Mia Sara Nasuha finds voice acting so much fun, writes Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli
CHILD actress Mia Sara Nasuha is as cute as a button. So, it’s only fitting that she voices the adorable Vanellope von Schweetz in the Bahasa Malaysia version of Disney’s hit animated movie, Wreck-It Ralph.
“It was so much fun and not as tiring as acting in front of the camera on set,” says 9-year-old Mia, who has starred in films such as Nur Kasih The Movie, Sekali Lagi and Papa I Love You.
“With voice acting, you don’t have to put on specific facial expressions and whatnot. You only have to sit and use your voice.”
This is Mia’s first foray into voice acting. “It’s difficult at times. The challenge is to make sure whatever I say syncs with Vanellope’s lip movements.”
Premiering today on Disney Channel, the film centres on titular character Wreck-It Ralph, a video game villain who is sick of being the bad guy. Dreaming of becoming a hero, he sets out to fulfil his mission but ends up causing havoc in the arcade where he lives.
He meets Vanellope, a racer who is determined to participate in the candy-themed kart-racing game Sugar Rush, but isn’t allowed to because of her “glitchy” condition. Ralph and Vanellope team up to pursue their dreams and end up uncovering a sinister plot along the way.
“I am a fan of the movie and I’ve watched it countless times,” says Mia. “Vanellope is one of the biggest reasons why I said yes to this voice acting project.”
Besides the engaging plot, she is also enchanted by the colourful setting of the film.
“Sugar Rush, especially, is littered with colourful candy, so when I watch the scenes, I can’t help salivating!”
VOICING VANELLOPE
Describing her character, Mia says: “Vanellope is very high-spirited. She is persistent in getting what she wants — to become a real racer — and doesn’t let anything get in her way”.
She giggles shyly. “We share a similarity, actually. We both speak very fast when we are anxious, which can be chaotic.”
Before recording the voice over, Mia tries to get herself in the mood by putting herself in Vanellope’s shoes.
“I try speaking the words to myself and make sure which intonations suit the scenes best, before finally recording my voice.”
Vanellope was voiced by comedienne Sarah Silverman in the original version of the film.
“Knowing that a professional adult had voiced Vanellope originally, I felt the pressure at first. Eventually I got the hang of it and became comfortable,” Mia says.
She admits that it was tough to portray Vanellope when the latter was feeling sad.
“There is one particular scene where Vanellope is disheartened when Ralph breaks her kart that she worked so hard making,” she says, adding that that was a tough scene to portray Vanellope’s state of emotions through voice.
Even though acting and voice acting have their own pros and cons, Mia says she loves doing both and is open for more voice acting opportunities.
Would she lend her voice for any of the characters in Disney’s Frozen?
“It sounds tough! But of course I will think about it when the time comes.”
A FAN OF DISNEY PRINCESSES
Like every other girl growing up watching Disney films, Mia has her own favourite Disney princesses: Snow White and Ariel of The Little Mermaid.
“I like Snow White best because we have similar hairstyles,” she says, laughing. “I also think it’s amazing that she can speak to animals.”
However, Frozen is her most favourite Disney film. “It either makes you cry or laugh non-stop. That’s what makes it a great movie for me.”
Mia will next star in Astro Ceria’s drama series Full House, inspired by the American sitcom starring Bob Saget and John Stamos.
She has finished shooting the horror film Jelmaan in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, to be aired on Astro First Eksklusif.
“This is like a dream come true because I’ve always wanted to portray a ghost,” says Mia, excitedly.
“In Jelmaan, I play a ghost but she’s not the scary type. She’s actually a gentle spirit.”
The film also stars Raja Ilya, Keith Foo and fellow child star Rykarl Iskandar and will premiere next year.
AWARD WINNER
Mia, who made her debut in the entertainment industry when she was 6, was awarded the Best Child Actor award for Sekali Lagi at the 24th Malaysian Film Festival 2011.
“I encourage other kids out there to go for their dreams,” Mia says. “If they have a passion for acting like I do, they must remember to always work hard. They must be focused and not play around. Memorise scripts well and try to be professional.”
While pursuing acting, she says that it is important to get a proper education and “to always listen to your parents and elders in making decisions.”
“It is not easy for your parents and guardians too because they would have to follow tight schedules because filming tends to drag until the early hours of morning.”
Mia is thankful that she has room to breathe between projects to allow her to be a child.
Wreck-It Ralph premieres today at 9am on Disney Channel (Astro Channel 615). Repeats are at
2pm and 8pm
on the same day.