Character Quote by John Leguizamo
“I did 40 voices for Chris Wedge, the director of the first film, before coming up with the version we used. He was hard to please, I don't know why. I gave him really slow talking voices. then I thought perhaps Sid could be an Indian sounding sloth. To find out more about my character, I watched footage of sloths. I discovered that the food they store in their pouches rots and ferments and half the time they're drunk.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast with The Hollywood Reporter, 2019
The speaker describes an iterative, experimental process of creating character voices, using research and trial to satisfy a demanding director.
In simple terms: He tried many voice ideas, researching sloths, to please the director.
Key Takeaway
Experiment and research can improve creative work.
Themes
creativity
iteration
research
collaboration
Mood
curious
determined
Type
creative
process
When to use this quote
- animation voice casting
- director‑actor communication
- character research
Key Concepts
character development
voice acting
method acting
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance director feedback with personal artistic vision?
- What research methods enhance character authenticity?
A Different Perspective
The director’s vague preferences may limit creative freedom.
![“Voices come to me but to maintain them is hard work. They go away just as easily, so I have to remember them and that takes work. With Sid, I needed to make sure you could understand what he is saying, his enunciation. Sometimes I couldn't even say my own name [his name] in his voice. It sounds…” quote by John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c11/john-leguizamo-3025_bits_voices-come-to-me-but-to-maintain-them-i_2860410.jpg)
![“Sid [the character from 'Ice Age'] is a prehistoric sloth. Sloths move really slowly and they store food in the cheek pouches. That's where I got the voice that you hear. He had to sound as though he was storing food.” quote by John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/48e/john-leguizamo-3025_cheeks_sid-the-character-from-ice-age-is-a-preh_727295.jpg)
