At The Elephants with Rob Morris

Had a wonderful chat meeting and diving into the mind of Grey Grant. Gotta love that alliteration. They're an alliteration Girlie. Enjoy. Grey Grant, a composer and performer, discusses their journey as a trans non-binary person and their passion for music and theater. They talk about how they chose their name and their experiences in the music and theater industry. They also touch on the importance of discussing and destigmatizing death and grief. Grey Grant's journey has involved exploring different gender identities and finding their place in the arts as a composer and performer. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Origin of Grey Grant 17:14 Destigmatizing Death and Grief 32:21 Gender Identity and Vocal Training 43:12 Evolution of Language and Gender Identity

Ivan Potter-Smith is back! we had the best conversation about Artificial Intelligence and the ways we think it will and has already effected art. GPT, Sora, free coloring books, 3d printing. It is all HERE! Enjoy. The conversation explores the impact of AI and 3D printing on the art industry. It discusses how AI is already replacing certain jobs in the art world, such as logo design, and how it may eventually affect other areas of visual creativity. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations of AI in art creation and the need for responsible implementation. The parallel story of the evolution of the automotive repair industry is shared to highlight the inevitability of change and the need to adapt. The conversation explores the ethical and practical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the art industry. The hosts discuss the impact of AI on artists' livelihoods, the potential loss of unique and expressive art, and the role of AI in creative processes. They also touch on the challenges faced by artists in a rapidly changing technological landscape and the importance of community and connection in the art world. The conversation highlights the need for artists to adapt and find new opportunities in the face of automation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 06:37 The Accessibility and Future of 3D Printing 13:35 The Effect of AI on the Art Industry 32:06 Adapting to Change and Finding New Opportunities 41:42 The Importance of Community and Connection in the Art World 49:45 Exploring the Future of Art and AI 59:10 Balancing Automation and Human Creativity in the Art Industry

It is INTERNATIONAL WEEK on AtE! PART 2

All the way from the Windy City of India! Ojas Jain shares insight into the Bollywood scene in Mumbai as he walks us through his choice not to join the family business but instead to study and pursue filmmaking education in America. How does that happen and why is he not in Los Angeles? Find out and you know it: Enjoy.

It is INTERNATIONAL WEEK on AtE! PART 1

Lighting majors unite! We covered the globe-trotting travels of Ms. Yuko Taniguchi from Japan across the sea, back, across the sea, AGAIN. The specific journey to lighting through a need for community and so much more. Enjoy.

Samantha in the house! Don't miss this great chat about the swing from Musical Theater to Opera to Editing! Enjoy.

Samantha Richardson shares her background and experiences growing up in a fractured family. She discusses the dynamics of her parents' divorces and remarriages, as well as her relationship with her sister. Samantha reflects on the different coping mechanisms she and her sister developed in response to their family situation. She also talks about her passion for singing and her early decision to attend the UNC School of the Arts. The conversation explores the impact of family dynamics on personal identity and the importance of recognizing and valuing individuality. In this conversation, the guest discusses their journey through childhood trauma, their experience at UNCSA, and their current work in post-production in TV. They talk about the importance of acknowledging and embracing their comedic skills and the impact of their supportive parents. They also touch on the challenges of financing their education and the need for more financial assistance for students. The guest shares their passion for exploring different interests and their desire to work in producing. They mention their recent work on the TV show Fargo and the impact of the writer's strike on the industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

16:14 Sibling Rivalry and College Choices

36:46 The Influence of Supportive Parents

43:18 The Financial Burden of Education

49:45 Exploring Multiple Interests and Passions

Grant West discusses his background and journey into the film industry. He talks about growing up in North Carolina, his passion for making videos with friends, and his decision to pursue film in college. Initially interested in producing, he later discovered a love for design and directing. Grant also shares his thoughts on the role of a director and the importance of collaboration on a film set. Grant reflects on his experience at the School of the Arts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, he adapted well to the industry standards and had a positive outlook. He emphasized the importance of both hard work and enjoying the social aspects of the school. Grant also discussed the pressure and workload at the school, noting that some students thrived under it while others struggled. Overall, he had a great time and learned a lot from his colleagues and experiences.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:11 Thoughts on the Future and Planning

25:49 Transitioning to Directing

32:30 Adapting to Industry Standards

44:21 The Pressure and Workload at the School

51:55 Balancing Work and Play

01:02:33 Individual Experiences at the School

What a wonderful artist Ivan Potter-Smith is. Starting in the mountains of Asheville, we work our way to Winston-Salem where we find a quick chat with a visual artist that started passionate about comic books and landed painting scenes. Now he does all kinds of things and he feels great about that. Shouldn't we all. Enjoy.

The happiest of New Years to you all! Please enjoy this holiday compilation compiled by Rob and Steven--and that's not even the best part! This is only part 1! Faith and Religion are often the roots for people who catapult into the intense study of art available at a conservatory like UNCSA. Sometimes we depart that faith and sometimes we embrace it. Six pickles reflect. MICHAEL JOHNSON - https://youtu.be/iJGfW4rYYRw BRANDON TYLER HARRIS - https://youtu.be/tUcrC-axbsg ********** PART II - https://youtu.be/fniBnPBOw3I KATHARINE LUCIC (ELKINGTON) - https://youtu.be/VjmamsqExlE BENTON GUINNESS - https://youtu.be/RDS3sRuyESc SARA SEGER - https://youtu.be/Hx6362XHb_0 KIRA GEIGER - https://youtu.be/lkD4vzOvCS8

Russian live from Turkey! Roza and I had a wonderful chat over a not-so-wonderful internet connection that touched on the immigrant experience, the good places to play tennis, the magic of language and the right ways to educate (spoiler: there is no right way). Don't miss it!

The beautiful and talented Roxy Peykamian is on the show today talking about the lifelong aspiration of documentary filmmaking, the realization of the pausing of that dream AFTER achieving it for reasons that will surprise you, her Persian North Carolina roots, why she's being working in the wardrobe department and more. Don't miss it!

Nicholas is an impressive fellow. I can say that confidently after chatting with him on this episode. Somehow we never met before but we had a wonderful chat about the path of the dancer, working with family, the love of music as a tool, and not to mention this dude has got mad hats. Like you don't even know. Don't miss it!

The wonderful Trent Spivey is here everyone! Long Time Listener, First Time Caller (LTLFTC); we had the best conversation about the work he's doing now in VR. Specifically, helping to record immersive experience with terminal family remembers. Sounds like Black Mirror right? I thought so too. We get into it and so much more don't miss it!

10 quick brilliant minutes from Marcus Bridgewater on how to help others help themselves and why greed prevails.

FROM FULL EPISODE: "MARCUS BRIDGEWATER"

Very recent graduate Charlie Herndon in my living room to talk about how we're shaped by education and what that really means to each of us. We also talk about how Family Guy is still watchable and plenty more. Don't miss it!

Nine years and three deans apart in Drama Directing--today on AtE the lovely Marina from Brazil is here to dish on how things have changed in our shared major, the journey as an international student, the dreaded visa process and (my favorite) the sensibilities of Gen Z and the differences in language in culture looking at America from the outside-in. Don't miss it!

Shot AT THE ELEPHANTS WITH ROB MORRIS, this mini-episode contains some wonderful chats with Golden Pickles (50 years out) from (U)NCSA.

David Parker, Joyce Actor & Margaret Holtz share their stories of how they ended up at this brand new thing called the North Carolina School of the Arts in the 1969 Summer of Love. David and Margaret shared that of course at that time, schools were not integrated where they were educated but thanks to the North Carolina Black Theater Festival, they met one Lesley Hunt and that was that. All this and more on At The Elephants this week don't miss it!

UNCSA had its first ever homecoming! But there's no sports game right? What once was PICKLESTOCK is reinvented! What did it consist of? Who was there? How could it be better? All this and more this week on At The Elephants! Don't miss it!

Stay tuned for chats with some Golden Pickles (50 years out) recorded AT THE ACTUAL ELEPHANTS! Are ya kidding me? No I am not. Coming soon on AtE. Don't miss it!

Finally got the band leader on the talk show as a guest after many years. For those that don't know, Daniel is the composer and performer of At The Elephants music (both intro and outro were borrowed from his album PUNK PHILOSOPHY). We get into the story of how the music got on the podcast and even better why it was written! What makes a musical sound like Disney? How do we save the American Musical? All this is so much more on AtE! Don't miss it!

The boys are back in the closet! Brandon is back At The Elephants continuing the deep dive with Rob about how two best friends have had such different journeys.

We got a double dancer! That's right HS and Undergrad for Sofia from Brazil. We got into the on-campus life of an international student and really dug into the experience of traveling to the states to do the art. Also a big fan of the "was this too much for you at that age" conversation. For Sophia, well you go watch and listen and she can tell you. Don't miss it!

James Carey joins us LIVE (not really) from Capitol Hill! We got into his transition from management of stages to managing events in our nations diplomatic epicenter! Love takes us in all sorts of directions and Mr. Carey shows us that today on AT. THE. ELEPHANTS! Don't miss it.

I absolutely ADORE Sara Seger and so should you. Sara is one of the first pickles I met in my entire School of the Arts journey. OG. Listen to us catch up and talk RIOULT, the rare 4-year High School NCSA experience, dance as a lifetime career and so much more. Don't miss it!

The one and only Brentwood Slim! Mr. Wayne Bennett is in the house or at least in a house and let me tell ya, this is a great episode. We talk drumming, hip-hop, being the only black man in his drama class, Jacksonville, and so much more. Don't miss it!

Michael Johnson, the newest addition to the At The Elephants team, is on the show this week to share his story. It is a good one: Oregon, the church, mom's motorcycle accident, drinking, not drinking, discipline and a frank conversation about the benefits and downfalls of conservatory intensity. Don't miss this one because it is good.

Another ex-roommate and current genius: Graham Bowlin, that's right Bo Duggin himself is here to charm and amuse as always. We talk horror, film dreams, country song writing, novels, love, magic, and dirty bathrooms. Don't miss it!

What a wonderful time I had welcoming back Steve Coulter to At The Elephants! You may recognize the name from a few places. Steve joined us for the #BENT2020 series we did when his lovely daughter Emma directed him right before the pandemic. Emma returned to the podcast for a full length episode this year and now Steve is back and it does not disappoint.

We discussed growing up in South America, A Time to Kill, The Klan, disappointment, almost quitting, drive and motivation, scary movies, She-Hulk and so much more. A personal favorite, don't miss it!

Jessica Moretti is delightful. We had a wonderful chat about the path through design and animation. Self discovery and the autism spectrum. I love getting to know people I barely met years ago. This is one of those and it is lovely. Don't miss it. Jessica is an Art Director and Set Designer out of Portland, Oregon with a passion for theatre, film, and large-scale installations. While currently working in experiential event design, she also recently served as Assistant Art Director on the Henry Selick-directed, Jordan Peele - produced stopmotion feature Wendell & Wild with Netflix Animation. She designed sets for Guillermo Del Toro's feature film Pinocchio with Shadowmachine (2019-2021) and for Laika Animation Studio's feature film Missing Link in 2016. https://www.linktr.ee/jmorettidesign www.instagram.com/attheelephants www.instagram.com/robmorrisyo www.instagram.com/specialcrowfriend

Kacie Brown-Gagnon is on the show this week and you're in luck because she is absolutely lovely. We talk going to school while being older, being part of a very close class, letting go what you are supposed to be and so much more. Don't miss it!

www.instagram.com/attheelephants www.instagram.com/robmorrisyo www.instagram.com/notcryptokaciebrown21

Dev Ready is in the house and you aren't ready. No regrets on that pun by the way. We are over the place on this one but more than anything we see Dev's journey from walking to school to walking on stage doing comedy. It's quite the ride and we had a lot of laughs. Don't miss it!

Another stranger, another friend. So thrilled to share this chat with the great Briana Venskus-Vazquez (AGENTS OF SHEILD, THE WALKING DEAD, ACTRESSWITHAPODCAST) who spent more than her share of time in The Triad but only hit NCSA for high school. Then CalArts brought her to California and before you know it: she was a PA! We talk the humble beginnings of background acting and getting in that union. She’s your favorite TV bad bish—Don’t miss it!!

www.instagram.com/attheelephants www.instagram.com/robmorrisyo www.instagram.com/houseofvenskus

The great and wise MARCUS BRIDGEWATER joins us today to drop consistent knowledge and wisdom for 42 straight minutes. This is one of my favorite episodes of AtE EVER! I mean it. Not since Bob Francesconi do I remember such wisdom being so succinctly delivered. I had no idea what I was getting into. Don't miss it! Marcus Bridgewater is known for his multifaceted roles as a CEO, creator, gardener and influencer. In 2018, he founded Choice Forward LLC, a wellness company aimed at empowering individuals and fostering stronger communities through workshops, presentations, and life coaching. Inspired by a former mentee, Marcus ventured into the world of online content creation in December 2019, sharing videos that conveyed his message of kindness, patience, and positivity. In 2021, Marcus published his debut book, "HOW TO GROW: NURTURE YOUR GARDEN, NURTURE YOURSELF," which became widely available on May 24, 2022.

https://www.gardenmarcus.com www.instagram.com/attheelephants www.instagram.com/robmorrisyo www.instagram.com/garden_marcus Twitter: @gardenmarcus TikTok: @gardenmarcus YouTube: @choiceforward

Brandon is back and we are talking acting acting acting, but first: Bartending! What happens when you reach your dream and re-evaluate it? What happens when you get your shot and you oversold how ready you are? How about when you are sure that your shot has arrived and it turns out to be one of the worst things you've ever been a part of? Where does one go from there? Find out today! Don't miss it.

City boy, playwright, actor, educator. The great Matthew Jellison joins us today for AtE and I ATE up this chance to catch up with my old buddy Jelli. We talk Hell's Kitchen roots and the path of one born to acting parents. How writing and acting have played off of each other and how all of that led to his work in education teach kids how to tell stories. It warms the heart like all things Jellison. Take this one like a salve to soul, don't miss it.

What a delightful time was had getting to know Ms. Katharine Lucic (Elkington)! The vulnerability she shared with me about her journey to where she is now is not something taken lightly. Pregnant with her second child and focused on building a very new life, Katharine shared her before-school story that led her to NCSA and the eight-year stint of auditions that didn't yield what she expected. This is a good one folks, listen to two people become friends before your very ears. Don't miss it!

www.instagram.com/attheelephants www.instagram.com/robmorrisyo www.instagram.com/wanabk

What a ride this episode is. I had never met or spoken to Chloe, never heard her name or her story in the slightest before we recorded this episode. WOW am I glad that all changed and I hope you enjoy this incredible story which I assure is merely episode one of Chloe's tale. We follow her across the country dancing from Hudson Valley to Staten Island, P.P.A.S, Alvin Ailey, her father's secret first family, the journey from daughter of a Mad Man to a new age Mad Woman--this is not one you want to miss. So don't. www.instagram.com/attheelephants www.instagram.com/robmorrisyo

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