Why Jay-Ann Lopez Selects Martin Hatch and Sylens
Character Select
This week, we are thrilled to sit down with Jay-Ann Lopez, CEO and Founder of Black Girl Gamers! Named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and a fierce advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Jay-Ann opens up to us about her efforts to build a progressive presence in the world of gaming. Inspired to create more spaces for black women and girls at a young age, she transitioned from steering a Facebook community into the expansive network of brands that continue to empower underrepresented voices. ============== Guest: Follow Jay-Ann on Instagram @jayannlopez_ and Twitter/X @jayannlopez_...
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Why Abubakar Salim Selects Sora
Character Select
On this episode of Character Select, Anjali and Julia sit down with renowned actor Abubakar Salim. Well-known to television audiences for his roles in Raised By Wolves and House of the Dragon, as well as for his BAFTA-winning performance of Bayek of Siwa in Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Abubakar’s most recent role is even more impressive and unexpected: that of a studio founder and game director. His first release on April 23 was the sensational Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, which he conceived and shepherded into life through his own game company, Surgent Studios. From the first announcement he made...
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Why Austin Wintory Selects Manny Calavera and Hector Lemans
Character Select
Austin Wintory may have never been a composer if he hadn't been trying to win a challenge issued by his father when he was a child; thankfully, the stars aligned and our world of gaming certainly is better for it! On this episode of Character Select, Julia and Anjali sit down with the self-described Grim Fandango fanboy to chat about conducting his high school orchestra whilst still in school, directing within the unique framework of Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, and the three-line exchange in Grim Fandango that's been burned into his brain for 25 years! ======================== Hosts:...
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Why Tom Keegan Selects Cere Junda
Character Select
Tom Keegan has gone from the theater stage to the performance capture studio and he's got more than a few stories about his journey! On this week's must-watch episode of Character Select, Tom breaks out his project notebook and chats with Julia and Anjali about guiding emotional performances in Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, how he gets actors to find their way into their characters, and how he got an obituary published in the New York Post as a teen! ======================== Host Anjali Bhimani @sweeetanj | Instagram/Twitter/TikTok Host Julia Bianco @juliabscasting | Twitter/IG/TikTok...
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Why Erika Ishii Selects GLaDOS
Character Select
WELCOME TO THE CHARACTER SELECT PODCAST! Please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE! If you've ever wondered how many compliments it takes to make Erika Ishii squirm, you've come to the right place! On this episode of Character Select, Julia and Anjali find out how Erika deals with keeping parts of herself out of the spotlight, what they consider their three big career breaks, and how they incorporated their love of Portal and GLaDOS into a college paper! ========================================================== FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! HOSTS: - Anjali Bhimani @sweeetanj | Instagram/Twitter/TikTok -...
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Why Michael Chu Selects Symmetra
Character Select
Thanks to our episode sponsor, @HeroForgeMinis! Visit https://www.heroforge.com to learn more. WELCOME TO THE CHARACTER SELECT PODCAST! Please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE! Have you ever had the sign that you should work in video games visible from your backyard? Join Julia and Anjali as they chat with the senior designer for the Overwatch, Michael Chu, who literally saw the sign! In this episode, they get Michael to dish about the process of bringing Symmetra to life and how her voice actress, our very own Anjali Bhimani, contributed to the final version of the character....
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Why Jennifer Hale Selects Commander Shepard
Character Select
Thanks to our episode sponsor, @HeroForgeMinis! Visit to learn more. WELCOME TO THE CHARACTER SELECT PODCAST! Please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE! Have you ever wanted a glimpse inside of Jennifer Hale's home recording studio? Of course you have! This week on Character Select, join Julia and Anjali as they chat with the voice over extraordinaire on location at her home about how she got one of the most important calls of her life in the recording booth, what drove her to start Skillshub, how neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor ties into her work, and finally getting to save the world as Commander Shepard...
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Why Matthew Mercer Selects Solid Snake
Character Select
Thanks to our episode sponsor, @HeroForgeMinis! Visit https://www.heroforge.com to learn more. WELCOME TO THE CHARACTER SELECT PODCAST! Please SUBSCRIBE and SHARE! In the pilot episode of The Character Select Podcast, voice acting and tabletop legend Matthew Mercer sits down with Anjali and Julia to talk about swapping Nintendo games with his grandma, how he accidentally stole voice-over roles from his dad, and his love for the unique, gargled gravel legacy of David Hayter's portrayal of Snake in Metal Gear Solid. Follow Matt on Instagram at @matthewmercervo and Twitter/X at @matthewmercer!...
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Prologue: The Character Select Origin Story
Character Select
Hello! We are Anjali Bhimani and Julia Bianco, and we'd like to welcome you to the Character Select Podcast! In this special prologue, we introduce ourselves and share the origin story of this podcast! What inspired this?? Why are we bringing this to you?? All that and more inside! Character Select is a love letter to video game performances! Each episode brings on gaming veterans from all aspects of game development—including actors, composers, writers, directors, artists, and more–as they breakdown a specific character performance that shaped the industry. Hosted by actress Anjali...
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Welcome to Character Select!
Character Select
Launching March 25th. Find us online at , email us at , and follow us on Instagram and on TikTok Credits - Hosts: and - Executive Producers: Rick Barrio Dill, Julia Bianco Schoeffling, & Anjali Bhimani - Producer: Madigan Hunt - Producer/Sound Engineer/Editor: Bri Coorey - Additional Editing/Graphics: Josie Scott - Animation: Bri Coorey and Larissa Donahoe - Research: W. Amanda Mack - Art: Laura Medeiros - Music: Rick Barrio Dill - Ad Sales and Production Help: This is a SLAP Music Media Production with support from and About...
info_outlineTom Keegan has gone from the theater stage to the performance capture studio and he's got more than a few stories about his journey! On this week's must-watch episode of Character Select, Tom breaks out his project notebook and chats with Julia and Anjali about guiding emotional performances in Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, how he gets actors to find their way into their characters, and how he got an obituary published in the New York Post as a teen!
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Host Anjali Bhimani @sweeetanj | Instagram/Twitter/TikTok
Host Julia Bianco @juliabscasting | Twitter/IG/TikTok
Guest: Tom Keegan: @tomkstudios
Find us online at charselectpod.com or email us at [email protected]. Be sure to follow us on socials so you don't miss a thing!
@charselectpod | Instagram @characterselectpod | TikTok @charselectpod_ | Twitter/X
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Check us out on Patreon for day-early, ad-free releases, behind-the-scenes goodness and much more!
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Credits:
Hosts: Anjali Bhimani and Julia Bianco
Executive Producers: Rick Barrio Dill, Julia Bianco Schoeffling, & Anjali Bhimani
Producer/Sound Engineer/Editor: Bri Coorey
Producer: Madigan Hunt
Animation: Bri Coorey and Larissa Donahoe
Research: W. Amanda Mack
Art: Laura Medeiros
Music: Rick Barrio Dill
Additional Editing/Graphics: Josie Scott
Ad Sales and Production Consultation: Multitude
Filmed/Recorded at SLAP Studios LA: www.SLAPStudiosLA.com
This is a SLAP Music Media Production with support from Bad Auntie Productions and The Halp Network.
About The Show: Unlock the inspirations for the people who made your favorite video games with Character Select! Each episode brings on gaming veterans from all aspects of game development–including actors, composers, writers, directors, artists, and more–as they share the gaming moments that inspired and kickstarted their creative journeys. Hosted by industry veterans actress Anjali Bhimani and casting director Julia Bianco, Character Select is your guide to leveling up your appreciation and knowledge of the world of video game development, voiceover performance, and performance capture. New episodes every Monday!