Award-winning actor Colm Feore fondly remembers a snowy day when he arrived at Fred Smith’s studio in Kitchener, Ontario, to lend his voice to the Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, The Girl Who Cried Pearls. In an interview with CBC News, the versatile actor shared that he portrayed nearly all the characters in the film, except for one young girl, as her voice required a youthful touch.
Residing in Stratford, Ontario, with his wife Donna, who is associated with the Stratford Festival, Feore revealed that he offered to voice the characters for the 17-minute film under the condition that the recording would take place at Smith’s studio. Known for its use in various audio projects, including movies, documentaries, TV voiceovers, and commercials, Smith’s studio has also been frequented by musicians and bands.
Describing Feore’s professionalism, Smith mentioned that the actor always comes well-prepared, often astonishing directors and producers with his ability to grasp the essence of the characters instantly. The recording session for The Girl Who Cried Pearls lasted just a couple of hours, filled with laughter and camaraderie.
Upon learning about the film’s Oscar nomination, Smith received a text from Feore, expressing his excitement. Reflecting on the recognition, Smith expressed gratitude for being able to pursue his passion and collaborate with talented individuals like Feore. The animated film, set in early 20th century Montreal, follows the story of a destitute boy who falls in love with a girl whose tears transform into pearls.
Filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski emphasized that they actively pursued Feore for the voice roles due to his exceptional versatility and previous notable performances. During the studio sessions, Feore engaged in detailed discussions with the creators to understand the nuances required for each character he voiced.
Feore shared insights into his process, mentioning how he incorporated physical gestures and expressions into his voice acting, aiming to bring life to the characters in the stop-motion film. Lavis and Szczerbowski, recognized for their previous Oscar-nominated work, expressed their delight in representing Canada and the National Film Board of Canada at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony.
When asked about attending the Oscars, Feore expressed his willingness to participate if invited, and he also mentioned his plans to be present at the Screen Actors Guild awards where he is nominated for his role in the series Landman. The Girl Who Cried Pearls has been nominated in the best animated short film category, with the awards ceremony scheduled for March 15.
