Albie Robles
He is the Radio Show Host (voice) in Joseph Horning’s Dollar Baby One for the road.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Albie Robles: My name is Albie Robles. I’m a professonal voice actor.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become a voice actor?
Albie Robles: I’ve always wanted to do it. Every time I’d hear a radio ad or an audiobook I would think about it. When a character in Stephen King’s Rose Madder became an audiobook narrator, it sounded like an amazing thing to do.
However, I didn’t ever consider actually doing it.I akways thought there was no sense in pursuing it. That there was a small, elite handful of people that did it and there was no getting in for anyone else.
The last few years I started getting depressed. I used to act on stage when I was younger. People told me I was great. I loved it. I also play music. Guitar, piano, and harmonica. Sometimes, though, creative people need an outlet, and we want to entertain others. I didn’t have that. I was about to turn 40 last year. Between work and family, I couldn’t take the time to regulary rehearse with a band, or for a play.
I had a discussion about it with my wife. I told her I was becoming depressed. That on top of not having a creative outlet, I was past the point of starting a career in a creative field. I didn’t know how wrong I was, of course. We prayed about it. I needed direction.
Less then two weeks later I answered the phone at work and the person at the other end said, «Whoah, you should be doing voice work!»
The timing couldn’t have been better. As Stephen King wrote in Apt Pupil about finding your great interest, «It was like a key turning in a lock».
I hit the ground running, learning everything I could. Researching. Hohning skills. Acquring equipment. Building a home studio.
I am now a voice actor and business owner.
SKSM: How did you become involved in One for the road Dollar Baby film?
Albie Robles: The director, Joseph Horning, and I belong to the same Stephen King group on Facebook. I had seen him post a couple of times about the film. I thought it was very exciting.
When I first started voice acting, I saw another post about it. It occured to me that this might be my chance to be involved with a Dollar Baby film. Something I’d always dreamt of.
I hadn’t had any voice jobs before this, but I mustered up enough courage to contact Joseph directly. I told him I was starting out as a voice actor and asked if he had any need for voiceover. As it turns out, he had been toying with the idea alreay. He had a scene in mind. Apparently the timing was just right.
I almost didn’t contact him. I felt it would be a bother and I would come off as amateurish. He couldn’t have been nicer about it.
That’s how my first voiceover job was on a Stephen King short film. It was also my first IMDB credit. I was very grateful, and incredibly excited!
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Albie Robles: Salem’s Lot has always been one of King’s most beloved novels. One For The Road gives us a peek at what has become of the Lot since the novel took place; the mystery surrounding it, the rumors . . .and the warnings.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Albie Robles: A little of both, since he already had the idea for this scene. I sent a recording of myself doing a radio voice, talking about a snowtorm building up in Maine, advising people to stay off the road.
He liked it and wrote out a script for me. I was very excited to recognize the radio personality’s name. It’s kind of a deep cut, but a few King fans may recognize it.
SKSM: You worked with Joseph Horning on this film, how was that?
Albie Robles: He was great. He’s sacrificed so much time and worked very hard. This film is a testament to his dedication and commiment.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Albie Robles: I’m still in touch with Joseph. We message each other from time to time, and I helped him engineer a bit of audio for the film.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Albie Robles: Voiceover is mostly freelance work, so there are always a few projects up in the air. Currently, I’m working on an audiobook for law students. It’s a pretty big project, and I’m really enjoying it.
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Albie Robles: A lifelong fan. I’ve read everything of his. Most of it more than once. I’ve seen many of the «Dollar Baby» films based on his work. I hope to get my voice into as many Dollar Babies as possible.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Albie Robles: That thing you’ve always wanted to do….it’s not as out of reach as you think. You just need to start. Don’t be put off by something taking months or years to build. Those years pass whether you’re pursuing your dream or not. When it does, you can be closer to living your dream, or you can still daydream about this thing you’d like to do someday.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Albie Robles: I have voice demos available on my website, www.albieroblesvoice.com. There are links there to my social media. I’d love to get in touch with fellow King fans!
