Karim Kronfli
Actor
A Scottish Podcast (2016-)
Role
“Bruce.”
Bio
“I have been a professional performer for over 30 years - as an actor, voice artist, juggler, and firebreather. Many years of performing in front of, and engaging with spectators developed vocal flexibility, audience management, and solid improv skills.
Over the last 12 years I've appeared in over 450 episodes of audio drama. I work with a range of production companies - both established and emerging.
I also narrate for commercial projects & charities. I have a strong technical background which enables me to display domain specialist and in depth knowledge of IT and other scientific & engineering subjects with accurate pronunciation.”
“…Getting involved in projects and doing good work got me noticed.”
How did you become aware of A Scottish Podcast?
“This was a long time ago… However, Matthew and Robert were running The Audio Drama Production Podcast at the time, and I was getting involved in the community as an attempt to market myself as a voice actor.
I think I got asked by Matthew to play my character as he heard my work in other shows.”
Have you continued to work in the field?
“Very much so. I have built quite a voice acting career since getting involved in A Scottish Podcast. While my character, Bruce, is not the most popular - that almost certainly goes to Drunk Helen - he has a certain charm, and people appreciated what I brought to the role which gave me another key credit and reason people would contact me.”
What was the biggest challenge?
“With this particular show, it was keeping a straight face when reading some of the lines, as the show is hilarious.”
What would be your dream project?
“Working on a Dirk Maggs project would be my ultimate dream. I have admired Dirk’s work for decades. I don’t mind the genre or story. I have acted across the spectrum of characters and genres”
How does acting for audio compare to other media, for you? Any skills or techniques you’d recommend learning?
“1: Sight Reading – The ability to act off the page with limited study of the script.
2: Microphone Technique – the many elements to avoid peaking and plosives when recording.
3: Basic Audio Recording Technology – Understanding how your recording chain works so you can set up and record whilst also acting and maybe running a live conference session for directorial feedback or working with other remote actors (a lot of audio drama is recorded at home).”
If your character was an occasional part, how did you characterise them quickly and memorably?
“Bruce was one of my first characters who claim the mantle of ‘Charmingly Evil’. A hard-nosed gentleman gangster underneath, but all sweetness and charm on the surface.
This being primarily a comedy show meant I had tried to land the performance on subtlety …with a hint of what he might be capable of. Given the broad nature of the other characters in the show Bruce’s charm and poise counterpoints the other characters.”