Pretend Worlds Real People

"Find a way." For a 19-year-old Italian man, his way involved moving to England and over the next 20 years assimilating into British life. Fed Zanni is a London-based actor who has worked hard at his craft, earning himself some wonderful roles. He shares with us what it was like to be a young Italian in London, what it took to establish himself as an actor, and he has some incredible "day-in-the-l...

"There's no one way." We venture into the other side, on this week's episode of Pretend Worlds Real People! Michael McMillian joins Steph and Tyler in between recordings of his addictive paranormal podcast, Bigfoot Collectors Club, to share his story. Having built his career as an actor and writer, with humble beginnings in theater, Michael shares a cluster of stories that had our hosts splitting...

"Challenge yourself to do something you love, instead of something you don't care about." Building your career in the arts industry is hard enough, a constant uphill battle. It takes a warrior's spirit to keep on. This week's guest has fought tooth and nail to build his career, and he doesn't plan on stopping. Kenneth Fok is a South African actor who has appeared in films like Safe House (2012) an...

" Find what you love, make your own work."   This week, we're joined by the incredibly talented, Emma King-Farlow! The donner of several different hats in the world of theater. As a Writer, Director, and Producer; Emma has created both fantastically-original worlds, as well as genre bending adaptations of classic works for the stage. She takes Steph and Tyler through her battle with stage fright,...

"Always keep writing."   The other half of the Booksmart writing team makes her debut! If you remember our former guest, Sarah Haskins, she mentioned she had a writing partner, Emily Halpern. Emily joins Tyler and Stephanie for a chat about her journey as a screenwriter. From working with David Mamet to being in writers' rooms to managing motherhood and a career, Emily shares many unique experienc...

"Don't wait for someone to give you a job."   Please give a round of applause for this week's guest, Christine Willes! For the last thirty years, you may have seen Christine grace your television screens with her incredible performances in shows like The X-Files, Dead Like Me, and Reaper. In this episode she sits down with Tyler to discuss her beginnings in theater, the transition to TV, and what...

" There's no single path."   This is an episode ten years in the making. Tyler and Steph are joined by Songwriter, Composer, and Filmmaker; Zack Hemsey. For the last twenty years, he's produced tracks in both collaborative and solo formats across a plethora of genres. His most notable track, "Mind Heist," became the staple for the marketing campaign of Christopher Nolan's INCEPTION! Tune in now!  ...

"It doesn't cost me anything to share." This week, guest Helen Murray walks Stephanie through what it means to be an Executive Producer of a theatre company. Her many years in the theatre industry has shaped her into an incredible and perceptive leader. The two women discuss theatre diversity and community outreach, how a company can produce a season during a pandemic, and how important it is for...

" If it stops being worth it to you, move on."   The PWRP crew is joined by Denver creative wonder, Mariah Diaz! She's a Costume Designer, Filmmaker, Producer, and Writer that worked through the pandemic to launch her production company; Front Porch Studios. Each day, Mariah continues to maintain her rigorous work ethic to continue building her career. She's an inspiring artist that will keep your...

"Expand your skill set, be passionate!"    We're taking you back into the volume of Deck Nine Games as Tyler and Steph sit down with MoCap Technician, Alexis Bloom! After cutting her teeth in Engineering, kicking ass on a robotics team as it turns out; she pivoted her focus towards her life long passion in Animation & Visual Effects. Our talk spans from everything it takes to become a MoCap Tech t...

"Invest in yourself."   This week's guest, Christian Reid, believes marketing yourself properly can truly get you places. He should know, not only is he an actor-combatant, he fight directs and choreographs, and runs two separate companies, one for film and the other for theatre. Christian walks us through these various roles and what his hopes for their futures are. We also share some good laughs...

"Be so good, that they can't say no."   Alas, our first exclusive interview on PWRP is live! Tonight's guest is a living badass of rigorous discipline and humble beginnings. Daniel Nelson has spent the last ten years of his career honing his craft as an Actor and Stunt Performer, leading up to his roles in two excellent releases this year: Godzilla vs. Kong and Mortal Kombat! With plenty more to c...

"The opportunities are there, even if they're not right in front of you."    My Date With Drew FANS UNITE! Months of hard work (mostly typing) have led to this moment. In this episode, Tyler sits down with Director, Brian Herzlinger, to chat about finding your footing in the industry and the art of taking chances. In 2003, he had 30 days and $1,100 to get a date with Drew Barrymore. Years later, h...

" Stay hungry, work hard, and don't settle."   On this episode of PWRP, we dive back into the world of Broadway through the incredible Derrick Williams. A Broadway star you may recognize from shows like The Book of Mormon, Aida, The Lion King, Smokey Joe's Cafe, and Wicked! Having grown up as both an athlete and a performer, Derrick takes us from his early shows at Busch Gardens, through his meteo...

This week we dive into the Welsh mind of playwright and director Mêlisa Annis. Having come from a family or arts workers, Mêlisa knows well the struggles and joys of the industry. She shares her insights about the benefits of collaboration between artists, the stages of play development, her new musical The King's Wife, and the changes she hopes to soon see within the theater industry.   Shoutouts...

"Don't give up." This is the simple, yet necessary advice our guest, Mercedes Roman-Manson, has for you. As the production manager at the Colonial Theater in Boston, MA, Mercedes knows the hardships that face all arts workers, especially during the season of the COVID-19 pandemic. The great thing is that she's not someone who is woefully sitting around waiting for her situation to improve, she is...

" If you don't like what you're doing now, then you're not doing the right thing."   This week Steph and Tyler are joined by Comedian, Writer, and Producer; Sarah Haskins! A creative powerhouse known for TV shows like Trophy Wife, Carol's Second Act, and one of the best comedy's of the last decade; Booksmart. Join us as Sarah shares what it was like starting out as an improv comic, and how she tra...

Make sure if you're chasing it, you're chasing it for the right reasons.   Ladies and gentlemen, Josh Macuga (The Good People Association, Schmoes Know, Film HQ, Between The Sheets) joins the PWRP crew for a brunch-style Sunday episode! You may recognize him as an actor, comedian, writer, and media correspondent. He fills us in on growing up in Pittsburgh, acting in New York, and finding his footi...

This week's guest wants you to "take the reigns of your pirate ship!"   Jesse Heiman is the World's Greatest Extra, with a career spanning two decades and over 200 credits. There's a big chance you might recognize him from your favorite movie! His love for film and television took him from college graduation, straight to Hollywood, where he'd find his footing in background work. Years later, he's...

Wonder Woman has nothing on this week's guest!   Amy Floyd wears many capes: as an Actress, Martial Artist, Specialized Stunt & MoCap Performer, and Handmade Cloak Designer! Hailing from the UK, she joins the PWRP crew to share her meteoric journey in acting and stage combat. A career filled with a wide range of characters from Ebeneezer Scrooge to Macbeth; needless to say, Amy is an incredible ta...

The world of sound is a mysterious and magical place. This week's guest lives in this world and does her best to enlighten us to its ways. Stef Senior is a Chicago-based sound designer and engineer who loves her career. Her insight into how these jobs operate and what makes them fulfilling to her is fascinating. She also shares her thoughts on inclusivity in the theatre community and has some deli...

Write what you know, and use what you have.   Writer/Director John Swab joins the PWRP crew to share his filmmaking journey and chat about his latest film, Body Brokers , available On Demand and Digital on February 19th! An Oklahoma native, John takes us through filming in his home state, what his creative process looks like, the inception of Body Brokers, and what's next on the horizon.   SHOUTOU...

Take action! This week's guest lives by those very words. Cheryl Texiera is an actress, writer, producer, dancer, and dreamer; who has given one hundred percent of herself to the arts. Her incredible energy and talent have shined in Girl Meets World, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Hoax, and more! She takes PWRP through her career in LA, with plenty of stories to boot! This is one episode you d...

Writer, director, editor; our guest for this episode is a trifecta in film creation. Daniel Ast is an indie film maker based in L.A. who knows what it means to put in a hard days work. He talks with us about his tv series L.A. Macabre, why he likes wearing multiple hats while filming, and how he hopes to continue pursuing his career through and post a pandemic. He and Tyler also geek out about a p...

This week's guest believes that everyone should strive to BE MORE SUPER! Bryan Garner pops into the studio to share his origin story. He chats with Tyler about his early years in the arts, convention fandom, prop collecting, and what drove him to create BE MORE SUPER the podcast . Similar to the Man of Steel himself, Bryan is one truly remarkable person!