With Majel gone, now what? (Computer voice and simulations)

[gastrof]

I realize a person's death and the loss felt by their family and friends is far more important than a TV/Movie franchise, but a thought has struck me, and hopefully it isn't too soon to bring this up-

They made the effort to include Majel in the new film as the voice of the Enterprise computer. GREAT continuity. Problem? She's gone now. The nice little gesture has become a sticky point, since now any future films can't use her for voice-over work.

Those of you who are more computer-saavy than me...

Is it possible that there's enough in the way of voice-recordings for them to create a simulation of her voice for future projects? (Is this something called "voice sampling"?)

If possible, it'd be an equally great move to still use her for any new lines spoken by the computer.

IS it possible?

 

[gastrof]

My apologies if this thread is too similar to the one by BorgMan, which I didn't notice at first.

 

[Jadzia]

yes I think it is quite possible.

A few years ago I did try my hand at making a voice synth with my own voice -- cutting a recording up of my voice into the phonetic sounds and then reassembling them to articulate new words. It was rough but it worked

If you want to round up a sizable collection of M.B. samples (preferably monotone), then I might try and remake my program with her voice. It would be fun to have an M.B. voice synth.

(I make no promises)

 

[Starbreaker]

There are hundreds of episodes with voice snippets of her. I'm sure they can recycle what is necessary.

 

[AviTrek]

The challenge would be new technobabble. That's where they would have to use phonetic syllables instead of words. Of course, creating a voice synth is probably even more realistic since that's what the computer voice really is.

 

[gastrof]

The challenge would be new technobabble. That's where they would have to use phonetic syllables instead of words...

Umm...

I think that's what was suggested by the OP.

 

[Lightinspire]

use 7 of 9 as the voice.

 

[thirteenth]

I think Judi Durand perhaps..

 

[Oso Blanco]

I think Judi Durand perhaps..

That was my first thought when I read the title of this thread.

 

[captcalhoun]

yeah, judi durand provided the compuer voice for EF1 before being replaced by majel in the 1.2 patch/expansion pack and really, it's hard to tell the difference between them.

 

[Mr. B]

How hard could it be to find somebody else with a similar voice?

 

[Broccoli]

I say go the exact opposite. Use Christian Bale's gravely-can't-understand-what-the-fuck-he-says Batman voice for the ENT computer.

 

[-Brett-]

That computer you're sitting in front of has a number of different voice synthesizers. Changing the Enterprise's computer voice shouldn't be too big of a stretch.

 

[Stewey]

May Majel rest in peace

How about holly from Red Dwarf as the new computer voice?

 

[cybersoldier]

There is always Troi or Crusher taking over the computer voice duties. Its going to be weird not having Majel voicing the computer and not going to be part of the new future of trek

 

[CaptainStoner]

There is always Troi or Crusher taking over the computer voice duties. Its going to be weird not having Majel voicing the computer and not going to be part of the new future of trek

That's not a bad idea. I think Marina Sirtis could make a great future Enterprise voice.
Nichelle Nichols would sound really good also, though maybe a bit too low in pitch at times for a computer voice. It could always be subtly modulated though.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

yeah, judi durand provided the compuer voice for EF1 before being replaced by majel in the 1.2 patch/expansion pack and really, it's hard to tell the difference between them.

Judi was also the Spacedock voice in ST III.

 

[Maurice]

There are lots of voice actors who replace others when they get too old or pass on. Quite a few guys have done Bugs Bunny since Mel Blanc passed away, and the Enterprise computer was a monotone, which is fairly easy to ape.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

Time for a new voice. All due respect to Majel, she's gone now and I personally find it somewhat creepy and morbid to "resurrect" dead actors for new film projects.

 

[Mach5]

I think Jennifer Lien would be a good choice for a new computer. I always liked the sound of her voice...