Podcast Summary: I Witness: Silent Night – The Voices of The Lazarus Project: A Cast Interview

Introduction

In the fifth episode of the I Witness podcast, titled "The Voices of The Lazarus Project: A Cast Interview," host Jeff Brown engages in an insightful conversation with members of the cast from the popular audio drama series, Miles and Quinn. Joined by Chris Zimmerman of Red Five Media, who masterminded the Eyewitness Podcast, the episode delves into the cast's experiences, their involvement in the fine arts at Northwest Christian School, and their future aspirations.

Meet the Cast

• Jeff Brown: Superintendent at Northwest Christian School and host of the I Witness podcast.
• Chris Zimmerman: Representative from Red Five Media and the creative force behind the Eyewitness Podcast.
• James Slivero: Plays Genoa and Simon, an alumnus working with the school's tech team.
• Tanner Osborne: Portrays Miles, a senior involved extensively in the school's fine arts.
• Chanel Valdez: Voices Quinn, a sophomore passionate about animation and the NXNW Film Festival.

Involvement in Fine Arts at Northwest Christian School

Jeff Brown opens the discussion by highlighting Tanner and Chanel's significant contributions to the school's fine arts programs.

• Tanner Osborne reflects on his journey:
  "I've pretty much been involved with NCS Productions since freshman year. Really?" [02:08]
  He details his roles in productions like Radium Girls, High School Musical Noises Off, Beauty and the Beast, Clue, Anastasia, and various student films such as Do Gooders, Next Shot, Split Second, and Test Takers.

• Notable Moments:
  Tanner shares memorable lines from Do Gooders and Clue:
  "Let's go save that baby." [03:33]
  This line resonated deeply with Jeff Brown, symbolizing Tanner's dedication.

• Chanel Valdez discusses her passion for animation and contributions to the NXNW Film Festival:
  "I started to do the Crusaders Got Talent when it started in 2020... I could do animation stuff." [05:13]
  Her work in animation not only earned her cash prizes but also fueled her creative expression.

The Recording Process of Eyewitness Podcast

The conversation shifts to the unique process behind creating the Eyewitness audio drama.

• James Slivero explains the recording setup:
  "The way that we recorded it was just one person at a time in this very booth... we were hearing that for the first time along with everybody else." [07:47]
  This method differed from traditional stage performances, emphasizing individual contributions.

• Chanel Valdez adds her perspective:
  "It's pretty similar to what I do for the animations, lines-wise... it's like a bit of choosing in the dark." [09:06]
  She highlights the challenges and excitement of not being able to hear others' performances beforehand.

• Tanner Osborne contrasts podcast recording with stage work:
  "The podcast... we ended up filming the entirety of all of my lines of dialogue in pretty much three hours." [10:16]
  He appreciates the flexibility and the fun, low-commitment nature of the podcast format compared to lengthy stage productions.

Future Aspirations and Career Paths

The episode delves into the cast members' plans post-graduation, revealing a strong inclination towards engineering disciplines.

• Tanner Osborne shares his academic goals:
  "After graduation, my plans are to go to ASU... studying biomedical engineering." [11:56]
  Despite his love for theater, Tanner senses his calling lies in the biomedical field, inspired by his passion for the brain and body.

• Chanel Valdez discusses her ambitions:
  "For now, probably astroengineering at NASA because I think that'd be fun... inspired by Hidden Figures and Martian." [14:34]
  Her interest in the stars and aerospace engineering drives her career aspirations.

• James Slivero reflects on his ongoing role at the school:
  "I work with the tech team, so just helping out with keeping our technology running." [06:58]
  His background in drama and technology showcases his versatile skill set.

Possibility of Future Seasons

Listeners are left pondering the future of Miles and Quinn as the cast expresses their openness to continuing the series.

• Tanner Osborne affirms potential return:
  "I think we're both pretty happy with the experience and we're pretty willing to do it again if it came up." [15:45]

• Chanel Valdez echoes this sentiment:
  "I would definitely like to keep doing it." [15:56]
  Both express a desire to explore more adventures with their characters, leaving room for future installments.

Behind the Scenes: Casting and Voice Work

An interesting anecdote unfolds regarding James Slivero's dual roles in the podcast.

• Chris Zimmerman recounts the casting decision:
  "We tried messing around with pitch and other effects... so we might just keep you as just Genoa." [16:40]
  This led to James taking on the role of Simon, showcasing his versatility.

• James Slivero shares his preparation process:
  "It was mostly just mental practice going over the script and kind of internally envisioning how I was going to do them." [18:03]
  His dedication is further highlighted when he recites the Grinch song:
  "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch. You really are a heel. You're as cuddly as a cactus, as charming as an eel. Mr. Grinch." [20:05]

Closing Thoughts

Jeff Brown wraps up the interview by acknowledging the cast's talents and their contributions to both the fine arts and the Eyewitness podcast. The episode underscores the synergy between student creativity and professional production, celebrating the cast's achievements and their promising futures.

Notable Quotes

• Tanner Osborne on balancing passion and career:
  "I just don't know that that's gonna be, you know, my career sort of thing." [12:31]

• Chanel Valdez on her inspiration:
  "I was inspired by Hidden Figures and Martian." [14:34]

• James Slivero on his favorite characters:
  "I was Marcellus Washburn... and then we did the lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where it was a dual role of the professor and Aslan." [19:31]

Conclusion

This episode of I Witness offers a comprehensive look into the lives of the cast members behind Miles and Quinn. Their reflections on past performances, the unique process of creating an audio drama, and their aspirations beyond high school provide listeners with a deeper appreciation of the dedication and talent that fuel the Eyewitness Podcast. As they embark on new academic and professional journeys, the foundation laid at Northwest Christian School continues to inspire and shape their futures.