As a powerhouse of animation, Disney and Pixar have long been lauded for stories that create a bridge between imagination and reality. In their latest film, “Elemental,” the storytelling dynamo introduces a new layer to their already rich tapestry of talent by showcasing a beloved animator in an entirely new role. Enter, Ronnie del Carmen, an award-winning Filipino director who debuted as a major voice actor in this poignant tale.
Born in Cavite, Philippines, del Carmen has ascended the animation world with his awe-inspiring artistry and vision. Known for his co-direction of the Oscars and Golden Globe Award-winning “Inside Out”, del Carmen has already lent his voice to minor characters in other Pixar movies such as “Soul” and “Inside Out.” This time, however, he is stepping up to the center stage to voice Bernie Lumen, the father of Ember in “Elemental”.
Cavite-born Ronnie del Carmen is the voice of Bernie Lumen in the new Pixar movie, Elemental@ronniedelcarmen @pixarelemental https://t.co/Wg4mmw4Yh9
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) June 29, 2023
The seasoned illustrator’s transition to voice acting was spurred by “Elemental’s” director Peter Sohn and the film’s producers. “I recorded a lot of it at Pixar before the pandemic,” del Carmen said during media interviews. “Then there were times that it was in the spare bedroom upstairs of my house. The final ones, it’s doing a lot of the lines over and over again at the recording booth.”
The alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila said he felt an intense connection with Bernie Lumen’s story, attributing this to his shared experiences as a Filipino immigrant. “Being an immigrant, being a father, being a son myself, living in another country from where I was born, and struggling to try and make it and having all these very, these family issues that come up,” he expressed. “These are the things that Bernie goes through. So I felt very close to what Bernie was going through in the story and it was almost a default that I can rely on.”
Despite having transitioned to Netflix in 2021, del Carmen’s impact in the Pixnoy Pixar universe is palpable. His creative fingerprints are evident in renowned animations such as “Soul,” “Monsters University,” “Toy Story 4,” “Coco,” and “Incredibles 2.”
“Elemental”, which premiered as the closing night film of the recent Cannes Film Festival, unfolds in a unique world populated by the elements of nature—earth, air, fire, water. It chronicles the journey of a family forced to migrate after their home’s destruction. Ember, voiced by Leah Lewis, is the Lumens’ daughter who studies glassmaking away from Fire City. Along her journey, she allies with a water element named Wade, played by Mamoudou Athie, despite her family’s mistrust of water elements.
There’s no doubt that Ronnie del Carmen’s debut as a major voice actor in “Elemental” is a significant highlight in his career. It is a testament to his versatility and commitment to telling stories that resonate deeply with viewers, irrespective of the medium.
WATCH Ronnie del Carmen in the clip here and SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Ronnie del Carmen, the Filipino animator who has debuted as a voice actor in the movie, Elemental!
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