Interview with Karen Dyer Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5 is the upcoming action survival horror game from Capcom Entertainment and I have questions from actress Karen Dyer on her role as Sheva Alomar.

Resident Evil 5 is the latest action survival horror video game from Capcom Entertainment with Chris Redfield returning from the original game for a reprisal role. You can fight side by side as Chris Redfield or Shiva Alomar, a new character, in the newest edition to the Resident Evil series due to be released in March of 2009.

For those not up to speed on Resident Evil 5 the story continues as a sequel from the fourth in the series with Chris Redfield played by Reuben Langdon. The story revolves around the origins of the virus with Chris and Sheva investigating a desert area in Africa.

Sheva Alomar is an agent with the BSAA West African Branch, her main job in the game appears to be support and supply for Chris but the player will be able to control her in parts of the game as well. Sheva can obviously handle herself with weapons or she would not be in close company with Chris in the investigation of events in Africa.

By the way Karen talks of her character the preparation it involved was much more than that required for a simple voice acting part. Sheva is played by actress Karen Dyer, I got the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her role in Resident Evil 5.

While the game is still some time from hitting the store shelves there are plenty of trailers and other information both at the Resident Evil website and all over the internet. You can also check out Karen's career with her acting and circus skills at her website KarenDyer.net, she has been very busy in her career in stage, television and film as well as a performer.

How did you get involved with a video game project and what do you think of video games in general?

I guess Capcom had been looking for a while before someone recommended me. After I met with them and did a couple screen tests, they gave me the role. Before RE 5, most of my video game exposure came through watching my brother play on his Playstation. Now, I'm looking to get my own.

Is this work much different than your previous acting and performing gigs?

The acting part is the same, but the circumstances are different. I still need to have a fully developed character, but I still gotta wear the suit with the mo-cap balls on it!

What exactly did you do for the video game as an actor/performer?

Well, we started by shooting the whole script in costume for the video storyboards, which helped us when doing the mo-cap session later on. Then we shot the motion capture and then we followed up with the voice work sessions.

Did you have to do much preparation for the part?

Before we even started, I was sent to pistol and rifle training to get certification. Since Sheva's left-handed, and I'm not, we spent most of the time getting me to look like a natural left-handed bad ass! During the shooting process, I was doing my own stunts, so I had training for that as well.

Do you understand all the tech aspects of the video game and what it takes to make a game?

I understand what it takes from an actor's point of view during the shoots, but what they do in post is still an amazing mystery to me.

If offered would you take this sort of job again and any chance for a reprisal of Sheva Alomar?

If Sheva comes back, I'd love to do it again! I haven't heard any plans as of yet.

Do you play video games yourself and if so what is your favorite?

My video game experience is now growing thanks to RE 5 and my brother. I've always been a big Time Crisis fan, so I think RE 5 will be my next new fave.

Are you interested in playing this game or is this more on the order of just a job for you?

After I played the game for the first time, I was instantly hooked! The fact that I can play using a character I created, is just icing on the cake.

Any juicy tidbits you can tell us about the game that maybe the producers/directors and creators don't really talk about?

Oh, aside from the Sheva/Excella make out scene?... Sorry guys, just kidding!

Are there any other upcoming projects your involved with that we can look forward to?

Well, the Little Forest Nymph character I did for Prada can currently be seen on the big screen in Madonna's Hard Candy Tour. I'll also be performing as my burlesque alter ego Eva La Dare with Hip-Hop artist T-Pain for the promotion of his Thr33 Ringz CD. There's an upcoming episode of Eli Stone as well as a part in Robert Zemeckis's "A Christmas Carol" coming out next year.

Resident Evil 5 looks to be another great action survival horror game from Capcom Entertainment and I would like to thank Karen Dyer for answering a few questions about her role in the game. You can find out more about the game at RedisentEvil.com and more about Karen Dyer at her websites KarenDyer.net and EvaLaDare.com.