Acting With A Stutter: Landing Lead Role of Stuttering Huntress in New Animated Series

Transcript

Maya Chupkov:  

Hey proud stutter fam. Welcome back. I am so ready to share this brand new episode of proud stutter with you all. But before we get into it, I just wanted to thank you for waiting so patiently for a new episode. I know we skipped a week I've been away attending and speaking at two amazing, incredible conferences, Podcast Movement in Dallas, Texas and stammer Fest in Liverpool, England, I couldn't have made it to these events without your generous support.

Shout out to Natalie, England, Patrick Madison and Patrick Campbell for your recent donations and of course, to all our monthly members, you are all contributing to making the show possible and helping me get the word out about stuttering events to come. If you want to get a shout out to and help keep proud stutter going you can make a tax deductible donation at Prowse center.com. All you have to do is click the donate button on the top right hand corner and there'll be options to be a monthly contributor or a one time donation. Of course, being a monthly contributor is the best way to help support me but anything will make a big difference

Really quick, I have some big news. We reached a huge milestone for the show proud stutter was featured on Apple podcasts new and noteworthy section on the homepage of the app to see us on there. All you have to do is go inside your apple podcast app on your phone, click the Browse button. And we will be right in the new and noteworthy section. It often takes podcast over 10 years sometimes to reach this milestone, and we did it in less than one year. This is a huge win for the stuttering community and verbal diversity movement. And my last update before we get into the episode is I'll be speaking at another conference. This one is the independent news sustainability summit in Austin, Texas. I will be there from October 26 to the 29th. So if you're around the Austin area, definitely let me know. All right, so without further ado, on to Season Two, episode three. I'm Maya Chupkov. And I'm a woman who stutters Welcome to proud stutter, a show about stuttering and embracing verbal diversity in an effort to change how we talk about it. one conversation at a time

Welcome back to Proud Stutter today we have a new guest and a new co host joining us is Deseret Tracy Cole. She is a singer, actress and dancer. She's also a woman who stutters. Next we have our co host for this episode and our ally to the stuttering community. Nikki burns host of History podcast as the money burns. And she's also a researcher Deseret will be starring in a new animated series with the main character being a woman who stutters the character is a huntress and is based on Deseret. You heard it here first, folks, this is an exclusive discussion about the new series. Welcome both of you.

Desiree Cole:

Hello.

Nicki Woodward:

Hello.

Maya:

So Desiree, what was the moment you knew that you wanted to pursue this career acting and being in the entertainment and in distri?

Desiree:

So it started when I saw Annie, the old one. And I saw every one having fun. And and, and, and, and the orphans, singing and dancing. I was like, That is cool. And um, and then someone said it's acting. And I was like, what is that? So I was like, That is so cool. I want to do that.

Maya:

How has it been trying to break into the entertainment industry and how does your stutter show up in in that drive to be in the industry?

Desiree:

It's really hard, because I see people at auditions without any data, gutter or any other there's a bilities and this is Don't just me. So I felt kinda sad. But um, then I, I just kept going. And yeah,

Maya:

and knit, knit, knit, knit. Nikki, you also have some experience in the entertainment and district and I'm wondering, have has like, accessibility and disability issues and being more inclusive has an industry ever come up as you've kind of been in that kind of world.

Nicki:

I know, in the business, it's been, it's very hard for just anyone to break in. And, like seeing that, that continuous struggle. So once in a while you actually find someone with other complications that finally do crossover for everyone. It's so much just trying to get a new story out there and told, and like, same thing, like when you go and you see things with disability and like, you don't really think about it until you meet someone and like I met Maya earlier this year. So then another awareness is like, I didn't understand that stuttering has different. I knew you get tripped over like certain continents, but I didn't know there are other ways that it it influences or impacts or like there's other methods of it. And so it's just so important to have those stories told, and shown in different ways that we just become more aware and familiar with it. When I met my I spent several days with her, and I never heard her stutter, until I learned that she more pauses. And so then after being around her while I could catch little moments of it, but not like it was never what I was aware with, and then went the one time we had a long conversation where She stuttered more, she was excited, because for once, she wasn't stopping herself. So I think that's a nice important thing for everybody. Because I think so much now we're on social media, that we have to be out there. And there's a lot of censorship going to the people who are sensitive and have more to tell us like we need to hear what your experiences are Deseret what what you want. We need your bright and peppy personality to like, you know, say like, Hey, look, this doesn't have to be a problem. It's a little inconvenient, maybe at this moment, or it just adds a little more color to the conversation. Let's just go with it.

Maya:

Mickey described my stutter almost perfectly. I always love hearing how other people experience my stutter. I love it. Because sometimes I'm not aware of how I stutter. But the more I've been like hearing from people about how I stutter, I do notice more than I do pause. And a lot of it is this mechanism I've learned since I was little to hide my stutter. So instead of stuttering through a word, I just pause, switch a word or just start over again.

Nicki:

It's hard for like someone like me, and not having grown up with a closer friend or relative with it, how to know when it's a a more of an issue of where it's a repeat or an occurrence or it's something that's a little more self conscious for another person. Because I just like with my I just thought, oh, I chose regular speech patterns. Like you know, that happens. I talk to them all like, oh, yeah, I have to take a second and collect my thoughts.

Maya:

Yeah, I think a lot of it, and that's a really good point is the internal stuff. That's the most that distinguishes my experience from a fluent person experiences because, yes, like there are people who are fluent that, you know, they do pause and have similar mannerisms as people who stutter. But I think for me, like it's more of like the in ternal battle that's really the root of my stutter, because it's just something that I'm constantly thinking about, like, my speech is literally my center thought throughout my whole day. It's always on my mind. And so I think that's the difference. And I know like there are people who are fluent that also have those thoughts, but I think for a person who stutters, it's just, or at least for me, it's just like, it's kind of like a weight that's constantly I'm being pulled. And then another interesting thought too, is some people who stutter might not even call it a stutter until later in life, or maybe never because it's not a very talked about disability in some cultures and so I don't want to like, say like, oh, I have a stutter and you don't like that's not the vibe. It's just every stutter has their own personal journey with it. And so the more we talk about it, the more we can just understand those nuances in speech and how it might be impacting us

Nicki:

on sometimes, like realizing that other people aren't seeing what your, what you get nervous about. And so Deseret, like when you're because like, production can be so intense, no matter what, like deadlines, not very patient people at all right. So what is it when you like go to set or a voiceover session? What what helps you manage the situation and where does your focus go in preparation or in the process?

Desiree:

Um, um, rehearsing. I sometimes have good days and sometimes I have bad days. And, and sometimes I get angry, and I cry. And I am inish in a series that is m. m, m coming up. So it is a mini series, and I'm playing a 15 year old who has a stutter. And she, um, um, um, um, um, this and the, um, um, on jungle with her parents, and a pet

Nicki:

jagwire I want that.

Maya:

Are you still working on it? Or are you?

Desiree:

Yes. So we just wrapped episode one. And, and, and I am. I'm, I'm the Ilya and, and I, I'm, I'm duford or Jagwire. Um, his, his name is is Ammar a m mu r. Or Amir? Amir. I don't know how you say.

Maya:

That's so cool. I don't think I've ever seen a show where the the person that was casted with that stuttered. The character stuttered actually was an actress that stuttered themselves.

Desiree:

And, and so she is a so um, she's cute and sassy, like me. And, and since I'm COVID happened, I have to, um, record at home. It's hard doing it at home. Wow.

Maya:

So that is so exciting. Um, is the person that created the show? Does she stutter or where do you know where the idea of the show came from? I'm so curious.

Desiree:

So he um, so he um, has DISA Bella t also and, and he is gonna um, show it on, on like, I'm on on like, on colleges and on on on, on on YouTube and on, on on film festivals and other places. So, so, so, what happened is, I um, I am at and I am say um, um, um, so, I am on the say I'm the grant Um, um, how I speak and then, um, they, um, um, um, um, um, um, how I am speaking without, um, um, I'm saying, Nope, nope, nope, you can't do that. So yeah, is really cool.

Maya:

Wow, that is, I feel like we're getting a sneak peek. Exclusive.

Nicki:

I got turned into a puppet when they took they may, they took my name and made it a puppet. It never went to TV series, but as a pitch from two clients I used to work with. And the funny thing is the character that they drew the puppet with my name actually was very similar to me as a kid. And I have a picture like almost like she had red plaid. And I had an outfit almost the exact same that I sent to them and said, Hey, y'all kind of actually got it accurate. But they were just taking my name based on my personality. But, um, so it'd be very fun. It's very fun to see yourself cartoon eyes.

Maya:

And are you hoping the character looks like you?

Desiree:

Yes. And, and, and, and I hope she's wearing jungle themed clothes. Because since it's in the jungle, and, and, and ah, and, and, and so, so. So in, um, my show. I have a mom, a dad and uncle friends and an animal sidekick. Nice. That's

Nicki:

a kid's dream.

Maya:

Yeah. Is the stuttering a center part of the story? Or is it something that's just, you know, not it's not a big deal. Like his there are some characters where they have a stutter. And it's just like, not a big deal. But then sometimes, you know, the stutter is the whole story. Like the King's speech was like all about his stutter, then there are some characters that just stutter and it's like, not a big deal. Does that make sense?

Desiree:

So I think yes, half Yes. hath no. But she says, Why do M M. M. M, um, so she's, um, so she, um, um, I asked her her. Um, why, um, she has a stutter. And she, she says something encouraging. And, and, and then I, um, I, um, I guess I, I run away. And I see an animal and I save it. I guess. Yeah. It's a cute. It's a cute cat. I liked the cat. I saw the joy. It was adorable. Love the drawing. I have it. I saved it.

Nicki:

Now this is the baby Jaguar or is this a different cat? Okay, it's the Jaguar.

Desiree:

It's the JAG wire.

Maya:

So it sounds like a positive representation of stuttering, which is very rare in the entertainment world.

Desiree:

Yes. And she, I'm I'm she is probably don't have glasses, because I have.

Maya:

So yes, so exciting to hear that that's coming out. And yeah, as soon as it comes out, let me know and I will blast it out. You don't even know how excited I am. Because it's so rare.

Desiree:

It is, um, like, why is it so?

Maya:

So like one How did you find out about the the role and like, take us through what you felt when you found out that you got it?

Desiree: 

So I was on Facebook. And someone asked if f f f f f M? de m m m. So I'm someone who stutters or if you stutter you can play a 15 I'm I'm I'm I'm two year old girl. who stutters, and I said, I have a stutter. And I sound Young. Almost. Um, so I sent, and I'm by saying hi, on, on a, on a, on a, on a microphone. And then, um, he, um, unset in some sides. Um, so unsized ar, ar, ar, ar, ar are on some of the script. It's, it's a little preview. And he, um, sent me. Um, um, um, um, so he sent me the, um, um, um, her description. And so I, I did it, and I sent it and then about a couple months. I got I got it. He emailed me instead I got it. I was like, why? So I am.

Maya:

That is so exciting.

Desiree:

Because I've always wanted to be in the voiceover industry. Because I, I like animation. I watched cartoons. And, and, and, and. And I was hoping someone could, could, uh, could have a character who stutters, but then it never happened. And then I saw this on Facebook, and I said, I'm gonna do that.

Maya:

So yeah, that's so cool. You're gonna inspire so many young people who stutter Right? Like that is so needed. I'm so I'm so excited for

Nicki:

you such a cool role, you know, because like you said, you get even get the animal sidekick that just that makes you the central and lead character. You're playing because you're playing you're playing Amelia is the name. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So you're playing the title lead character of the show?

Desiree:

And I have have a, um, a animal sidekick?

Nicki:

What's your weapon?

Desiree:

A sphere? It like attacks people, or trees? And other stuff. Now,

Nicki:

have you gone to practice the spear spearing on your own? Yeah,

Desiree:

I'm not allowed to. Oh, yeah. And, and, and. And he said, um, um, that, um, um, that, um, I will be oh, wait, I see. Well, I'm fighting. Bad guys. I was like, what? In the tunnel? He's like, Yeah, it's gonna be bad guys. And like,

Maya:

I love that so much. And what's the show calls?

Desiree:

is called M M? Aliah. And, and amaray.

Maya:

Cool. And Will people be able to watch it? Or do you have to attend the film festivals to watch it?

Desiree:

I think um, um, people can watch it. So yeah. Okay.

Maya:

Do you know when it's going to release publicly? Not yet. Okay. Well, no. Well, as soon as it does, we're gonna blast it out. Okay. And

Nicki:

you said it was a mini series. So how many episodes? Is it supposed to be?

Desiree:

I don't know. Finished. I'm on episode one.

Nicki:

Well, and it takes a long time to animate, especially depending on the style that they do, like, I tried to tell people is like, yeah, you can do a documentary or maybe even a short film, like you can do it like in a week or two. If you're really fast, but animation, you're lucky if three to six weeks. You get a couple of minutes. It takes

Desiree:

a long time. I'm like, where is it? Where is it? I want to see it.

Maya:

Is there any artwork of the characters available yet? Or not yet?

Desiree:

You said it's a secret. I'm like, I'm like I want to see me. I want to see me.

Nicki:

And so how has just I guess one little extra question. So how has acting and performing in voiceover How is that like as part of the transformational experience? How does that help you and what would you like other people people to take from that in whatever, in whatever way they need to their lives because we all like, we all get to the point where we limit ourselves. And that's like confronting your limitation or your fear and just going with it. And that's quite empowering and freeing. So how, what would you like to say to people to encourage pursuing whatever passion they have, like you have?

Desiree:

A, I say, I'm, I'm just keep going. And, and, and, and egg, egg or all of all, all of all of the haters. And, and just be you. And, and and if you want to act or do something else I say go for it. Because, um, um, we own we own they have, um, have one um, um, um, um,

Nicki:

like, yes, definitely.

Maya:

I can already see you're gonna be an amazing motivational speaker one day.

Nicki:

Thank you. Fantastic animated character.

Maya:

Yes.

Nicki:

They need they need to base it on you because you got like your expressions and like very vivacious. As well, your, your voice. So that's great that you know, you're letting your voice be out there and letting us experience that and you know, opening that door where it's not constructed, it's real. So, but it's not going to limit you.

Maya: 

Well, thank you both so much. That was a great Convo. And yeah, thanks, everyone for listening, and we'll see you back on proud Stetter in a few weeks. And that's it for this episode of proud stutter. This episode of proud stutter was produced and edited by me, Maya Chupkov. Our music was composed by a gusto, Denise, and our artwork by Maura, Ezekiel and Noah Chupkov. If you have an idea or want to be part of a future episode, visit us at www dot proud stutter.com. And if you liked the show, you can leave us a review wherever you're listening to this podcast. Want to leave us a voicemail? Check out our show notes for that the number to call in more importantly, tell your friends to listen to until we meet again. Thanks for listening. Be proud and be you.