Creating a sensation among Toy Story fans nationwide, superstar Chompoo Araya Chompoo Araya joined the cast to voice a character in the blockbuster animated film Toy Story 5, having been chosen to voice a new character called "Lily Pack." And she didn’t come alone; she brought along her daughter Nong Gle who also lent her voice to the film.
Did they give you any direction about Lily Pack’s character?
"They didn’t tell me much, just that it was this character. I looked it up because some trailers had started to come out on YouTube. A friend who’s a big Toy Story fan said the character might be like this, based on close following of the news. I really went in with an open mind, not judging the character. At the casting, I just observed the scene they gave me, which was a highlight in the story."
Did you have to adjust your voice or just use your natural voice?
"It was just my own voice, no adjustment. I used my natural tone."
Do people listening picture "Raya Wongsawat"?
"Really? (The one lying in bed?) (laughs) I don’t think it’s that villainous. Even my child says, ‘Mom, you’re evil?’ My kid consumes a lot of media and is quick to judge me."
Was voice acting difficult?
"I think it’s a craft with its challenges. Personally, I enjoy voice work. When shooting commercials, I like doing the voiceover myself. It feels like being with myself in my own world, very focused. Maybe because I’m working alone while others are outside (laughs)."
With a new character added, were you able to design the mood or emotion yourself?
"I focused more on the scene’s context. Behind the scenes, a director guided my voice acting. Voice acting poses different challenges than on-screen acting."
Did Nong Gle voice a part too? How did you brief her?
"Yes, she voiced about 3-4 lines. I was in the recording room with her and gave a little briefing. When there were many lines, she said, ‘I can’t say this.’ I gently explained the emotion, like the character was with her brother in a sibling situation. I told her to imagine a lightning storm—fast and intense. The lines were few, and she did well."
As you mentioned before, Nong Gle understands acting. You don’t just tell her to copy your tone, right? You explain the situation and let her interpret?
"Exactly. I brief her like a director—‘You say this line thinking about this situation’—and she delivers it."
Is she like a star when receiving direction?
"If I told her to speak like a parrot or mynah bird, that wouldn’t be her."
Any message about this film?
"I hope everyone watches Toy Story 5. Everyone involved has been here since Toy Story 1, when I was just a kid myself. Now I’m the parent, Andy’s mom (laughs). This installment covers tablets and technology entering the story, something all parents struggle with. I believe watching this will give good insights."
Regarding Mom Chompoo becoming a creator who enjoys live streaming at 6 a.m., gaining fans nationwide and becoming a recognized creator, she said,
"It’s the only time I really have. Not every morning, though. On busy mornings, I can’t stream, but when I have a little time, I see others greeting friends in the morning live streams and think, why not try? I’ve had some streams suspended here and there (laughs)."
What made you start live streaming?
"I woke up playing on my phone and realized I had some morning time. My family usually gets up early, and on days without early work, I have a bit of free time, so I tried streaming."
When your daughter joins, do your streams get suspended?
"Yes. Sometimes I want to stream alone, but she asks to join. On days I don’t stream, she asks, ‘Mom, aren’t you streaming today?’ She loves streaming. The suspensions happen because she appears on camera, but it’s okay. That’s just the platform’s rules."
Many admire that you survive live streaming at 6 a.m. without makeup?
"Not really! Sometimes I remove filters and get shocked—‘Oh no, why does my face look so yellow?’ (laughs). (So you need a makeup kit basket? Have people offered to sponsor?) Not that much. I haven’t scheduled that, though some have reached out, but I’m not at that level."
A cute moment after taking Nong Gle to the Government House to cook shrimp fried rice, where Mom Chompoo said she didn’t brief her daughter much, only Aunt Jeab guided her on greeting elders. What surprised everyone was when the Prime Minister carried Nong Gle, and she said spontaneously, "I'm heavy."
How was the visit to the Government House yesterday with Nong Gle?
"We went to cook shrimp fried rice. (Did you brief Nong Gle?) Not much. Aunt Jeab just helped with greetings and cooperation when meeting elders. (How was Nong Gle?) She was okay, but towards the end, she fussed a bit as kids do. But for the role-play and handling the spatula and pan, she was very skilled."
When the Prime Minister carried Nong Gle and she said, 'I'm heavy,' did you brief her on that?
"Not at all (laughs). It was the first time I heard that phrase too. Maybe because when people carry her, she’s surprised and says ‘heavy,’ so she heard and remembered it herself. I believe all adults understood. I never force my child to be carried by anyone. It’s up to her."Click to readEntertainment news
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