Story & Craft is Marc Preston’s venue for offering up entertaining, insightful and inspiring conversations. Marc has spent over three decades as a successful actor, voiceover talent, and nationally syndicated radio host. He’s endlessly curious and enjoys great conversations that inspire. Each episode, Marc welcomes film, television and voiceover actors, storytellers, influencers and creative personalities that have intriguing points of view to offer. Marc’s unique interview style provides insight into the origins of what made his guests successful, as well as how they stay at the top of their game. Whether you work in the industry, or simply enjoy great conversation, you’re invited to grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a sit down with Marc and his guests as they talk story, share a moment and inspire.
On this episode of Story & Craft, we sit down to chat with Writer, Director and Producer Owen Dennis from "Infinity Train" and Paramount+'s "Among Us" to discuss his career and personal stories.
Owen discusses his unexpected path to animation, detailing his time teaching English in China and the early motivation that pushed him to pursue art outside his hometown. He shares the hands-on process of creating a fully hand-drawn, 2D animated series and the practical challenges of pitching adult animation in an industry that relies heavily on genre stereotypes.
He also explains the unique dynamics of directing voice actors, noting why comedy actors naturally excel with timing in the booth. Owen talks about navigating production hurdles – such as animating before recording voices during the actors' strike – and shares how taking solo road trips helps him recharge creatively.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
[00:08:29] | Escaping the Great Recession by moving to China
[00:13:27] | Losing a one-person art contest
[00:15:20] | Why 2D animation is making a massive comeback
[00:18:09] | Animating "Among Us" during the actors' strike
[00:24:36] | The biggest hurdle when pitching adult animation
[00:28:34] | Turning a notebook doodle into a hit character
[00:34:00] | Unplugging on solo road trips to find new ideas
[00:40:13] | Why comedy actors dominate the voice booth
[00:44:16] | Why Robert Pattinson was born to do voiceover
[00:45:48] | The Seven Questions
