ICELAND
- How did you get the role of Vaiana?
I went and auditioned for the role. I sung a part of the song "Hve langt ég fer" ("How Far I'll Go") and dubbed a few scenes from the movie in the audition.
- How did the recording sessions go?
I was in the studio Myndform one to three times a week for about a month to dub the movie.
The experience of dubbing the movie was absolutely magnificent. Vaiana is such a cool character. I actually didn't feel the need to "act" much when I was dubbing since I connected somehow really well with the role. I have been dubbing some more cartoons but never such a big role.
It was very fun to work with Björn Ármann (the dubbing director, ed). He is always in a good mood and fun and made my dubbing experience even more fun.
The experience of dubbing the movie was absolutely magnificent. Vaiana is such a cool character. I actually didn't feel the need to "act" much when I was dubbing since I connected somehow really well with the role. I have been dubbing some more cartoons but never such a big role.
It was very fun to work with Björn Ármann (the dubbing director, ed). He is always in a good mood and fun and made my dubbing experience even more fun.
- How was it to sing "How Far I'll Go"?
The experience singing "How Far I'll Go" was great. The song is powerful and was a challenge but I really enjoyed singing the song. The song is also very beautiful and inspiring.
I find the Icelandic translation of the song great. I remember what a challenge it was to sing the Icelandic lyrics in a way that the emphasis would be the same as they are in English, but in the end it was a success.
My favorite line from the song are the lyrics:
"Sjáðu ljós hennar lýsa á haf, það blindar (See her light shine on the sea, it's blinding)
En engin sér, hver langt hún fer (But no one sees, how it far it goes)
Og það virðist sem það kalli á mig svo kom finn mig (And it seems like it's calling me, so come and find me)
Og lát mig vita, hvað er lengra'en sú rönd, mun ég krossa þá rönd? (And let me know, what is longer than that line, will I cross that line?)"
That part of the song is so thrilling and Vaiana is ready to explore new places and listen to the sea calling.
I find the Icelandic translation of the song great. I remember what a challenge it was to sing the Icelandic lyrics in a way that the emphasis would be the same as they are in English, but in the end it was a success.
My favorite line from the song are the lyrics:
"Sjáðu ljós hennar lýsa á haf, það blindar (See her light shine on the sea, it's blinding)
En engin sér, hver langt hún fer (But no one sees, how it far it goes)
Og það virðist sem það kalli á mig svo kom finn mig (And it seems like it's calling me, so come and find me)
Og lát mig vita, hvað er lengra'en sú rönd, mun ég krossa þá rönd? (And let me know, what is longer than that line, will I cross that line?)"
That part of the song is so thrilling and Vaiana is ready to explore new places and listen to the sea calling.
- When you recorded the songs, did you get the freedom to sing your own way or were you supposed to sound as close as possible to Auli'i Cravalho?
I never thought about trying to sound like Auli'i, I just focused on the lyrics and how I wanted to sing the song. Auli'i was of course a big inspiration but yeah I got the freedom to sing with my own style and create "my own" Vaiana.
- What is your favourite scene in Vaiana?
My favorite scene in the movie is when Vaiana makes the decision to restore Te Fiti's heart all on her own. She finally realized how she really is and what she is meant to be. She sings the song "Ég er Vaiana" ("I am Vaiana") in that scene and I find that song really beautiful.
- Do you like the Icelandic dubbing of Vaiana?
I think the dubbing was a success and I was really pleased with the end result. I was sick with a cold the first days of the recordings so I was very worried about the result but in the end it gave the character more personality and Vaiana also matures during the movie so the result was amazing in in my opinion.
- What do you think of Icelandic dubbings in general?
I am very fond of animated movies. I often hear people say that animated movies are better in English but I have always liked them more with an Icelandic dubbing. There's just something so charming hearing Icelandic.
I specifically remember Ariel's voice (Valgerður Guðnadóttir, ed). I always thought she sang so beautifully and I always wanted to be a mermaid and swim in the ocean like Ariel.
I specifically remember Ariel's voice (Valgerður Guðnadóttir, ed). I always thought she sang so beautifully and I always wanted to be a mermaid and swim in the ocean like Ariel.
- What is your favourite Disney song?
I have always really loved the song "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid or as it's called in Icelandic "Í grænum sjó" ("In the green sea"). The song's rhythm is very fun and it always puts people in a good mood. Though I would choose the song "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from Cinderella. I find the song so beautiful and the lyrics tell such a wonderful story.
- How does it feel to be the newest edition of Disney Icelandic Princesses?
It was a real honor for me to be Vaiana's voice and also fun to be "the voice behind" that people connect with her. She is also such a good role model, she believes in herself, and she's determined to do what she wants.
- Do you have any fun projects on the way?
I'm still dubbing smaller roles in Myndfrom and I'm also in the play Stefán Rís that is shown in Gaflaraleikhúsinu; but we are wrapping up soon. I also practice dancing and I'm singing and playing the guitar in a band in a music school and then I'm also focusing on school since soon I'll be starting High School and there I wanna study at least more drama.
Interview by Agust Ingi Aðalheiðarson
April 19, 2017
April 19, 2017
