Fred Willard recently appeared in the 100th episode of “The Closer”, which aired on December 5th on TNT.  He is known best for his roles with Christopher Guest’s mockumentary films like “This is Spinal Tap”, “Waiting for Guffman”, “Best in Show”, “A Mighty Wind” and “For Your Consideration”.  He also has voiced characters in Disney’s “Chicken Little” and Disney/Pixar’s “Wall-E”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Fred about his appearance on “The Closer”.

Mike Smith: What was it about this particular role that drew you work on “The Closer”.
Fred Willard: Well it was being able to play Santa Claus. I always thought for years that I would make a good a Santa Claus. You always hear about Santa’s being angry and impatient and I said, I would be a good Santa. I don’t know in actuality how long I would last in a mall or department store, but I always wanted to give it a try. But anyway, I also love everything about Christmas and doing a show about Christmas in September kind of stretches the season out. So one problem with Christmas it comes, you know there’s so much work involved and it comes and suddenly Christmas is over. So, it kind of expands the season.

MS: Was there anything in particular you found challenging about playing a Santa besides being in a suit so long?
FW: I was going to say, yes, well I had to play, several scenes I was pretty drunk. I’d you know relax with some alcohol along the way. I mean, as the character, so that was the tough thing because a lot of times it’s shot out of sequence. So I had to be very drunk before I was mildly drunk and then sober, just recovering from a hangover before the drinking scene. I think in all, we had a very good, the director seemed to be on top of it. So I think it flows very nicely.

MS: What was it like working with Kyra Sedgwick?
FW: Kyra was wonderful. She’s just very sweet. I had just a couple of scenes with her, but the nice thing about the show like that; you don’t really feel like an outsider. Everyone in the cast just treated me very friendly like, we’re so glad you’re here and just none of them were standoffish or the only one who told me what to do of course was the director.

MS: I know you’ve done a lot of guest appearances on television shows. When you appear on a show that is established, as “The Closer” is, when you approach the role do you try to get more of a feel of the show, of the cast before you take it on?
FW: Oh yes, definitely. You want to get it because every show has a little different tone to it. So you don’t want to go in you know, over the top, you don’t want to go in too subtly. Plus you rely on lot on, you’re on the set and you see how the other actors are acting and it’s a very realistic show. My character was a bit over the top, but the other performers were playing it very much like a procedure, you know, there had been a murder committed and they were really trying to get to the bottom of who did it. You go in with that, I was a fan of the show anyway. So, it kind threw me a little to be on the set suddenly with all these people some of, a couple of whom I’d known personally before doing the show. But suddenly, you go from reality into a fictional world where these people actually exist and you adopt very quickly.

MS: As someone that is a fan of the show, when you take a role on the show, do you have to kind of lose your knowledge of the show, know who the characters are when you’re approaching character that theoretically is new to them?
FW: Well, yes, my character in the episode comes from a whole different world. I believe I’m Santa Claus and I run a Santa village. And I’ve had a little bit of alcohol over the couple of days during the investigation. I’m kind of acting through that, coming in kind of questioning the authority and being kind of a indignant and sometimes angry and sometimes very silly. So, it wasn’t like the usual where I’m someone who is being investigated and is trying to be cunning or trying to outwit them. So it was a whole kind of a whole different role.

Jimmy Pardo is known for his work with Conan O’Brien on his TBS show “Conan” and his bit called “Pardo Patrol” on the show.  Jimmy has been running a podcast since 2006 called “Never Not Funny. Jimmy just held his 3rd annual Pardcast-a-thon fundraiser to benefit Smile Train, They raised over $42,000 this year, blowing away their goal of $27,000. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Jimmy about working with Conan and what he has planned next.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you tell us what it’s been like working with Conan O’Brien?
Jimmy Pardo: I started with him at the Tonight Show when they first moved out to New York. I had never met Conan prior to this and the way the story goes is that they were looking for someone to do 10 minutes of comedy to warm the crowd up prior to the show starting. They had been using writers and some other people prior to my hiring. Andy Richter who I knew a little bit threw my name in the mix as he though I have the same sensibilities as the show. They I guess looked at some of my stuff online and called me in for a meeting and offered me the job. I worked there for the 7 months we were on the air. When the show moved I was lucky enough to be asked to do the same position.

MG: What can you tell us about the Pardo Patrol?
JP: That goes back to the Tonight Show as Conan, Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney were always looking for something more for me to do. They often joke that I am slumming it opening for their show. When the whole Team Coco thing happened and after the website became popular we had been on TBS for about 4 months or so when they said we should have some original content on there. Conan who had been a guest on my podcast a few times said we should have me do something. There really wasn’t any idea behind but we started doing the Pardo Patrol’s which are pretty open ended. They could be anything and everything. I am grateful and love doing it. It’s great to be part of the team. It’s flattering to have my own thing on the Team Coco website.

MG: What do you like most about doing your podcasts?
JP: I started doing those around 2006 when they were just starting. No one had a clue what a podcast really was at the time. I did them as something to do between jobs. I don’t know if it was the timing or the quality but people took a liking to the show. Everyone is doing them now and I really enjoy it.

MG: The podcast recently finished it’s ninth season. How do you continue to keep it fresh and keep people listening?
JP: There is only so much talent in the pool that we all draw from. What I am trying to do is find people who aren’t yet part of the comedy scene we all draw from. I try to get people who my audience may never expect to be on my show. By doing this I as well as the audience am getting to hear new people. New faces keep it fresh.

MG: Are there any special plans for Conan’s taping at the Beacon Theater?
JP: I don’t really know what going on just yet. I am supposed to be there on Saturday, October 29^th. We do our first show on the 31^st and I am sure there are a lot of fun things planned. I think everyone who is going to the shows will be thrilled to be there and it’s going to be great.

MG: Can you tell us about Bob and Tom Comedy All-Stars Tour?
JP: I have been going out on those tours since 1990. I was a guest on their show when they were just based out of Indianapolis. They took a liking to me early and became a friend of the show. They would always have me on when I was coming through town and they had me call in a lot as well. I have been able to go to the Bahamas with them for their Super bowl parties and it’s been great. The tours allow the fans to put a face to the voices they hear on the radio.

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Catherine Taber plays the voice of Padme Amidala on Cartoon Network’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”.  The show is currently airing its fourth season. She is also doing voice work for the highly anticipated game “Star Wars: The Old Republic”.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Catherine about voice Padme and her work with “Star Wars” universe.

Mike Gencarelli: You are now entering season four of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, what can expect from Padmé Amidala this season?
Catherine Taber: Padme, like everyone, is seeing the war take its toll. She will maintain her belief in the fight for good and the fight for the republic, but she does suffer disappoints and betrayals. But, true to Padme form, her core decency and goodness, can not be shaken…unlike some others.

MG: What do you enjoy most about voicing her character?
CT: I love that Padme is an elegant and feminine woman, but not a damsel in distress. She makes her own decisions and is an awesome shot with a blaster!

MG: Tell us how you prepare yourself to get into character?
CT: I feel I know who Padme is very clearly – so she does not require a lot of prep work on that front. I know her history, even beyond the films. But I do try to wear clothing, shoes, etc that make me feel “Padme-ish”, strong and regal to get into character. No sweat pants! I am kind of goofy like that.

MG: What is the biggest challenge that presents itself with each new season?
CT: The only “challenge” I can come up with is dealing with the fact that we are getting closer to the eventual end! But we have seasons to come yet, so I try not to think about it!

MG: Tell us about the film “Hughes the Force” and your involvement?
CT: “Hughes the Force” is an fan film, an “epic” fan film! It’s made by true fans of both Star Wars and John Hughes films. James Arnold Taylor and I got to do cameo appearances of the live action versions of our characters which was AMAZINGLY fun. Everyone involved was so great, it was a labor of love. You should check it out!

MG: Tell us about your involved with the highly anticipated game “Star Wars: The Old Republic”?
CT: I had worked with Bioware before on “Knights of the Old Republic” (my first voiceover job!), so I was so excited when they asked me to come in. I didn’t even know what the project was. That was several years ago, and now having seen the progression, the trailers, the art work…I am just blown away and thrilled to be a part of it. I was lucky to get to appear at Comic Con International on the Bioware panel and announce that I am playing Vette, and it was really exciting. Vette is the companion character to the Sith Lord. She is funny and sassy and smart and a little quirky. I tried to think of Indiana Jones a bit when playing her.

MG: Do you feel that video game work differs from TV voice work?
CT: I mostly approach it all the same from an acting standpoint. I am creating a character and I just have a different set of tools to use. But, the great thing about TV and the Clone Wars especially, is we all get to work together, which makes it so much fun and I think ads depth to the scenes. It hardly feels like work!

James Arnold Taylor is currently voicing Obi-Wan Kenobi on “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”. The show is currently airing its fourth season. He also was the host of Star Wars Weekend in 2011 at Walt Disney World, also where he performed his one man show. Media Mikes was able to get James Arnold Taylor to answer a few questions about “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”, “Johnny Test” and his one man show as well. It is a must listen…trust me!!

Media Mikes – James Arnold Taylor Interview (November 2011) by Mike Gencarelli

Julie Benz is currently co-starring in ABC’s new series “A Gifted Man”. She is also co-starring in TNT’s upcoming Mystery Saturday Night film, “Sandra Brown’s
Ricochet”, which airs November 30th. Julie is also know for her recent roles on the TV series’ “Dexter” & “No Ordinary Family” and films like “The Boondock Saints II: All Saint’s Day”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Julie about her new TNT movie and what we can expect from her role.

Mike Gencarelli: Were you familiar with Sandra Brown’s novel prior to working with the film “Ricochet”?
Julie Benz: I was familiar with Sandra Brown. I had read “Ricochet” a long time ago like a while ago and really enjoyed it. I’m an avid reader and I love her books.

MG: The character of Elise is a little mysterious and a little bit of a trouble maker; what did you like most about playing her? And how did you prepare for the role?
JB: What I loved was how for me with the challenge of playing Elise was how close she keeps everything inside and you don’t know if she’s good or bad and you’re never sure exactly what she’s thinking and that was a real challenge for me to play. I had to work really hard on an accent. So I worked very hard on my accent for the movie as well and that helps me really get into Elise. With that specific type of Southern accent she moved slower and talked slower than I do and that allowed me to actually be a little more serious.

MG: Did you consider the role to be challenging overall?
JB: No. I mean it was challenging to play but it wasn’t difficult in the fact that I mean I understood what her intentions were sure. I mean the way she got around to doing stuff wasn’t necessarily all that normal. But in her heart everything like her intentions behind it all was pure. So but you had to actually admit too she’s a little crazy for what she did.

MG: How do you feel the film different from the book?
JB: I think it does an amazing job of adapting the book into the movie. There’s so much information in the book and you get a lot more back story but the film itself follows the action quite specifically.

MG: You are quite involved with your social media, how has that been playing into the promotion of projects like “Ricochet” for you?
JB: Oh I mean it’s always so great. TNT puts up a new promo for the show I can just Tweet it and everybody goes and looks at it. I love social media. I think it’s a great way to not just promote the work that you do but also to have direct contact with fans and are able promote any kind of charities that you’re involved in.

JB: With “Ricochet”, what do you think it is that will draw viewers in?
JB: You know, first the story. The story is really compelling in the way that it’s shot. It is very much as a film and then of course I mean you have John Corbett and Gary Cole, so what’s not to watch?

MG: Well you just mentioned Gary Cole he’s always such a fascinating actor. What was he like to work with?
JB: Oh he’s the pro man. He is this ultimate gentlemen first and second just a pro. Just watching him grasp his character and making the choices that he made to play Judge Laird, it’s like being in a master class watching him work.

MG: Okay now also recently after you spent so much time on series work like “Dexter” and “Ordinary Family” and now “A Gifted Man”, how was it different to work on a film with a set beginning, middle and end?
JB: Well it’s a little overwhelming at first because we shot it in 18 days. So it’s a pretty fast process and pretty fast filming. So you have to really do a lot of homework before you arrive on set and really do a lot of your character development before you get there. Rather than when you are in a TV series they start kind of crafting the role for you and they start writing it in your voice after you’re cast and tailoring it to who you are. I love doing television because I love being on set everyday with the same people. So it’s sad when you have to say goodbye.

John Fang works with Cartoon Network and is the Supervising Producer for it’s hit show “Generator Rex”. He is recently the supervising producer on the new crossover “Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United” which aired on Cartoon Network on November 25th. Mefia Mikes had a chance to chat with John about working on “Generator Rex” and its new crossover with “Ben 10”.

Mike Gencarelli: What can you tell us about “Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United”?
John Fang: Ben enters the Rex universe and teams up to fight an evil force so powerful, only their combined efforts has a chance for victory. Fans of both properties, and fans of action, should eat this special up!

MG: You are no stranger to either series, having directed episodes of both Ben 10: Alien Force” and “Generator Rex”, how did the mash-up come about?
JF: Not much to say here since everyone involved knew this would happen at some point. Not really a question of “how” but “when” are we going to do the cross over. Working so closely on both properties, I was also a huge fan of both, so getting a chance to have Rex and Ben fight side by side was way too much fun.

MG: How does working on both shows compare?
JF: Loved working on both, but being the show runner for Generator Rex, I’m obviously more attached to Rex. Our goal for “GenRex” has always been about bringing a stylized point of view to action. We stylize the storytelling, push designs, stylize music, SFX, and so on. Stories are always interesting and the acting is amazing.

MG: Can we expect Ben 10 and Generator Rex to meet up again?
JF: Definitely left that door open. Another team-up in our universe or in Ben’s universe? We’ll have to wait and see.

MG: Season three of “Generator Rex” just started, what can we expect this season?
JF: We just had our series game changers in episodes 40 and 41 with the big shake up at Providence . Season 3 will have bigger reveals about the nanite event and the original group behind it. Besides the encompassing epic storyline, we’ll still have plenty of episodes of Rex just having fun.

MG: What else are you currently working on?
JF: “Rex” keeps me plenty busy.

Kate Mara has appeared in several television series and films. Most recently she plays the role of Hayden McClane in the FX series “American Horror Story”. Media Mikes had a chance to talk with Kate about her work on the series and her role in the upcoming film “Kin”.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your character Hayden?
Kate Mara: Hayden is the student that Ben had an affair with. She is the reason Ben and his family move from Boston out to Los Angeles. Ben goes back to Boston after finding out Hayden is pregnant and they plan to have Hayden get an abortion. After Ben leaves Hayden goes out to Los Angeles to tell Ben that she didn’t have an abortion like they had planned. While Hayden is at the house she ends up getting killed. Hayden is a very vengeful ghost and is taking it upon herself to haunt Vivian and cause other problems in the house.

AL: What was it that drew you to the script?
KM: I had worked with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk on “Nip Tuck”. I think I was 19 at the time and that was one of my first jobs after moving out to Los Angeles. I have known Ryan ever since. One day he called and asked if I would be interested in doing a couple episodes of this and Brad’s new show. My agent sent me the script and I really didn’t know what to expect. I am not normally a fan of the horror genre but I love Ryan’s work and I was pleasantly surprised after reading the script. Ryan then gave me an over view of what my character would be doing but, he really didn’t tell me what all was going to happen. I was just under the impression that I was going to be on a few episodes to cause some mischief. I didn’t know I was going to die and end up haunting the house. I was lucky to know a little bit about the role prior to shooting. Generally we only have the first act of a script and we have no clue what else we will be doing. The writers on the show are really great and I trust Ryan and Brad. Normally this type of situation would make me very anxious. This is really exciting!

AL: What do you think has been your favorite part of working on the show?
KM: I have done so many different things with my character emotionally. She starts out as being a little on the innocent side and appears to be somewhat taken advantage of. Hayden then turns into a very unpredictable and emotional type character. When we see Hayden as a ghost you can tell there is a lot of evil there but with some vulnerability. To be able to portray all those things is definitely a challenge but it is so much fun. Typically it’s hard to find roles like this even in movies. It’s so out there with some of the things we get to say. It’s a really great role to be able to play with on such a great show.

AL: how does working on “American Horror Story” compare to other television shows you have worked on?
KM: Each show tends to have a little different feel from one another. “American Horror Story” tends to shoot more like a movie. It is just as much work if not more. We cram so much screen time into one week that it can be pretty intense. I don’t generally like to do a lot of television because it can be unpredictable and you don’t have a lot of control over what’s going to happen with your character.  I generally only ever do arcs or reoccurring roles because then I know I am only going to be on for 5 or so episodes. You can kind of get a sense of what’s going to happen then. I love films because you get to see the script and have some control over your character. With television you really don’t get that. Being this show is done by Ryan and Brad I didn’t have to really worry. I was excited about the script especially after seeing the first episode. It’s really about who is in control of where the story lines are going.

AL: Do you have a favorite episode from this season?
KM: I have to say that I am obsessed with Jessica Lange’s character. Her role is just so well written. Jessica’s entire acting career has been brilliant. The more of her character we can see the more I like the episode. It’s hard to choose just one episode but the more Jessica the better. (Laughs)

AL:Have you been told anything about being a part of Season 2?
KM: I don’t know yet. I don’t think anyone really knows what’s going on. I like to think that if you’re a ghost there is always a possibility of coming back.

AL: What can you tell us about your upcoming film “Kin”?
KM: I wish I knew more of what was going on with that film. I think there was mention of taking it to some festivals but we will have to see. The film was directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky who won an Oscar a few years back for his film “The Counterfeiters”. Eric Bana, Olivia Wilde and Charlie Hunnam had already been cast so I was excited to be a part of the film. The character was also something that I hadn’t done before. I play a cop in a small town. The film centers around Eric Bana and Olivia Wilde who play siblings that have just robbed a casino. There was a lot of action involved and we got to do a lot of ski-do riding. We also went to a shooting range which I was terrified of at first. It’s always fun to do new and different stuff.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?
KM: I am finishing up “American Horror Story” as we speak. I have an idea of what I am going to be doing next however I can’t really say anything about that just yet. I do know that I will probably start working on that in January.

Shelby Young has appeared in several movies and television series. Most recently she plays the character of Leah on the FX series “American Horror Story”. Shelby was nice enough to take time out of her schedule to talk with Media Mikes about the show and some of her other work.

Adam Lawton: What initially prompted you to get into acting?
SY: When I was younger I did this pageant with my mom. There happened to be a modeling agent there who was interested in me. I started doing modeling and commercials around Florida which is where I am from originally. I must have at some point gone to my Mom and told her I wasn’t getting enough dialogue in the commercials. When we moved out to New York I started doing some theater and indie films. We moved out to Los Angeles when I was 13 and things have gone from there.

AL: Can you tell us about your character on “American Horror Story”?
SY: When you first see my character Leah she is the leader of the mean girls at Violet’s school. She and Violet have a run in and Leah automatically doesn’t like her. The two end up fighting one another and to get Leah back Violet lures her back to her house where she is attacked by a demon type character. After the attack Leah becomes a completely different person. Leah is a little freaked out and not as mean. She has also noticed her hair has begun to turn white.

AL: What was it about the role that appealed to you?
SY: I love dark and gritty projects. When I read the script for the show I had to be a part of it! When I found out I got the role I completely freaked out. The show is just so well written and there is nothing else on television like it.

AL: What was your impression from reading the first script?
SY: I love Ryan Murphy’s other work. I am a huge “Glee” fan which is completely different from “American Horror Story”. I knew in Ryan’s hands this show was going to be amazing. The script just really jumped out at me and I didn’t want to put it down.

AL: Were you a fan of the horror genre prior to working on the show?
SY: Yes definitely! Even though I say this I generally end up watching them with my eyes closed for half the movie. (Laughs) I love the feeling of being scared.

AL: How has it been working with the rest of the cast?
SY: Everyone is amazing. I have work mostly with Evan Peters and Taissa Farmiga who are both really talented. Working with them has been fantastic and I am glad I have got to know them.

AL: Will we be seeing more of your character in the coming episodes?
SY: I can’t say anything about that as I don’t want to give anything away.

AL: You also have done some film work as well as voice over work. Is there that stands out as a favorite for you?
SY: I love film a lot and I would like for my career to go in that direction but, then you have something come along like “American Horror Story” that is so fantastic. Each episode is like a mini movie. I would be very content being a lead on a show like “American Horror Story”. Voice work is something fun for me to do on the side. For me the work is a little easier. I enjoy doing the funny voices.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?
SY: I don’t have anything I can tell you about just yet. I have a few interesting projects I am waiting to hear back on but I don’t want to jinx it by giving too much away.

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Jamie Brewer plays the role of Adelaide on the hit FX series “American Horror Story”. Media Mikes had a chance to speak with Jamie recently to discuss the show.

Adam Lawton: What made you want to get into acting?
Jamie Brewer: I grew up loving all forms of the arts, especially movies and theatre productions. I love watching this type of entertainment. I started acting in a theatre group when I was in junior high school and I really loved it. I have been in theatre groups and theatre productions ever since then and I am studying Theatre Arts in college. I just love to act!

AL: How did you become involved with “American Horror Story”?
JB: I first got word of the audition for the show from a friend of mine. They where looking for a young lady with Down syndrome who could act.  My headshot and resume were submitted and I was called for an audition and, to my surprise I got the part. I was so excited!!

AL: What do you like most being on the show?
JB: I love playing the part of Adelaide. It is a great challenge, because the character is very different from who I am.  I’m actually enjoying learning all the fundamentals of being part of a thrilling TV show. It’s just fun to be part of it ALL!

AL: What is it like working with such a great cast?
JB: It’s AMAZING! I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing cast. I am learning so much from everyone I’m working with on set.  They are all wonderful actors, this is a great experience. I feel so lucky to be part of this show. We are becoming a “BIG” family!

AL: What is the most difficult part of your role?
JB: Adelaide is a complex character, but the most difficult part of playing Adelaide is learning how to portray someone who isn’t always viewed acceptable to her mother and society. This is a new challenge for me.

AL: Do you have a favorite episode thus far?
JB: For sure, it was the “Halloween, Part 1” Episode.  It has a lot of great intense scenes.  Plus, It was especially exciting because I got to do my first stunts in that episode.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects?
JB: My agents are always looking for new material, but for right now my top priority is with “American Horror Story”. I hope to work in this exciting industry for a very long time. I really enjoy acting!

Evan Peters plays the role of Tate on the FX series “American Horror Story”. Evan has also appeared in several other television series and film. Media Mikes had a chance to speak with Evan recently about his role on the show.

Adam Lawton: Can you tell us about your character Tate on the show?
Evan Peters: Tate is a little psychotic and he has started seeing Ben played by Dylan McDermott’s for psycho analysis in an effort to cure the demons inside him. At the same time Ben’s daughter catches his eye and Tate takes a liking to her.

AL: How did you become involved with “American Horror Story”?
EP: I was lucky enough to be able to go in a read for the role after sending a tape in. I went through the whole casting process and am very grateful for how it turned out.

AL: Overall how have things been going on the show?
EP: Really good! I have been able to work with such an amazing cast. The subject matter of the show is very heavy and to be able to work with great people like Dylan and Taissa Farminga who has been fantastic.

AL: Were you a fan of the horror genre prior to taking the role?
EP: I always liked horror movies but they did scare the hell out of me. I was a little stressed out at the begging of shooting but it has turned out to be really fun. To be behind the whole process of staging the scares and how they are set up has been really cool.

AL: Do you have a favorite episode that has been shot so far?
EP: I think it was the one where you find out Tate’s back story. There was a lot of technical stuff in that episode. Our director was great and the shoot was really fun.

AL: How soon do you receive the scripts prior to shooting?
EP: They like to keep everything a mystery. At this point we get the scripts the night before we start shooting. I’m sure they have everything all planned but for some reason they keep us in the dark. (Laughs)

AL: Are you currently still shooting?
EP: Yes. We are going to be shooting till about December 4th. We have been working Saturday’s as time has been cut pretty close to finish each episode. The work is worth it and each director has taken their time and put their mark on the episodes.

AL: Has it been hard working with so many different directors?
EP: Yes. Every episode has a new director and by the end of shooting I really like working with that director. Then we start a new episode with a different director and I have to start all over again building a relationship.

AL: Do you have any other upcoming projects?
EP: Working on this series has opened a few doors for me. I think I want to branch off and do something a little less dark. I would love to do something funny and light.

Charlie Saxton is known best for his role of Damon in HBO’s hit show “Hung”, along side Thomas Jane.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Charlie about the shows new season and what we can expect.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background about playing the role of Damon on “Hung”?
Charlie Saxton: It’s been a lot of fun. Like a lot of teenager around American Damon is going through this awkward faze where he is constantly changing himself and his image. He really is just trying to find out who he is. This season Damon has started a band with his sister which is really cool I think. They play a wide genre of music ranging from punk to ballads.

MG: How do you feel your preparation for the character has changed since starting with the show in 2009?
CS: There isn’t too much preparation as I see a little bit of Damon in myself. There are things that I find hard to express much like the character. For the most part I get to throw on some similar clothing from the previous seasons and just be the nice loving son.

MG: What has it been like working with Thomas Jane?
CS: Thomas is unpredictable, intense and fun. There is never a dull moment on set. You can always count on Thomas to bring the energy back up if we are having a slow or dull day.

MG: What else can you tell us about this season of “Hung”?
CS: The theme for this season is the two businesses colliding. There are now two pairs of ho’s and pimps. Basically it’s all about the battle between the two.

MG: Can you tell us about the film “I Am Ben” which you are producing?
CS: That was a film some friends and I shot last year. We are in post production right now and the film has been completely DIY. We raised all the money on our own. It’s come along really well. The film is about a writer trying to come up with a master piece but he just can’t come up with anything which is driving him crazy. I play his roommate who is trying to get him out and meet people. Eventually the guy starts seeing imaginary people which kicks off a love triangle between him an imaginary girl and a real girl. It’s kind of an indie comedy. We hope to have if finished pretty soon.

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C. Martin Croker is an animator and voice actor on various Adult Swim programs like “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” & “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with C. Martin about his work with Adult Swim.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved voicing both Dr. Weird / Steve for “Aqua Teen Hunger Force”?
C. Martin Croker: I had done both Zorak and Moltar for “SGC2C”, so I’m sort of used to doing characters that converse together. I had worked on the first go-round of design and animation for ATHF, but when the call came for additional design work (which wound up being Dr. Weird and Steve) I was busy with another project. Matt Jenkins and I had split all the original designs for the show up to that point and since the designing of the two scientist characters went to him, they very democratically threw the voicing of those characters to me. When I initially came in to record Dr. Weird, Dave and Matt had me to try like a Paul Frees/Haunted Mansion type voice. They kept saying, louder LOUDER until it morphed into my “the-band-is-playing-but-I-want-the–bartender-to-hear-me ¬voice”, voice. Steve is totally in that Daws Butler / Mr. Jinx vein, but a bit more subdued.

MG: Did you have an improv control when it came to some of your classic lines?
CMC: Har! What classic lines are you referring to? Usually when I record v/o for any given [adult swim] show I’ll read the line as written three or four ways, then do some variations. About half the time the supervising producer (who might also be the writer) will ask me for my own take or if I have any other ideas for what the character might say in that situation. Most of the time I never knew what they chose until the animation for that episode was in place… Sometimes I didn’t know until the episode actually aired.

MG: Besides voicing characters, you also have worked as Cel Animator for the show; tell us about that?
CMC: If we’re talking about Aqua Teen, I got a call from Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro, two of the writers from Space Ghost Coast to Coast, who wanted me to meet with them and talk about a new project. Matt mentioned that they were the human-sized food items he and Dave had pitched as a Space Ghost Coast to Coast episode a season earlier (I had been the directing animator on SGC2C Coast so I’d been working with Matt and Dave for a few years at this point). On a rainy Sunday in 1999 we met at “The Highland Tap”, an underground watering hole in Atlanta and we began to hash out some ideas. A fair amount of what we came up with that day stuck. Within a couple of weeks Matt Jenkins (who had assisted me previously on SGC2C)had done some takes on the main three “Aqua Teen” characters and that helped solidify the look. When we divvyed up the main characters for animation the first go round, Matt wound up animating Shake, The Rabbot and Carl (who he designed) and I did Frylock, Meatwad and the ever-lovin’ Danger Cart. Matt, as I said, designed Dr. Weird and Steve in a second go-round that my schedule didn’t allow me to participate in. So, I think voicing them instead, wound up being my consolation prize (which I accepted with Daffy Duck-esque glee). Since then, I’ve designed and animated all manner of additional animation of the main characters for the show and tons of new ones including; Mothmonsterman, M.C.PeePants (all versions but the cow), Paul, Tera Patrick, the 100 Monster, the Pod creature, The Robot Babysitter, Everywhere Robots, the Bayou Boo-ya, some Bats, Vampires, Bears, and… a bunch of other stuff I forget.

MG: Why did they stop those openings back in 2003 and how does it feel to have them back now for season 9?
CMC: They (Dave and Matt) just felt like they wanted to try something different with Spacecataz. And [The Dr. Weird and Steve opens] were only back for like one episode… but it was still nice to see ‘em again.

MG: You were Animation Director and Lead Animator for the “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” film, what was your biggest challenge compared to working on the TV series?
CMC: It was about seven times the work to begin with… And obviously the animation needed to be a bit tighter and more detailed for the big screen. For any given ATHF episode in addition to designs and animation I provided I usually scanned and painted my own cels and loaded them into after effects before delivery to Williams street. In the case of the movie, I actually drove the stacks of animation cels and exposure sheets over to Radical Axis (The Atlanta production house that puts the show together) so that all the elements for the film would be executed with the same scan and paint system. It ultimately equaled a lot less work for me… but I had a lot less control of how the stuff I had animated looked onscreen.

MG: Out of all the great characters you play, Moltar/Zorak/Dr. Weird/Steve do you have a favorite?
CMC: Zorak’s the obvious choice here. He’s like Don Rickles but more sardonic. I would hope he has a fifth of Don’s longetivity.

MG: How did you find the voice for characters like Zorak and Dr. Weird? What is your process?
CMC: I had put Zorak and Moltar in the original show pitch to play the “imprisoned foes” angle and give the show some ongoing internal conflict. Zorak was originally done by legendary voice-over master Don Messick. When Don wasn’t available to do Zorak for this incarnation the role was up for grabs. Horrified that basically someone awful would get the part I stepped up to the plate. Zorak had been my favorite SG villain since I was a kid and I had actually recorded a Zorak message on my answering machine, so I’d been playing around with that type voice for awhile. Soon as I blurted out my impromptu audition for Mike Lazzo and Company, they said “Okay… You’re Zorak. That solves that problem”. It was really about that fast. Andy Merrill was slated to do Moltar’s voice as sort a a Hillbilly version of what became Brak’s voice, but just a couple of weeks before air they decided that wasn’t working and had me come in and redo his tracks with what started off as being a Ted Cassidy-type voice and quickly morphed into modern Moltar.

MG: Which did you prefer working on more “The Brak Show” or “Space Ghost: Coast to Coast”?
CMC: I enjoyed both immensely , but for different reasons. It’s a tough call but Moltar would be pissed if I didn’t say “SGC2C”.

Jay Edwards is currently editor and producer of the television series “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” on Adult Swim. Jay also served as supervising editor and producer on the feature film “Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters.” Outside of Adult Swim, Jay also wrote, produced, directed and edited “Stomp! Shout! Scream!” a beach party rock and roll monster movie.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Jay about working on “Aqua Teen” and also his live-action work.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with “Aqua Teen” and Adult Swim?
Jay Edwards: I went to college at Auburn University. I majored in Public Relations because I wasn’t really a “business” guy and I wasn’t really an “engineering” guy, which is really all that’s there at Auburn! And I went in one Sunday morning and I took an editing class. That first day I edited for twelve hours straight. I forgot to eat. I forgot to pee. Time just disappeared. So the next day I changed my major to communications and decided I should be an editor for a living. And I’ve been doing it ever since. When I graduated in 1991 I came to Atlanta and got a job with a small post-production house. I was the gopher. I picked up a lot of lunches. I made a lot of dubs. And while I was there I trained on the first non-linear editor that was becoming the standard in post production. So I learned that system and became sort of the “night manager” guy. I would load the footage into the computer overnight for the next days editing sessions. And after doing that…doing a little bit of everything…for three and a half years I got a job at Turner Broadcasting. They had two editing suites but they really didn’t know how to manage them. So I came in and got them cleaned up and organized and started editing full time. And within about a year “Space Ghost From Coast to Coast” was in production and they were looking for editors. I thought I was getting on the bandwagon really late but I ended up editing episode seventeen or eighteen with Carrot Top, which was pretty early in the run. That was the first episode I edited. It was a really difficult show to edit. Number one, you’re trying to tell this really weird, timed, broad comedy. Technically it’s a really difficult show to put together. They do the interview first and someone pretends to be Space Ghost. Then they transcribe the interview and intentionally rewrite all of the questions for comedic effect. You’re trying to edit based on the voice over by George Lowe, who’s the voice of Space Ghost and this kind of finite interview. You’re trying to make it sound like a natural conversation and there’s nothing natural about it. You have to have comedic timing but it’s also very complicated. The background of “Space Ghost” are composites on top of one another. So we animate Space Ghost by using a series of two frame edits…back to back to back to back. Technically it’s very complicated but for some reason I was able to do it and I stuck around. We burned through a lot of editors that tried and didn’t want to do it…it was too hard of work for them…or they weren’t right. But I stuck around and over the next four or five years I edited over thirty “Space Ghost” episodes. Then in 2000, when Adult Swim was just an idea, Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro were creating a new show…kind of a spin off based on an unused “Space Ghost” script. At the time it was called “Master Shake.” But we ended up changing the title because the Cartoon Network had a show called “Master Flake,” a show about the world of cereal mascots. So “Master Shake” became “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” I left my staff job at Turner and started editing the pilot for “Aqua Teen.” That was the summer of 2000. Nobody thought it was a good idea. “You’re leaving this really cushy good job to go do WHAT?” (laughs) But it worked out. I went free lance haven’t looked back. I’ve been full time free lance for nearly eleven years now. I do work in different departments. I edit and produce “Aqua Teen” but I also produce extra content for the DVDs. I stay free lance so I can do as much work as I can. If I was on staff I wouldn’t be able to do that. And we’re still going. The show is entering season eleven and a DVD, volume eight, comes out in the fall. It’s a two disc set. One disc is “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” – Final Season and the other disc is “Aqua Unit Patrol Squad” – Season One.

MG: Is there a different feeling working on this season with the new title or do things feel the same?
JE: It’s exactly the same. The only thing that’s different are the opening credits. The credits are different but the show itself is written and produced exactly the same.

MG: I spoke with Dave Willis and he told me you guys were thinking of possibly changing the credits again?
JE: I wouldn’t be surprised. (laughed) Yes, we’re been green-lit for another ten-twelve episodes for 2012. And please note this: “I AM JAY EDWARDS…FREE LANCER. I AM NOT SPEAKING FOR CARTOON NETWORK IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.” It’s not that it’s off the record, I’m just not speaking as a representative for Cartoon Network or Time Warner. (laughs)

MG: Your primary focus on the show has been producing and editing. Do you find one more difficult then the other?
JE: That’s interesting. I get a producer credit but I mainly just edit the show. But the show has been going on for so long. And Dave and Matt trusted me in the beginning. They write the scripts and do the voice overs. Writing the script is the hardest part in the whole process. I don’t want to belittle that but I’m not involved so I can’t talk about what is involved. But that is usually the hardest part and I want to give them all of the credit in the world. But after they write the scripts, all of the voice characters are recorded separately. So I might get eight or ten or fifteen reads of every line in the script. Plus they take a lot of different detours between what they come up with in the script because they also do a lot of the voices themselves. Then they had it to me and I go to work for two weeks. Two weeks later they come back and want to see something put together. So they hired me and they use me because I think they’re funny and I get what they’re going for. The scripts are pretty loose. They might read: INTERIOR – AQUA TEEN HOUSE and then have three pages of dialogue. Not a lot of scene descriptions. So I either have to give them some busy work or pull out of the dialogue and ad-libs what the action is that they’re doing and try to come up with a visual that isn’t too complicated and can be done on our limited budget and time but also isn’t so static that it’s visually boring. So that’s my job…to take the first path to directing the show essentially. Dave and Matt actually direct it…they give notes and it becomes their vision of what the show should be. But I get first crack at it. So that’s really where I get my producer credit. I keep the machine moving.

MG: You also worked on the “Aqua Teen” feature film. Was that a different experience for you?
JE: During that process we had to go from Standard Definition to High Definition to get it on to film and make it look good. So we essentially had to recreate all of the elements. Getting all of the backgrounds redrawn…characters essentially redrawn and re-scanned to an HD resolution. Just doing that was it’s own process. Then we had to figure out how to get it from inside a computer to film that could be distributed to theatres. We basically made an HD master and then transferred that to film. There are all kinds of variables about what kind of film stock you can use based on what kind of look you want. It gets really, really complicated. Showing a film in a theatre is really a part of 100 year old technology. It’s all chemical and analog as opposed to digital. That was complicated. There was also the storytelling…telling a story that was much longer then twelve minutes. I actually worked on the “Aqua Teen” movie pretty much full time, if not overtime, for two and a half years. And at the same time, currently, I produced and directed “Stomp! Shout! Scream!” and it premiered. Personally, I got divorced. It was a really stressful period of my life. My body fell apart. I’m super proud. I think that this past season of “Aqua Teen” was awesome. But I think the “Aqua Teen” movie was one of the best things I’ve ever done.

MG: Do you think you guys will do another “Aqua Teen” feature?
JE: I don’t think they would ever let us do another one (laughs). We would do another movie in a heartbeat! We think it’s a no brainer money maker to do another one! But it was pretty clear going through that painful process…we didn’t know how to distribute it to movie theatres…we didn’t know anything about that. We were all on a very steep learning curve. As soon as it was in theatres it was decided that we are a television company not a movie company. We know how to make television shows. I think it was a good experience for everybody to go through. The movie made money. Not a lot but it was definitely in the black. Especially when you consider DVD sales. I think the “Venture Brothers” has a long format project in the works as part of their next season but I don’t know if it’s going to be more then a T V special and a DVD. They may have some select screenings. Who knows how they’ll market it? I don’t think they’ll try to distribute it in theatres.

MG: With the success of “Stomp! Shout! Scream!” do you have any plans to direct in the future?
JE: Of course! That’s what I’ve been working towards ever since I finished “Stomp! Shout! Scream!” It premiered five or six years ago and I’ve been very actively taking it to film festivals…trying to market it and get it seen…trying to get a distribution deal. But that’s like a whole ‘nother full time job. Even after your film premieres you’re only really half way done. It’s been a ton of work. It’s not something that I made because I thought I could make a ton of money off it. It’s something I had to do. I was able to make the movie I wanted to make based upon my abilities of the time. I’m very proud of it. I know it’s proud but I’m really proud of it. The film did get a distribution deal about two and half years ago by a group called Indican Pictures. Because it was an older title they re-branded it and gave it a new title. It’s available on Netflix and, supposedly, big box stores as “Monster Beach Party A Go-Go.” Indican didn’t do a whole lot to market it, and I was so out of energy that I didn’t do much either. I’m hoping to move on to my next screenplay that I’ve been working on for a while. It’s set in the early 1960s. It’s about a late night horror host. You get to see a lot of his on air bits as well as bits and pieces of the movies that he shows. But instead of licensing old clips I wrote original movie titles and the scenes that the audience will see I’ve actually started production on the film this year. I went out and shot all of those “B” movie scenes. It was super fun. I spent five days in the studio and shot fifteen scenes from fifteen different movies. In five days. I had miniatures. Sets. Night exteriors Ed Wood style…we literally had three lights and seventeen potted plants. It was a lot of fun. A producer friend of mine helped me put it together. The crew I had was incredible. I’m really excited about putting that stuff together. The script needs one more revision. That was going to be my summer but I’m a little behind on that. So I’m putting the script together with those “B” movie horror scenes. The late night horror host is kind of an endearing ass hole. Everybody loves him. Because back in the 60s shows like that were super rebellious. They would talk honestly. It was like Adult Swim. It talks plainly and honestly to their viewers, which was very rebellious at the time. I’ve already cast Dana Snyder, the voice of Master Shake, as the host. Because nobody mines the comedy of the ass hole more then Dana. In real life he’s one of my best friends. One of the nicest guys I know. The movie’s title is “The VanderGhoul Twist.” It’s got its own pop song, which is a version of “The Twist” but you dance with knives. The song is called “The VanderGhoul Chop!” My plan is to shoot Dana Snyder as VanderGhoul and put it together with the “B” movie stuff and try to raise money to get the script made. Hopefully that will happen this year.

Cory Almeida is the host of the TV series “Pictureka”.  He has worked with shows like “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent”.  Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Cory about “Pictureka” and what else he is currently working on.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you initially get into the entertainment business?
Cory Almeida: I went to school in Boston and came out to Los Angeles to become an actor. I ended up being a Hip/Hop dancer for a few years. Anyone who knows or studies the business knows that all big actors got their break doing the same thing. Pitt, DeNiro they were all Hip/Hop dancers. (Laughs) Music has always been a big part of my life. I was an on air DJ at a station in Boston. I was doing a little bit of acting here and there and, one day went to my agent and said I didn’t want to do it anymore. All I wanted to do was host. I started out hosting a show about ten years ago called “The Hi-Fi Room”. We got to shoot with a ton of really great artists. The production team for that show split up and some of them ended up going to work on “American Idol”. About two season in they were putting together a holiday special and they needed someone to keep the crowd going between acts. One of the guys on the production team mentioned my name. I went in for the holiday show and everyone had a blast! After that they asked me if I would be interested in doing the same thing for season 3. I have been there ever since. Once I did “American Idol” all the other shows saw me and wanted me for their shows. It’s been great! For the past 8 years I have been super steady doing the warm up thing. Now I am making the transition back to hosting.

MG: How did the show “Pictureka” come about?
CA: “Pictureka” came about by one of the producers of the show seeing me at a “Dancing with the Stars” taping. They told me that the chances of anything happening with the show were pretty slim but, would I be willing to jump on board. I was happy to help them out. On April fool’s day they called and told me the show got picked up for 65 episodes and they wanted me to host it. We both thought it was either the best or worst April fool’s joke however the show was really good to go. The show actually got nominated for a day time Emmy. Things are going really great. It’s a hustle but I am really enjoying it.

MG: What has been one of your biggest challenges on “Pictureka”?
CA: There are a lot. That show is like being the ring leader of a six ring circus. You have to balance all these different aspects. Everything is done live and on the fly. It is literally the craziest boot camp for television hosts. I have no problem jumping on a show like “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” where I am just prompting artists. I have a lot of fun being at the helm of that show.

MG: What has been the best/hardest part of being the host of the show?
CA: The hardest part for me is that I really route for these guys! I love giving away the networks money. You want the players to win. The best reaction is when you flip that card and the contestants get the right answer and win a prize. It’s just an awesome moment. I love working with the kids and their families.

MG: What other upcoming projects do you have going on?
CA: Right now we are on hold with “Pictureka” as the response for the show has been so overwhelming that the show is being aired twice a day. The producers are trying to figure out what will be the best move for the show. It’s been great though because while we are on hold I have been able to take off and go do some cool things. I shot a pilot in Hong Kong with the producers of “The Bizarre Food Show”. This show is a twist on that as it will be based around comfort food from around the world. In Hong Kong they eat things like pig intestines as comfort food. The stinky tofu was probably the worst. I seriously thought I was going to throw up.

Russell Hornsby is co-starring in NBC’s new series “Grimm”. Russell is playing David Giuntoli’s partner in the show. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Russell about the new show and what we can expect from his character this season.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background on how you got involved with “Grimm”?
Russell Hornsby: I auditioned for the role during pilot season. There were about twenty scripts that I auditioned for during that time. There were about five of those roles that I really wanted and “Grimm” happened to be one of them. I loved the concept of the show as well as the characters. I also felt there was a lot of room for my character to grow. I felt the idea of the show was something the fans could really take to.

MG: How has it been working alongside David Giuntoli?
RH: I am the guy who is in the real world. David and I are just partners working together to solve crimes. For my character it’s a real procedural world. I look at David’s character and realize he is special but I have no idea of the powers he has.

MG: Are we going to see your character Hank get involved with the supernatural side?
RH: I think possibly indirectly. I feel for the show to be believable we have to believe Hank is really entrenched in his job and has no clue about what David’s character is going through.  I also think that’s the hard part for the writers. The questions is: “How do you create that and keep both of our characters on separate sides of the line?”

MG: What can we expect from season 1?
RH: I think we can expect seeing that this world has criminals obviously. However they have this alter ego. It’s kind of like the arcade video game “Altered Beast”. These people can change into all these different creatures but what it is at its core is it’s the human condition. We are both good and bad. David’s character is able to see people for who they really are.

MG: How has the production process been for you so far?
RH: It’s been difficult. There have been a lot of long hours. We are sometimes shooting 14-15 hrs a day. But the reality of it is don’t get into the game if you don’t want to play. We are here to work and put the best product on the screen. The most important thing is that we got what is needed and it looks good.

MG: Do you have a favorite episode that you have shot so far?
RH: They all are special. I think we are delving into a world and genre that people haven’t seen. The show is going to be suspenseful. I think each show gets better and better.

MG: How many episodes have you shot thus far?
RH: We have shot seven episodes so far and I go in tonight to shoot our 8^th.

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