By Michael Magnus/reporter
NE alumna Brina Palencia is making her mark on the entertainment industry as a voice actress for anime cartoons.
“I’ve been doing it now for almost nine years, and it’s become pretty easy,” she said. “It’s like second-nature. It’s really fun, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot of skills that have transferred over to work in film.”
Palencia has worked on more than 80 different anime series including Dragon Ball Z, Full Metal Alchemist, Shin Chan and Black Butler. Most recently, she performed the song “Blaster Proof” for the Kinect Star Wars video game.
“I feel like going to a community college was really, really great for me because I had to pay for my own school,” she said. “I don’t think I would have gone to college if it weren’t for all of the support I got at TCC with scholarships and grants.”
From TCC, she transferred to the University of North Texas and earned a bachelor’s in music. In addition to voice acting, she works as a music director for animation and adapts translations of songs from Japanese to English.
“She really loved to sing and wanted to do something with her voice,” said Karen Parsons, NE music department chair. “The teachers hold a luncheon every August before classes start and honor distinguished alumni. Brina came in as an honoree and did some voice work that had the faculty cracking up.”
As of late, Palencia has been working more in film, both on screen and behind the scenes.
A recent job was with the production company Shut Up and Prance on the comedy short Door-to-Door Dater, which became their most watched sketch on YouTube, she said.
“Working with Brina was humbling in a way,” said Riley Morris, cinematographer for SU&P. “She shows up fully prepared and waits patiently for me to put the camera on her and produces gold every time.”
Palencia’s work can also be seen in the upcoming web series The Troubadoors (at www.healbyrain.com). Not only is The Troubadoors her producing debut, she also is writing for it and acting in it.
“Private school doesn’t make you cool,” Palencia said. “Just because you go to community college doesn’t mean you can’t be a total badass.”
