HF : Hey David, how are you?

David : Got a call today from IO Interactive, nearly jumped out of my skin

HF : really? What did they have to say?

David : yeah. However, today it wasn't about Hitman III but about Freedom Fighters.

HF : was it voice-acting related?

David : Sort of. They want me to present the launch of their new game - like a toastmaster

HF : like, at a release party or something?

David : Yeah. Big gala premiere thing in town at the end of the month. You should see some of the graphics!

HF : I'd love to, do you have any digital Pictures? I assume it's in Copenhagen, am I right?

David : Yes it is. I don't have material and they are keeping it very quiet. It's about a military stand off in New York, if I remember rightly.

HF : Yes, it is. I've played the demo version of the game. It's quite good.

David : OK. Good to hear it. So fire away. By the way, there's some new film footage coming out on my site. Had it dropped in today. From an old film called "Den Enes Død" where I play a hitman.

HF : Ok, here's my first question. (I'd like to talk about acting some more later on)
When I was looking at your site, I noticed that you have done a lot of voice acting, for example in the advertisements for companies like Nokia and Mercedes. Exactly how does one become a voice actor?

David : It's a very "closed shop". I've been doing it for twenty years. (Check out Carlsberg.com under location London Bar sports. My latest as a football commentator!) It's simply about contacting sound studios with a demo. Sounds easy huh?

HF : well, that does sound easy. Is that how you got in touch with IOI in the first place?

David : No. You see, I am really well known in Copenhagen as an English actor but also as one of the major players in the V/O biz so they called me. However, I will say, the first Hitman was an experiment. The truth is - they didn't know how big it was going to get. They were just some computer nerds from Frederiksberg (a suburb) with a good idea. They hoped that if it made money it would free them up to develop other games. Little did they realise...

HF : So, what made you decide to take them up on their offer?

David : I like the graphics - never seen anything that advanced before. And secondly, they treated Agent 47 like someone real. I liked that. They really cared - about it all. You know, the character AND the game. That impressed me.

HF : How did they initially describe the Agent 47 Character to you? What attracted you in him?

David : Like a guy who had a past. Someone tormented. It just seemed right. Also, they were open to some input. Finally, they were totally on top of the text. I mean, they could genuinely direct and actor and that definitely surprised me. Ultimately, I say yes to projects that interest me. It's definitely not a financial decision initially.

HF : How much were you involved into the voice acting process when it comes to creating the character, writing and / or adjusting your lines, etcetera?

David : Well, more so with Hitman II. I guess they felt more confident about everything and that it included me. For instance, suggesting that his accent be toned down because he'd been in a monastery for five years. Though they of course know exactly what's going to happen in a scene, I was allowed to suggest stuff like saying a line in a quiet thoughtful way as apposed to shouting it - I was also allowed to improvise - a little! Stuff that gets overlooked is the breathing. Looking through the keyhole, for instance, needs breathe real close to the microphone to feel like the face is close to the door.

HF : Besides the voice (obviously) do you see many similarities between 47 and yourself?

David : Good question: Many years ago I was told I would make action movies involving firearms and the like. My agent at that time said too, that when I grew "into my look" I would work in films as a villain with a heart". Ala "Leon". I would like that too and in some strange way, it appears that that is coming true....

HF : so, aside from voice acting, how much did you get to see of the videogame development?

David : Not enough. I got to see some rough cut sequences on a lap top and also some more finished graphics and sound effects on a main frame computer.

HF : Do you like to play videogames yourself?

David : You know - in my next life! I don't seem to have the time. Crap excuse, cos I love it. Only now getting into Hitman II God I am ashamed!

HF : Have you played Hitman 1 also? How did you like it? Do you have any other personal favourites?

David : In a way it blew me away even more - cos it was so detailed and advanced. Says me who knows diddly squat! But II is better. What about you?

HF : I love both, though I think that I and II have different qualities. Hitman I had a better overall atmosphere and levels, in my opinion, but II had better graphics and was a lot more polished. I'm hoping Hitman III will be combining the best of both.

David : Interesting. So Hitman I is better! I suspected it. I heard that it was considered too difficult - not enough mass interest. Actually, I like sport games like SSX Tricky and particularly, Surfing games. I am a surfer from way back Oh yeah, and Medal of Honour!

HF : A surfer?

David : Yeah, surfer - and I find myself living in Scandinavia! My local good wave spot is Hossegar in SW France - hardly, just round the corner

HF : I've got another question about the voice acting... did you meet the other actors that are featured in the game? Dr. Ortmeyer maybe? Or Diana from Agency?

David : A few of them. Diana from Agency is my theatre boss in Copenhagen. This will freak you al out: Check out one of my links: Londontoast.dk and all will be revealed.
Diana is Vivienne McKee. Bo and Tina Robinson Hansen are the stunt people/voice actors also credited. I know a couple of the others from the sound studios in Copenhagen. But there are so many...

HF [after visiting the site] : Ha-ha, somehow playing the game will never be the same after visiting that website! So, are all the voice actors Copenhagen locals?

David : Not sure. Don't think so. The US voices in the beginning - they are also DK based American actors. But I think some voices are UK based

HF : That's great though, that a project starting out in a small place like Copenhagen, Denmark can explode into a worldwide franchise - and it isn't even that mainstream in terms of straightforward gameplay.

David : Yeah, tell me about it. Those guys just wanted to make enough to be able to develop other ideas. Now they own a building and have 100 employees and earn more money than they can count. Scary though.