At The Elephants with Rob Morris
At The Elephants with Rob Morris
Rob Morris
At The Elephants with Rob Morris profiles alumni, faculty and other guests of UNC School of The Arts.
Grey Grant (Music)
Had a wonderful chat meeting and diving into the mind of Grey Grant. Gotta love that alliteration. They're an alliteration Girlie. Enjoy. Grey Grant, a composer and performer, discusses their journey as a trans non-binary person and their passion for music and theater. They talk about how they chose their name and their experiences in the music and theater industry. They also touch on the importance of discussing and destigmatizing death and grief. Grey Grant's journey has involved exploring different gender identities and finding their place in the arts as a composer and performer. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Origin of Grey Grant 17:14 Destigmatizing Death and Grief 32:21 Gender Identity and Vocal Training 43:12 Evolution of Language and Gender Identity
Apr 28, 2024
47 min
Katie Weinstein (Drama '19)
Katie was a blast to talk to! Love connecting with young new grads barreling into the business with blood, sweat, and tears. Enjoy. Summary Katie discusses her background, including her name, living in Princeton, and her love for sleep. She talks about her recent acting projects and her work at Princeton University. The conversation then delves into her decision to pursue acting and her experiences with allergies and near-death incidents. Katie also shares her perspective on the importance of gratitude and embracing life's challenges. In this conversation, Rob Morris and Katie discuss their experiences in the entertainment industry and their perspectives on education and filmmaking. They touch on topics such as the value of a degree in the industry, the importance of community and collaboration in their work, and their preferences for different genres of film. Katie shares her interest in creating a production company and working with like-minded artists, while Rob reflects on the challenges of wearing multiple hats as an actor and director. Overall, they express their passion for storytelling and their excitement for future projects. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:39 Ambitions and Living in the City 15:21 Passion for the Entertainment Industry 35:13 Choosing Acting and College Options 44:43 Building a Community of Like-Minded Artists 51:15 Exploring Different Genres in Filmmaking 01:09:21 The Challenges of Wearing Multiple Hats
Apr 28, 2024
1 hr 12 min
Ivan Potter-Smith II
Ivan Potter-Smith is back! we had the best conversation about Artificial Intelligence and the ways we think it will and has already effected art. GPT, Sora, free coloring books, 3d printing. It is all HERE! Enjoy. The conversation explores the impact of AI and 3D printing on the art industry. It discusses how AI is already replacing certain jobs in the art world, such as logo design, and how it may eventually affect other areas of visual creativity. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations of AI in art creation and the need for responsible implementation. The parallel story of the evolution of the automotive repair industry is shared to highlight the inevitability of change and the need to adapt. The conversation explores the ethical and practical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the art industry. The hosts discuss the impact of AI on artists' livelihoods, the potential loss of unique and expressive art, and the role of AI in creative processes. They also touch on the challenges faced by artists in a rapidly changing technological landscape and the importance of community and connection in the art world. The conversation highlights the need for artists to adapt and find new opportunities in the face of automation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 06:37 The Accessibility and Future of 3D Printing 13:35 The Effect of AI on the Art Industry 32:06 Adapting to Change and Finding New Opportunities 41:42 The Importance of Community and Connection in the Art World 49:45 Exploring the Future of Art and AI 59:10 Balancing Automation and Human Creativity in the Art Industry
Mar 25, 2024
1 hr 11 min
Ojas Jain (Film '22)
It is INTERNATIONAL WEEK on AtE! PART 2 All the way from the Windy City of India! Ojas Jain shares insight into the Bollywood scene in Mumbai as he walks us through his choice not to join the family business but instead to study and pursue filmmaking education in America. How does that happen and why is he not in Los Angeles? Find out and you know it: Enjoy.
Mar 21, 2024
1 hr 1 min
Yuko Taniguchi (D&P '21)
It is INTERNATIONAL WEEK on AtE! PART 1 Lighting majors unite! We covered the globe-trotting travels of Ms. Yuko Taniguchi from Japan across the sea, back, across the sea, AGAIN. The specific journey to lighting through a need for community and so much more. Enjoy.
Mar 18, 2024
1 hr 6 min
Samantha Richardson (Music)
Samantha in the house! Don't miss this great chat about the swing from Musical Theater to Opera to Editing! Enjoy. Samantha Richardson shares her background and experiences growing up in a fractured family. She discusses the dynamics of her parents' divorces and remarriages, as well as her relationship with her sister. Samantha reflects on the different coping mechanisms she and her sister developed in response to their family situation. She also talks about her passion for singing and her early decision to attend the UNC School of the Arts. The conversation explores the impact of family dynamics on personal identity and the importance of recognizing and valuing individuality. In this conversation, the guest discusses their journey through childhood trauma, their experience at UNCSA, and their current work in post-production in TV. They talk about the importance of acknowledging and embracing their comedic skills and the impact of their supportive parents. They also touch on the challenges of financing their education and the need for more financial assistance for students. The guest shares their passion for exploring different interests and their desire to work in producing. They mention their recent work on the TV show Fargo and the impact of the writer's strike on the industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 16:14 Sibling Rivalry and College Choices 36:46 The Influence of Supportive Parents 43:18 The Financial Burden of Education 49:45 Exploring Multiple Interests and Passions
Feb 12, 2024
1 hr
Grant West (Film)
Grant West discusses his background and journey into the film industry. He talks about growing up in North Carolina, his passion for making videos with friends, and his decision to pursue film in college. Initially interested in producing, he later discovered a love for design and directing. Grant also shares his thoughts on the role of a director and the importance of collaboration on a film set. Grant reflects on his experience at the School of the Arts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, he adapted well to the industry standards and had a positive outlook. He emphasized the importance of both hard work and enjoying the social aspects of the school. Grant also discussed the pressure and workload at the school, noting that some students thrived under it while others struggled. Overall, he had a great time and learned a lot from his colleagues and experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:11 Thoughts on the Future and Planning 25:49 Transitioning to Directing 32:30 Adapting to Industry Standards 44:21 The Pressure and Workload at the School 51:55 Balancing Work and Play 01:02:33 Individual Experiences at the School
Feb 5, 2024
1 hr 3 min
Ivan Potter-Smith (VA '10 D&P '14)
What a wonderful artist Ivan Potter-Smith is. Starting in the mountains of Asheville, we work our way to Winston-Salem where we find a quick chat with a visual artist that started passionate about comic books and landed painting scenes. Now he does all kinds of things and he feels great about that. Shouldn't we all. Enjoy.
Jan 29, 2024
1 hr
Bonnie Blackwell (Music '20)
Great episode today with classical vocal major: Bonnie Blackwell. We talk about the freedom to be happy, Moravian church, different experiences with singing as an art form, pursuing confidence through your work and much more. Fun Fact: Bonnie is an actual ray of sunshine. Enjoy.
Jan 23, 2024
1 hr 46 min
AtE 2023 TRAVEL BLOG
(better watched on YT/Spotify than listened to) This year Steven and Rob hit up some massive alumni events at Lincoln Center in New York and in Winston-Salem for the first ever UNCSA Homecoming! Follow these stories in this special holiday episode of At The Elephants! For Rob's full breakdown of Homecoming: https://youtu.be/RRhK2j4YV7U For the Golden Pickles Episode: https://youtu.be/UHCoBdtwpI0
Jan 8, 2024
22 min
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