August 2017

Name: Támar Davis

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Current Location: Traveling

TrunkSpace: When did you know that you wanted to act for a living?
Davis: I never realized acting could be a profitable thing until 2004 when I was on the road singing background for Tamia on the Verizon First Ladies Tour. After seeing the production and the crew and all of the logistics as to what makes a live show, I was hooked. And of course getting a weekly check that was greater than $900 blew my mind. Up until that tour, I was doing a lot of musical theater for my church and for local up-and-coming writers. But I was never paid for them. I apparently was sewing my time and gifts.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular performance or actor/actress from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Davis: Honestly, when I was little I never was in awe of one particular artist. I had a huge imagination. I wanted to be a teacher or a ballerina. I do remember mimicking very poised and elegant women. I always admired a woman who looked beautiful in her clothing and her makeup. So that’s what inspired me… beautiful, strong women.

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career as an actor? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Davis: I never had a formula. I just remembered making myself available to learn and grow. Especially in times when someone booked a part and then backed out at the last minute. Somehow, I would get versed in their role and learn. And for some reason, I was always put on the spot to fill the vacancy. I feel being prepared is underrated. You have to be willing to be a servant to the craft and never feel too big for an opportunity. Most of my parts came from referrals. So honestly, I never had an approach. I just was willing to be a vessel, no matter how big or small the role was.

TrunkSpace: When did you decide to move away from your home and pursue acting as a career? How old were you at the time?
Davis: I never moved from Houston for a career. I actually moved to LA in 1998 to attend University of Southern California. I was 17 years old. I pursued acting in my church’s acting department. From there, I sang in a Christmas production and my name began floating around LA. One thing led to another. But I want people to understand, just as I was sewing my time and talents in the beginning of my career for no compensation, per se, that really has not changed now. Pursuing a career in acting has changed drastically. To this day, I am still pursuing.

TrunkSpace: Was that move an easy transition for you initially? How long did it take you to feel at home and find a good support group of friends and peers?
Davis: The transition was really hard. I remember crying the first week of school and calling my parents all the time. My phone bill in college was sky high because it was so hard. But a family friend introduced me to her family and they took me in as if I was their child. My whole life changed while in LA because of this introduction. I literally felt I had my family in LA for my entire college days. I eventually joined a church and got involved and, on campus, I began to volunteer and join community organizations. So the transition eventually became smooth.

TrunkSpace: What has been your biggest break in terms of a particular role or project thus far?
Davis: This is a difficult question because honestly, I feel they all have been breaks for me. But to date, I would say being on “The Voice” was huge for me. I was blessed to grow supporters from across the world, but I believe that platform sparked so much encouragement in myself as well as to other aspiring talent. The show humbled me. I learned about the power of perseverance. To this day I am still in shock that I didn’t remain on the show as long as I expected to be, but I feel that mega platform was a setup for something greater. At first I felt shamed to have not made Top 12, but at the same time, I learned how much I desire to create platforms as an African-American woman. I felt like all my life I was pursuing the stage only to find out, there’s not a lot of women with my skill and knowledge that are behind the scenes in this industry. My outlook and vision has expanded and now I honor the new assignments at hand.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific type of role you’d like to take on or a specific genre that you feel more at home in?
Davis: I would love to play a heroine or a college student in a film or TV show. Sounds funny, I know. Any role that would allow me to act and sing would be ideal. I would love to be on any of the NBC holiday specials or a part of “House of Cards” or “Homeland.” I’m currently creating my own content, but of course that has its challenges as well.

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength an actor/actress can have outside of acting ability itself?
Davis: The greatest strength one should have is the ability to teach. I have learned in all my travels, people want to understand and know the truth. You must be strong in self and therefore, be able to convey that power into someone else. I never thought in a million years that I would be passionate about encouraging others to pursue their passion. No matter your upbringing or not having enough money or resources. I feel God’s light in me has been more than for me. I almost get teary-eyed when I hear others say what they can’t do because of x, y, and z. I desire to continue to teach that wherever there is a will, there is a way.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your acting career? Where would you like your path to lead?
Davis: I actually don’t have an ultimate dream per se. I would love to have consistent work so that I can continue to monetarily invest in my career and my other initiatives. I would like to see my Syren Arts Academy get an underwriter to take the initiative global. The arts is the most important creative skill that has been removed from educational systems and yet, creatively the outlets are small. I desire to grow the awareness of Edu-Tainment and really put my degree to use. I don’t want to be another employee or another hopeful actress, I want to have the tools to empower the hopefuls and almost become an artistic startup for new talent.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring actor/actress who is considering moving away from home to pursue their dream?
Davis: First, have the understanding of your end goal. Are you trying to be famous? Be discovered? Is it your calling? Or is it a passion? 2.) Define what success means for you. 3.) Maybe think about opportunities off stage first. 4.) Grow a network of people, learn the craft, and then attack. If you are an actor, maybe learn singing. Or dancing. 5.) Stop feeling you can’t do or be because you don’t have an agent or a manager. Trust me, God will lead you. People often scratch their heads when I tell them my story. It’s not traditional by any sense. You must be open to exploring a trade or a passion that you have allowed to remain dormant. You have to be willing to continue to seek opportunities and not just rely on a manager or an agent to do all the work. Finally, you must be willing to accept that you are auditioning and desiring roles that others are seeking to book as well. Therefore, you must own your craft and be strong and confident with what you bring to any role or audition room. So, keep using your gifts, whether the job pays or not.

TrunkSpace: Where can people (and casting directors) learn more about you?
Davis: My website www.TamarDavis.com has all of my links. If you are a casting director, I do have an actor’s access account: http://resumes.actorsaccess.com/ashleytamardavis.

Kathrine Herzer is one of the coolest people working in television. Want to know how we know? Because we ruined “Game of Thrones” for her and she did not hang up on us. In fact, after our uncomfortable awkwardness subsided, the conversation went smoother than an Arya Stark execution as Herzer shared amazing insight into her career and her work on the hit television series “Madam Secretary.”

Seriously. We completely screwed the White Walker pooch on this one. (So be warned… SPOILER ALERTS AHEAD!)

We recently sat down with Herzer to apologize profusely, to discuss how she learned so much from her talented costars, and to discover why you’d have to proceed to fisticuffs in order to keep her from working towards positive change.

TrunkSpace: We saw on your Twitter page that you are a “Game of Thrones” fan. Thoughts on a White Walker dragon?
Herzer: Oh my god! I’m not caught up!

TrunkSpace: Oh no! We are so sorry! Nooooo!
Herzer: (Laughter) Oh my god! Spoiler alert! (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: We take it all back. That never happened. Totally rewinding this conversation.
Herzer: (Laughter) Oh my god! It’s already burned from my brain.

TrunkSpace: Seriously… so sorry!
Herzer: It’s okay. I already don’t even know what you said. I don’t even remember.

TrunkSpace: We’ve actually never seen “Game of Thrones,” so we don’t even know what we’re talking about.
Herzer: You had a dream last night and that’s what came to you.

TrunkSpace: That’s right. All a dream!
Herzer: (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: Soooooo… moving on to the non-GoT portion of this conversation, you’re still at such an early stage in your career and yet you’ve already experienced playing the same character for over 60 episodes. What has that experience been like for you, essentially growing as two people in front of an audience of millions?
Herzer: It’s so cool to see how someone develops over that amount of time. Three or four years with someone, they change so much, especially at this point in my life and this point in Alison’s life. I’ve really loved the moments where our lives have crossed paths, like when I’m struggling and I’m feeling down and it just so happens that episode is written the same way and I get to bring so much of my own life to it.

At the same time, Alison and I are completely, completely different people. Sometimes she makes me slow down in my real life and say, “Maybe this isn’t as black and white. Maybe it’s not as simple.” Because she looks at things from a not-as-jaded perspective. She’s really willing to look at things and learn about things and it’s a really nice contrast to me as a person. I love to learn too, but I’m a little bit more stubborn. (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: You mentioned bringing yourself into the character on those days when you’re feeling down, but does it ever work the other way around? Does something that Alison is going through ever carry over into your life?
Herzer: Definitely. It’s hard because when you have such a fun set, and I love all the people that we work with… the camera guys are like my best friends as are the wardrobe people… we’re all so close that we joke around so much, so sometimes when I have to come down and get into a more calm state or a sad state it can take a minute for me, but they’re also really supportive and everyone’s really respectful.

Most of the time we’re laughing and we’re having fun and that’s usually easier because the environment is so great. Even when I’m having a hard day I go to work and I love it. I see people that care about me and I care about them so much. People always say, “Sets are like families” and I just can’t imagine that anyone’s family feels like mine, but I guess everyone feels that way.

TrunkSpace: The great thing about your set is that it’s filled with all of these iconic actors and industry veterans. There must be a sense of, “This is not just a job, but also an education?”
Herzer: Oh my god, absolutely. My greatest education comes from Téa and Tim and just seeing how they work and seeing how they deal with material and people. That was the great part about the first year. I got to watch and learn and see different styles, and then the older I get I get to incorporate it more and become my own person and see how it fits with me and learning how to take on all of these different things I’ve learned from all these incredible people.

Like Bebe Neuwirth. She’s just such a legend. She was one of those people when I got on the show that I was just like, “Ahhhh! I can’t believe that I’m going to get to work with her because she’s just such a talent.” And she was one of the first people that just made me feel so good about my work and so proud of myself. I’m so sad she’s not coming back this season.

TrunkSpace: And the series also always has such great guest stars and directors.
Herzer: Morgan Freeman! I worked a lot with him in the episode he directed for season 4 and the first episode. That was the most time we had spent together. He’s just so full of wisdom and just being around him, being in his presence, you feel it. He enters a room and the hairs on your arm stick up. I don’t know how else to describe it, but he really is this presence and you know it. Téa’s is the same way. She walks into a room and she commands this force. I don’t even know how to describe it.

We have a powerful group of people that care about the world around them, so I’m getting to hear all of these really interesting conversations because of what’s going on politically and how that’s reflected through our show. Barbara (Hall) does such a beautiful job of feeling the pulse of what’s going on in the world and figuring out, “How can we make this digestible?” We have so, so much going on today in politics and I love that our show is giving people just a glimpse of hope.

TrunkSpace: And that’s the amazing thing about the world right now. You’re on a fictional drama about politics, but it’s probably grounded more in reality than the actual reality we’re living right now.
Herzer: Exactly! We talk a lot about “fake news” and I can’t wait for our audience to see that because it is so hard. It is so hard to figure out what’s real and what’s not in this political arena and it feels like such a game. I hate watching the news at this point. I am so sick of all of the bullshit that’s being thrown at me that I can’t even do it anymore, so I can’t imagine someone that maybe doesn’t enjoy it as much as I do or isn’t as focused on it as I am.

TrunkSpace: And therein lies the current draw of scripted television. Escapism. We can get away from everything that is terrifyingly real.
Herzer: Totally, and our show perfectly works with that because you’re not totally out of it and you really get to learn something. You have a full toolbox after watching our show to figure out the world that is the real world.

TrunkSpace: Obviously the buzzy place for viewers to land is cable and streaming platforms, but “Madam Secretary” is proof that networks can put out content of equal quality and draw a committed audience.
Herzer: Yeah, it really is an honor for us and especially because our show really gets better and better every season. We gel so much and it just becomes more and more every year. The writing gets better. We dive into the characters more, so it’s a shame to see all of these other shows that are getting cut so early because maybe if they had the same time that we got, things would have been different.

I love hearing how many young people are watching our show now. All of the time I get stopped and girls my age, guys my age, they say, “I love your show. It’s so fun.” There’s so many different elements, so it’s important not to brush-off network TV. I think network TV is still really the heart of television. Yeah, we love “Game of Thrones,” but we love it so much and that it…

TrunkSpace: We don’t even know what you’re talking about. What’s “Game of Thrones?”
Herzer: (Laughter) You’ve never heard of it.

But at the end of the day, we’re hitting a lot of people. A lot of people are watching our show and it’s very cool, especially now with the reach of Netflix. We’re getting the best of both worlds.

TrunkSpace: Has being seen by all of these people via the series altered your social life in anyway? Has it made things difficult, particularly when you hit college?
Herzer: It’s funny because I never put that upfront. I’m never like, “I’m on a TV show,” so it’s afforded me a lot of freedom. I get to experience a really normal college life for the most part because people don’t expect to see anyone. It’s a big campus. It’s a lot of people. I’ll be a parties and it’ll be like, “I was just watching TV and then all of a sudden I saw your face.” I feel very grounded and in a very normal world. I don’t feel like anyone’s watching me or anyone knows who I am or looks at me differently. I’m very lucky for that.

TrunkSpace: You star in a show about politics. You’ve previously interned for Al Gore. You’re involved in community programs. Is there a future for you in politics? Do you anticipate being drawn to trying to spearhead change?
Herzer: I think you’re going to have to fight me away from not trying to help and bring some sort of change. I’ve always been a really hands-on person. It’s so funny because I feel like a lot of people shy away from the word “activist,” but that’s such a shame. I think it’s the same sort of stigma that goes with calling yourself an “actor” or calling yourself an “artist.” Even if you paint, no one wants to say, “I’m an artist,” but everyone calls themselves, “a golfer.” That’s something we talk about a lot with the Creative Coalition that I work with.

I am absolutely going to do whatever I can, and I hate the news right now, but I’m not going to stop watching. I’m never going to stop watching and I’m never going to stop talking about what I feel like is injustice and what I feel like I can do to help.

Season 4 of “Madam Secretary” kicks off October 8 on CBS.

Feature image by: Jacob Jonas

Heather Storm has mastered the art of hosting a television series. Her natural ability to engage and entertain the viewer while simultaneously serving as a shoulder of support for those sharing their story on screen is the connective tissue that links the audience to Velocity’s popular series “Garage Squad.” For three years the Montana native has been traveling to Chicago, crashing garages to help repair and restore classic hot rods. Tonight she and her fix-em-up costars are back to kick off the latest season.

We recently sat down with Storm to discuss career diversity, what makes a successful host, and discovering the people of the Midwest.

TrunkSpace: One of the things that we have noticed in looking over your career is that the jobs you have taken on are so diverse. Have you actively worked to not be pigeonholed into any particular type of on-screen role?
Storm: Yeah. Actually it is by design. I really have varied interests and despite being told that I should pick a niche, I like to get out there and explore and learn about as many things as I can. I just said, “No, I don’t really want to. I want to keep learning about all the different things that I have opportunities to learn about and participate in.” So I just kind of take it and do what comes to me. I didn’t want to be pigeonholed because I just felt that there’s so much out there in the world to learn about and know about and experience.

TrunkSpace: And that’s the beauty of being human that gets lost on a lot of people… we have the ability to continue to learn and explore new things.
Storm: Absolutely. That’s what keeps us interesting. That’s what makes it fun.

I’m just someone who always wants to learn things constantly, so once I have an interest in something, I always kind of take it a little further… to the next level. “Maybe I’ll get certified in this. This is cool.” I take it a step further than a hobby.

TrunkSpace: So was hosting always a part of the game plan for you or did it come about more through a serendipitous channel?
Storm: Well, I moved to Los Angeles to be involved in the entertainment industry, so hosting was a part of that, and in my world I really thought that was a good way for me to showcase things that I already knew about and could get out there, as opposed to the TV world or theatrical world.

You get to be yourself and it’s liberating in a way. You’re told to just be yourself and I’m like, “Well I can do that. It’s what I do every day!” (Laughter) For me it’s natural and it’s fun and just getting to be yourself and getting paid for it, it’s a good thing.

TrunkSpace: When you’re going into an audition and presenting yourself as yourself, does that make the rejection aspect of the process harder?
Storm: It can, but I have pretty thick skin, which is why I can work in a garage with a bunch of guys. (Laughter)

I think that you just have to not take anything personal. I think that’s good advice in general, not just within the entertainment industry. Usually it’s not personal, it’s not about you, so just do your best and move on to the next thing.

TrunkSpace: What does a hosting audition look like exactly? Are there sides?
Storm: Well, the audition process for hosting is very similar to the other ones, the sides are just different. A lot of times you do have sides that they want you to prepare and then a lot of times there’s a lot of improv too because they want to see your personality and often copy can stifle a personality a little bit. Making it your own can feel very difficult, especially when you first start out because you’re really stuck on the words and your brain can’t think for itself. There’s nervousness usually for many people involved, regardless of what it is because you are gonna get in a room with people and you are gonna be judged and you are gonna have to remember things and all of the things that come with the pressure of performing in general are there. But then again, you get to be yourself. I don’t have to be worried about being in character or if I lose the character or get distracted, I can just be myself so there’s some freedom in that.

TrunkSpace: What makes for a successful host?
Storm: I think that anyone can just talk, but I think what makes the host successful is connecting with the audience and with the people that they’re speaking to on camera, like in the case of “Garage Squad” where we have a lot of the owners working in the garage with us. We have to talk to them about stuff and sometimes it’s personal. Sometimes it’s painful. You have to be delicate and aware of the emotions of the situation as well.

TrunkSpace: One of the things that we would imagine makes your job easier is having a great connection with your co-stars as well?
Storm: Absolutely. You’re very right. It’s really important to have camaraderie with the co-stars. We have a lot of fun and just keep it that way. A lot of people comment and say, “You guys have great chemistry in the garage.” We joke around a lot. We just keep it light. We’re having a good time in there, working on a project and there’s something that feels good about the teamwork of completing project after project together. We have built this trust in each other over time too and that’s important.

TrunkSpace: What’s great about “Garage Squad” in particular is that there is that project focus you mentioned, so there is a clear beginning, middle, and end to the story you’re telling.
Storm: Yes. I’m a project kinda girl. I need to know what we’re doing and what’s the plan and then I can help move it along. I know what my job is and I can go step-by-step and get it done. It feels good to accomplish something like that. It feels good to finish a project. Cars are huge projects.

TrunkSpace: Absolutely, and you pull it all off in a very short period of time, which is a feat in and of itself.
Storm: I’m impressed every day with ourselves. “Wow! We’re doing really good here! This is impressive!” (Laughter)

TrunkSpace: How has “Garage Squad” changed your life beyond career alone?
Storm: You ask a very good question. This show has been very impactful on my life. This is my third season working on it now that we’re about to wrap up and as you may or may not know, I spend almost half of the year in Chicago filming this show. I really have taken the opportunity during these shows we’re filming to really understand the Midwest more. I have never spent a lot of time in the Midwest. I had never been in Chicago before.

I had taken some time after we got done and wandered into a small town of 3,000 people. I ended up going to this wine bar. There’s only 3,000 people. The fact that there was a wine bar at all, I was shocked. There was one review on Yelp, since it’s a really small town, and it said that they had local Illinois wines only. I didn’t even know Illinois made wines. I went in there and started talking to the lady and she was super nice and there was a patron in there that recognized me from the show. I ended up staying there for like four hours and they closed the place down and ordered pizza and we were drinking all the wine in there and having a great time. Experiences like that have really affected to me. I went in just learning about their culture and what they have going on here in their town and just having a great time and getting to know each other and sharing different perspectives on life. I think that’s really what it’s about.

The season 4 premiere of “Garage Squad” begins tonight at 10PM ET/PT on Velocity.

Before the summer draws to a close, we’re going to be taking some time to visit the shores… “Chesapeake Shores.” The Hallmark Channel original series recently returned for season 2 and with it, even more critical acclaim.

We sat down with O’Brien family member Meghan Ory to discuss what drew her to the series, the post-hiatus rowdiness on set, and why Jensen Ackles hit her in the head with a two-by-four.

TrunkSpace: As far as your character Abby is concerned, did you spend time with Sherryl Woods’ books or did you want there to be separation between the television world and the literary world that already existed?
Ory: Yes, unfortunately I chose not to read the books, although I can’t wait to do so at some point. I was told when we started filming that the series wouldn’t follow the books exactly and I wanted to be able to look at the series scripts with fresh eyes. Sherryl is lovely though and has been very encouraging and supportive; which is so important as I want to do this world and character she created justice.

TrunkSpace: Usually it is the genre shows that attract the rabid, die hard fans, but from what we have seen, “Chesapeake Shores” has that as well. What is it about the series that has turned people into diehards as opposed to casual viewers?
Ory: Well, that is a million dollar question! I wish I knew. We spend our time filming in this little bubble and have no idea how what we are doing will be received. It is very exciting that people are enjoying the stories we are telling and the O’Brien family as much as we enjoy making it.

TrunkSpace: Most television is high concept these days. Everything has a spin to it. What’s nice about “Chesapeake Shores” is that it feels like a bit of a throwback… a family drama ABOUT the family. From an acting standpoint, does that allow you to focus more on character and performance than something that is steeped in a high concept world?
Ory: Yes, that is something that drew me to “Chesapeake Shores” in the beginning. In the same vein as shows like “Parenthood” and “This Is Us,” it is really nice to be able to delve into the details of these characters. I think it allows us as the actors and the audience to become intimate with these characters and spend time with people you enjoy.

TrunkSpace: In a series about family, what was it like returning to your on-set family after the hiatus between season 1 and season 2? Is it a bit like going back to school after a summer vacation?
Ory: (Laughter) Yes, it definitely is. It is certainly quite loud and rowdy on set for the first few weeks back. It’s hard to get our work done!

TrunkSpace: There’s something else that connects a lot of your castmates other than being on-screen O’Briens. Many of you have also guested on “Supernatural.” You grew up in Canada and started your career there. Is it a bit of a rite of passage to appear on that series with it having been on the air so long now?
Ory: “Supernatural” has definitely made its way through the Canadian actor pool. My episode of “Supernatural” was quite funny actually. I worked with Jensen years before on “Dark Angel” and our characters were in love, then when I appeared on “Supernatural,” I was evil and he had to hit me in the head with a two-by-four. It was quite the reunion. I think the fans got a kick out of that one.

TrunkSpace: In the episode you appeared, “Adventures in Babysitting,” you played a vetala. In a world where everything has been done and done again in film and television, it has to be pretty cool to have played one of the only vetalas to ever appear on screen… and quite possibly… that ever will appear? That’s Trivial Pursuit question territory!
Ory: I’ve never thought about that, very true though! It was definitely a fun character to play. I always enjoy playing a good villain!

TrunkSpace: We talked previously about passionate fanbases. You spent multiple seasons on the series “Once Upon a Time.” Do you think that series/character will stay with you forever? Will people always remember you as Ruby?
Ory: I loved that show from the first time I read a script for it. You could just tell it was a very unique and special world. It was a great opportunity to get to play the same character in different scenarios of life, so it was always interesting and exciting. Once will always have a special place in my heart and as I have said, you never know when Red might pop up again!

TrunkSpace: When you tap into a passionate fanbase, those fans then want to know everything they can about you. Is it getting increasingly more difficult to maintain a private life as a public figure due to the social media/instant gratification age? How do you strike a balance between the two worlds?
Ory: There are pros and cons to everything. It is so nice to be able to connect and communicate with fans and hear how they are liking what we are creating. For me, I feel like limiting the amount of social media I have makes a difference. I had to get off Twitter years ago, but really enjoy Instagram. I think it’s good to maintain a bit of mystery!

TrunkSpace: You have been acting professionally for some time now, but what aspect of the process still excites you the most and feels as fresh as it did on your very first acting gig?
Ory: It may sound cheesy, but anytime I am on set and the director says, “Action,” I am as excited as the first time I heard it. I feel very fortunate to have a job that I enjoy going to every day.

TrunkSpace: You have played so many interesting characters over the years. Are there any that you wish you could have spent more time with and could have seen developed out further, and if so, why?
Ory: That’s a great question. I always feel a little sad every time I finish a show and have to say goodbye to that character. They become a part of your life. I would have enjoyed seeing what a second season of “Intelligence” would have looked like. I loved playing that character.

And I will always be interested to see where else Adam (Horowitz) and Eddie (Kitsis) take Ruby on Once, if they chose to. Lana (Parrilla) and I used to joke that the evil queen needed a pet wolf!

TrunkSpace: With the new season of “Chesapeake Shores” now reaching viewers, what do you hope fans will walk away with when the season finishes up?
Ory: I don’t want to give anything away but the finale of season 2 is going to shock a lot of people, I think. I hope viewers finish the season feeling satisfied and hungry for a season 3!

“Chesapeake Shores” airs Sundays on Hallmark Channel.

Name: Brett Parson

Website: Blitzcadet.deviantart.com

Favorite Comic Book Character Growing Up: Simon Bisley’s Lobo

Favorite Comic Book Character Now: Barney from “Tank Girl”

Latest Work: “World War Tank Girl” published by Titan Comics.

TrunkSpace: How would you describe your art style?
Parson: I guess my style is a mix of Cartoon/Animation and old school comics. There’s a little bit of everything I grew up loving… from “He-Man” or Don Bluth to Ren & Stimpy and Jack Davis. And a little dash of a retro 70s vibe in there somewhere.

TrunkSpace: How important were comic books in your life growing up and is that where you discovered your love and inspiration for drawing?
Parson: They were definitely one of the biggest parts of my life as a young artist. I think I always wanted to be a cartoonist. My mom used to staple little blank books together for me when I was little, and I’d fill them in with stories… usually Ninja Turtles, Indiana Jones or Ghostbusters. Later, when I discovered underground stuff like R. Crumb, “Tank Girl,” “Love and Rockets,” “Judge Dredd,” and “The Maxx,” I saw that comics didn’t need to have DC or Marvel style art/stories and didn’t need to play it safe for kids. That became what I really wanted to do.

TrunkSpace: Was there a particular artist or title from your childhood that you remember being drawn to and inspired by?
Parson: I was pretty obsessed with Simon Bisley as a kid in middle school. Kevin Eastman used to own a comic book museum near where I live, and I would go there all the time and just study the originals. Bisley, Richard Corben, Frank Miller, Jaimie Hewlett, all kinds of killer artist’s stuff came through there. Looking back I was REALLY lucky to have that place so close. Then in high school when I stumbled on “Danger Girl” by J. Scott Campbell, that really melted my brain!

TrunkSpace: How did you decide to approach your career in comics? Did you formulate a plan of how you wanted to attack what is known for being a hard industry to crack?
Parson: I spent close to a decade after I graduated just working a day job and doing freelance illustration on the side, self-publishing my own books when I could. I’d basically given up on the idea of “breaking into” the comics industry. Marvel wasn’t accepting portfolios, and I didn’t even know if the big guys would go for my style. My plan was to develop something creator-owned and pitch it around, or do a Kickstarter.

TrunkSpace: What was your biggest break in terms of a job that opened more doors for you?
Parson: A few years ago Alan Martin, the co-creator of “Tank Girl,” came across some of my stuff online. He contacted me about possibly working together on some “Tank Girl” comics, and we’ve basically been working together since. It was really Alan taking a chance and giving me a shot that led to my career in comics.

TrunkSpace: A lot of people say that breaking into comics is the hardest part of working in comics. How long did it take you before you started to see your comic book dreams become a reality?
Parson: Yeah, people always talk about how impossible it is to get into the business, so I really didn’t think too hard about it. I just kept doing my thing, trying to have fun. I started posting all my stuff online… I figured if I was good enough something would eventually come along. I really wasn’t shopping a portfolio around at all, so if it wasn’t for social networking outlets like Instagram, Facebook, and DeviantArt, I doubt that I’d be drawing comics professionally today.

TrunkSpace: Is there a particular character or universe you always find yourself returning to when you’re sketching or doing warm-ups?
Parson: Not really. I’ve always been more into making stuff up and drawing from my imagination. I used to draw ugly, weird-looking Batman faces to warm up, but usually I just doodle random stuff to try to get things going.

TrunkSpace: Is there a specific title or character that you’d like to work on in the future and why?
Parson: Tank Girl has been pretty amazing. It’s been one of my all time favorite books since I was a kid, so getting to work on this title has been like a dream come true. Other than that, I’d love to get a chance to do an old school Lobo book, or maybe Ghost Rider. I feel like those characters and worlds would be a blast to draw.

TrunkSpace: What is your ultimate dream when it comes to your career in comics? Where would you like your path to lead?
Parson: At the moment I’m just happy to be doing what I love for a living. If I can keep drawing comics for years to come, and make ends meet… then I’m pretty happy. I get to be home with my daughter, listening to music, and drawing cool stuff!

TrunkSpace: What would you say is the greatest strength as an artist?
Parson: Not being afraid to have fun, and be yourself.

TrunkSpace: How has technology changed your process of putting ideas/script to page? Do you sue the classic paper/pencil approach at all anymore?
Parson: For a long time I’ve been going probably 95 percent digital. The control and speed it allows has been my best friend when it comes to doing a good job while trying to meet tight deadlines. But I’ve been getting back into doing things traditionally more and more. This series I’m working on now – I’m only using the Cintiq for rough-layouts and coloring. I’m doing all the finished pages with pencil and ink. Nothing really compares to that feeling of a soft pencil on paper. It’s one of the best things in the world.

TrunkSpace: What advice would you give another young aspiring artist who is considering a career in the comic industry?
Parson: I guess the main thing is, be sure that you LOVE drawing comics. You won’t get rich, so if that’s what you’re looking for go into animation or illustration. And be patient, don’t expect things to always go your way or fall into place immediately… it takes lots of patience and persistence. Messing up. Falling on your face. You really just have to love it.

As the talented drummer and vocalist for the pop rock band R5, Ellington Ratliff has experienced more than most people twice his age. Having toured the world numerous times over and amassed millions of fans across the globe, the California native began acting at a very young age before turning his passion for music into an unexpected career.

We recently sat down with Ratliff to discuss transitioning from the R5 tour bust to his home, how LA people are the chillest, and why he doesn’t geek out about certain drum kits.

TrunkSpace: You just finished up a tour with R5 and now you’re back in Los Angeles for a short break. Does it take you a bit of time to get readjusted to home after a stretch on the road?
Ratliff: It definitely takes a second. When I’m home I don’t want to leave and go on tour, but then when I’m on tour I’m like, “Oh man, now I’ve gotta work, but I don’t have to worry about cleaning my room.”

It’s nice to be on the bus and worry about one thing every day. I love being home but at the same time, it’s a totally different mindset.

TrunkSpace: And if you have the type of brain that works well within margins, life on the road is so structured that it becomes easy to get used to the schedule aspect of it.
Ratliff: Definitely! Everything we have on tour is on a schedule… on an app that we can look at and be like, “Okay, 8 o’clock is an interview, 9 o’clock is this, 10 o’clock is sound check.” When I get home and I don’t have that manager setting up what I’m doing all the time, it’s like, “What do I do with my day?” Self-motivating is a whole thing you have to keep getting better at… just time management on my own.

When we’re in LA and we’re writing, which is what we’re doing right now, we can kind of lose the structure. It’s easy to lose the structure because there’s so much to do in LA. We’re going to award shows, we have press things, and sometimes we want to stay home and watch Netflix. It’s on us to be in the studio and to be writing.

TrunkSpace: We’d be toast. “Oh, the new season of ‘Stranger Things’ is premiering this weekend? Cancel all writing!” (Laughter)
Ratliff: (Laughter) Yeah! It’s weird having to choose when to go to Hollywood and actually go to a party. But then, you know, you suck it up and go out and see all your friends and it ends up being all good. But it’s weird. It’s definitely not the ’80s anymore.

TrunkSpace: So you’re not ruling the Sunset Strip Mötley Crüe style?
Ratliff: (Laughter) No. None of that.

TrunkSpace: One of the benefits of being based in LA is that you’re surrounded by so many other creative people, which in a lot of ways, must feed your own creative endeavors?
Ratliff: I’m glad you said that because we do have a lot of friends that are in the business. I feel like since LA is so spread out, there’s a lack of community. We have our friends that are in the music business and can meet every once in a while, but I kind of want to create that vibe you see in movies where people meet at this underground coffee shop/speakeasy club and they do slam poetry in the basement and everyone’s intermingling.

I feel like New York is easier. You just hop on a train. You’re at wherever you need to be. You can drink or whatever you want to do. In LA its like, “Should I get the Uber? It’s a 30 minute drive to Hollywood. I know there’s a jam thing happening, but I don’t really know anyone there.”

TrunkSpace: (Laughter) And you actually grew up in LA, right?
Ratliff: I did.

TrunkSpace: That always seems rare because so many people who live there are originally from other places.
Ratliff: Yeah, and you know there’s a weird misconception about people that come from LA… they think that people from LA are weird. I think on the contrary. The people who are the strangest, in my experience, are the people who come to LA from out of town for the wrong reasons. And you can just smell it when you meet them. You can vibe out someone in like two seconds. And if they come for the wrong reasons, just to make it or they’re not actually passionate or they’re just star f’ers, you can feel that. And there are people that come from out of town who are great, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like people who are from LA are the chillest. They know what’s going on. They know how everything works.

TrunkSpace: You were named after Duke Ellington. Was music an acquired passion or do you think it was somewhat a fate written in the cards for you?
Ratliff: That’s actually a good question because I had no intentions of being a musician as a child. I grew up in the acting scene. I had one of my first auditions when I was like two years old. My parents do it, so they had me do it and they just shuffled me in there. And then high school came around and I started messing around with bands.

My mom does joke around that Duke Ellington was smiling upon me and pushing me to music. It’s just a coincidence. I wasn’t trying to be a musician, but just because I didn’t know I could be. I just didn’t even think about it. I was just doing it. So the fact that it became a career, I’m stoked about it and hopefully I can keep doing it as long as possible.

TrunkSpace: Did your parents nurture your musical side when it took hold?
Ratliff: Yeah, they were definitely supportive. For sure. I mean, being a drummer, you’ve got to be a supportive family because there’s no escaping. Electronic drum sets are like a couple grand and that was a little beyond what we could afford, so you gotta live with just constant drum noise, which is loud. You gotta really be on the team.

TrunkSpace: Do you geek out about certain drum kits?
Ratliff: On the contrary, I could give a crap about that. Jack White is one of my favorite artists of all time. I just love everything he creates. He said in an interview once that he loves to play with old vintage guitars and things that don’t work right and fall out of tune because it’s a constant struggle to get something to sound good. And it’s a whole other part of the show.

I don’t care what I play. I’m not going to be like, “Oh, my snare is at the wrong angle!” I’m just going to make it sound good and play the shit out of the drum set and make it be awesome. If something is a little off on the set, if I have a riser that’s shaking, I enjoy that because it changes the show. That’s the beauty of a show… every show is different.

Welcome to the seventh (and final) installment of our MYSTIC COSMIC PATROL WEEK ongoing feature!

Debuting yesterday at Funny or Die, “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” is a nostalgic sitcom romp of mystical proportions. Created as an homage to kid-friendly shows like “Power Rangers” and “Ultraman,” the fast-paced webisodes combine monsters and comedic mayhem to create a parody worth every bingeable minute.

We recently sat down with series star and producer Laura Monaco to discuss how ‘fun’ was always at its core, the joy she discovered in wearing multiple hats on the project, and how hugs may be in store for any future cosplayers who choose to dress up as her character.

TrunkSpace: From an outside perspective, it sure seems like the “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” experience was just as much fun as it was work?
Monaco: Yes. Absolutely. It’s a very, very fun project. Early on, Gavin (Hignight) and I talked about our goal, which was to just have a job that we could go to work and laugh every day, and feel good coming home and wrapping up. We definitely did that. It was a lot of work, but we definitely did accomplish that goal. We had such an amazing team around us. Everyone who worked on it was just as excited to be there, so it made it a really uplifting experience.

TrunkSpace: It just seems like a show that would not cost a network a fortune to produce, and yet, because of the nature of the series, the smaller production budgets wouldn’t hurt the look and tone of it either. A network could get a franchise at a relatively affordable price.
Monaco: I love that you get that. I’m very curious to see where it goes.

TrunkSpace: The trick there is, you don’t want to show them that you can make it for basically nothing because then they will give you basically nothing. (Laughter)
Monaco: (Laughter) Yeah. We can get away with some tricks, but we still need money.

TrunkSpace: You’re a producer on the project as well as starring in it as the yellow Mystic Cosmic Patrol member. Did you view your two separate jobs through a different set of eyes on set?
Monaco: For sure. It was an idea that Gavin had. We were working on another project together and I just got so excited about it. He and I would meet, and it started from there. The more we would talk about it, the more I just had so much I wanted to contribute creatively on both sides of it. It’s a little blurry for me where things kind of stopped and started with producing and acting, but it was just so amazing to be able to jump in creatively on both sides. I really enjoyed that.

TrunkSpace: Did you enjoy the problem solving aspect of producing? Putting out the fires that crop up on set?
Monaco: Definitely. And trying to find on the fly what’s going to work.

We kind of had an idea for some stuff and had creative discussions about how it was actually going to go down. Luckily, I had such a great team of producers that when it was time to act, I could really just go do that and enjoy being in that role and know that everybody else was running everything smoothly. We really had a good family on this.

TrunkSpace: Because “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” isn’t grounded in reality, were you able to approach performance from a different perspective than previous projects you’ve worked on?
Monaco: Yeah. I mean, it’s kind of funny because early on we had a few rehearsals and we had all of these ideas for different character work and things that we wanted to do. At one point they were just like, “Just be you.” I was like, “I don’t know if that’s good or bad that you just think it’s me living my life here.” (Laughter)

For us, it had to be reality. I basically am a girl who likes to be feminine, she likes to dress up and do all of these things, and she really takes her job seriously, too. Whether she’s good at it all the time or not depends, but she’s trying to do good in the world.

TrunkSpace: And getting to work with those costumed creatures, both in creation and in performance, must have been so much fun.
Monaco: It was unbelievable. The ideas that we have are one thing, but when Cig Neutron came on and created them, and then seeing Stewart put on the costume and moving around in it, I was just like, “What is happening right now?” (Laughter) It was so crazy.

TrunkSpace: The series is streaming on Funny or Die, but as far as long-term is concerned, are you hoping that it finds a home at a major network or on another platform?
Monaco: I could definitely see it on a network, but it’ll be interesting to see what Funny or Die has to offer and how this really goes down. This is the first time I’ve done anything in that format with them. It’ll be interesting to see what’s possible. But really, the way everything seems now, content can live in more places than it ever used to. It doesn’t seem like there’s anything quite so typical anymore.

TrunkSpace: And it’s a great show for what people need now more than ever… escapism.
Monaco: Yeah. It’s such a serious time, and there’s so much that people are trying to figure out, big issues in life… it’s so nice to escape to something that is totally silly. You can just really go into another world, play around for a little bit, and not take things too seriously. I feel like it’s a good time for that, for sure.

There’s heart behind the show as well, which I really appreciate. There’s silly humor for sure, but there’s heart involved, too. I think if anything, that will just keep growing.

TrunkSpace: If the series takes off and becomes a huge hit, and in a year from now you see someone cosplaying it up as your character at a convention, what would you think about that?
Monaco: That’s my dream! I would love if people were just having so much fun that they would want to dress like that and be part of it for a little while. I’d probably just want to run up and hug them, but I love that idea. So awesome!

“Mystic Cosmic Patrol” is available now at Funny or Die!

If you are a connoisseur of animation, you have not only heard about the upcoming TBS series “Final Space,” but you’re T-minus counting down for its launch. With a cast of voices that includes Conan O’Brien, Ron Perlman, and David Tennant, the sci-fi fun fest is one of the most anticipated series of the new year.

Another animated series turning heads is “Lion’s Blaze,” a cartoon/video game mashup that recently premiered on YouTube. The story centers on a group of friends trapped in an arcade game for 15 years who are then tasked with completing an epic quest after one of their own dies within the game.

What do both series have in common? Producer, actor, and content creator Olan Rogers.

We recently sat down with Rogers to discuss why he’d like to branch out beyond animation, how he manages to juggle so many balls simultaneously, and why he always writes what makes him laugh.

TrunkSpace: It feels like the pop culture world is on the cusp of an Olan Rogers takeover. With a number of high profile animated projects set to debut soon, have you given any thought to entering the same (seemingly exclusive) club of names like Seth MacFarlane and Matt Groening?
Rogers: (Laughter) That would be cool, but I don’t know… that’s a hard world to crack. I’m having a blast with animation right now but the goal is to get back to live action eventually, specifically features. I have a long way to go before I even get close to where they are.

TrunkSpace: Are there less creative restrictions when you’re working in animation than if you’re working in the live action space, if for no other reason than because if you can think it, it can be drawn without adding an additional million dollars to your budget?
Rogers: Actually, it has its own restrictions like the number of backgrounds you can have and how many characters you can have in a shot. And animation is SO expensive, so in one way it’s freeing, but in another you’re limited.

TrunkSpace: “Lion’s Blaze” has been receiving incredible praise since it made its debut a few weeks back. What does that acceptance mean to you after all the years of hard work to get where you are?
Rogers: Man, it’s killer. I have been doing the YouTube grind for 12 years and never broke out really, it’s always been by word of mouth. It’s definitely huge for me.

TrunkSpace: The series follows the adventures of a group of friends who have been trapped in an arcade game for 15 years. If we were interviewing 8 year old Olan and asked him, “What arcade game would you like to be trapped in and why?” what would his response be?
Rogers: Mario most likely. I mean, gold coins and traveling through tubes? I’m down.

TrunkSpace: You’re wearing multiple hats on “Lion’s Blaze.” What is your favorite hat to wear and what is it that excites you about that side of the process?
Rogers: Directing. That’s the end goal. I would love not to do all the voices, but it’s a budget thing. Because I cannot pay myself.

TrunkSpace: When working on something like “Lion’s Blaze,” do you write what makes you laugh or do you write from the perspective of what you think the audience will find funny? Is there a difference?
Rogers: I write what makes me laugh, always. It’s more enjoyable. And yes, there is most definitely a difference. Usually, people tend not to enjoy what they’re making if it’s designed for someone else.

TrunkSpace: In addition to “Lion’s Blaze,” you also have the highly-anticipated, Conan O’Brien-produced “Final Space” due out on TBS next year. The series features high profile voice talent, including Conan and Ron Perlman. Is there a level of butterfly belly involved in gearing up to release a project of that magnitude?
Rogers: Like you wouldn’t believe. I hope people like it. All I can really do is work hard and hope it’s as special as I think it is. And I mean, voice acting with these guys has been a dream come true. Ron Perlman fist bumped me twice in the recording booth. I’ll always remember that.

TrunkSpace: One of the great things about your work is that you can have a laugh and escape the craziness of the current social and political climate. It feels like a really healthy breather from reality. Is that one of the powers of comedy and pop culture related content in general… escapism?
Rogers: I think you hit the nail on the head. Comedy and laughter melt everything away for a brief moment. We need comedy, and even if it’s just a single laugh, it’s refreshing to escape for a few moments.

TrunkSpace: You’re a Nashville guy. We love Nashville. We have fond memories of nights of remembering barely nothing while visiting Nashville. On our next trip… where do we need to visit? Give us the inside scoop!
Rogers: Pepperfire has some awesome hot chicken and then, of course, my soda shop, The Soda Parlor.

TrunkSpace: As evidenced by your last answer, you also run various businesses outside of your work as a content creator, including an apparel company. Seriously, how the HELL do you find time for everything? (We feel bad even having you answer these questions!)
Rogers: I’ve surrounded myself with great people and they make it way easier to manage multiple things. (No worries, it’s a pleasure!)

TrunkSpace: With everything that you have going on, where are you hardest on yourself… as a creative person or businessman?
Rogers: Businessman because sometimes you have to make some really tough decisions and they are not fun all the time.

TrunkSpace: When you look at your career moving forward, what else would you like to accomplish? Do you have bucket list items that you want to check off in your career?
Rogers: Yes! Directing features and telling stories with a budget that can match my imagination.

Brewer: New Holland Brewing

Beer: Dragon’s Milk/Imperial Stout

Alcohol Content by Volume: 11%

I am Daenerys Stoutborn of the House Drinkian, First of His Visage, the Undrunk, King of the Ales and the First Beer, Tripeleesi of the Great Hoppy Sea, Breaker of the Bottles, and Father of Dragon’s Milk.

Yes, that was a really long way to go about telling you that I am SUPER PSYCHED for this week’s “Game of Thrones” season finale, and to celebrate it, I’m swearing like The Hound and drinking like Tyrion Lannister… and doing it all with the late, great Viserion in mind! I’m sinking deep into my bottles of the deliciously smooth Dragon’s Milk like Viserion sank into the frozen lake beyond the wall. (Spoiler Alert!)

Brewed by New Holland Brewing, this bourbon barrel aged stout is thick enough to fill your belly and potent enough to help you survive the cold, because after all… winter is coming!

DRUNKEN EMOJI RATING

Welcome to the sixth installment of our MYSTIC COSMIC PATROL WEEK ongoing feature!

Debuting yesterday at Funny or Die, “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” is a nostalgic sitcom romp of mystical proportions. Created as an homage to kid-friendly shows like “Power Rangers” and “Ultraman,” the fast-paced webisodes combine monsters and comedic mayhem to create a parody worth every bingeable minute.

We recently sat down with special effects makeup artist Cig Neutron to discuss Grinch smiling, embracing goofiness, and what you’ll find beneath the skin of his creatures.

TrunkSpace: Because the project wasn’t tied to a specific studio or network, there were a lot of “ifs” involved in “Mystic Cosmic Patrol.” Does working on an independent project require a leap of faith and what was it about this particular project that made you take that leap?
Neutron: Yes, it absolutely requires a leap of faith. A lot of projects like this come my way and I only take the ones I truly believe in. From the first time I met Gavin, I could tell that he had the creative fire, and those are exactly the types of people I want to work with.

TrunkSpace: Potty Mouth is an amazingly fun character. How quickly did he come together design-wise?
Neutron: Gavin and I are pretty much on the same page style and influence-wise, so as soon as he described the character I knew exactly what he wanted. When you work with people who are just as excited as you are, it doesn’t take long to arrive at an end result.

TrunkSpace: Does your process involve extensive sketching and planning or do you work directly from your brain?
Neutron: I actually don’t do very much sketching. For Potty Mouth, there were no preliminary designs. I just jumped right in and started fabrication. Gavin had enough faith in me that he actually didn’t see the full character together until the day it was supposed to shoot!

TrunkSpace: If “Mystic Cosmic Patrol” has a long future and turns into an ongoing series, would the longevity be part of the fun for you – getting to explore so many different designs within a single universe?
Neutron: Absolutely!! The genre and inspirations for the show are near and dear to my heart, so if I have a long run of making Kaiju, I’ll be Grinch smiling the whole way.

TrunkSpace: What are the aesthetic factors you have to consider when designing creatures meant to fit into a world inspired by “Power Rangers” and shows like it?
Neutron: It’s hard to describe to someone who hasn’t grown up with the genre, but there’s just a certain magic to the aesthetic. Even when the genre takes itself seriously there’s always an air of goofiness. That’s why MCP is so much fun. It is self-aware and really embraces that goofiness, which opens up the door to really push the limits of the style.

TrunkSpace: As the designer, are you the first person to take a suit like Potty Mouth out for a test drive?
Neutron: Designs that seem like a good idea on paper, don’t always translate to the physical world. It’s very important to try on pieces of the suit to make sure the actor can move, breathe, see, etc… because you know, those things are somewhat important.

TrunkSpace: How do you personally know when a design is finished? Are your creatures ever truly complete or do you view them as works in progress to be tinkered with as inspiration hits?
Neutron: Time is our most precious resource. As artists, we’d love to spend forever on making something pristine, but that’s just not realistic. Me personally, I need to constantly move from creature to creature because if I spend too long on one thing, I’ll get bored. I’d rather populate the world with an army of crazy critters, than just one immaculate creation.

TrunkSpace: Where are you the hardest on yourself as a creature designer?
Neutron: Probably anatomy. I’m a real stickler for anatomy that looks like it actually functions. Sure I bend and stretch the rules, but at the end of the day, if you asked me to peel off the skin of any of my creatures, I would have a fully functioning system of muscle, bone, and organs underneath.

TrunkSpace: As a creature designer, was (and is) Halloween your favorite time of year?
Neutron: Halloween is and always will be my favorite time of year.

TrunkSpace: Do you have a costume design for yourself in the works for this All Hallows’ Eve?
Neutron: Whenever anyone finds out what I do, the first thing they say is, “Oh, you must have THE best Halloween costumes!” Actually, it’s quite the opposite. My costumes are usually lame because all my time is spent getting hired to make other people’s costumes. Which is totally rad… but also kinda sucks.

“Mystic Cosmic Patrol” is available now at Funny or Die.