From Deseret News archives:

Writer-animator from Utah gives voice to unhinged hamster sidekick in 'Bolt'

Published: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 2:59 p.m. MST
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Mark Walton is used to being animated about cartooning. After all, he's been working for Disney for more than a decade now.

"I have one of the greatest jobs ever. I get paid to doodle and draw. For a lot of people, that's a dream come true, myself included," the 40-year-old storyboard artist, animator and writer said.

However, he's still getting used to being animated in a Disney cartoon. Walton supplied voices for supporting characters in "Chicken Little" (he was Loosey Goosey) and "Home on the Range" (in which he voiced the two longhorns, Barry and Bob).

He's also one of the voice performers in the studio's latest cartoon feature, the digitally animated "Bolt," which is being shown theatrically in both the 2-D and 3-D formats. Specifically, Walton, a Utah native and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gives voice to Rhino, a slightly unhinged hamster.

As he explained, Rhino is a television junkie who's a big fan of the title character, a similarly delusional, canine small-screen star (John Travolta).

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And despite being encased in a plastic hamster ball, Rhino tries to help Bolt get from New York City to Hollywood — so Bolt can be reunited with his owner and television co-star, Penny (Miley Cyrus).

"Rhino is pretty crazy, but he means well and has a good heart," Walton said. "Unfortunately, he's a little too enthusiastic for his own good and is completely obsessed with proving himself to his hero."

Regarding his casting, Walton says the "Bolt" filmmakers "apparently thought I had the perfect voice for a hamster. I'm still not sure whether I should be horrified or flattered."

In reality, Walton was approached to be one of the "temp" voices for the in-production version of the cartoon. During the storyboarding and "rough" animating processes, animators often read and record character lines — though those are typically replaced by later, voice-talent recording sessions.

"Evidently I did something right. Either that, or they were completely desperate," he laughed.

On a more serious note, Walton expressed some regrets about not getting to act opposite Travolta, Cyrus and other cast members, including comic actors Nick Swardson, Diedrich Bader, Greg Germann and Susie Essman.

That's because animation filmmakers typically record actors in the studio separately. "They do that so they can ensure the sound levels and sound quality are consistent, and so they can work with the actors one-on-one," he said.

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Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Mark Walton works for Disney as a storyboard artist, animator and writer.

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