Charles Rettinghaus
He played in Dion Schumann, Do the Dead Sing? as the Narrator.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Charles Rettinghaus: In 1982 I attended the “Margot Höpfner” acting school in Hamburg for three years. I then did theater for about 6 years and started doing dubbing work at the same time
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?
Charles Rettinghaus: Even as a little boy, after always reenacting Starship Enterprise and Tarzan in the garden, I wanted to do something like that in my life. But I also wanted to be a pop singer.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Do the Dead Sing? Dollar Baby film?
Charles Rettinghaus: The director Dion Schumann wrote to me at some point and wanted to get me involved in the project. Since I was very impressed with his style and what he had in mind, I agreed pretty quickly. A young person like him, who lives out such crazy visions, needs to be supported.
SKSM: In Do the Dead Sing? you are in charge of the narration of the film. What is easier for you, acting in front of a camera or as a voice actor?
Charles Rettinghaus: Since I have been synchronizing almost everything on the market for almost 40 years, synchronizing work is very easy for me. But that also has to do with the fact that I get to dub very good actors (Jamie Foxx, for example). I hardly worked at all in front of the camera for the first 20 years. That’s why I’m a little nervous when the first day of filming approaches.
SKSM: Did you see the film before playing as a voice actor?
Charles Rettinghaus: I didn’t see the movie before.
SKSM: Do you have any type of prior preparation to give voice a character?
Charles Rettinghaus: No, it does not exist. We have to immediately implement what is happening on the canvas or screen straight away. If it’s a big film, it sometimes happens that there is a screening. This way you can get into the character even better
SKSM: What qualities are necessary to be a voice actor?
Charles Rettinghaus: The best requirement would be if you are an actor, because you not only have to speak the text but also act and feel it. But there are also examples where this was not the case. Those who, for example, who were coached or started in voice acting as a child and were able to learn the whole thing through direct practice.
SKSM: As an actor, what do you think is more important, good acting or good voiceover?
Charles Rettinghaus: In my case I would say that I have become a good voice actor, because as an actor I would no longer be in the job. I couldn’t have lived on that. But if you can do both well then it’s optimal. For example, there are very good actors who can’t dub, and very good dubbing actors who aren’t that good as actors.
SKSM: What do you think of the film Do the Dead Sing? now it’s finished?
Charles Rettinghaus: I really like the film because it’s a homage to Stephen King and because Dion adapted the material.
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Charles Rettinghaus: The abstract and the dark and because it’s a story by Stephen King.
SKSM: Mr. King uses a lot of internalization in his stories, do you think this is an advantage for an actor voice or do you need extra effort to capture the essence of the original story so that the audience is pleasantly surprised?
Charles Rettinghaus: I believe that if the story is good and the director makes you feel like he likes the actor’s acting, then everything will turn out well. The voice is the instrument with which you convey a story.
SKSM: What are the main “barriers” you face as a voice actor?
Charles Rettinghaus: At the moment I’m a little worried about the AI. But I think there’s still a long way to go until she gets to where we are. We do it very well and very meticulously. Otherwise I am satisfied with my job.
SKSM: You worked with Dion Schumann on this film, how was that?
Charles Rettinghaus: It was great because he knows what he wants and because he continues to fascinate me with his knowledge of theater. He is very respectful and yet decisive with his ideas. I like that. He will go his way because he has dreams and visions.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Charles Rettinghaus: Working with Dion is always fun, you never know what’s real and what’s just crazy. But we complement each other well because I’m similar. I’ve already made three films with him and it was always on the verge of madness. But this is the only way to create such special works as Dion creates. I would also make a film with him on the Himalayas.
SKSM: What are you currently working on?
Charles Rettinghaus: I’m currently in the studio as a dubbing director with “The Rookie”. The series is great fun, all great actors and great voice actors. And at the same time I recorded Andreas Winkelmann’s new audio book “Have You Time”.
SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?
Charles Rettinghaus: I really like Pet Semetery. And of course Do the Dead Sing? Stephen King simply made horror literature and film history. He is a legend.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Charles Rettinghaus: That I played an ice-cold killer in the German horror film “Radio Silence, Death Is Listening” directed by Carsten Vauth and Marco Riedl. You can still watch it on Amazon Prime.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Charles Rettinghaus: Yes, the magic of the film is that it sometimes takes us out of everyday life and into a world that we would otherwise never experience. That’s why we need young talents like Dion.
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Charles Rettinghaus: I’m very grateful that I’ve dubbed such great actors so far; I’ve been able to learn a lot from them.
