Go To Your Room and Make Stuff. The podcast about making art, any kind of art, all by ourselves in a room or studio or with headphones. Specifically -- art we make by ourselves. No one is telling us when, where or how... or any combination of those things. This is a podcast for solo artistic adventures and those who are doing it and those who want to try it.
In this conversation, Shana interviews Paul Cartwright, a voice actor and filmmaker. They discuss Paul's background in musical theater, his transition to voice acting, and his experience working in the Utah film industry. They also talk about the challenges of being an introverted performer and the importance of having a dedicated workspace for recording. Paul shares his editing process and how he balances work and family life. He mentions Pat Fraley as a mentor who has had a significant impact on his career. Paul Cartwright discusses his admiration for voice actors Pat Fraley and Jim Cummings. He shares his experience of meeting Jim Cummings at an agency signing and describes him as a kind and generous person. Paul aspires to have a body of work like Jim Cummings, who has voiced iconic characters like Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Paul also reflects on the advice he has received throughout his career, including the realization that nobody knows what they're doing and the importance of just doing the work. He emphasizes the need for discipline and gratitude in the voice acting industry.
9/13/24 • 51:57
In this conversation, Shana interviews Eileen Descallar, a photographer, voice actor, and rock climber. They discuss Eileen's various artistic pursuits, including photography, graphic design, animation, and voiceover work. Eileen shares her experiences with different mediums and how she got started in each one. They also talk about Eileen's journey in rock climbing and her sponsorship as a climber. Overall, the conversation highlights Eileen's diverse artistic talents and her passion for exploring different creative outlets. In this conversation, Shana and Eileen Descallar discuss Eileen's experiences as a photographer and voice actor. They talk about Eileen's love for outdoor photography, her adventures in rock climbing, and her passion for capturing the beauty of nature. Eileen also shares her journey into voice acting, including her work in VR animation and audio books. She offers advice for aspiring artists and emphasizes the importance of developing one's skills and finding opportunities to learn and grow.
8/21/24 • 53:03
Abie Ekenezar shares her journey into the creative world, starting with her experience as a fairy at a Renaissance Festival. She talks about her involvement in independent films, including writing, directing, and producing. Abie also discusses her voiceover work and vo with and without a British accent. She shares her creative space, which is her walk-in closet, and how it allows her to be grounded and creative. Abie Ekenezar discusses her experiences as a producer and the importance of staying busy in the film industry. She shares her upcoming wedding plans and the challenges of organizing a destination wedding. Abie also talks about her mentors and the impact they have had on her career. She emphasizes the importance of being socially active and using art to promote important messages. Abie discusses her current projects, including a documentary about women of color in politics and a short film about BIPOC mental illness. She also mentions her involvement in the Gamers for the Series Kickstarter campaign and a modern take on The Breakfast Club. Abie offers advice for aspiring creatives and encourages them to stay true to themselves.
8/7/24 • 45:06
Mark Siano is a Seattle-based performer, writer, and producer known for his original works featured at various theaters in Seattle. He has a background in hockey and switched to theater in his teens. Mark is a theater producer who does a little bit of everything, including musical composition, acting, singing, directing, choreography, staging, and more. He is also a publicist and has experience in PR and promotion. Mark travels for both work and personal reasons, exploring different theater scenes and looking for opportunities to perform or produce shows. He is currently in the process of transitioning to a nonprofit model for his theater productions. In this part of the conversation, Shana and Mark discuss the importance of finding a community of like-minded individuals in the theater industry. They share their experiences of meeting up with other producers and artists to commiserate and share stories. They also talk about the challenges of being a producer and how to handle critiques and reviews. Mark advises young artists to focus on the show itself and their own name rather than creating a new theater company. He also mentions his upcoming shows, 'Twin Peep Show' and 'Titanic.'
7/24/24 • 54:11
In this conversation, Shana interviews Michael Gettel, a veteran pianist, producer, and composer. They discuss Michael's career, his albums, and his creative process. Michael shares his experience teaching music and the impact he had on Shana's musical journey. They also talk about Michael's latest album, 'The View From Here,' and his move to San Luis, Colorado. Michael emphasizes the importance of having an instrument and capturing ideas for aspiring composers. They also touch on the concept of mentors and the lasting impact they can have. In this conversation, Michael Gettel shares his experiences as a musician and offers advice to young artists. He discusses his love for music, his creative process, and the challenges he faced in the music industry. Michael also talks about his hobbies, such as cooking and gardening, and the importance of gratitude in overcoming discouragement. He emphasizes the need for determination, perseverance, and finding the right support system in pursuing a career in music. Overall, Michael's story is one of resilience and finding joy in the creative process.
7/10/24 • 37:54
In this conversation, Shana interviews Matthew Posner, a puppeteer, voiceover artist, and musical theater performer. They discuss Matthew's passion for puppetry, his love for the Muppets and Jim Henson, and his journey into the world of puppet making. Matthew shares his experiences creating puppets for shows like Avenue Q and Little Shop of Horrors, as well as his recent projects and collaborations. They also touch on Matthew's voiceover work and his role as a singing tour guide in Seattle. Overall, the conversation highlights Matthew's diverse creative pursuits and his dedication to bringing joy and entertainment to others. In this conversation, Matthew Posner discusses his experience as a puppeteer and voice actor. He shares his journey in the performing arts, the importance of experience in honing one's skills, and the challenges and joys of puppetry. Matthew also talks about handling critiques and criticism, his love for cooking, and the balance between different creative pursuits. The conversation provides insights into the world of puppetry and the creative process.
6/26/24 • 40:37
Gary Bennett is an award-winning audiobook narrator who has narrated over 200 audiobooks. He primarily focuses on mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, and fantasy genres. He works in a professional home studio and uses the punch and roll technique to record his narrations. Gary is a full-time narrator and completes an average of 2-3 hour sessions per day. He aims for a 2:1 ratio of finished hours to recording hours. He is proactive about his health and takes precautions to avoid getting sick during recording. Publishers and authors have been accommodating when he has had to pause a book due to illness. In this conversation, Gary Bennett discusses his recent projects, including thriller franchises and an epic fantasy series. He also shares how he got started in audiobook narration and his journey from ACX to working with publishers. Gary emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and improvement in the field. He also mentions his passion for writing and his current project of writing a novel. The conversation concludes with a discussion on finding the right environment for creative work.
6/12/24 • 45:39
Chef Robb is an experienced chef and educator who is passionate about cooking and teaching others how to cook healthy food. He is currently working on the Aortic Kitchen project, where he teaches members of the Aortic Hope organization how to cook healthy meals. He is also digitizing his collection of recipes and considering publishing a cookbook. Chef Robb finds inspiration in cookbooks, grocery stores, and antique stores, and enjoys experimenting with different ingredients and flavors. He is motivated by his love for cooking and the joy it brings to others. In this conversation, Chef Robb and Shana discuss the history of cookbooks and the joy of cooking. They explore the importance of preserving old recipes and the value of handwritten notes in cookbooks. Chef Robb shares his experience as a chef and offers advice for aspiring culinary artists. They also touch on the challenges of the culinary industry and the importance of passion and discipline. The conversation concludes with a reminder to live in the present and enjoy life's pleasures.
5/29/24 • 59:43
Yinka Ladeinde is a talented voice actor and audiobook narrator. She has worked with major corporations and publishers, and her career has taken off. Yinka's studio is a triple-walled isolation booth that provides excellent sound quality. She prefers recording alone and finds directed sessions to be anxiety-inducing. Currently, she is working on multiple audiobook projects while also doing short-form voiceover work. Yinka is dedicated to delivering high-quality recordings and constantly improving her craft. The conversation revolves around the challenges and experiences of being a voiceover artist, including the struggle to find work-life balance, the length and intensity of audiobook sessions, the importance of mentors, dealing with critiques and opinions, and finding time for personal interests.
5/15/24 • 43:00
Maddie Baird, a 13-year-old artist, discusses her passion for creating art and writing. She shares her experience with different art mediums, including writing and 3D printing. Maddie talks about her current focus on writing two novel series, one about romance and the other about twins in different dimensions. She also discusses her creative environment, mentors, and the importance of validation from oneself rather than others. Maddie recommends two books she loves, 'She Gets the Girl Up' and 'Her Royal Highness.' She also mentions her Instagram account for her 3D prints.
5/1/24 • 14:06
In this conversation, Shana Pennington-Baird interviews Rob Witmer, a musician and sound designer, about his work and creative process. They discuss Rob's experience playing various instruments, composing music, and working in theater. They also touch on topics such as creating a studio space, the challenges of recording certain instruments, and the importance of editing and self-critique in the creative process. Rob shares advice for young artists and the value of working with mentors and collaborating with other artists. They also briefly discuss the role of websites and online presence in the arts.
5/1/24 • 41:42
In this episode, the host, Shana, introduces herself and talks about her background as a voice actor and theater performer. She shares her experience of building a booth for voice acting and doing animation work. Shana also mentions her love for corporate voiceover work and her passion for audiobook narration. She discusses her journey as an aortic dissection survivor and her solo show called 'Broken Wide Open' that she performed in Ireland. Overall, this episode provides an overview of Shana's career and interests. The conversation covers Shana's experience creating and performing a one-person show, her journey to Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the challenges and successes she encountered along the way. Shana is a full-time artist who also teaches and coaches. Her day typically starts with taking her daughter to school and then she spends her time auditioning, working on music, coaching sessions, and teaching classes. She also does voiceover work and vocal health sessions. Shana's day is busy and varied, but she enjoys the combination of teaching and pursuing her art. In this part of the conversation, Shana discusses her experience with theater and coping with negative reviews. She mentions a theater show called Pippin that she adores and how she took theater classes in high school. Shana also talks about the importance of seeking permission and validation from others and how it can open doors for opportunities. She shares her mixed coping strategies for dealing with negative feedback and the importance of getting feedback from the right people. This conversation explores the importance of creativity and the motivation behind pursuing artistic endeavors. The speaker emphasizes the personal fulfillment and constant desire for improvement that drives her creative process. She discusses the value of having multiple projects and finding inspiration in different mediums. The conversation also touches on the challenges of staying motivated and sane while pursuing creative passions.
5/1/24 • 10:37
Welcome to Go To Your Room and Make Stuff. The podcast about making art, any kind of art, all by ourselves in a room or studio or with headphones. No one is telling us when, where or how... or any combination of those things. This is a podcast for solo artistic adventures and those who are doing it and those who want to try it. This trailer introduces you to Shana Pennington-Baird, the host, her first guest Rob Witmer (composer, sound designer) and her second guest, Maddie Baird (writer). Episodes will release every two weeks on Wednesdays!
5/1/24 • 01:35
