the differences, specifically with How Subtle. I couldn't believe, as I mentioned earlier, Coy, that you can just toss it, toss it, toss it. No mustard on it. I'm an actor, I'm a character actor. I'm an actor who loves character. I love to build the character. I love to throw stuff on it.

Obviously we talked about the accent. I'm that kind of actor who wants to make a bold choice and put my shoulder behind it. And I believe that ends up with usually a more dynamic performance. something that's more delightful to the audience. And in this instance, I think it was really interesting how much you can take away and still come up with this richness and this dynamic performance.

I so appreciate it. Again, my gratitude to everyone behind it, the directors and the writers, obviously, and the production. I mean, it was really a team effort. And I was just so grateful to feel like we were all in there with the same goal in mind, wanting to make the best Batman ever, you know?

So cool, Koi. Thanks, man.

Well, I think at this point, like you said, some of the trust is eroding, and I'm not sure Gordon knows exactly where he is in terms of his relationship with the Batman. And if it's possible that Bruce Wayne might be involved in this, what does that portend for the future?

Especially, like we talked about, especially recording in order. You really see the chips fall as they do. You know what I mean? Like one at a time, you're chasing this lead. Nope. You're chasing that lead. Nope. Did he really believe it was that lead? Nah, I guess so.

You know, it's like, that was fascinating to see, you know, all those different degrees of the hunt, the chase, and yeah, then solving the mystery, as you said.

You know, one of the things that happened early on was a little bit of the Chicago accent. Sure. Because having him been from Chicago was important, seemed to some of the people involved. And I thought that also humanized him. It placed him sort of in a world outside of Gotham, too. So I thought that was really cool. You know, again, you talk about his humanity and the fact that –

A little bit, yeah. But I just think you've hit on something that's to me the most exciting thing about the whole thing, which is the idea of reading the whole thing while you listen. To me, that was what we were doing that was really different.

Absolutely. I would do them the night before we worked. I would refresh on where we were in the story and use the visuals to help. And then it was very often it would help in recording. to bring it up and for everyone to remember, okay, this is where we were at this point. This is what the frame is. This is, you know, this is what Frank put here. So, you know, that definitely brought it to life.

It was really cool to have that as sort of like a background inspiration.

I love the imagery with the sound. Yeah. I think it's really amazing to watch the thoughts and the words come into my ears as my eyes go over them. Something really special there.

Oh, I do too. And a testament to your work, man. It really is something special. It means so much to me, Coy. It was a true honor. You know, I mean, when it finally comes together and you're like, this is happening, you really do feel in a very real way welcomed into a pantheon. And it just feels like, what a gift. And the fact that everyone was willing to...

to allow me to put some personal stuff in, you know, to allow me to work with it the way I wanted. And, you know, I felt just so great, so well supported.

Thank you.

He is, you know, coming into this situation with his own set of doubts and concerns and a pregnant wife. And so, you know, there's a lot going on for this guy as we find him in the start. But I was blown away myself with what a big part he was. I couldn't believe it when I started to actually look at the thing, I go, oh my gosh, I'm in this thing a lot.

You think about Batman's show, and then you're like, this is pretty amazing. Year one's kind of mine, I think. I don't know about that, but I won't go that far, but you're absolutely right. I'll do it for you, I got it.

Absolutely. I mean, seeing him now as an adult, as a grown-up, or however you want to put it, you do see him as a grown-up.

Whereas as a youth, I saw him a lot more as an archetype. Sure. You know, the head of police, this associate of Batman's in some regard. Whereas, you know, coming to him now, you see him as a husband, a father, you know, a father.

Absolutely. I mean, if anything, there's been some, I'll say one of the most fun things about reading it after having played him is like, was I tough enough? Because he's such a badass in the books, you know, with his stash and his glasses and stuff. And I was like, I didn't wear glasses. I wonder if I'd worn glasses if that would have affected my behavior, my voice. Could it have? Maybe?

I don't know. Can they hear the lack of glasses? Could they hear that I was wearing glasses? I don't know. Or the stash, you know, but it's like, so in that sense, that was all, that was really cool to see him, you know, to want to, you know, bring that badassery to life as it were.

I think you just, you live into the questions and the problems as they're happening. If that makes any sense. Yeah. You know, this guy's having all of this stuff thrown at him and how he responds to it is what's going to allow him to become that version of himself in the future.

Yeah. That was one of the real gifts of this was getting to go in sort of in a booth. You're kind of on your own too, which is a blessing and a curse in a weird way. Now, everyone behind us was incredible and the directors knew exactly what they were after and the tone. We all knew what we were shooting for. So in that sense, I felt very well protected and well held.

But yeah, it was very liberating to be able to sort of go for that with a little more trepidation than I might've, feeling like I had to come into it as one that already existed, as a Gordon that we knew.

Well, one of the true blessings about this process, one of the things that was really pleasurable for myself as more of a film and television actor coming to this in voice is that we did do it in order. So we were able to record it more or less in chronological order.

Now, I didn't always have everyone with me in terms of reading with people and that kind of stuff, but that was a gift because we did get to go moment through moment. Now, Some of the earlier ones, I want to say in year one, we did a lot of the internal voice first. And that was really helpful too, because you get to really get into the mind of Gordon.

You got to really be thinking that the way, you know, because so much of it's thought. And so we did all the thoughts and then we went back and did sort of the vocal stuff. Now is a really great process.

Literally, which is really special. It's what you always shoot for. And here we are doing it.

I'll say that the internal voice, the thoughtful voice was so thrown away. As we say, that was like, the note would be, throw it away, throw it away more, throw it away even more. And I'd say, gosh, if I keep throwing this away, what are we going to have? What are we going to have here? But sure enough, I thought it actually ended up getting us to a really subtle place.

Absolutely. Well, the thing I was most concerned about with voice was too much, you know, as we got into putting too much on it because it's such a subtle medium. And when people are only approaching it with their ears, you know, every tiny little thing makes a difference. So that attention to detail blew me away.

Sure. There were all sorts of sort of like we were interstitial sort of grunts and groans and moans and you could do a lot. You could get a lot with a little, you know, you really could. So that was definitely something to discover.

Yeah, you know, I think generally, I think we all started to just feel more comfortable with one another. And I know early on, you want to make sure you're doing right by your higher ups. You want to make sure everyone's digging what you're doing and stuff. And then something like this, you start to hit a stride. People seem happy with what's going on.

You're feeling better about what you're doing. The ins and outs are more available to you at your disposal. So then there does become a little bit more of a freer... I remember, you know, we would... do smaller, small jokes with one another by the time we were doing Long Halloween, whereas on year one, I was sort of just here to work and make sure I do this.

We're not effing around here.

I'm doing great, Coy.

Well, as a comic fan, I just love the Batman for what he does, for everything he does and how well he does it. Yeah. And I always really appreciated that he was human. Sure. That to me was what set him apart from so many of the other characters that I was reading or that I was introduced to. There's no true superpower here. It's a guy who's working to be his best vigilante self. Yeah.

And using all of the resources at his disposal to come up with that best version. So- You know, that I always really admired as a reader. I think Gordon at first is a little peeved with the vigilante thing, right? Because it's like kind of doing my job. Also kind of makes the police look bad. You know, we can't do it on our own. So we need this guy out there helping us.

But of course, you're absolutely right. He does need Batman at the end of the day.

Sure. Well, first of all, I appreciate it because I think that's a really cool thing that came through was that sort of like old, you know, that tone. You know, so much of it was there in the actual dialogue, in the actual words on the page. So whether Frank Miller wrote it with that unconsciously or subconsciously or... you know, it's there.

It was, you know, and so we did try to stay true to the word, which I was really, which I think is really cool. And I was mindful of when we were turning trying to into trina, you know, like that's not, today we say trina. Yeah. But I didn't want Gordon to say, you know, Gordon says trying to.

Yeah. That happened on, you know, fairly, not regularly, but we were cautious to make sure that we weren't sliding, eliding too much.

There were moments like that that were surreal. Absolutely. Where you're just like, is this happening? And especially later in the sessions. If you've been doing it for two or three hours, you're sort of like, you sometimes can be in altered states. Sure. Where am I? What's going on? Who am I? You know, we've been doing this a while.

But I would say the other thing that was fascinating was seeing where we overlapped. I'm a proud father of two boys. Shout out to Lee and Val. Yeah. The stuff with James was very, I remembered being with my son and I was very blessed to take a large role in being a primary caregiver for my children and for helping out my kids. I remember the stuff with James was very personal.

So that was really powerful to be able to sort of be in the booth and you're patting your shoulder, but you're imagining your own son and it's all happening. And I do think it brought something to that.

Well, my personal entry point was reading the books as a youth. Amazing. And I was a huge fan of them and I loved them. Dark Knight was my Batman growing up in the book, you know, the graphic novels and the comics and stuff. That was my technical entry.

Right on. Like that is such a special beat. Well, it's so cool to hear that. Cause I know that's obviously what we wanted. And those are, those are a little anxiety making in, in the booth because you're like, you're literally, you're in thin air. I mean, it's a microphone and you and, and maybe it's the people on zoom and, and, and someone helping you with the sound. And yeah.

you know, you just, you have to get there. You just have to. And again, you do, you pull out all the tricks of the trade and you pull out all the tools in your toolbox and you just go for it.

Well, for me, it brings it completely to life. That's the most exciting thing.

You know, like I, so I did, let's just say we start with the subway scene, you know, and, and I did, and I'd been doing the subway scene for the audition and I did the subway scene for the callback and I did the subway scene in the booths twice sometimes, or we did pickups on the subway scene and, and it's always been just me in the subway, you know, and then to hear it with,

people grumbling, people reading their newspaper, people bumping into one another. I mean, it really does just enrich it. It just really brings it to life. And it's so exciting. But I will say when I first listened to it, I thought, that sounds like me. That's funny. I thought it would sound like, I don't know who I thought it would sound like.

You had an out of body experience later where you're like, wait, no, no, that was.

I'm on this thing.