I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In!

🎬 From Elementary School Stardom to Law & Order: SVU | David Shapiro Interview
In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with Brandeis graduate and Tufts student David Shapiro. David is a true multi-hyphenate, balancing acting and filmmaking with computer science, drone photography, comic creation, and even pogo sticking in local parades! David opens up about his fast-track start playing Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the fourth grade, his time studying abroad and working as a background actor in the landscapes of New Zealand, and what it’s really like to witness Mariska Hargitay at work on the set of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Inside This Episode:
📌 The Renaissance Man: How David manages his massive list of creative passions without burning out.
📌 The Viral Microwave Grilled Cheese: The hilarious story behind David's childhood YouTube cooking show that still holds his record for long-form views.
📌 New Zealand Background Work: A parent's worst nightmare turned dream acting gig—spending a day pretending to be dead in a New Zealand field.
📌 The Multi-Hyphenate Filmmaker: Behind the scenes of writing, co-directing, and starring in his Brandeis shorts, Fresh Start and Frat Material.
📌 PNN Cross-Over: David talks about playing David in a WarGames parody for the Parody News Network.
📌 The Law & Order: SVU Experience: How David made it into a 15-second promo package and what he learned watching TV legends up close.
📌 An Actor's Analytical Mind: Why it should surprise absolutely no one that this computer science enthusiast tracks every single one of his auditions on a master Excel spreadsheet.
📌 Union Dilemma: A candid conversation on the pros, cons, and logistics of pursuing SAG-AFTRA vs. remaining a non-union actor in the New England market.
Connect with David Shapiro:
Website: www.davidshapiro.com (Grab a snack, there are a lot of awesome project tabs to click through!)
Support the Show & Our Sponsors:
🎯 Parody News Network (PNN): ⁠   / parodynewsnetwork  ⁠
🎙️ I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In: If you love deep dives into the acting craft, tales from the set, and practical industry tips, follow us and leave a review!
⁠#DavidShapiro⁠ ⁠#StephenLomer⁠ ⁠#NewEnglandActors⁠ ⁠#ActingPodcast⁠ ⁠#IndieFilmmaking⁠ ⁠#LawAndOrderSVU⁠ ⁠#MariskaHargitay⁠ ⁠#SAGAFTRA⁠ ⁠#NonUnionActor⁠ ⁠#BrandeisUniversity⁠ ⁠#TuftsUniversity⁠ ⁠#ParodyNewsNetwork⁠ ⁠#NewZealandFilm⁠ ⁠#ActorLife⁠ ⁠#AuditionTips⁠ ⁠#ISawYouInThatThingISawYouIn⁠

🎥 From Maine Dairy Country to Horror Film Star: Emily Bartley! 🐮 In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the vibrant and multi-talented Emily Bartley. Known for her intense performances in drama and horror, Emily is a ray of sunshine with a dark cinematic streak and a very "unique" set of skills.
We discuss her journey through the COVID-era theater scene at the Osher School of Music, her transition into the world of film, and how she balances life as a "middle child" in a blended family of 10 siblings.
Inside This Episode: 📌 The "Duck Mask" Era: Emily shares the surreal experience of performing in theater during COVID and the "horrific" specialized masks performers had to wear.
📌 The Skill Section Deep Dive: We address the two most intriguing items on Emily's resume: full-figure modeling and her world-class ability to burp on command (yes, she demonstrates!).
📌 Horror vs. Comedy: Why this "sweet" actress prefers the therapeutic release of intense drama and horror films over lighthearted comedy.
📌 Project Spotlight: Behind the scenes of Red Shore, Under the Hood, When You Whistle at Night, and the comedy short This Place is Haunted.
📌 The Acting Grind: Emily gets real about the frustration of "zero-view" self-tape auditions and her advice for aspiring actors to "be the person you want to work with."
📌 Midsommar Obsession: Why Emily has watched the Florence Pugh folk-horror masterpiece over 100 times.
Connect with Emily Bartley:
Instagram ⁠  / theemily_rose_bartley_  ⁠
Backstage ⁠https://www.backstage.com/talent/?act...⁠
IMDb: (Currently being updated!) ⁠https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16362777⁠
Support the Show & Our Sponsors: 🎯 Parody News Network (PNN): Your favorite movies and TV shows satirized for your protection. Subscribe here: ⁠   / parodynewsnetwork  ⁠
🎙️ I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In: Follow us on Spotify and leave a review if you enjoyed the craft talk!
⁠#EmilyBartley⁠ ⁠#StephenLomer⁠ ⁠#NewEnglandActors⁠ ⁠#ActingAdvice⁠ ⁠#HorrorFilm⁠ ⁠#IndieFilmmaking⁠ ⁠#MaineFilm⁠ ⁠#Midsommar⁠ ⁠#FlorencePugh⁠ ⁠#PodcastForActors⁠ ⁠#BurpingOnCommand⁠ ⁠#ActingSkills⁠ ⁠#RedShoreMovie⁠ ⁠#NewEnglandTheater⁠

🎬 Vulnerability, Wilderness EMT training, and ... Flavored Whiskey! 🥃🎭
In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the adventurous and deeply thoughtful Kayla Garabedian. Kayla is a New England-based actor, singer-songwriter, and aspiring stunt performer who isn't afraid to get "comfortable with the uncomfortable."
The duo dives deep into Kayla’s origin stories—from the core memory of watching X-Men to her "Broadway-bound" fifth-grade performance as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. They also explore the darker side of the craft, discussing the link between acting and healing trauma, and how Kayla’s background in wilderness adventuring fuels her passion for post-apocalyptic and sci-fi roles.
Oh, and did we mention the Whiskey Challenge? Listen as Stephen and Kayla sample everything from Gingerbread to Peanut Butter & Jelly whiskey every 18 minutes!
In This Episode, We Discuss:
📌 The "Keystones": How playing Dorothy and landing her first indie film cemented her path in the industry.
📌 Acting as Healing: A raw discussion on vulnerability, emotional neglect, and how acting serves as "soul food."
📌 IMDb Breakdown: Kayla shares behind-the-scenes stories from the award-winning short Dissection Day, the spooky YouTube hit Familiar (Toy Galaxy), and the much-anticipated feature The Jungle.
📌 The Wilderness Connection: Why Kayla needs the outdoors to stay sane and how her Wilderness EMT training collided with a major feature film audition.
📌 The Future of Kayla G: Sneak peeks into her plans for a stunt workshop in Australia and her upcoming folk-pop album. Speaking of which ...
🎸 🎵 If you'd like to make a pledge toward Kayla's upcoming studio album, click here: https://funding.plaiddogrecording.com...
Support Our Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by the Parody News Network (PNN). Tired of the regular news? PNN satirizes your favorite movies and TV shows as if they were breaking world events. 👉 Check them out:    / parodynewsnetwork  
Connect with the Show
If you enjoyed Kayla’s "immaculate" energy (and her many improvised characters!), make sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! Listen on the go: 🎧
Available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. Leave us a review if you made it through the whiskey shots with us! #ActingPodcast #KaylaGarabedian #NewEnglandActors #IndieFilm #DissectionDay #WhiskeyTasting #StuntActor #SingerSongwriter #ActingTips #StephenLomer #ISawYouInThatThing #FolkPop #WildernessEMT #PNN

🎬 From MLM Schemes to Horror Scream Queen: Meet Sunny Sullivan!
In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the irrepressibly positive Sunny Sullivan. Sunny’s entry into the world of acting and modeling wasn't planned—it was sparked by a persistent friend and a "backhanded" agency compliment that changed everything.
Sunny shares her incredible transition from a Connecticut mom of three (including a cheerleader daughter and a hockey-playing son) to a professional performer featured on VH1’s My True Crime Story. We dive into her "horror fantasy" of being a victim in the Get Your Gun music video, her accidental expertise in "crack pipe" stagecraft, and her unconventional Hollywood crushes (Anthony Hopkins, anyone?).
In This Episode, We Discuss:
📌 The "Brotherly Love" of Philly: Sunny’s defense of Philadelphia and why it’s not all burning buildings and thrown biscuits.
📌 Finding Your Personality: How a five-foot-one "real person" with dyslexia conquered cold reads at her first agency meeting.
📌 The "True Crime" Experience: Sunny breaks down her three-day shoot for VH1, playing a drug dealer, and the reality of the "short list" struggle.
📌 Horror & Metal: Why Sunny loves being the victim in horror productions and her fascination with scream queens like Maya Goth.
📌 Audition Advice: Why you need to "slow it down" and trust that the casting director wants you to succeed.
Support Our Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by the Parody News Network (PNN). Sick of the 24-hour news cycle? PNN parodies the plots of your favorite movies and TV shows as if they were real headlines.
👉 Subscribe for your protection: ⁠   / parodynewsnetwork  ⁠
🎙️ Connect with the ShowIf you loved Sunny's "slay mommy" energy, make sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe! Are you a New England actor looking for your big break? Let us know in the comments what your dream role would be!
Listen on the go:
🎧 Available on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.⁠#actingpodcast⁠ ⁠#SunnySullivan⁠ ⁠#NewEnglandActors⁠ ⁠#HorrorActing⁠ ⁠#VH1TrueCrime⁠ ⁠#modelingjourney⁠ ⁠#bostoncasting⁠ ⁠#actingtips⁠ ⁠#stephenlomer⁠ ⁠#ISawYouInThatThingISawYouIn⁠ ⁠#indiefilm⁠ ⁠#horrorfan⁠ ⁠#philadelphiaphillies⁠ ⁠#EaglesFans⁠

🎬 From Jewelry Designer to SAG-AFTRA Actor: Roe Pacheco on the "Weirdness" of the Acting Journey
In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the incredibly versatile Roe Pacheco. With a career spanning from professional floral and jewelry design in Chicago to booking roles alongside stars like Robert Redford (by accident!) and Donna Kelce (in a viral Chunky Soup commercial), Roe’s story is a masterclass in creative evolution.
Roe dives deep into why she believes acting is "emotionally liberating," her transition into the SAG-AFTRA union, and why she prefers the grit of high-quality writing (think HBO’s Girls or True Detective) over the modern trend of "vertical" social media dramas.
Inside This Episode:
📌 The Lifelong Journey: Why Roe waited until her daughter was grown to pursue acting full-time.
📌 The "Robert Redford" Story: A literal run-in with a Hollywood legend on the streets of Chicago.
📌 Union Talk: Roe’s honest advice on when to join SAG-AFTRA and the pros/cons of being a union actor in New England.
📌 Known For: A look at her roles in Swallowed, The Grilled Cheese Party, and the curiously titled Accidental Incest.
📌 The Design Mindset: How her 25-year background in jewelry design informs her approach to film costuming, color palettes, and storytelling.
📌 Losing Friends to Success: A candid conversation about the "rocket boosters" theory of friendship as you ascend in your career.
📌 A Call to Creators: Roe’s passionate plea for artists to "make shit" until they make something meaningful.
Connect with Roe Pacheco:
Instagram: @RoePacheco_Actor
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5225258
Referenced in this Episode:
Book: Future Relic by Daniel Arsham
Inspirations: Lena Dunham, Issa Rae, Sharon Horgan
🎙️ Support the Show & Our Sponsors: Parody News Network (PNN): Your favorite movies and TV shows satirized for your protection. Subscribe here:    / parodynewsnetwork  
I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In:
Follow us on Spotify and leave a review if you enjoyed the craft talk!
#RoePacheco #StephenLomer #NewEnglandActors #ActingPodcast #SAGAFTRA #IndieFilm #CreativeJourney #WomenInFilm #ActingAdvice #RhodeIslandFilm #FilmDesign #DanielArsham #Storytelling #ISawYouInThatThingISawYouIn

🎬 From "The Littlest Reindeer" to the Big Freaking Rat: This is the journey of an unstoppable actor. 🎭
In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the multi-talented Meg Salisbury. Meg is an actress, model, and voice artist based in Maine who has built a career on resilience, humor, and a mindset that simply won't quit.
Meg takes us through her early start in fourth grade, her time at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), and the hilarious reality of her IMDb "known fors" (including a project she wasn't even in!). Whether she's discussing her transition from musical theater to film and TV or how she learned to change oil while living in a cross-country RV, Meg's story is the ultimate guide to building a sustainable acting career through action and mindset.
In This Episode, We Discuss:📌 The Power of Mindset: Meg talks about rebranding her podcast to Unstoppable Actor Mindset and how she helps actors overcome self-doubt and rejection.📌 The "Our Town" Fiasco: Why skipping an entire scene in a high school play actually led to a more successful path in character roles and villainous leads.📌 IMDb Mysteries: A deep dive into the "Big Freaking Rat," "Creepypasta with Trollmaster Hades," and the bizarre inaccuracies of IMDb credits.📌 The "Chicken" Audition: How a literal chicken nearly stole her spotlight, and why the "moment before" is the most important part of any self-tape.📌 Producing Your Own Work: Meg discusses her "producing era," writing her first short film, and her dreams of creating a feature-length documentary on the hero's journey.
✨ Support Our PartnersThis episode is presented in partnership with Unstoppable Actor Mindset. If you're ready to build confidence and navigate the inner work of a creative career, subscribe to Meg's podcast on all major platforms!
Connect with Meg SalisburyPodcast: Unstoppable Actor Mindset 👉 ⁠https://shorturl.at/ZwNiY⁠Services: Mindset Coaching for Actors
If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe! Tell us in the comments: What's the weirdest thing that ever happened during your audition?
⁠#ActingPodcast⁠ ⁠#MegSalisbury⁠ ⁠#UnstoppableActor⁠ ⁠#MaineActors⁠ ⁠#ActingTips⁠ ⁠#AMDA⁠ ⁠#FilmAndTV⁠ ⁠#PodcastForActors⁠ ⁠#MindsetCoaching⁠ ⁠#IndieFilm⁠ ⁠#StephenLomer⁠ ⁠#ISawYouInThatThing⁠ ⁠#SpoonPlaying⁠ ⁠#ActorLife⁠
 

🎭 From physical therapy "disasters" to the stage, this is the ultimate comeback story.
In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the incredibly talented Dianne DeChellis. After a 20-year hiatus from the spotlight to focus on teaching Special Education and raising a family, Dianne is back on the New England stage—and she’s sharing the raw, hilarious, and sometimes bloody truth about her journey.
Dianne opens up about her "process of elimination" college years at Northeastern University, her brush with 9/11 that changed her New York City dreams, and the terrifying reality of returning to acting two decades later. Plus, don't miss the Sweeney Todd "trap door" story that will make your jaw drop!
In This Episode, We Discuss:
📌 The 20-Year Gap: Why Dianne left acting, her career as a Special Ed teacher in Lexington, and what finally brought her back to the craft.
📌 Stage vs. Camera: Dianne explains her love for musical theater and why the "technical loop" of film acting and teleprompters can be more intimidating than a live audience.
📌 The "Bloody" Truth: A legendary (and slightly gruesome) story about a malfunctioning trap door during a production of Sweeney Todd.
📌 Dinner Theater Chaos: Tales from the trenches of Joey and Maria’s Italian Wedding in Boston, including an audience member who took the "immersion" a little too far.
📌 The PNN Connection: Dianne’s experience working on the Parody News Network and her favorite "out of control" Christmas episode.
🎬 Support Our Sponsor
This episode is powered by the Parody News Network (PNN).Every week, PNN takes aim at popular movies and TV shows, satirizing them for your protection. If you need a break from mainstream news, this is your destination for humor and entertainment.
👉 Subscribe here: youtube.com/ParodyNewsNetwork
🎙️ Connect with the Show
Are you a New England actor with a story to tell? Let us know in the comments!
Like, Comment, and Subscribe to stay updated on the journeys of local performers.
#ActingPodcast #DianneDeChellis #NewEnglandTheater #StageActing #SweeneyTodd #ActingComeback #SpecialEducationTeacher #ISawYouInThatThingISawYouIn #StephenLomer #BostonActing #TheaterStories #MusicalTheater

In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the multi-talented Sophia Hartwood. From her roots in New England theater to her first lead role in the film Syncopation, Sophia shares the "firsts" that define an actor's journey.
Sophia dives deep into her experience as a student filmmaker, discussing her project The Barrier to Brilliance, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the New England acting scene, including her time at Boston Casting and working with Angelwood Productions. Whether you're an aspiring actor or a fan of local indie film, Sophia’s advice on being "over-prepared" and navigating the world of self-tape auditions is a must-hear.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
📌 The "First" Moments: From getting a live reaction at Boston Casting to seeing herself on screen for the first time while at Disney World.
📌 Filmmaking & Directing: Sophia talks about writing, directing, and editing her own film, The Barrier to Brilliance, based on a real-life Massachusetts story.
📌 The "Known Fors": A look at her resume, including the Red Flags music video, Against All Odds, and the New Bedford-based production Sin Eater.
📌 Acting Advice: Why being a background extra is the best way to start and why you should always run your lines one more time.
📌 Future Plans: Moving from Massachusetts to Florida and eventually LA, plus her upcoming book about being a DCP (Donor Conceived Person) in the arts.
🎬 Support Our Sponsor This episode is brought to you by the Parody News Network (PNN). Tired of the mainstream cycle? PNN parodies your favorite movies and TV shows with a satirical edge. 👉 Subscribe here: ⁠youtube.com/parodynewsnetwork  ⁠
🎙️ Connect with the Show If you enjoyed Sophia’s story, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe!
Have a favorite New England actor we should interview? Let us know in the comments below. ⁠#ActingPodcast⁠ ⁠#NewEnglandActors⁠ ⁠#SophiaHartwood⁠ ⁠#IndieFilm⁠ ⁠#BostonCasting⁠ ⁠#ActingTips⁠ ⁠#StudentFilmmaker⁠ ⁠#ISawYouInThatThing⁠ ⁠#StephenLomer⁠ ⁠#AuditionAdvice⁠ ⁠#NewEnglandFilm⁠

🎬 In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the ultimate multi-hyphenate of New England indie film: J.R. Fortin.
From his humble beginnings answering a Facebook casting call in Berlin, New Hampshire, to producing the award-winning series Hearts of New England, J.R. shares his incredible journey. We dive deep into the "no-excuses" mindset required to be an actor, writer, producer, and director while raising seven children and maintaining a professional career.
Inside This Episode:📌 The Maine Film Scene: Why being a "big fish in a small pond" in Maine is a secret weapon for indie filmmakers.
📌 Hearts of New England: The genesis of the hit mob/war/soap opera hybrid and how it racked up over 160 awards worldwide.
📌 Production Horror Stories: Learning from a "disaster" shoot in Connecticut and why money doesn't always solve production problems.
📌 The Secret to Casting: What J.R. looks for as a casting director (Hint: It’s not just about the lines).
📌 Acting Advice: Why "paying your dues" as a PA or extra is the fastest way to get cast in a lead role.
📌 What’s Next: A sneak peek at his upcoming Western, Purgatory, and his journey toward a Doctorate degree.
Connect with J.R. Fortin:IMDb: imdb.com/name/nm7581802
Watch Hearts of New England: https://www.youtube.com/@MaineEventFilms
Support the Show & Our Sponsors:🎯 Parody News Network (PNN): Your favorite movies and TV shows satirized for your protection. Subscribe here: youtube.com/ParodyNewsNetwork
🎙️ I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In: Follow us and leave a review if you enjoyed the craft talk!
#JRFortin #StephenLomer #NewEnglandFilm #ActingAdvice #IndieFilmmaking #HeartsOfNewEngland #MaineActors #FilmProduction #CastingDirectorTips #IndependentFilm #PodcastForActors #NewEnglandActing

🎬 The Journey from "Van Life" to the Big Screen | Interview with Dhanya Lott
Why acting? For Dhanya Lott, the spark started with a childhood of "playing pretend" and a deep-seated love for Classic Doctor Who. In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with the New England-based actress to discuss her unconventional path from living in a converted school bus to becoming a staple in the Boston and regional film scene.
Dhanya shares incredible stories from her journey, including the time she met Matt Smith in the Utah desert and gave him a drawing of Tinkerbell (that might still be in a paparazzi photo!), her passion for cosplaying Batgirl (Stephanie Brown), and her transition from the Midwest to the East Coast.
Inside This Episode:
📌 The "Doctor Who" Influence: Why Matt Smith is "her" Doctor and meeting the cast of The Impossible Astronaut.
📌 From Iowa to Massachusetts: Navigating the move and finding her footing in a new acting market.
📌 The Reality of Auditions: Why Dhanya prefers self-tapes over being in the room and her advice for "booking the room" even when you don't book the part. 📌 Collaborating with New England Filmmakers: Insights into working with directors like Ryan Nunez (A Beautiful Day, Drowned) and Ted (The Waiting).
📌 Developing "The Day the Clowns Cried": Dhanya discusses her upcoming project based on the tragic 1944 Hartford Circus Fire.
📌 Career Advice: Why you should become a "big fish in a small pond" before heading to LA or New York.
About Our Guest: Dhanya Lott is an actress and writer known for her work in She Cries Murder, Red Shore, and the poignant IVF-focused film The Waiting. She is a frequent collaborator in the New England independent film community and is currently developing several feature-length projects.
Sponsored by the Parody News Network (PNN) Support the show by checking out our sponsor! PNN satirizes your favorite movies and TV shows for your protection. 👉 Watch here:    / parodynewsnetwork  
Follow us for more interviews with New England Actors! #ISawYouInThatThingISawYouIn #ISYITTISYI #StephenLomer #DhanyaLott #ActingPodcast #NewEnglandFilm #DoctorWho #MattSmith #IndieFilm #ActingTips #SelfTapes #HartfordCircusFire #Cosplay #Batman