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March 9-13, 2026
Moscone CenterSan Francisco, CA

Agenda

Performance and Direction Deep Dive

Jane Perry  (Actor, Independent)
Debra Wilson  (Actor, Independent)
Tom Keegan  (Performance Director, Independent)
Damien Goodwin  (Performance Director, Independent)
Adele Cutting  (Audio and Performance Director, Soundcuts Ltd)
Location: Room 2010, West Hall
Date: Wednesday, March 11
Time: 3:10 pm - 4:10 pm
Pass Type: Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass - Get your pass now!
Audience Level: All
Track: Narrative & Performance, Audio
Format: Panel
Vault Recording: Video
Audience Level: All

In this panel, actors Jane Perry and Debra Wilson with directors Damien Goodwin and Tom Keegan take a deep dive into the craft and art of performance in games.
Jane and Damien have worked together on several projects, most notably 'Returnal' and 'As Dusk Falls'. Together, Tom and Debra have contributed to major titles like 'Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus' and 'Jedi: Fallen Order', along with numerous other projects.
The panel will explore the relationship between actor and director, examining how their roles interact and evolve. It will also delve into the distinct skills required for voice sessions versus performance capture, along with the creative decision-making and techniques involved in shaping a compelling performance.
They will also examine effective collaboration with the wider development team.
Fellow Audio and Voice Director Adele Cutting will chair this discussion.

Takeaway

A clearer understanding of the actor-director dynamic.
Insight into the practical differences between voice acting and performance capture.
Knowledge of how creative decisions are made during recording and capture sessions and how choices evolve and how actors and directors collaborate to refine them.
Real examples from acclaimed titles.

Intended Audience

This panel will be interesting to anyone involved in games Narrative.
Actors, Directors, Audio Directors, Dialogue Editors and Designers, Narrative Directors and Designers, Game Designers and Directors.
Game Devs of all levels.