Andrea Romano (voice director)

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Andrea Romano
Andrea Romano by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
Romano at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1955-12-03) December 3, 1955 (age 65)
Long Island, New York, U.S.
OccupationCasting director, voice director, voice actress
Years active1979–present
Spouse(s)Rogério Nogueira

Andrea Romano (born December 3, 1955) is an American casting director, voice director, and voice actress whose work includes Batman: The Animated Series, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Freakazoid, Pinky and the Brain, Teen Titans, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, The Boondocks, Static Shock, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, Batman Beyond, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012 TV series), SpongeBob SquarePants and multiple Warner Bros. Animation/DC Comics direct-to-video films including: Wonder Woman and Green Lantern: First Flight. Her voice acting, as of 2010, consists of minor roles in television series, direct-to-video films, and video games.

Early life[]

She was born in 1955.[1] Romano grew up in Long Island, New York.[2] Her parents are of Italian descent. She pursued undergraduate education at State University of New York at Fredonia, graduating in 1977,[3] before attending Rutgers University. She dropped out before finishing.[2] At this time, she began auditioning for plays in Manhattan. While keeping a steady job during the day, Romano would perform in plays at night, often auditioning on her lunch break.[2]

Early career[]

In 1979, Romano moved to San Diego, where it was difficult for her to find theater work.[2] After working in a couple of plays, she was offered a temporary position at Abrams-Rubaloff, a talent agency in Los Angeles. Within months, due to the temporary position lasting longer than expected, Romano was franchised as an agent.[2]

After leaving Abrams-Rubaloff, Romano joined Special Artists, a smaller agency, and began their voice-over department. While at Special Artists, she would also direct the potential client auditions. It was during her time at Special Artists that Romano began attending some of her clients' recording sessions at Hanna–Barbera. After a short time at Special Artists, she was asked to audition at Hanna–Barbera for the position of casting director.[2]

Hanna-Barbera[]

Romano joined Hanna-Barbera in 1984.[4] While at Hanna-Barbera, a position which she served for more than five years, Romano worked on such programs as The Smurfs, The New Adventures of Jonny Quest, Pound Puppies, and the 1985 reboot of The Jetsons, among others. On all of which, she worked alongside director Gordon Hunt. She also worked on Jetsons: The Movie, though she had her name removed from the credits when an executive decision resulted in Janet Waldo's already-recorded work being discarded in favor of Tiffany. Near the end of recording for Jetsons: The Movie, Romano witnessed George O'Hanlon, who voiced George Jetson, die as the result of a stroke, in the recording studio. His wife was at his side.[2]

Romano was approached by Disney, which was developing DuckTales at the time, to audition for the position of voice director of the series. Disney was auditioning five directors that would each direct one episode, after which, they would choose a director to direct the remaining episodes. One director did the first episode, then Romano directed the second episode; it was at this time that Disney chose to stop the audition process and have Romano direct the remaining episodes. Romano directed 61 episodes of DuckTales. While serving as voice director of DuckTales, for Disney, Romano remained on staff at Hanna-Barbera, as casting director until some of the Hanna-Barbera executives chose to leave and form a new company. Knowing she would not be able to direct in this new company, Romano chose to become a freelance director.[5]

Freelance directing[]

1989–2000[]

Romano, at right, directing the voice cast of Batman: The Animated Series in a table reading at the 2019 East Coast Comicon

Romano became a freelance casting and voice director in 1989. The first series she worked for, which was made for Warner Brothers, was Tiny Toon Adventures in 1990. That was followed by Batman: The Animated Series and The Plucky Duck Show in 1992; Animaniacs in 1993; Pinky and the Brain, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries and Freakazoid in 1995; Superman: The Animated Series and Road Rovers in 1996; The New Batman Adventures in 1997; Histeria! and Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain in 1998; and Batman Beyond in 1999; all for Warner Bros.[5] She was also a voice director briefly for Bonkers in 1994. At the same time, Romano directed the first season of the first ever all-CGI series, ReBoot, however the position was taken over by Michael Donovan for the remainder of the show.

In addition to series, Romano also voice directed many direct-to-video films, including: Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation, The Land Before Time II, The Land Before Time III, The Land Before Time IV, The Land Before Time V, and Wakko's Wish.

Since 2000[]

Since 2000, Romano has served as casting, and voice director for series, including; Justice League, Teen Titans, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Batman, SpongeBob SquarePants, Ben 10: Alien Force, and Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

She has also done the DC Comics direct-to-video films, including: Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: Gotham Knight, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Batman: Under the Red Hood, and Batman: Year One.

Video games[]

On video games, Romano has stated, "On video games I only do special ones because video games tend to become recording 150 different 'oofs,' 20 different strangulation sounds… they aren't challenging to me and they are taxing on an actor's voice."[5] Romano did her first voice direction of a video game on 1999's Descent 3. She later worked on Animaniacs Splat Ball, in 1999; Floigan Bros. and Batman: Vengeance, in 2001; Teen Titans, in 2005; Diablo III, in 2008; and Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame and StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, in 2010.

Voice acting[]

Romano's first credited voice role was in a 1992 episode of Tiny Toon Adventures. Later, she again voiced herself on a 1996 episode of Animaniacs. She has also voice-acted for the series Justice League and Teen Titans. In addition to these, Romano also played voice-roles for some of her direct-to-video films: Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman, Batman: Gotham Knight, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, and Superman/Batman: Apocalypse. She also voiced the Batcomputer in the 2010 video game, Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame.

Casting process and reputation[]

Romano is "renowned for considering 250-300 actors for lead roles", according to UGO.[4] She dislikes having to replace actors, which is why she values actors who are not celebrities, having commented, "Replacing a celebrity ... that's really uncomfortable."[6] Romano has joked that fans can sometimes tell what she has been watching on television or in the movies by whom she casts.[7] She sometimes intentionally casts the same actors with whom she has worked previously, "because it was fun, it was good and I know they can do the job."[4] Romano is known for having recording sessions with the actors recording lines in one room, rather than recording the actors' lines individually. She has been known for casting more famous names alongside veteran voice actors, most notably casting Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in Star Wars) as The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series (giving Hamill a new career as a voice actor), and regularly casts other famous guests on her shows, including Neil Patrick Harris, Weird Al Yankovic, William H. Macy, Paul Reubens, Shaquille O'Neal, James Hong, Dakota Fanning and Bernadette Peters on various shows, as well as Senator Patrick Leahy (a lifelong Batman fan) on Batman: The Animated Series, among other famous guests.

Her reputation includes Wired's Ken Denmead's description of Romano as an "iconic voice director".[8] UGO refers to her as "arguably the best known casting/dialogue director on the animation scene today."[4]

Wil Wheaton, an actor and voice actor whom Romano has worked with, has said: "I owe Andrea my whole animation career", after she cast him in The Zeta Project and Teen Titans.[9]

Filmography[]

Crew work[]

Crew work in television
Year Title Notes
1984–1985 Challenge of the GoBots Casting director
1984–1985 Pink Panther and Sons Casting director
1984–1989 The Snorks Casting director
The Smurfs Casting director (Seasons 4–9)
1985 ABC Weekend Specials Casting director (1 episode)
CBS Storybreak Casting director (11 episodes)
The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo Casting director
1985–1986 Galtar and the Golden Lance Casting director
The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians Casting director
Paw Paws Casting director
1985–1988 Yogi's Treasure Hunt Casting director
1985–1987 The Jetsons Casting director (1980's revival of the original show)
1986 Wildfire Casting director
The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration Casting director
Animated television special
1986–1987 Pound Puppies Casting director
The New Adventures of Jonny Quest Casting director
1986–1988 Foofur Casting director
The Flintstone Kids Casting director
1987 Sky Commanders Casting director
Yogi's Great Escape Casting director
The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones Casting director
Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers Casting director
Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats Casting director
Rockin' with Judy Jetson Casting director
Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce Goose Casting director
1987–1988 Popeye and Son Casting director
1987–1990 DuckTales Dialogue director (50 episodes) (Season 1)
Voice director (11 episodes)
1988 The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley Casting director
The New Yogi Bear Show Casting director
Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School Casting director
The Good, the Bad, and Huckleberry Hound Casting director
Yogi and the Invasion of the Space Bears Casting director
Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf Casting director
1988–1990 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo Casting director
1988–1990 Fantastic Max Casting director
1989–1991 The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Voice director (15 episodes)
1989–1990 The Further Adventures of Super Ted Casting director
Paddington Bear Casting director
1990 Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers Voice director
1990–1995 Tiny Toon Adventures Casting director
Voice director
1992–1995 Batman: The Animated Series Casting director
Voice director
1992 The Plucky Duck Show Casting director
Voice director
1993 Cro Voice director
1993–1998 Animaniacs Casting director
Voice director
1994 Bonkers Dialogue director (20 episodes)
ReBoot Voice director (9 episodes)
1995–1997 Freakazoid! Voice director
1995–1998 Pinky and the Brain Casting director
Voice director
1995–2000 The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Voice director
1996–2000 Superman: The Animated Series Voice director
1996–1997 Road Rovers Voice director
1997–1999 The New Batman Adventures Casting director
Voice director
1998–1999 Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain Original Casting director
Voice director
1998–2000 Histeria! Voice director
1999–2001 Batman Beyond Voice director
2000–2004 Static Shock Casting director (seasons 2–4)
Voice director
2001 Tom and Jerry: The Mansion Cat Casting director
Recording director
2001–2002 The Zeta Project Voice director
2001–2003 Sitting Ducks Voice director
2001–2004 Justice League Casting director
Voice director
2003–2006 Teen Titans Casting director
Voice director
2004–2006 Justice League Unlimited Casting director
Voice director
2005–2008 Avatar: The Last Airbender Voice director
2005–2009,
2014
The Boondocks Voice director
2006–2008 The Batman Co-casting director and co-voice director alongside Ginny McSwain and Michael Hack (seasons 4–5)
2007–2008 El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera Voice director
2007–2012 SpongeBob SquarePants Voice director
2008–2010 Ben 10: Alien Force Casting Director
Recording Director
2008–2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Casting director
Voice Director
2010–2012 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Casting Director
Recording Director
2011–2012 ThunderCats Casting director
Voice director
2012–2013 Motorcity Voice director
2012–2014 The Legend of Korra Voice director
2012–2017 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Voice director
2013–2014 Beware the Batman Casting director
Voice director
2013–2016 Turbo FAST Casting director
Voice director
2015–2018 Niko and the Sword of Light Casting Director
Voice Director
2015–2018 The Adventures of Puss in Boots Voice director
2016–2018 Voltron: Legendary Defender Voice director
2016 Little Big Awesome: What's the Trouble Bubble Casting director
Voice director
2019 Lucky Voice director
Crew work in film
Year Title Notes
1990 DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp Voice director
Jetsons: The Movie Casting director & Assistant recording director
1991 The Little Engine That Could Casting director
1992 Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation Casting director
Voice director
1993 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Casting director
Voice Supervision
1994 The Land Before Time II: The Great Valley Adventure Casting director
Voice director
1995 The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving Casting director
Voice director
1996 The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists Casting director
Voice director
1997 The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island Casting director
Voice director
1998 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero Casting director
Voice director
1999 Wakko's Wish Casting director
Voice director
2000 Tweety's High-Flying Adventure Voice director
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Voice director
2001 Barbie in the Nutcracker Voice Director
2002 The Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water adr voice director
2003 Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman Casting director
Voice director
2006 Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo Casting director
Voice director
Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas Casting director
Voice director
2007 Superman: Doomsday Casting director
Voice director
Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale Voice director
2008 Justice League: The New Frontier Voice director
Batman: Gotham Knight Casting director
Voice director
2009 Wonder Woman Casting director
Voice director
Green Lantern: First Flight Casting director
Voice director
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Casting director
Voice director
2010 Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare Casting director
Voice director
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Voice director
Batman: Under the Red Hood Casting director
Voice director
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Voice director
2011 All-Star Superman Voice director
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights Voice director
Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur Casting director
Voice director
Batman: Year One Voice director
2012 Justice League: Doom Voice director
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire Casting director
Voice director
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Voice director
Big Top Scooby-Doo! Casting director
Voice director
2013 Superman: Unbound Voice director
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Voice director
2014 Batman: Assault on Arkham Voice director
Son of Batman Voice director
2015 Batman vs. Robin Casting director
Voice director
Justice League: Gods and Monsters Casting director
Voice director
2016 Ratchet & Clank Voice director
Crew work in video games
Year Title Notes
1999 Animaniacs Splat Ball Voice director
Descent 3 Voice director
2001 Floigan Bros. Voice director
Batman: Vengeance Voice director
2006 Teen Titans Voice director
2010 StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Voice director
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame Voice director

Voice work[]

Voice roles
Year Title Role Notes
1992 Tiny Toon Adventures Andrea Romano the Magnificent Episode: "Toons Take Over"
1994; 1996 Animaniacs Herself Episode: "Yes, Always"
Episode: "Cutie and the Beast"
2000 Histeria! Herself Episode: "Histeria Goes to the Moon"
2000 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Joker Jr. Vocal Effects Direct-to-video
2001 Floigan Bros. Cute Kitten Video game
2003 Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman Additional Voices Direct-to-video
2003 Teen Titans H.I.V.E. Headmistress Animated series
2008 Batman: Gotham Knight Martha Wayne
Dispatcher
Direct-to-video
2009 Superman/Batman: Public Enemies Giganta Direct-to-video
2009 Wonder Woman President's Aide Direct-to-video
2010 Batman: Under the Red Hood Reporter #1 Direct-to-video
2010 Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths Watchtower Computer Direct-to-video
2010 Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Stompa Direct-to-video
2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame Batcomputer Video game
2011 Batman: Year One Obstetrician Direct-to-video
2012–2013 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Woman Two-part direct-to-video film
2013 I Know That Voice Herself Documentary
2014 Justice League: War Green Lantern's Ring Direct-to-video
2014 Son of Batman Suit #2 Direct-to-video
2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Elevator Voice Episode: "The Kraang Conspiracy"
2014 The Legend of Korra Innkeeper Episode: "The Stakeout"
2014 Batman: Assault on Arkham Woman Direct-to-video
2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Elderly Atlantean Woman Direct-to-video
2015 Batman vs. Robin Jill Direct-to-video
2015 Justice League: Gods and Monsters Jean Palmer Direct-to-video
2016 Voltron: Legendary Defender Pidge's Helmet Episode: "Reunion"

References[]

  1. ^ "Nerdist Interview with Andrea Romano, 2014". Archived from the original on 2015-04-07. Retrieved 2015-04-13.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Cartwright, Nancy (October 30, 2009). "Nancy Cartwright Chats with Andrea Romano -- Part 1". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  3. ^ "Homecoming Weekend will bring back the best". fredonia.edu. October 15, 2006. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Q&A With "Wonder Woman" Casting/Dialogue Director". UGO.com. December 4, 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Cartwright, Nancy (December 22, 2009). "Nancy Cartwright Chats with Andrea Romano -- Part 2". Animation World Network. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  6. ^ Weisman, Jon (May 13, 2006). "Why thesps can't laugh off animated voice gigs". Variety. Archived from the original on 18 February 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  7. ^ McLean, Tom (July 27, 2008). "SDCC '08 - DC Animation Panel". Newsarama. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  8. ^ Denmead, Ken (March 13, 2009). "Wonder Woman Comes to Animated Life in New DVD Feature". Wired. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  9. ^ Fritz, Steve (January 23, 2009). "Wil Wheaton: Giving Voice to the Blue Beetle". Newsarama. Retrieved 7 June 2010.

External links[]

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