The teenager voices protagonist Amato in the animated feature, as well as in 'Mechamato: The Animated Series'. Photos: Handout
One of the lessons that actor Armand Ezra got from being part of the Mechamato franchise is to not be afraid to try something new.
“If you don’t try, you never know what you are capable of,” says the 16-year-old to StarLifestyle.
“Another thing I learned is that teamwork is important when doing something, like how Amato and MechaBot work together.”
Armand is the voice talent behind the protagonist Amato in the animated feature Mechamato Movie, as well as in Mechamato: The Animated Series.
Mechamato Movie, written and directed by Nizam Abd Razak of Animonsta Studios (Monsta), is out at cinemas now.
It tells the story of how schoolboy Amato and alien robot MechaBot become the superhero team, Mechamato.
In the film, their teamwork begins accidentally as they try to stop an alien baddie by the name of Grakakus, who is after MechaBot so he can own MechaBot’s awesome power for himself.
MechaBot has the ability to turn normal objects into mechanised items and weapons.
“I am very happy to see my work on the big screen. I feel proud of my performance. My mother told me I did a good job,” Armand shares, after the movie’s gala premiere.
Although the teenager is keen to try everything in the entertainment industry, he says he truly enjoys doing voice work as he doesn’t have to worry about his facial expressions.
“However bad they are, you could just let loose and the camera would not capture them,” says Armand, who has appeared in front of the camera for the films Suatu Ketika and Showtime 1958.
“I love the recording process for Mechamato because I get to work with a group of people who make sure I am having fun in the booth. So, I don’t feel stressed at all when I am in the recording studio.”
This is Armand’s first big gig as a voice talent.
As to how he turned out to be quite a natural at voicing an animated character, Armand says that he has been “friends” with BoBoiBoy characters since he was young. BoBoiBoy is Monsta’s very successful series and films.
“If there was a new BoBoiBoy comic book that came out, I needed to get it immediately. I also watched all the episodes quite obsessively, such that the intonation used in that show was already embedded in me.”
Director Nizam recalls how Monsta found the teenager: “Armand used to do our BoBoiBoy Galaxy card promo, which is about 30 seconds long, for our YouTube channel.
“And I noticed that the voice was there; the excitement was there. So, when we had this idea for Mechamato, we thought ‘OK, why don’t we try Armand for Amato.’ And, you know, I love to find new talents.
“He has acted before but not so much as a voice talent. And sometimes, with a voice talent, you need something extra – the so-called golden voice.”
Nizam adds: “Finding the right voice for the character is like finding treasure, to me.”
Although Amato is mischievous, he takes his duty as a superhero seriously.
It’s just as obvious that Armand loves lending his voice to Amato. At the gala premiere, he turns up with a hairstyle somewhat similar to his animated character, with a touch of white hair at the top.
“When I was told that I got the job, I cried because I was so happy. I wanted it because I am such a huge fan of the BoBoiBoy franchise,” says Armand, who went for a few rounds of audition and was one of the finalists.
What he admires about Amato is that the character is very creative, smart and knows what he has to do in any situation.
“He has a quick wit about him and is able to find the solution and get the upper hand in a battle,” he says.
“What do we have in common? Maybe we are equally creative? And perhaps just as mischievous,” adds Armand with a laugh.
