Bear Creek grad finds his voice in upcoming animated movie

Jesse Lowell has played a variety of different roles in the 10 years since he first started acting, but it’s an upcoming role where he won’t even be seen that has him really excited.

The 21-year-old Barrie native was recently cast in the animated family film, The Adventures of Tikki The Wonder Dog, alongside legendary pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan and Hollywood heartthrob Booboo Stewart. 

Lowell will voice the role of "Dave the spider" in the film, which is scheduled to be released in 2023. Described on IMDB as a film that aims to “champion tolerance, acceptance and inclusion for all — especially those with mental, physical or emotional conditions,” Lowell’s character is the antagonist who sets the film's plot in motion, noted his agent, Pat Jarosz.

"(I can't) give too much away but Dave has an attitude and his actions and bullying start the movie adventure. Of course, he learns life lessons that change him — Dave — for the better."

“We are supposed to be recording it in the next month or so, and I am so really excited,” Lowell told BarrieToday. “I remember reading a trial script and it sounded amazing. I am so excited for this movie.”

Lowell expects the experience to be a lot of fun, and a bit of a departure from what he is used to.

“There will be lots of scenes where we will be in the studio recording, making funny noises and trying to find that perfect sound everyone is looking for,” he said, adding although this will be his first time being part of an animated production, he does have some voice-over experience.

“I have recorded lines, because even with live action, they sometimes need to record audio for different scenes if there’s loud noises or music in the background and they need crisp audio," he explained.

"It’s one of my favourite times, because all you have to do is go into this really cool booth, it’s super quiet and you read your lines. I am so excited to see the artists, what the animation will look like and how it’s going to work out. I know it’s going to be an amazing opportunity," Lowell said.

Acting, noted the Bear Creek Secondary School alum, has been an amazing opportunity for him to express himself.

“It’s basically a way you can express how you have empathy and compassion for others,” he said. “It’s a way for you to put yourself in other people’s shoes. In a role, you’re studying characters and scripts and breaking down the whole story and really embodying the characters is huge.”

Most importantly though, is to also make sure you’re having fun while doing it, he added.

“Just enjoy it. There’s so much to learn from this industry… It teaches you how to network with other people, it teaches you how to talk in front of crowds and be comfortable or to go into an audition room and connect with people,” he said. “I am so comfortable now in all these environments … It taught me not to be nervous in front of people I don’t know.”