Performance direction is an underrated art in the world of video games. Behind most of the dialogue you hear in video games, big or small, is someone trying to get the best performance possible from talented actors. As for Beth Park, a member of this year's BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, she's been one of the driving forces behind titles such as Baldur's Gate 3, Black Myth: Wukong, Space Marine 2 and Metaphor: ReFantazio.
“It’s been a really important two years for launch,” says Park. “I’ve been in Baldur’s Gate 3 for four and a half years. So we've basically been shooting that game non-stop full time for a very long time, and now it's all come to light over the last 18 months. All this stuff that I’ve been sitting on for so long, now I’m like, ‘Oh, what do I do now?’”
Baldur's Gate 3 was 4 years of hard work and precious memories.
President Park describes the past year as “overwhelming.” Many of the performances she helped shape behind the scenes have not only been released, but have been nominated for numerous awards and become the subject of a community of players who have taken them to heart. The impact of Baldur's Gate 3 in particular took them by surprise, but unlike most celebrity actors and developers, Park didn't find himself traveling the world to celebrate.
“Unlike actors, I still have to go to work every day and record different games, so life went on for me. So it was a bit strange,” says Park. “It was such a physical thing to make, we were physically there. [together] We talked to each other, came up with ideas, played with each other, and now there's nothing. To me there is no longer anything physical about its existence. They may be on people's screens on the other side of the world, but to me, they are all my memories. My memories are digitized in games. Because you can see and remember that moment. Some of it is there, but the physical aspect is gone.”
Despite working behind the scenes, Park still became part of the community with many other actors, forming close relationships with Shadowheart, Lae'zel and Astarion actors Jennifer English, Devora Wilde and Neil Newbon. It's fun to watch them have fun together on TikTok or Instagram. It forms the basis for inside jokes while also providing additional insight into performance direction, acting, and all that goes into bringing a character to life.
“My perspective on fandom is quite new to people,” Park admitted. “They are people like me [fans]But the community was really surprising and unexpected. Because Baldur's Gate 3 was one of the first published games I worked on, and from the outside looking in, people who play video games were kind of angry.”
Few games have a community like Baldur's Gate 3.
As Director Park has directed more video games, he has become more aware of the types and mediums of games, communities, and discourse we tend to encounter. Once again, their perspectives are unique. “I've been working on games that have 'commentaries', but I ignore them anyway. But it was really amazing to see that there was actually such a positive, fun, fun and creative community out there. As Baldur's Gate 3 got closer to release, I thought, 'Oh my God, is four and a half years of work now being publicly trashed?' But everyone really loved it!”
But with the BAFTA Breakthrough group, which also includes English, Park is finally getting outside recognition for her work, and she specifically mentioned her excitement at being able to share the spotlight with someone from Baldur's Gate 3. I think a lot of people realize how much effort goes into it,” Park said. “It’s quite satisfying to have an organization like BAFTA recognize that this is an art form in its own right, and to receive recognition after so many years of work in the mines.”
With Baldur's Gate 3 in the rearview mirror and no word yet on whether Park will return to lead the main performance direction in Larian's next project, I can't help but ask how it feels to say goodbye to characters who have occupied nearly five years of time. her life. Moving to the next step in any project is a big deal. Not to mention the cast and the projects that play a vital role in the tone and delivery of the narrative.
“I had a lot of fun working on it, and the sense of ease and playfulness was truly amazing,” Park admits. “I've always taken my job very seriously and tried to do my best in whatever I've done, but sometimes trying to relax and be playful in that sense can get the best performance if the actors do the same. You can then capture it, bottle it, and put it into your game. Sometimes, when you're working on such a large title, it can put pressure on everyone involved. But as a director, you have to be the one who sets the mood in the room, and how much fun we had making Baldur's Gate 3 influenced everything else.”
Baldur's Gate 3 is the long-awaited next chapter in the Dungeons & Dragons-based RPG series. Developed by Divinity creator Larian Studios, the game places you in the midst of the mind flayer invasion of Faerûn, over 100 years after its predecessor.
