Unsung: The People You Don't Know You Know

Any gamer will tell you that these days video games are more than just something to pass time. They are interactive movies with rich story lines, detailed characters and a "choose your own adventure" story that puts you in the center of the action.

Red Dead Redemption 2 and Overwatch are two massive games with record-setting scope. I interviewed actors Kaili Vernoff (Susan Grimshaw in Red Dead Redemption 2) and Jen Cohn (Pharah in Overwatch) about their careers, the business of voice acting and their part in bringing their skills to these and other popular game titles.

Also in this episde: Social Media gone wrong, voice acting in the lean times, NDA nightmares, fake horses and straws for cigarettes, the important difference between a cut scene and a cartoon, plus LATKE MANIA!!

Read more here!

Thanks as always to John Beach for voicing the show intro and to Christina Andretta for the show announcements.

Just before Covid lockdown started in NYC, I had begun recording episodes of this podcast series. My goal was to only have live guests, having previously dealt with all the pitfalls of remote guests on another podcast. But Covid had other plans for face to face interactions, so I benched the series. I'm finally dusting off this episode!

Have a list as Sandy Ames (known to NY area folks as Jamie Lee on Lite FM and previously on WPLJ), Joey Kramer (also from WPLJ and ABC) and Malikha Mallette (NY's Power 105) discuss their careers, the business as they experiences it and more!

Read more and check out links to video clips here.

Thanks as always to John Beach for voicing the show open and to Christina Andretta for her in show announcements.

In Part 1 of this episode we met Bob Bergen, Bob Joles and Jim Conroy- three busy, working voice actors with impressive histories! The episode was recording in front of a live Zoom audience, and in Part 2 we get to hear from some talented future superstars.

These episodes are equal parts interview and voice actor masterclasses. Embedded in the stories and history of the business are absolute gems that will benefit anyone listening.

For additional shownotes, photos and more- be sure to check out the website!

Thanks as always to John Beach for voicing the show intro and to Christina Andretta for lending her voice for in-show announcements.

This episode stemmed from a lively dinner discussion at Chiller Theater- a film expo and convention in NJ. Voice actor icon Bob Bergen was in attendance, and was joined by local voice actor Jim Conroy, Bob Joles (visitng from California), and myself.

After a nearly 5 hour discussion on all things voice acting, animation and business- we joked that it should have been recorded for a podcast! So- we reconvened in front of a live (Zoom) audience of aspiring voice actors to chat again and record it.

This is less of an interview about their careers and more of a discussion about the current state of the voice acting industry as it pertains to cartoon work. There are a number of true masterclass moments as Bob B, Bob J and Jim share what they know. It was an entertaining evening loaded with insider details and information.

Read more here.

Join the conversation and get more details, video clips, photos and other notes here.

Frank Simms was actually the inspiration for this show. I've worked with him for years as a voice actor, and knew that he was a jingle singer from some work we had done together years ago. But each time I would work with him, I'd learn some amazing new thing he was a part of: David Bowie, Madonna, Billy Joel, INXS, Saturday Night Live- and endless commercial work, including as the Kool-Aid guy!

Oh yeahhhh. Let's meet Frank Simms.

To find out more about this episode and future episodes, include bonus content, please follow this Facebook page.

This is a series that explores the creative people from the worlds of music, movies, TV and radio who's work your familiar with- but you wouldn't know them if you passed them on the street. 

This is a 2 minute promo clip as part of Rode Microphones "My RodeCast" contest. The actual interview episode is well over an hour long, and chock full of great stories. I'm hoping this snippet gives you a sense of the show.

Thanks for listening!

- Frank Verderosa