Intro
Welcome to Alison's Wonderland. I'm your host, Alison Packard. Join us as we journey through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole into the wild and wonderful world of animation and video games.
Hey, do a girl a favor and please subscribe to this podcast and go on iTunes and leave us a good review. If you like the show, please help spread the word it really helps us to get heard by more people. Thanks so much.
Alicyn
Hello, happy Wonderland Wednesday. This is Alison's Wonderland, the show that takes you through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole into the wild and wonderful world of animation and video games.
Thank you so much to everyone that's joining in live! Peyton it's good to see you. Skye you're back! Huck! Kate! Good to see your face. Stephen Calli... Hey, kick snare hat! Welcome to the stream. Jonathan. Such a pleasure. Berry. Chris Brown, always glad to see you here. Hunter. You made it to the party. Welcome, welcome. Angus McCloud! What a fantastic name. Thank you for joining us live guys.
I'm very excited for tonight's show. We are going to be hosting this special guest, Sean Ryan Peterson, voice actor and on camera actor as well. Very talented voice actor. You're best known for his role as Valentino on the Cartoon Network show Victor Valentino.
He's also in Sony's Final Fantasy Seven Remake as well as a bunch of other projects. So we're gonna jump right in and get to know him. You have some good news. That's fantastic. Guys, thank you so much to everyone that's tuning in live. It's always so much fun when we can have you guys on live. Canned air! Hey, good to see you. And everybody, welcome Sean Ryan Peterson. We are happy to have him to the stream. So I'm going to go ahead, send him a . And I've already got the fan questions that were entered in before we'll save a few minutes at the end. So welcome, Sean. Happy Wednesday. How are you today?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I'm doing great. How are you?
Alicyn
I'm great. Well, I've got to see your hair. Let me your hair.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh yes, do you like it?
Alicyn
I love it. It's fabulous. When did you - When did you change it up? I hadn't noticed.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh, after I built my home studio. I was like, you know what, actually, I think I'm also gonna do a little self improvement. And I went in, I got my hair dyed red. It's one of my favorite colors then green. But I think red looks better on me. You know?
Alicyn
It looks fantastic on you. It's so funny because I went pink, a little bit of blushy pink this week. So I think you and I are the same wavelength. It's fantastic.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Absolutely. Dyed hair is the best!
Alicyn
I am so glad to have you on the show. And so nice to actually meet you. We've never met in person, but I'm familiar with your work. And it's so great to finally meet you in person.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, I agree. So lovely to meet you. Thank you for having me on.
Alicyn
You're so welcome. So let's just jump right in. I know that your first job was actually acting in a TV promo. And I was kind of just curious. How did that first opportunity come up?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
It was when I first started doing some voiceover I had gone over. You know, I wasn't super familiar. But I always wanted to be a voice on cartoon. So when I got a promo, like, "Oh! A chance to be like in one of those commercials that run rely."
I was like, I really want to be a part of this. That was a lot of fun. It was an interesting process. I don't remember super well, because I was very young. And I was first starting out. But it was interesting hearing myself for the first time. I was... I was eight,
Alicyn
Eight. Okay, sorry. Sorry, eight. Much more mature!
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, so much more mature.
Alicyn
And so sorry to interrupt you.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
And it was just interesting, hearing my voice. I was like, wow, I never heard it before through a microphone. I was like, I'm not talking. But I'm hearing myself. Isn't that crazy? It was just, it blew my mind. My very mature eight year old mind.
Alicyn
And that was just something you you audition for was that someone knew that you wanted to bring it to that and you had to give you the opportunity?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
It was something I did audition for. When I first met my my voiceover agent because the actual voiceover is how I initially wanted to get into the industry. You know, I just got sent out for a bunch of stuff. You know, I was a young kid, young voice. You know, she's like, here's a ton of projects, just audition. And I got that promo.
Alicyn
That's so amazing. So were you surprised? Or were you really thinking, "Hey, this could be my future!"
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I had always wanted it to be my future. When I got into it I'm like, I want to do what some of these people have done for me. People like Tom Kenny and Dee Bradley Baker, they voiced my entire childhood. And they brought me so much joy with the cartoons I watched growing up. So I'm like, I want to do that for other people. And if I do while I'm young, although this was more of an afterthought when I much later love them. Like if I'm young, then maybe I can also inspire people to be like, you know, your age doesn't stop you from pursuing your dreams.
Alicyn
Yes, yes. on both ends of the spectrum, right. You're never too young and you're never too old. Too old words of wisdom, so as you started acting pretty and doing voiceovers pretty young, did any of the cartoons. What were some of your favorite cartoons growing up? You mentioned Tom Kenny and Dee Bradley Baker. Were you...?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh yes. When you say Tom Kenny the first thought that comes to mind is SpongeBob. Dee Bradley Baker did monsters for all of my favorite shows. I especially liked Codename Kids Next Door. I liked Ben 10. I... Chowder was one of my favorites. I had a lot of shows I loved growing up and I just I really only watched cartoons.
Alicyn
Yeah, I was the same. I you know, I would pretend that I was only allowed to watch cartoons because that's how I wanted to. We're like kids, really. Kids that never that will never grow up. And did you play video games as well as?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh, yes. I mean, I waited a little bit later. But my mom and dad they were huge gamers growing up. They both had like Nintendos and N64s. My mom loves Mario, my dad played at arcades whenever he could, and went home console. He's like, "Oh, yeah." And he bought all kinds. It was just, they wanted me to also experience that because games brought them so much joy. So you know, we've all I've grown up playing video games and watching cartoons. That was my entire childhood.
Alicyn
What were some of the games you love?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Most of the games I can really remember fondly are from the first Xbox, not the 360. But the first first Xbox. There was a Star Wars Obi one game. There was also like Pac-Man World 2. It was like one of a couple 3D Pac Man games that was more like a platformer. And less like the 2D maze type. That one was a lot of fun.
But yeah, those are those are two of my favorite games. I actually have a lot of fond memories with one of my first Co Op games, though, was a Halo Three much later on. I played that with my dad and my brother. That was also a lot of fun.
Alicyn
That's amazing. And you grew up right here in Los Angeles or nearby?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Born and raised Cali boy, Los Angeles, California forever.
Alicyn
So you know, obviously you were drawn towards media and TV and video games. Did you have other creative outlets at school? Did you play any sports or enjoy doing any other forms of art?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I played a lot of sports growing up but at the end of the day, I did find myself very enthralled by music. I love listening to music. It calms me down or hypes me up. I have playlists for all kinds of moods and ways of getting into those moods. So I picked up the drums it turned out something I especially loved about music was like the rhythm and the beats the drums behind it. I felt like an epic drumline could inspire me for battle in a D&D session after I you know, I did I love D&D too. That's enough.
Alicyn
Do you play?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I started that later, though, in college. But yeah, music. Music was my other outlet. I like to play the drums loved.
Alicyn
Amazing. Have you ever played in a band or performed live in any kind of form?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yeah, when I was learning how to play the drums, I actually went through the School of Rock program, I highly recommend it for anyone looking to like get into music, that's fun. They help you get on stage, they teach you how to play an instrument, and you learn a band dynamics. It's, it's, it's an amazing experience, I cannot recommend enough. That's how I learned how to play the drums. And it's also how I got on stage a couple of times and it is such a different experience from like voiceover. But I still loved it.
Alicyn
You know, it's so funny Sean Ryan, is my son loves the drums as well. And we got him a drum set when he was like, getting my drum set. And I was like, really? No, are we are we really okay to which we have taken it out and put it put it back in. But he was taking it School of Rock prior to the pandemic and so we hope to go back this year. So I think you'd probably be a huge inspiration for him. He's a big fan of cartoons, so he's only am five and a half. But how old were you when you started drumming away?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I was 12? Yeah, I was 12. I've been... Wow, I have been playing the drums for more than six years. The whole concept of time, especially when quarantine headed just out the window but -
Alicyn
And were you in school when the quarantine hit or?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, I was. It was my sophomore year of college when quarantine hit it was sad to go in. But you know, I also got a chance to finally build my home studio, which I'm in right now doing this interview. But I was really happy to finally put all this together.
Alicyn
You're welcome to show us around but if it's if it's uncomfortable or difficult to move your camera, that's fine too.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
It's a little difficult but I'll try and at least like give a little like side view by moving the arm here. Here's the microphone in the walls. I did a little like black and white square tile pattern. That's what that's those are some also I know it's like they're not necessarily colors, but I do like black and white as well.
Alicyn
Yeah, it's like very punk rock. So I'm wearing the black and whites have drums man. I'm like, hey, sign me up. This sounds amazing. So you know obviously you're definitely an artist through and through and your first major role was Olly on Dive, Olly, Dive. Is that right?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes. I remember. I wasn't like an after school math program. I was sort of just chilling out doing my thing I was in like, third or fourth grade. And like my mom comes in, like, pulls me out of class. And she's like, "Sean, I gotta tell you something. You booked your first series." I'm like, "Oh my gosh, really?" She's like, "Yeah, you're on PBS, you're doing the Dive Olly Dive show!" I'm like, "Wow!"
Alicyn
wow, I'm
Sean-Ryan Petersen
like, I did not expect to like, you know, everyone goes into the industry, and they want to book a job they want to work. But when you get that first major role, it's all like, kind of like knocks the wind out of you like, yes, I did it. I actually did it.
Alicyn
Yeah. And I mean, did you feel that the other kids in your school could relate? I know, LA actually does have a fair amount of the kids that are working on their acting and voice acting, but not always at every school. So I was wondering, you know, did it feel weird?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I wouldn't say it was weird, because at least when I started, you know, we were all still at that age where, you know, imagination, we were all playing pretend imagining our favorite worlds in real life and whatnot?
But I will say that I was a little different. You know, obviously, there's the more theatrical side of me being extra energetic and acting into all the imaginary worlds we were in. But you know, I was also the only kid that was sort of pursuing a career in an adult industry.
So, you know, children in this industry do have to grow up just a little bit faster... fashion, I was always complimented for being a mature kid. So yeah, I was a little mature for my age. And sometimes that was weird for the other kids around me when I was like, Oh, yeah, I mean, we could do that. Or we could do this. And they were like, okay, that's a little adult thing that you're asking us to do. Yeah, I found most part. For the most part. I it was, it was a lot of fun.
A lot of people liked me, because I was so out there and energetic and telling funny jokes, doing funny voices. So I'm also very extroverted. Oh, I always wanted to do the lemonade stand, but you know, just never got around to it. People usually just kind of go on my street. They don't really stop to look at lemonade stands.
Alicyn
That's so fun. Yeah, so that must have been and how many seasons of Dive Olly Dive did you guys do?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I don't think I ever really took count of seasons. But I mean, I will never forget the episode number. I don't know why. But I, I always remember was like 67, or 57? It was one of those two?
Alicyn
Wow.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
57 or 67 total episodes?
Alicyn
And did your voice happen to change during that time? Or was that not in the middle of that whole? I know, sometimes that can be challenging.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
It wasn't in the middle of it. I think I was like 11. When we finished dive all the dive I did it for like three or four years. But to be perfectly honest, because of dive all the dive and all the voices I was doing, my voice never really dropped per se. I've always sort of been higher pitched in general. And I can really do that.
I do think that from my voice voice acting creative because I i've always practicing in a higher pitch talking to higher pitch high energy. So my voice never like really entered some sort of deep zone.
Alicyn
You've got vocal versatility, because obviously you could go go down there if you need to.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yeah, if you need to, if you got to be like a 30 year old, you got to just go a little lower. But for the most part, I'm in this higher, this higher register.
Alicyn
Oh, that's so great, though. I love that I - that's so amazing. Well, congratulations on the season, season three premiere of Victor and Valentino. And I was curious, can you tell us about how you first became involved in that show for Cartoon Network? And its Cartoon Network's first bilingual show, right?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, that's one of my favorite stories to tell, because it was it was a very short and quick audition process. Something that generally for lead roles is not the case. But I had initially audition for Victor, and then came back for Valentino.
And that was it was such an amazing experience. I got to meet Diego. And he was super cool. I could see the passion for the show he had and I met my awesome booth mom, I like to Colllette Sunderman. She does tons of shows for Cartoon Network. But she was so nice to welcome you she's like, "Oh, yes. Thank you. You came in so prepared!"
And you give me thumbs up and like give me awesome notes. Her energy, I fed off her energy. She's just lovely. I love Collette. She's great. And in like three weeks. I got the call. I was at dinner with my family.
And she's like, "You booked Victor and Valentino!" My mom got a call from my agent. And she was like, she was ecstatic, she's hyperventilating. I'm kind of like sitting there shell shocked. Like, what!?
I'm working for Cartoon Network. Because a lot of my favorite shows growing up were from Cartoon Network. It was it was the cartoon channel that I'd always wanted to work for. And I was like, I'm a lead character on a cartoon network show. That was one of the best nights of my life. I can confidently say that.
Alicyn
Yeah. Wow. And then how's it been working out? On the show, what's your favorite thing about this?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh, well before quarantine head it was definitely the atmosphere of like an ensemble cast record. We're all in the room together, looking at each other doing motions because you know, physicality even though we're not on a camera, physicality is still incredibly important for voiceover as I'm sure you know, you know, motioning, what you're doing, if you're running even if you're just running in place, moving your arms back and forth, screaming you're moving your hands it kind of helps you get into the field or read but that's that's definitely one of my favorite parts.
All the people I met Christina Vee, Christina Milizia, Yuri Lowenthal, Max Mittleman, the big boss man himself Giga Milan. Oh, it was just so cool working in the room with them because they were also the voices of my childhood and the games I've played so it was just like, I meeting these people!
Alicyn
Without giving away any spoilers. What's your favorite part of season three?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Well, that is very difficult, because my favorite part of Season Three is the end. And this is what happens everyone - I'm kidding. I'm not going to tell you guys are gonna have to stick around for that ride because it is a ride.
Oh my gosh, so much is gonna happen the season finale and I can't wait for you guys to see it. There's a there's a lot of spice. A lot of spice.
Alicyn
Hey, guys, this is Alison Packard. Sorry to interrupt. But I just wanted to let you know that if you like the show, please, please, please remember to subscribe to this podcast. And leave us a review on iTunes. It really helps us to get heard by more people. Thanks so much.
That's amazing. Yeah, Tamir is saying Christina Vee was on a couple of weeks ago, we had the good fortune of interviewing Christina Vee and one of our guests had asked what it's like working with Christina Malizia and Diego Molano when you guys are all working together. What's that experience like?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Malizia's is just such a positive person, but she plays Charlene and she also plays... she also plays Isabella. And okay, also, Isabel is gonna play a huge role in this upcoming season some of the storylines, so also keep an eye out for that. But yes, it's... She's so nice. She laughs at my jokes and my funny moments, especially my falsetto screams.
I don't know if it'll blood, the microphone on the phone. So I want to talk a little bit like, I can scream really high pitch. I'm sure some of you guys who've watched Victor and Valentino have definitely heard some of those a lot. Val does 'em the time, but she's just so lovely to work with. And Diego, he puts his alll on his performances for Victor.
I don't know if he's ever done any voice work before Victor and Valentino but like he's, he's a natural. He's so good. He - because he also writes the show, so he knows exactly what he wants it to sound like. So it's so easy to you know, like, give these awesome reads make these awesome episodes and bring them to life because he's right there next to me. And it's like "Yeah, let's do this! Let's try this."
It's like okay, now thrown a falsetto scream. He's like, or gag. Valentino... Valentino's. I think he's a bit of a weak stomach. So it's a lot of, but yeah, it's just those those two are amazing. I love working with them.
Alicyn
And so did you guys have to pivot to recording remotely when the pandemic hit?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, we did. There was still a good chunk of episodes to record by the time the pandemic hit, which was a little sad that we had to stop doing our ensemble cast, but we were still all together in the Zoom.
So we still had each other we were like, supporting each other. It was something I looked forward to every week, like seeing them and be like, hey, and then hey. I miss them. I'm really looking forward to hopefully working with them again soon.
Alicyn
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And you got your home home booth all set up. So
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, yes. An absolute necessity at this point.
Alicyn
And so are you pretty much working from home most of the time, and auditioning from home most of the time, or do you have any?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yeah, I mean, after I invested in like all the studio, like great equipment to record the show. I was like, Oh, yeah, I'll just record from home all my auditions and any other projects. Unless, of course, I'm requested to come to the studio, and I just, I love the atmosphere of going into studios. I'll always be like, of course, you want me to come in? Sure. But yeah, for the most part, I'm recording remotely or auditioning remotely.
Alicyn
Okay, cool. And so when you when you have, get an audition that comes through the pipeline, how do you prepare for, for...?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Usually, they give a pretty extensive breakdown of the character traits, or, or the, or the vibe of the show, at least. So if it exists, I always recommend watching it first. You know, because what better what better to gauge the vibe of a show that's already out and just watching some of it?
I like to I like to look at character images or trying to at least imagine what they might look like if one's not provided. Come up a voice with it that way, or read the lines and get the tone. I do some pretty extensive breakdown and marking up of my script. It's like it's just, it's funny what they look like afterwards because it's like, oh, so many pencil marks, eraser marks. A lot of back and forth changes, multiple tags. Sometimes I get some help from my good friend Tony, guru of voice acting. He's great.
Alicyn
Tony Gonzales?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, Tony Gonzalez.
Alicyn
I haven't seen him a few years. He's just such a lovely person.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
He is. I can, I can thank him. Thank him for a lot of my success, he helped me quite a bit
Alicyn
Was he your first vocal coach?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
He was my favorite vocal coach.
Alicyn
So for those that don't know, can you tell tell us about Tony Gonzalez and his coaching business that he has?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, Tony Gonzalez, he is a wonderful man, Guru voice acting so many techniques, a wonderful formula, very easy to practice, easy to learn. But you know, the application is where it gets a little difficult. It's it takes a lot of focus in your own self to like, put yourself into it with the tools he gives you.
But like he's an amazing vocal coach. I think he's personally one of the best out there. So if you're if you're getting into the business, and you can somehow find a way into his incredibly busy schedule, do it. Make that effort he is -
Alicyn
That's amazing. Well, you're happy. I'm happy to share Tony's info on here to my stories if you guys want. I'll see if I can track it down.
I was wondering, Shawn Ryan, would you be opening do to do something new that I was thinking could be really fun, which is a one minute round of questions, lightning questions. So just super simple, easy questions. Would you want to try it?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Of course.
Alicyn
Okay, cool. Let's see. Okay, I'm gonna set my timer for one minute and I am just going to start firing away. Are you ready?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I am ready.
Alicyn
Okay, what's your favorite color?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Red.
Alicyn
Where did you grow up?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Los Angeles, California.
Alicyn
If you had to choose pizza?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Pizza easily.
Alicyn
If you had to choose pizza or ice cream?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Ice cream. Mint chip.
Alicyn
What's your favorite TV show?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Victor and Valentino!
Alicyn
What video game have you played the most in your life?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Halo 3.
Alicyn
What video game have you played the most this year?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Civilization six.
Alicyn
What's your favorite beverage?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Vanilla iced latte from Starbucks. Pepsi! Easy.
Alicyn
What is your zodiac sign?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I am a Leo.
Alicyn
Oh, happy birthday. I'm elated. Do you play any sports right now?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
No.
Alicyn
Do you have siblings?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Younger brother, two years.
Alicyn
What was the last movie you watched?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Shang-Chi and the Seven [Ten] Rings. Super good.
Alicyn
What is your favorite line lover? Yay. Thank you for taking part in my experimental lightning round energy. I wanted to just let everybody know if you're if you are not familiar with the show. It's called Allison's Wonderland. We're here on IGTV every Wednesday, usually 6pm Pacific Standard Time.
We're here with Sean-Ryan Peterson. We're gonna talk about Final Fantasy next. He's best known as Valentino in Victor and Valentino. And just to let you guys know if you want to tune in next week, we have voice actress Jennifer Hale, prolific game and animation voice actor and founder of Skills Hub dot Life. So we're going to talk to Jennifer Hale, all about her career and all about skills hub dot life.
And after that we are going to be hosting Ezra Weiss, who is a voice actor as well as animation director best known for Miraculous Ladybug, Cable Girls, and Megalo Box... Megalo Box.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh, I've seen that.
Alicyn
Okay, back to the interview. So Sean-Ryan, let's talk about Chad in the Final Fantasy Seven Remake.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes. Chadley. That was one of my most exciting roles, because I, always, as well as doing work for Cartoon Network. I'd always wanted to be a part of a video game. That was nothing because video games and cartoons were such a big part of my life. I'm like, okay, I want to work and do cartoons and video games. And that was my first video game role.
And oh, that was such good news to hear that because Final Fantasy Seven. I never got to play the original. But it is one of the most historical Japanese role playing games in existence. So to hear that I was going to be able to play a major quest giver. In the remake. I was like, "Yes! Yes!"
Alicyn
Yeah. That's amazing. And, and so how long did you work on the game for?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I over a course of three sessions completed all of my lines for Chadley.
Alicyn
Nice. And well, who is the director on that project?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Actually, Collette was the booth director. So I got to work with my wonderful work mom again. She was the booth director for all of my Chadley lines.
Alicyn
Aww, wow. And so that was that Victori and Valentino was first and then Final Fantasy, is that correct?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, it was first Victor and Valentino. And then Final Fantasy Seven. I worked with a couple other was like several booth directors in the project. But my first two sessions were with Collette.
Alicyn
That's amazing. That's amazing. And you also have a Twitch?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes. Sean's Game Theater. I am a little busy settling back into college after we're back on campus. But I'm going to start streaming on there. Hopefully every Monday and Wednesday sometime between 12 and four.
Alicyn
Wow, that's amazing. How long have you been doing Twitch for?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Not very long. It's another thing I also started once we entered quarantine, I built the booth. And then I'm like, hey, I've always wanted to play video. I love playing video games all the time. So why not stream it? And I then made like, I built a crazy computer and then set up a little nice corner got a table, some lights, then stream!
Alicyn
So cool. I want to come play video games with you that sounds amazing! What game?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Well I was there for like the big Among Us when that was like a huge trend I played quite a bit of that. But I'm gonna just stream like games I like, Rogue Lights Enter the Gungeon. That one's pretty fun, a little bit of a like an edgier game. But like I like Darkest Dungeon That one's pretty fun. It's like one of those spooky, like scary games where it's all luck based and RNG. And you can either do amazing or fail horribly.
I like games that are like, based on like chance and like, Oh, you build a team. And you can either have an amazing run or a horrible run. I don't know if any guys out there play Rogue Lights but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
Alicyn
That's amazing. And so do you have like a particular streaming style? Are you just talking and joking along with everybody as you play?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Pretty much talking and joking along with everyone. I might take a more narrative stance, I might start streaming walkthroughs of games I enjoy that have a narrative to them, and are not like just like, Oh, go in and play the game. And then oh, you die. Okay, start over.
But like games, I might do a Final Fantasy Seven Remake playthrough. And that one would be a little more narrative. I might even do a couple of things where I like pretend to be Chadley narrating from like, a third person view like, Oh, I don't remember this event. Stuff like that.
Alicyn
Yeah. Yeah, it would also be interesting to hear like some behind the scenes stories while you're playing the game. Well, I remember we recorded this. And..
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yeah, if anyone asked me questions in chat, I mean, I would definitely answer them right then and there. Maybe even one day just do like a q&a stream and be like chill sitting in a chair with a cup of coffee like so. Let us begin the inquiry.
Alicyn
Amazing. So what are you studying in college?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I am an English major. I also enjoy writing. That was more of a recent love I came to found I have I like to write down my dreams and stuff. I'm like, oh, maybe imagining storylines. I'm like, wait a minute. Why don't I just put these ideas to paper. So you know, I'm studying English with a focus in fiction. I might start writing my own books. Maybe one day I'll even read a script and make my own show.
Alicyn
There's a practice called lucid dreaming. Have you ever heard?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I've heard of it. I've never really delved into it one time, my friends like Oh, man, I was doing this lucid dream thing. And I didn't even know if I when I woke up. I'm like, okay, man, take it easy.
Alicyn
It's pretty amazing. You can actually train yourself how to have them. I kind of stumbled upon it when I was in college, and had one by mistake. And then I was like, what that was like the most amazing experience of my life. How do I do this? There's an author named Steven Laberge. If, if you're interested.
He has books that can train you different techniques for how to wake up in your dreams. It's pretty, pretty rad. Yeah, yeah, I love journaling my dreams as well. I always find so much meaning and get new insights into my life on them. So it's a sign of creativity. And so English is your major and you are bilingual is that?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh, no, I only speak English.
Alicyn
You only speak English. Got it? Got it. And so hence, majoring in English, your first love. And so you grew up in Los Angeles. And when you were attending school, did you did you go to just a regular kind of school and just pull pull out? Or were you homeschooled?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh, no. I went... I actually did all elementary, middle, and high. My elementary schooling went up to fifth grade though. So I did switch to a private school, St. Monica's for most of my all my middle school and most of my high school year.
But when my schedule was changing, and I got very busy, I ended up spending my senior year at a specialty school called fusion Academy, which is like very, very college-like it's one student to one teacher, that of course, that's not college like but like you get to build your own schedule. And they are willing to work around your schedule.
They do take on a lot of industry kids or like models or influencers, people with like fluctuating schedules who wanted to complete school who needed the flexibility on the school's behalf. So that's where I went. And that's also where I started working on Victor and Valentino. So I was very grateful for that flexibility.
Alicyn
It sounds like an amazing experience.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
It was, it was a very nice school. The people there were very understanding, and that I was always grateful that I was like, Oh, boy, if I was in a normal school, and I had to miss class every Wednesday, that would be like, whoa.
Alicyn
Yeah. So who are some of the actors or voice actors that inspire you?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Like I mentioned earlier, Dee, Bradley Baker, and Tom Kenny, because they have such versatility. And they've been in gajillion projects combined, that I'm like, Wow, that is something I want to strive for, to be able to do a ton of different voices be in a ton of different projects, and at times not even be able to be recognized until you saw my name in the credits, because you're like, "Whoa, he modulated his voice so much. I didn't recognize it immediately!"
Alicyn
Yeah, absolutely. And are you able to tell us about any upcoming projects that you have?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I mean, I really can't say too much about it. But I can say that I did a little podcasting, a radio show thing that I'm working on with a rather large musician. That's about the gist I can say of it. But as soon as I can say anything, you're going to be the first person I tell about it.
Alicyn
Okay, well, we can't wait. I'm gonna... do you mind taking a few questions from the audience right now? Would you be able to do that?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Of course!
Alicyn
Okay, great, guys, just so you know, at the bottom, there is a little question box in there. And I see we have some questions in there. So feel free to put them in there. I know we've already I've weaved in some of the questions that people asked in advance already. So let's go see this is kind of silly. But Hunter is asking if you might be able to do a British accent.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I can in fact, your British accent. I do British accents for my d&d characters. One of my favorite characters is Edward Dante, he's a he's a wizard, a necromancer, the dread Gen of Monte Cristo, I kind of actually took the name from Edmund Dante is who you know, and the Count of Monte Cristo, that book that was a very enjoyable read. But yes, I can do a British accent Hunter!
Alicyn
Thank you. That was so fun. Lots of requests to sing. Do you sing by the way? I was curious.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I sing in the shower and in the car. I am, I'm learning how to sing.
Alicyn
Let's say do you have any impressions that you'd like to do? What are your thoughts and impressions? Do you do them a lot?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I actually don't find myself doing that many impressions. Normally, you're like, asked to the in like character descriptions like ala someone. But not often do they ask for direct impressions these days, so I haven't been practicing them as much.
Alicyn
And you don't have like a favorite go-to?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I mean, I used to just do like, like a weird, German Russian accent when I used to just randomly pretend like I was like, 10 I was like, oh, I'll just do Arnold Schwarzenegger, that always gets people [to] laugh. I'm starting to think that people just laughed at me because I was a kid trying to be Arnold Schwarzenegger, because it was a good impression. I mean, I just, I would just say like his most obvious lesson. It wasn't, I don't think it was ever a good impression. It was just funny watching someone try and do it.
Alicyn
Oh, yeah. That is funny. That is so - I enjoyed that.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
You guys enjoyed it. That's my best impressions. Definitely.
Alicyn
There we go, guys. "Get to the choppa!"
Sean-Ryan Petersen
The choppa!
Alicyn
Let's see, lots of questions. What's your favorite Star Wars character? Are you a Star Wars fan?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Oh, huge Star Wars fan. Obviously. I'm a Luke Skywalker guy, you know, like, oh, small town hero turned into like savior of the galaxy. He was just a regular farm kid, even though he was a Skywalker. So arguably, he was always destined to do something because of his, like, family heritage.
But like, you know, he just like, Oh, I was a farmer. And I got found out now I'm gonna be like the savior of the galaxy and make my dad come back to the light side. But I also like the ships of Star Wars.
And like, I like this one guy, Admiral Thrawn. From Rebels. He's just super cool, calm collected, like Admiral of the Empire, commanding tons of ships... Star Destroyers, or as I call them space doritos. But yeah, I just think is cool. This whole cold calculated character vibe is really cool.
Alicyn
That's amazing. Okay, we already talked about Diego, Molano. Would you, just curious, do you know how to dance?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
I'm as good at dancing as I am. It's singing in the shower. I mean, I just moved to the beat but I'm not like some sort of practice dancer or anything like that.
Alicyn
Yeah, yeah. And so what is where do you aspire to be in the next five years? You said you're exploring opportunities as a writer perhaps and obviously voice acting as your... are there any other aspirations?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Primarily, it's those. My college education geared towards writing. So maybe hopefully, in five years, I'll be published or at least have a working draft that I can present to get published more projects, of course, more lead roles, being in more video games, maybe is the main protagonist, who knows? That would be fun, but that's where I hope to see myself in five years, you know, doing more roles and writing.
Alicyn
And do you graduate from college this year? Yes. I am a senior. You're a senior. Yeah. And are you guys back on campus?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
We are back on campus. It has been it's been weird coming back, but I love it because LMU Loyola Marymount University for anyone not from LA is a beautiful campus. I like to just sit on the bluff and like, look out at the city and like take it all in. But the nice breeze it's always super calming there.
Alicyn
That's amazing. Well, best of luck to you. I was wondering, do you ever find I know a lot of actors and voice actors on occasion struggle with imposter syndrome or feeling like whatever they're doing is not good enough. Has anything like that ever come up in your work?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Not necessarily. I mean, you know, as an actor, you're gonna audition for way more projects than you book. So you will be told no quite a few times. There might have been like, one point where I was like, oh boy, is this - is this for me. Is this something I want to do?
You know, I've always had my family though. right there beside me. This was never a thing I had to fight with them to become to do my mom was actually a dancer for a couple a couple programs back in the day. She likes she likes the entertainment business. Like, if this is what you want to do, then you're gonna do it.
And I'm like, thank you guys and their emotional support helped me get over whatever doubts I had in my mind. And this this is the industry I love. This is the industry I want to be a part of, and I have never questioned it since.
Alicyn
That's amazing. What kind of dance did your mom do?
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Salsa? I think it was salsa.
Alicyn
Wow, that's amazing. Your parents must be so proud of you.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Yes, they told me that all the time. Really helps me feel good about myself.
Alicyn
Well, it has been so lovely getting to know you and chatting with you and learning a bit more about your career and all your multi talents that you have. And yeah, we wish you the best and everything. If you have any more information on the podcast or any other projects, please send it my way. I would love to share them and help you spread the word.
Sean-Ryan Petersen
Thank you so much for having me. I was very grateful.
Alicyn
Aww it was a pleasure. Okay, Sean-Ryan, we'll see you soon. Thanks, everybody, for tuning in live. Hopefully we'll see you next week for Jennifer Hale.
Outro
Thanks for tuning in to Alison's Wonderland, where we explore the wild and wonderful world of animation and video games. Please remember to subscribe and leave us a review. For more episodes of Alicyn's Wonderland, please visit us at www dot Alicyn packard dot com. See you next week!