Peter Cullen and Frank Welker Are More Than Meets the Eye Few cartoons and actions figures are as iconic, popular and recognizable as Transformers. Whether you grew up with the ’80s TV series, the original 1988 film or even the current blockbuster franchise, you most likely know the difference between an Autobot and a Decepticon. The original voices behind the eternal foes Optimus Prime and Megatron, Peter Cullen and Frank Welker, each have been doing voice work for over 50 years, and I was excited to talk with them in advance of their appearance at RI Comic Con. Rob Duguay (Motif): When you were approached to do the voices for the Transformers cartoon in the ’80s, what was your reaction? Peter Cullen: I remember being very curious about it. It was so new, so different from anything I had ever done or seen before. That is because there were no cute funny characters of all sorts of voice ranges, but simply an assortment of metal robots that fought for good or evil. It was more real life than cartoons. I was asked to read a few characters including Prime, and that opportunity proved to be a once in a lifetime. The words were perfect, some advice from my brother Larry — who is also a personal hero of mine — and the rest is history. Frank Welker: I was not familiar with the franchise at all, but loved the characters and the art. They were different than anything I was working on at the time. It was fun to play so many characters and of course I had the opportunity to be the big bad boy and I loved doing him and still do. RD: Frank, you also do the voices of Scooby Doo and Doctor Claw from “Inspector Gadget” among a few others. Are you very methodical in preparation for these roles or do you handle each one differently? FW: I find most situations a little different. It depends a lot on what materials are available that define and describe the character. My best source for finding a voice is looking at art work. When I first worked on Megatron, I had great drawings to look at and that was really helpful. A photo is worth a thousand words; in my case a photo is worth a thousand thoughts. I am very visual and the more I see the character the more it helps liberate the creative juices and I know instantly what I would like to do. Now that is for me, usually it is my first instinct that I am going to be most comfortable with. Where it gets tricky is you have a writer who created the character and has a vision. You have a producer and director and maybe toy or comic company and or studio who all have visions so the big trick is congealing all the visions into a cohesive team effort and ultimately, a performance. Megatron was a dream, I had this voice in my repertoire that was dying to get out. In my mind it was different and would not be what other actors auditioning might do. Believe it or not, it sailed through all levels of scrutiny. I never changed it at all until recent years with the new games, movies, rides and “Transformers Prime” series. RD: How about you Peter? You’re also known for doing the voice of the depressed donkey Eeyore in “Winnie-The-Pooh,” quite the contrast from the courageous leader that is Optimus Prime. How different was it preparing to do voices for two different characters? PC: At the time, Eeyore had already been done by another actor. When Winnie the Pooh was resurrected in “The New Adventures,” I was to impersonate Ralph Wright who had passed away. I had a discussion with Optimus Prime and Eeyore once, somebody evidently recorded it, but I’ve never heard it and can’t remember. Having not that much preparation would be the best answer. RD: I’m going to be searching everywhere for that Optimus Prime and Eeyore conversation. For the past few decades, visual entertainment has changed so much. You now have everything in high definition and animation has gone the 3D route, but voice acting has pretty much stayed the same. Do you feel affected by any of the rapid changes in visual entertainment or do you just do the same thing you’ve always done during your respective careers? PC: Rapid changes, yes. Not only technically but socially. I approach characters as I always do. Define character, study physical composition, and compose a voice to suit. FW: For me it has certainly changed my approach to Megatron. On “Transformers Prime,” the CGI animation gave us a big beautiful canvas to work with. I really like the faces and new character art; there is a lot more detail and movement. With the CGI you can use a more subtle approach for dialog because visually you see. There’s more detail — lots of close-ups and a lot less projecting. Of course standing next to Peter and playing old enemies again is fabulous fun. RD: In what roles can we hear both of your voices in the future? FW: I am currently busy with a new season of “Scooby Doo.” It is crazy fun and a great new version of this legendary franchise. Like “Transformers,” Scooby is generational and like the Energizer Bunny it just keeps going and going and going. Somebody told me that I have been doing that show for 45 years! It can’t be true. I am only 36! PC: I am happy to say that Eeyore is back. I recorded a session recently with a production team that wanted me in their production of the Doc McStuffins episode “Into the One Hundred Acre Wood.” It was a wonderful day working with them. Where the College Kids Go? Every campus develops a unique, symbiotic relationship with its surrounding community (depending on who you’re talking to, some might call it a parasitic one). Some establishments thrive, but only because of the steady business from students. The school year just marks the busy season at the end of a slower summer. So where do the collegiates at each RI university go? Brown University (PVD) Plopped ceremoniously onto the east side of Providence in 1762, Brown University is Rhode Island’s own Ivy League. The campus is sidled up alongside Thayer St, and many of its students frequent the bars and restaurants there. Though anywhere is fair game, the craft beer and tastefully grungy atmosphere of the English Cellar Alehouse is supposedly a fan favorite. Viva is the go-to for those looking for pulsing, dance-fueled fun. Rumor also has it that Whiskey Republic is immensely popular — as the students love their “Whisko Wednesdays”! But everyone in the know raves about the Graduate Center Bar (GCB). It’s in the basement of of the Graduate Center complex and has a door that looks like a nuclear fallout shelter. Brown and RISD students get free membership access and can bring outsiders in, but anyone looking for access without a student ID will have to pay for a membership. Bryant University (Smithfield) Blackie’s Bull Dog Tavern clearly riffs on Bryant’s bulldog mascot, and serves up comfort food to those hungry pooches, but is also a favored watering hole. Parentes, just outside campus (as in walking distance) is the students’ go-to bar during the week, especially Tuesday and Wednesday, despite also catering to a sampling of local regulars. Added plus: free popcorn for all at night. Last Resort is the go- to Thursday night spot, and Thirsty Beaver is a newer spot that students seem to enjoy. Beyond that, Bryant students will make the trek all the way down to PVD for clubs and/or house parties with the PC kids. Johnson & Wales University (PVD) Even JWU’s culinary students in the slightly outlying Harborside campus have an easy time with quick Uber and Lyft rides into the city, but house parties seem like the most popular nightlife option for many students. The Brass Monkey, owned and operated by a pair of recent JWU grads, is just up the street offering nice decor, great food and even better programming. JWU’s Downcity campus is on the southern tip of downtown (aptly named!), and is a short walk away from gems like The Dean Hotel and its eclectic fares. They have a lot more walkable options, including the absurdly close Ultra the Night Club and The Spot Underground. Providence College (PVD) Authorities have been rightfully cracking down on underage drinking at the bars and houses around campus, but PC still is a regionally recognized party school. A number of bars ebb and flow in and out of existence, but Olde’s has long been a go-to dive bar for students. PC has its own bar in the student center, McPhail’s, that offers programming throughout the week and live bands every weekend night. The Abbey is famed for its burgers and wing nights, and is popular among both upperclassmen and professors. Also popular, Ladder 133 swarms with PC students on the weekends. Once upon a time Friars took cabs to Fish Co., and the tradition stands, but now they take Ubers to Whiskey Republic. Rhode Island College (PVD) Though a dry campus and largely a commuter school, younger RIC students were once known to frequent Mugshots, especially on Tuesday nights for 50 cent beer. But then, one thing led to another and it was closed down.