Pretend Worlds Real People

"Don't audition for the job. Do the job."

This week's guest is a prolific actor, writer, pop culture buff, and studied at The Groundlings! Shannon McClung has built an amazing career in film and television since his breakout role in House. Since then, he's appeared in top tier shows like: Party Down, The Goldbergs, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Silicon Valley, and more! If that wasn't enough, Shannon has traversed the globe while performing for Universal Studios. Plus, he's one of the many talented writers for Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City. Join us as Shannon talks about his start, his love for performance, and what lies ahead!

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-Party Down

-Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City

“Don’t take any of it personally.”

This week, the incredibly talented Nandini Bapat joins the show! Before her standout performances in shows like: Good Girls, Silicon Valley, and Party Down; Nandini had acquired her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science. However, her love for performance would take her to Los Angeles to pursue a lifelong dream. After finding work at a local acting studio and booking consistent jobs, she hasn’t looked back! And Nandini is only getting started…

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-Mythic Quest

-Party Down

-Women of Color Unite

-South Asian Women in Entertainment

"You have to trust your gut, your instinct."

This week, PWRP is joined by the ultimate multi-hyphenate filmmaker: Charlotte Kirk! Having loved the performing arts from an early age, she would make the big move to Los Angeles after graduating from drama school. With several credits under her belt, Charlotte decided to start writing and producing her own films in a collaboration with director Neil Marshall. Here, Charlotte talks about her early years, making the move to Los Angeles, and what's next. Her upcoming film, Duchess, is set to release later this year! 

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-The Lair (Shudder)

-The Reckoning

-Duchess

"Be of service to those around you."

Oh my God, it's happening. It's happening. Everybody stay calm!

We're a day away from the premiere of The Mandalorian Season 3, with a special guest joining PWRP. You may recognize Emily Swallow from her incredible roles in Supernatural, Castlevania, How to Get Away with Murder, The Last of Us: Part II, and of course; The Mandalorian. Here, she sits down with Tyler to talk about: dog videos, acting origins, embracing set chaos, and what's coming next! Rate and review while you listen, This is the way...

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-The Mandalorian

-The Marked

"Take advantage and study with local coaches of the larger markets."

We're headed home to the Rocky Mountain region as PWRP is joined by Actor, Filmmaker, Producer, and Photographer; Scott Takeda. At a young age, he held a deep fascination for television news. A passion that would lead to his start in TV News Reporter in Idaho. His work in the newsroom would quickly gain recognition and numerous Emmys before he would make his acting debut in 2001. Since then, he's appeared in dozens of films (Dallas Buyers Club, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Everything Must Go, etc.) in addition to coaching upcoming artists through the Takeda Technique!

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

- @scotttakeda

-Scotttakeda.com

-The Takeda Technique

“Be yourself. Be unique. Be different.”

You will undoubtedly recognize this week’s guest from a plethora of amazing projects spanning the last decade. Lio Tipton’s breakout role in Crazy, Stupid, Love immediately shot them into the Hollywood stratosphere at the dawn of the 2010s. Having spent their childhood years yearning to be an Astronaut, their scope would pivot towards filmmaking after picking up a camera and learning the ins-and-outs of video editing (via the family computer). However, they would soon find themselves on the other side of the lens, now as an actor. In this episode, they share the experience of breaking into Hollywood, being present, navigating career changes, and the joy of Legos!

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-A Friend of the Family

-Jan Broberg Foundation

“Be humble in a way that’s honest.”

Dileep Rao has worked with some of the most prolific artists in the entertainment industry. His talents span from cinematic blockbusters like Inception and Avatar, to his theatrical performances on stage. His love for not only the craft of acting itself, but his perspective, made for a fantastic chat in this week’s episode. You can catch him now in James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, currently demolishing the box office by the way. You won’t want to miss this!

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-Avatar: The Way of Water

“Find your fulfillment.”

For the last eleven years, Summer Hart has built a name for herself in the adult film industry. Initially, a way to support her family and pay for college tuition; she soon found a welcoming community and a chance to build something for herself. Summer talks about obtaining her Bachelor’s in Social Work, directing and monetizing her own content, SWAID Vegas, and her home-brew Kombucha skills!

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-SWAID Vegas (A fund created by sex workers for sex workers)

"Separate your ego from your work."

This week, Screenwriter, Producer, and Director; Jeffrey Reddick joins PWRP! Since childhood, he's been a massive fan of film and its vast horror genre. Even writing and submitting his own prequel treatment to New Line Cinema Founder, Bob Shaye, following a matinee of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Years later, his script for Final Destination would take off and launch a horror blockbuster franchise of its own! Here, Jeffrey talks about his upbringing, writing process, and what lies ahead.  Hit that play button!

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

- Jeffrey's Social Media (@jeffreyareddick)

-The Trevor Project

“You can always say no to anything.”

Horror fans rejoice! The wonderfully talented, Alex Essoe joins PWRP this week! You may recognize her from Doctor Sleep, Midnight Mass, or her breakout role in Starry Eyes; but her love for acting took over years before. While growing up on a compound in Saudi Arabia, Alex absorbed as much performance art as she could through VHS tapes and her mother’s stage productions. Following a workshop in Toronto, Alex left behind a modeling career and set out to pursue a career in acting. Since then, she has taken both Film and TV by storm with standout performances in various horror films and numerous Mike Flanagan productions!

SHOUTOUTS & PROMOTIONS

-Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

-Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl