Christians in Cinema

Actress – Enchanted

Kevin Lima, the director of “Enchanted,” is a Disney fan. He should be. He executive-produced “The Wild,” directed “Tarzan,” “102 Dalmatians,” and “A Goofy Movie,” and was credited with character designer and/or animator for “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid,” and a handful of other Disney animated films.

You might say his [Kevin Lima's] career has been enchanted.

As a special nod to Disney’s princesses, he invited 3 of them to be involved in the making of “Enchanted.” Jodi Benson, the voice of “The Little Mermaid,” plays the role of Patrick Dempsey’s assistant. [Notice the aquarium in the office] I was able to chat with Jodi about the film and her experiences as Disney’s ambassador for feature animation.

Angela: Jodi, your newest role is in a live-action film. Would you tell us about the film and how you got your role in it?

Jodi: The film is really a salute to the wonderful characters and magic of Disney’s animated films. A fairytale princess (Giselle) is about ready to marry her Prince Charming when a wicked witch casts a spell on her and sends her down a hole – into modern-day New York City. She is befriended by a divorce lawyer and his young daughter. Soon all of the fairytale characters arrive in New York City, and what results is a charming mix of fairytale and romance.

Kevin Lima, the director, was the character designer for “The Little Mermaid.” He is an animation guru and loves the Disney films and characters. So as an inside joke, he decided to put some of the princesses from the Disney movies into his new live action film. Paige O’Hara (the voice of Belle) and Judy Kuhn (the singing voice of Pocahontas) also have cameos.

He called me and asked if I wanted to do this, and I jumped at the chance. I’m Patrick Dempsey’s secretary. My character’s name is Samantha, but he calls me Sam. I’m in two scenes; both with Patrick, and one with Amy Adams (Giselle). It was very fun to be part of the movie.

Angela: What differences did you find between live-action and animated films?

Jodi: In an animated film, you’re often doing your lines in isolation. You just go into a room, say your lines, and have a great time. You don’t have to think about how you look or what you’re wearing; you just have to think about your voice. There’s no real acting in animated films, the focus is on delivering your lines and making sure they make sense.

In a live-action film, your voice is just part of the package. I went through wardrobe, hair, and make-up, and had to be conscious of how I walked, how I held myself, everything. It’s really almost the opposite of animated films, because everything is visible.

Angela: You’re currently the Disney resident guest soloist. What does that mean on a day-to-day basis?

Jodi: It means that I do symphony concerts with classic songs from the Disney movies. I’m fortunate to travel around the world doing these concerts, because I love singing with a live symphony. My husband (Ray Benson) is also an actor/singer, as well as my manager, and I’m blessed that we get to perform together frequently. Once a month I go to represent Disney by singing in a live concert somewhere.

I love to sing. It’s an extension of who I am as a person, and it’s a great way for me to worship. I’m so happy that I can use my opportunities to get out and encourage people. When I’m onstage singing and sharing songs, it’s an extension of the joy I feel. I try to lift people up and give them a happy moment with my music.

Most weeks, I also spend one afternoon a week in the studio. I’m recording voices for multiple shows, so we’re usually in and out of a session in 30 minutes to an hour.

Angela: How did you win the part of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid?”

Jodi: I believe it was God-ordained. Several hundred people from all over (New York, Los Angeles, London) submitted recorded auditions for “The Little Mermaid.” The casting director and director considered just the voices. They didn’t look at the pictures or resumes, just listened to the voices. They even told me that they didn’t really know what they wanted until they heard my audition, and that’s when they decided “She’s it!” They chose my voice, my tape.

That was 22 years ago, and it’s been a huge gift for our family, just wonderful.

Angela: Tell us about your family, please?

Jodi: My husband Ray is my best friend. He introduced me to the Lord when I was 18 years old. Because of Ray’s influence in my life, I realized I needed that personal faith as well. I was seeking and working on my career at the same time. So my professional and faith journeys have been intertwined with my husband, and it’s been wonderful. We complement each other. Our moral compasses and values are really the same. Our strengths and weaknesses offset each other very well, and the combination is strong.

Our son McKinley is 8 ½, and he’s a percussionist and pianist. Our daughter Delaney is 6 ½, and she loves to dance and sing. They perform with us sometimes and really love it, but we’re certainly not pushing them into that arena. If they want to pursue it eventually, that’s great.

We tell them every day that God has given them each specific gifts that are great, and it’s their responsibility to develop and pursue them.

I’m home-schooling the kids and they each have one activity for the semester. We have lessons Monday through Thursday and piano lessons on Fridays. The weekends are spent with family and we go to church on Sunday. I’m very blessed to have a happy, healthy life with a great family, and I try to be salt and light wherever I go.

Angela: What encouragement and advice do you offer people who are interested in pursuing a career in entertainment?

Jodi: If you have a desire and really want to pursue it, you should just go for it! I tell people that you don’t want to get to your 50s and 60s and have regrets. So give it a go if you really feel like you want to do it, and that the Lord has gifted you.

But you have to really, really want to do it. You have to want it so badly that you feel like you’re going to scream if you don’t do it. You can’t do it for the money or security, because that’s not guaranteed. I really encourage them if they have a faith to get guidance from the Lord, because if you don’t seek him, it will be really hard.

My life verse is John 15:5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” People tell me, “You have a great voice and you can do this or that.” I really can do nothing, but God has given me specific gifts. It’s the only way I can get anything done.

Angela: This is Thanksgiving week. What are your family’s holiday plans?

Jodi: We live in North Georgia, and we’re going to go see my brother and a big group of family for Thanksgiving. At Christmas, we usually stay home. My husband’s family is in Atlanta and they’ll come over in a big group. My mom will come down, and we’ll have a great time doing fun stuff: baking cookies, relaxing, singing and making memories.

Angela: Jodi, thank you for the memories you’ve given us with “The Little Mermaid,” and best wishes for much continued success.

 

©2007 ChristianCinema.com

Perhaps best known for her role as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” Jodi Benson has collected numerous awards and accolades during a career that spans more than 20 years in animated films, television, and stage. She has had multiple roles in Broadway shows (one of which garnered a Tony Award for her) as well as in various theaters in Los Angeles and Europe.

She has also appeared as the guest soloist at the Kennedy Center Honors, the Hollywood Bowl, and with symphonies all around the world. Currently, she is the resident guest soloist for the Walt Disney Company/Disney Cruise Line and resident ambassador for feature animation.