Fantasy Fangirls Podcast Episode Summary: "Empyrean Graphic Audio Behind The Scenes w/ Khaya Fraites & Gabriel Michael"

Episode Information:

• Title: Fantasy Fangirls
• Host/Author: Fantasy Fangirls | QCODE
• Description: Two sisters, Nicole and Lexi, delve deep into beloved fantasy books, discussing lore, characters, insights, and theories. Currently covering A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas.
• Episode Title: Empyrean Graphic Audio Behind The Scenes w/ Khaya Fraites & Gabriel Michael
• Release Date: January 20, 2025

1. Introduction to the Episode [01:00 - 01:24]

Nicole and Lexi welcome listeners to this special episode of Fantasy Fangirls, marking the finale before the highly anticipated release of Onyx Storm. They express excitement about engaging in a deep conversation with Khaya Fraites and Gabriel Michael, the voice actors behind Violet Sorengale and Zaden Ryerson in the ACOTAR Graphic Audio series.

2. Guest Introduction and Background [07:02 - 09:15]

Nicole [07:02]: Welcomes Khaya Fraites (Kaia) and Gabriel Michael to the show, praising their work on the Graphic Audio adaptation of ACOTAR.

Kaia Fraitz [07:07]: Introduces herself as Kaia, voicing Violet Sorengale. She shares her journey into Graphic Audio, starting with small roles and eventually landing her first significant part in Fourth Wing.

Gabriel Michael [07:12]: Introduces himself as Gabriel, voicing Zaden Ryerson. He recounts his entry into Graphic Audio in early 2021, highlighting his initial roles and his breakthrough with the role of Lucien.

3. Experiences Recording Graphic Audio [07:40 - 14:00]

Nicole [07:15]: Expresses enthusiasm to discuss theories and predictions with the guests.

Kaia [07:40]: Describes her audition process, initially unaware of the specific book she was auditioning for. Upon discovering it was for Fourth Wing, her excitement grew as she immersed herself in the text.

Gabriel [09:15]: Shares his experience auditioning for Zaden, initially with vague descriptors like "asshole douchebag walks around," which later revealed to be Lucien. He recounts the thrill of landing the role and the subsequent excitement from his sister, a fellow fan.

4. Recording Process and Intimacy Scenes [14:00 - 18:51]

Nicole [14:00]: Inquires about the unique aspects of recording Graphic Audio compared to traditional audiobooks.

Kaia [14:00]: Explains that typically, actors record separately under the direction of Scott McCormick. However, for Iron Flame, she and Gabriel requested to record their scenes together to capture a more intimate and authentic interaction between Violet and Zaden. This collaborative approach enriched their performances and deepened the portrayal of their characters' relationship.

Gabriel [16:00]: Discusses the challenges of recording intimacy scenes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity without overemphasizing sounds like saliva on the microphone. He highlights the collaborative effort required to convey genuine emotion and connection between characters.

Kaia [17:30]: Reflects on her acting techniques, such as using hand gestures to convey emotions even in the booth, and the technical aspects of recording specific sounds for intimate scenes.

5. Interaction with the Author and Adaptation Insights [19:18 - 22:00]

Nicole [19:18]: Asks about the level of interaction the voice actors have with Rebecca Yarrow, the author of ACOTAR.

Kaia [19:33]: Mentions limited direct interaction, noting that Rebecca provided pronunciation guides and was involved in casting but remained primarily focused on her writing.

Gabriel [20:05]: Emphasizes the importance of staying true to the characters as envisioned by Rebecca, ensuring their performances honor the source material.

6. Rapid-Fire Questions and Theories [21:04 - 73:08]

Nicole and Lexi engage Kaia and Gabriel in a series of rapid-fire questions sourced from their Instagram followers, addressing popular theories and predictions about the ACOTAR series and the forthcoming Onyx Storm. This segment covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Violet's Second Signet: Theories suggest it may involve resurrection or healing, crucial for her role in saving others.

• Papa Sorengale's Research: Speculations indicate his studies might offer solutions to Venin-related ailments, possibly tying into the lore's deeper mysteries.

• Zaden's Fate: Predictions revolve around his potential sacrifice, struggle with Venin influence, and eventual redemption or salvation through Violet's signet.

• Death Predictions: Discussions about key characters like King Tari, Tokares, and the notorious Jack Barlow, with most theories leaning towards their demise to advance the plot.

• Isle Kingdoms and Dual Narration: The possibility of exploring new locales within the series and integrating dual narrations to enrich character perspectives.

• Character Relationships and Backstories: Exploring connections between characters, such as possible romantic interests, betrayals, and hidden motivations.

Notable Rapid-Fire Highlights:

• Kaia [66:16]: Responds "Nay" to the theory that Violet is part dragon, while agreeing that she is infused with another entity.

• Gabriel [73:30]: Expresses concern over potential additional male antagonists disrupting main character relationships.

• Lexi [73:29]: Predicts the introduction of Isle Kingdoms and the demise of key figures like Jack Barlow.

• Kaia [74:04]: Confirms theories about Papa Sorengale's possible demise at the hands of Navarrean leadership, aligning with the community's speculations.

7. Closing Thoughts and Future Expectations [77:34 - 82:43]

Nicole [77:34]: Encourages listeners to approach Onyx Storm with open minds, letting Rebecca Yarrow guide the story's progression without the constraints of preconceived theories.

Lexi [78:34]: Emphasizes the excitement of experiencing plot twists and new magic systems introduced in the upcoming book, advocating for a fresh reading perspective.

Kaia and Gabriel [80:43 - 81:43]: Share their social media handles and express gratitude towards their families and listeners for their support. They highlight the positive reception of the Graphic Audio series and its role in enhancing the fan experience.

Nicole [81:59]: Reminds listeners to rate, review, and share the podcast, fostering community growth and engagement.

8. Notable Quotes with Attribution

• Kaia [07:12]: "When I got to read it, I just couldn't put it down. Like, I was on vacation in Italy, and I literally read the entire thing while I was there."

• Gabriel [09:15]: "I think it's as if I had been in a big movie. I got to have a big celebration."

• Kaia [11:06]: "I felt like I had a lot of room to make Violet my own."

• Gabriel [16:38]: "You have to give it the same amount of care that you would give other moments that you would think maybe, maybe click."

• Kaia [28:46]: "I love that they're always just on the same page."

• Gabriel [28:13]: "He comforts me when people ask me about why do I like Zaden? Because he is—"

9. Conclusion

This episode of Fantasy Fangirls offers an in-depth look behind the scenes of the A Court of Thorns and Roses Graphic Audio series, featuring insightful conversations with voice actors Khaya Fraites and Gabriel Michael. The discussion spans their journey into voice acting, the intricacies of adapting complex characters like Violet and Zaden, and the challenges of rendering intimate scenes authentically. Additionally, the episode delves into fan theories and predictions for the upcoming Onyx Storm, providing a comprehensive exploration of the series' evolving narrative and character dynamics. The hosts, Nicole and Lexi, conclude with heartfelt encouragement for listeners to embrace the new book with an open mind, fostering a community of engaged and thoughtful fantasy enthusiasts.

Note: This summary captures the essence of the episode, focusing on the substantive discussions and interactions while omitting promotional content and unrelated segments as per the user's instructions.