Russian actor Mikhail Belyakovich graduated from the Russian Institute of Theater Arts (GITIS) in acting and directing.) is studying theater directing. He participated in the productions of the Moscow Theater in the Southwest, acted in episodic and small roles in films and serials. The 42-year-old actor is known to most viewers for dubbing movies, TV shows and plays. For example, the voice of actor Christian Bale and the main character of the God of War game series is the ancient Greek commander Kratos. Belyakovich is the founder of his own scoring and dubbing school in Moscow.
Being localized?
— We learned of the existence of God of War: Ragnarok after showing a teaser in September 2020. Did you know you already voice Kratos?
– For the first time it was known exactly then – an advertising teaser appeared. We sang. And it became clear that the game was going to happen. True, full-fledged voice acting has been constantly delayed and delayed due to the pandemic and everything related to it.
– How long ago did you finish the voiceover of Kratos in the new episode?
– There are some changes in the text. But I still did most of the work. I can’t confirm exactly what has already been completed because there are many characters in the game other than Kratos and I can’t find an answer to them. So the voice-over is still in the process to some extent.
– However, we do know that God of War: Ragnarok will be officially released on November 9th. But they are not talking about Russian localization yet. It would be a shame if we still haven’t heard from you.
– There is such a moment. I don’t know yet how or when this will happen. The same is true for movies that are dubbed but not released at our box office.
They write to me all the time on social networks, but will there be a way out, but what about the sanctions? I can assure you that everyone is trying to bring out the localization and that the release will be complete for Russian players. It is not possible to say for sure as it is still in the approval stage.
I believe that everything will work out and the game will be released in Russia with full voiceover. Also, Kratos is one of my favorite voiceover roles.
– Games are now imported from abroad using so-called parallel imports. Theoretically, Russian dubbing may be available on discs in other countries.
Yes, but that would be weird. Then again, the movie takes exactly that timing, albeit two hours. But in the game, this is hours of saving many characters, it’s a huge job. not 15 minutes [роли] even secondary characters.
Working with PlayStation in Russia
– Does the Russian division of PlayStation continue to work?
“Our friends and representative office continue to work here. They are the ones who connect with the customer on the other side and the whole localization process is done through them.
Call me directly and say “Mihail, zdravstvuite. My by hoteli s vami pogovorit pro Kratosa.
No, all localization takes place here and they continue to work. I’m in contact with the Russian division of PlayStation.
– Despite all the restrictions for Russian players on PlayStation?
Yes, nothing has changed, no one has escaped. I hope they don’t go anywhere. Because people cannot be blamed for anything.
– Considering the console shortage, did you manage to get a PlayStation 5?
“First of all, prices skyrocketed there. Secondly, they were simply not on sale, while I still had the desire to buy. I had to order and wait six months. I gave up on this idea for a while. Sony hasn’t honored me with a console yet.
different roles
— Has the dubbing industry in Russia changed in the current environment? Are there any significant changes?
— There is no fundamental change, but there are problems due to these sanctions. Something is cut, some projects do not reach the audience. Of course, the number of films has decreased because they are gradually moving to Turkish, Chinese and Indian projects. But when it comes to games, there’s absolutely no shortage there.
– Did you do more work on the games after Kratos was voiced?
– In general, I record constantly, but not to say that the roles pile up on me – it always has been. Relatively recently, he voiced the main character Colt Van in the game Deathloop.
Also, Juan Cortes had a pretty big role in Far Cry 6. The actor refers to him throughout the entire story. There was also the character of Brigadier General in Spider-Man game.
And of course, he’s had small roles in many episodes of Call of Duty for over five years. There were also recordings of Diablo 4. I don’t just write the main roles. This is my job that I enjoy doing.
Subtleties of registration
How is the registration process going?
– Yes, I myself am at the microphone, and the sound engineer and director are sitting behind the glass. Because at the crime scene, someone who knows this story is needed. This brings the dialogues to life. It is also important that there is no “Bubnilov”. Or a tone and the second actor in the scene – not to say anything else.
– In God of War, according to the plot, Kratos and his son Atreus find wine from Greece, the hero’s homeland. There’s also the scene where Kratos drinks it. Did you record this piece with some kind of scene?
– You drank wine on the microphone? Absolutely no, I didn’t drink the bottle. The dubbing actors are well aware of how this is done without the props.
If the director wants a super lively sound, props are used. But a bottle of wine for Kratos to voice? No, there is no such thing.
– They say that acting in the theater gives adrenaline because of the presence of the audience in the hall, but how can you achieve this in a soundproof room?
– Everything is exactly the same. The only difference from the theater is that there is no possibility to make a second shot. I can’t stop the scene and start over. However, 100% concentration is required both in the theater and at the microphone. You just convey the emotion in its entirety.
Voiceover, of course, has the advantage of listening and re-recording – you didn’t like it, you changed something, added emotion. And the performance continues on its own and you are in it.
Kratos and Atreus
– You read the text versions of the dialogues and explanations from the scenarios to get into Kratos’ feelings. How has the character changed during this time?
– In the last episode, if Kratos just got used to his son, he was drier with him, then in this episode he gets closer to him, worried about him. Kratos got smarter and Atreus got bigger. And the plot is a continuation of the father and son stories.
– In the comments of the trailer, many wrote that the actor of the Russian voice of Atreus has changed, and now he is not Ivan Nepomniachtchi. Really?
– No, he, he, too, grew up in four years. And the voice at this age changes a lot. Additionally, the decision to keep the actor was for localization clients.
– Does Kratos have a main objective in God of War: Ragnarok? Judging by the trailer that only shows the beginning of the game, is this the quest for Tyr, the Norse god of war?
– Of course, without any such purpose. I can’t say what the goal is, but it will be achieved in the game.
The trailer really shows almost the beginning of the game. This is only a little further from the first hours. And now the two are performing tasks without which they could not go any further. The quest for Tyr is one of them.
– At the end of God of War (2018), the secret is revealed to players that Atreus was originally intended to be named Loki. Many people know this character, at least from Marvel movies. Is Atreus transforming into Loki in the new God of War?
– I would say that the main thing in the game is their relationship. Kratos has no doubts about his son. On the contrary, now she is more worried about him, the feeling of fatherhood has only intensified. But of course he is ready to let his son go because he understands that Atreus must be independent.
Thor
– Judging by the trailer, God of War: Ragnarok’s main enemy will be Thor. Do you know the actor who voiced him?
– It’s being kept secret. I do not cross paths with the actors in the studio, I was not cast for the role of Thor. That’s why I can’t tell you who it is, even if I know it.
Will we see characters from Kratos’ past in God of War: Ragnarok?
– Characters will be added there, but those whom Kratos killed in the last episode are unlikely to reappear. That’s about all I can say on this subject.
– In past games, Kratos killed his father, Zeus, the supreme god of the Greek pantheon. In Norse mythology, the god Odin is closest to this role. In God of War (2018), we felt this invisibly in the dialogues with the characters and when we killed the ravens that served as the game’s spectators. Will Kratos meet Odin face to face?
– I cannot directly answer this question, but they will talk about it. Kratos will not be forgotten in the dialogues of Atreus and other characters. And here’s what I’m going to say about it – in this episode Kratos is not only chopped up, he’s also smarter.
– In the previous episodes, the player as Kratos was killing the bosses by pressing a series of keys. Usually the last button was “O”. If Kratos were to fight Thor, what button would you throw to end the god of thunder and lightning?
– To wet it completely? It should be a strong double tap. I think L2 + R2 is absolutely perfect for finishing. with both hands.
– The new Kratos games are based on Norse mythology. But there is also the movie “Thor: Love and Thunder” based on the Marvel comics. Did you voice the character of Christian Bale, the villain Gorr? Still, this actor speaks your voice in other movies.
– I sang commercials for this movie. One studio asked me, but that kind of job – they offered and paid. I did not choose anything here myself.
I have a really connected story with Christian Bale – both “Power” and “Ford v Ferrari”. And if Gorra has the opportunity to voice it, I will do so with pleasure.