Hello, and welcome to snows return a tabletop role playing podcast. My guest today should be your first port of call if you need someone to be about us. She combines acting with nerves of steel tenacity with compassion. And if you want to catch it this lady emotion than should be found playing a druid with an incredible ensemble cast, taking part in live streams, charity games and quizzes, and working as a producer. My guest has found time to join me today. A very warm welcome to Brazil. Hope. Welcome to the show.
Hope LaVelle:Hi, thank you so much for having me.
Snyders Return:It's an absolute pleasure. And I'm sure many people will be familiar with your work. But before we go into to what you're doing at the moment, would you mind give us a bit of background about yourself and how you how you got into tabletop role playing games and and just life in general, please?
Hope LaVelle:Oh, yeah, of course. So I am an improv actor and a stunt performer. And that's kind of been my life for the past seven or eight years. I got my start in d&d and tabletop RPGs, long time ago, middle school, high school, starting with the indie 3.5. And kind of working my way out through there. So it's been quite a few years of playing. And everything that I do these days revolves around either d&d, or I take my d&d to the real world. And I take the real world in my d&d, and you know, I live fully through everything that I do.
Snyders Return:Oh, that sounds sounds great. So you say that you started with 3.5? How, how have you felt the game has progressed bring out fifth edition, which most people don't identify you with? The most now?
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, um, 3.5 I of course, it's holds a special place in my heart. But fifth edition, really has opened up itself to a whole range of new new people and bringing new people in because of its simplified rule system and kind of just making everything accessible. It's absolutely wonderful. But and 3.5 was definitely a really fun time for me.
Snyders Return:Okay, so we're now in the year of fifth edition, may continue. I think it's still got room for development and and it continues to develop, as you say, but let's speak about where people might be able to find you and and know you from?
Hope LaVelle:Well, most people will know me from a show called Beyond heroes. It's a d&d beyond DND streaming show on Twitch, we were on every single Wednesday from two to four PST on their twitch channel. And unfortunately, the show is no longer on. But I now am on a show called from DND beyond called silver and steel, which is on Tuesdays from six to 8pm PST. So those are the two main shows you might know me from. I think us some of the viewers of your podcast might know me from attackers of opportunity, which is a d&d podcast that I'm part of. And and yeah, those are probably the main places that you'll find me
Snyders Return:All right, what about social media? Someone wanted to sort of follow you in your d&d career and your your actual real life as it were, but where can people go and find you?
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, um, well, of course, you can follow me on twitter at the hope Lavelle. I post them like hundred percent about d&d stuff. That's really all you'll see on my Twitter is just more and more d&d stuff. And then more geared towards my stunt and acting career. You'll find me on Instagram at hope Lavelle. And you'll get to see cool pictures of me doing stunts and you know, lots of horrible selfies and things of that nature.
Snyders Return:Well, speaking of stunts and work you are working for Is it fun code studio Sakura. Yeah, just tell us a bit more about your role there and and what you do as a as a living as such.
Hope LaVelle:Mm hmm. So Funko studios is a production company slash art department, fabrication house and I am lucky enough to be the producer, there. And my job is to basically bring in work and bring that work to fruition, running it from development and design all the way through fabrication and passing it off to the client. So we do everything from special effects to set building to prop fabrication to full productions, if somebody comes to us with a script, we can fully produce it in house. And so that is my day job. And it takes up a lot of time, but it's an absolutely wonderful place to work. And really is amazing some of the stuff that we get to create
Snyders Return:Hmm, do you still get the opportunity to do the more physical aspects of your training of the park or the martial arts and all those sorts of things?
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, of course, I always try to make time to train and do do stunts and mocap I've been very, very blessed to mostly these days, it's it's mostly going to be motion capture. I still study my martial arts and my Park core not so much anymore. I took a pretty bad injury. Your two ago that kind of made me step back from hardcore for a little bit but focus more on martial arts and some other aspects of stunts. So But yeah, I always make time for it because it'll always be a part of me.
Snyders Return:That's amazing. And another part of you which is why I invited you on is the the dungeons and dragons side of things. So let's let's speak about your most prominent or most notable character, Penelope Hotpoint Would you like to give us a nice sort of background on on her and her experiences through your your adventures?
Hope LaVelle:Sure. Well, for those who don't know, Penelope, Half Pint is a halfling. Druids circle of the moon. And she's adorable. naive, basically wants to be everyone's best friend. And to give a taste of her, she's always like, um, Hello, my name is Penelope Hathaway. But half a dozen. My real name is this nickname. I got this one time at the pub when I was given a whole half pint of meat. Well, it wasn't a whole half, but it was half of a whole pint. But I still drink the whole half of it. So she is she's Thank you, thank you. That's a little snippet of her. She's been through many, many adventures through beyond heroes. And even before beyond heroes, she's she was a part of a home game that I had, at one point, I actually got to bring her on to, to be on heroes and really shaped her and develop her into who she is today. So yeah, she's been with me for a very long time. And she's definitely a part of me and I love every, every moment with her.
Snyders Return:I'm not I can hear the inflection in your voice for her. And it's, it's a joy to watch, you guys should definitely check out silver and steel, and if you can get to watch the beyond hero stuff than that as well. So that's, that's a pleasure. You mentioned there and gave us a nice little insight into how Penelope is what is sort of influenced the the character that you've created, and sort of brought to life in such a popular way.
Hope LaVelle:Um, you know, what she actually originally derived from samwise gamgee, from Lord of the Rings, there was something about his character of just his perseverance to always stay positive. And, you know, I believe he was the real hero of that story. And every moment just lifting up Frodo and being his rock, and and, you know, it just loved that positivity that always came from him in it and in the truth that Sam wise was pretty, pretty naive through most of it, you know, always holding on to the light and thinking everything was going to be okay. And honestly, if Frodo didn't have him, then he wouldn't have made it. So that's that's kind of what I strive for with Penelope. You know, she's never meant to be the leader. You know, she's she's a support. Mentally physically, she's, she's very much there for her friends and doing whatever she can to lift up her friends and, and yeah, so that's, that's kind of how I play her. Hmm.
Snyders Return:So long, long may that continue, but not to put a downer on it. Have you thought beyond Penelope? Is that do you have characters waiting in the wings? You're thinking that you think maybe one day this character will come to prominence?
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, quite possibly. Of course. I have quite a few characters. That, you know, I think anybody who plays d&d has maybe has the habit of just making characters for the fun of it, even if they're not really meant for anything yet. I have this one character that I I got to play once in a charity livestream event. Her name is Emma de bimba. And she's a she's a luxilon barbarian. And she's super, she's like a super chill hippie. She's just like, Hey, guys, what's up? Like, I think I'm gonna rage now. Like, I just feel kind of angry, and I'm gonna, like, pummelled you. So she's like, even when she's raging, she's just kind of like this chill hippie. And I just think that she's a lot of fun. And again, just one of those light hearted characters. I think I'm really drawn to playing light hearted characters because I think that makes the game a little bit more fun, especially if you're surrounded by those who are playing brooding dark characters. It's kind of a fun colour to throw in.
Snyders Return:That contrast between between the group. Yeah, yeah, the sun light. That's, that's really good. And speaking of the dark and the broody characters, you're part the silver and steel. Show and work with some amazing people to bring that to life. What's it been like working with the likes of the Kendricks and Lauren, and be Dave waters and others?
Hope LaVelle:Oh, yeah. Are you kidding? I'm starstruck every week. These guys are just such pros. And they bring such light to me every week. Especially, you know, Todd Kenrick is absolutely just an amazing storyteller. And he's got so many incredible ideas. He's actually really inspired me when it comes to my storytelling, that nothing is too big, nothing is out of reach your story can can reach the end of the universe. And so I always applaud him for for never holding back in his storytelling. Be Dave Walters is one of the most amazing role players I've ever seen. He's quick, and he's witty, and he always knows how to help a story progress. Like he understands storytelling. And he knows when the move when the story needs to move along and when to sit back and let there be a character moment. Yeah, and let's see, Lauren. Lauren is just oh my god. She's a shining light in my life. And I always say when I grew up, I want to be Lauren urban. Because she's
Snyders Return:a girl, Lauren urban as well.
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, right. She's so fantastic. And her her gameplay is just, she's always looking out for people. And she's so what's the word she's so generous. With her time in the game, she always stepped back and let people have their moments. And she always is supporting people. And she's very good at like, if she sees a player who hasn't gotten time to talk, she'll instantly like, Oh, hey, you character what, you know, what do you think about this and giving them a moment that they might not have taken? That happens with me a lot. Sometimes I shy away if lots of people are talking and stuff, and she'll always involve me in the conversation. Let's see who else? Meg, Megan, Megan is so cute. She's absolutely so creative. The things that she does with her character. I'm like, I couldn't even think of half of those things. The way she's an artificer. And she's always coming up with these cool inventions and cooking these weird things. And every time she does a spell, she's always very much into the components of it. And I really admire that because a lot of times when we play d&d, we kind of throw off to the sides, the components, the visceral, the somatic, all that, those those things that you need to make spells and when somebody actually takes those and and makes it part of the storytelling. I just always applaud it. I think that that really shows how much of a pro you are playing.
Snyders Return:And Jasmine Of course, the your Dungeon Master.
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, you know what she, um, I don't I haven't gotten to know her very well. I only know her via the game. And from what I know from her from Twitter, she blows my mind. She is such an amazing storyteller, and she's such an amazing character creator. Every single one of her characters is so funny and real and has such a background in her voices. It it blows me away and she's so entertaining. And I think the best thing about having her as a DM is she's so gifted every issue is very much. If anybody who does improv, you know, the number one rule of improv is to say yes. And it's always the Yes. And game. Yes. And what else can you contribute us you affirm what the players saying or what your partner is saying. And then you add on to it. And there's been so many moments where a character has done something kind of crazy. Like maybe Dave says, he's going to do this, this crazy, crazy thing or whatever. And she just goes, Yeah, yeah, you can do that. And this is what happens and and it's never she never turns away anyone's idea. And I think I just, I, I admire that so much. And it really makes me want to be a better storyteller. And somebody who will always lift up the players. If I ever got the chance to be a DM that that's that would be an amazing thing.
Snyders Return:Is that not on the cards, maybe for a charity game or something?
Hope LaVelle:I have actually gotten to back when scratchiness Academy was, was still around, they did a 24 hour live stream event for charity, I think it was extra life and date, he was specifically looking for new DMS or people who had never deemed before that wanted to try it. And I had deemed maybe one home game in my life. But I, he actually asked if I wanted to do it. And I was like, Yes, I'll be super nervous to dm on a stream in front of hundreds of people for my first time. But he was very supportive in it. And I had a blast and I had such amazing players. And it really made me hungry for more. Like I really do hope that in the future, I can transition into being a DM, because I am a storyteller, and I love telling stories and I love improving with players and being able to, you know, take their ideas and, and you know, make them a reality. And I really, really hope that I can do more in the future.
Snyders Return:I'm sure you I'm sure you'll be given the opportunities. I'm not saying that'll be a result of this podcast. I don't have anywhere near that. But I'm sure people will see that, that that spark in you and nurture is this, the community that that we are all part of really seems to be in a pretty good place at the moment for supporting each other. So you know, you've got your work at fun CO and you've got the what were two streams and now a single stream and other things. So what is it you? What do you do for downtime? How do you sort of unwind at the end of a day or week?
Hope LaVelle:I sleep sleep a lot? Um, no. I, I I that's a great question. What do I do in my free time? I really don't. I really don't let myself have free time. You know, I'm always doing something, whether it be you know, training, or playing d&d or working. That's kind of all I want to do. You know, I love making music. Something that I've really been delving into for the past year is is writing songs and making music which I'm sure you already know this, but I wrote the theme song for beyond heroes, and I wrote the theme song for silver and steel, something that I was so grateful to be able to do. I absolutely love the process. And I think the songs turned out really well. And it's really made me kind of hungry for more and to do it just just for fun. I don't ever want to be a professional music maker or a producer, artist or anything I just like doing it for fun if it if it ever became a job, I'd probably hate it.
Snyders Return:The killer of the creative spark work yeah. And you've you've done a few other things that are non DND. I mentioned in the intro, you've done some quizzes, you did a Galaxy Quest quiz, way back before this was actually recorded. So what's it like doing things like that and engaging with people on on a different front?
Hope LaVelle:I mean, any front that I get to engage with people is is just amazing. I'm getting to do stuff like, you know, Galaxy Quest is my favourite movie. So that the fact that somebody reached out and said, Well, do you want to be part of a Galaxy Quest? trivia competition, I would like of course I do. That sounds so much fun. But really any chance I get to engage with people and, and do something new or just, you know, I've actually had a couple of people reach out to me and ask if I wanted to, or if they could write children's book with Penelope in it. And I just thought that was such an interesting outlet. And I think that Penelope would be perfect for a children's book. It could be a lovely little outlet of how teaching people how to make friends, or just to be nice to people and have good morals. But that was a really cool, interesting. They were having multiple people reach out and with that same idea, as has just been a wonderful experience that, you know, she's been inspiring enough that people want to write a book about her.
Snyders Return:And Penelope is a circle of the moon Druid if my notes certainly correct. So what's the most interesting transformation or use of a transformation or wild shape that you've used that you can use?
Hope LaVelle:Oh, well, it's actually interesting. And silver and steel, the very first episode that we arrived in, because we weren't we, myself and Jen kretchmer got to join in on the on the show after beyond heroes ended. And so the very first episode that we were in, they were fighting a giant worm. And I remember coming in and seeing this giant worm, and Penelope was just like, ooh, buns, and she transformed into a giant centipede. And then she was like, she got to fight this giant worm as a giant centipede. And that was just so much fun. And people liked it so much that at least the players liked it so much that they, they ended up naming the episode Penelope. So that was pretty fun. Yeah, and actually, Jasmine has actually introduced a mechanic that Penelope won a stuffed a stuffed elephant, called Bertrand, and is this cute? stuffed? stuffed animal? That's an elephant. And because I want it, she said, I am now capable of wild shaping into a giant stuffed elephant. So can you imagine just put LP while shaping into this plushie of a soft giant elephant, trying to think of what the statblock would be for that. I think I'll have to create one. But I think that that would be really fun to pull out eventually in the show,
Snyders Return:but would be immense. And definitely something to look out for. Absolutely. Sorry. So outside of DND Are there any other sort of tabletop games or computer games or things that you you would look like to play look to play systems you thought maybe one day I'll have a chance of having a guy that maybe is a HomeGroup or something on a more higher production value?
Hope LaVelle:Well, I'm I'm always open to playing new games. I know that for a home game. I am dying to play an avatar the last airbender game you know like homebrew up some some vendors style and everybody choose a different, different nation to be part of and like I just think that would be really really fun as a homebrew game. I am actually part of another stream that plays a system called why hander. I don't know if you've ever heard of it, but it's a D 100. system.
Snyders Return:Yeah, I've been speak to Daniel de Fox and Jameson. jakaas. Oh, so?
Hope LaVelle:Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Snyders Return:So you know, I am aware and some recommend, so I had it. So what is it? Like? I'll ask you this question then leading on from that. What's it like shifting from the high fantasy Dungeons and Dragons into the grim and perilous as fire?
Hope LaVelle:I gotta tell you, it was quite a shock. Um, when you're in your first battle, and you realise oh my gosh, I could die. Like it's so easy to die in that game. So you have to take your battles way more seriously, and to heal. You don't heal right away. You can't just sleep off for eight hours and he'll completely like you have consequences for everything you do. And I it really makes me question a lot of things about d&d after playing. It's It's very, I love it. I love that real aspect of of, you know, because me is my care. Like, my play style. And when I play characters is I'm very much a impatient person. I always play characters that are like a act first think later, kind of kind of characters. So I can't just jump into combat like I normally would like it actually makes you want to sit back and be like, Okay, is there a way we can do this diplomatically so we don't die because becoming grievously wounded and having to take injuries and roll on the table for injuries. It just it's so much fun but there is a real aspect of like wow very very easily could could die from this and and I just love that and it's also very scary
Snyders Return:the whole morality and sanity side so I handed the I don't think he's utilised in the same way in games like Dungeons and Dragons so it's it's certainly got a new spin on things and at time of release not time recording make sure you check out flames of freedom by via handle publisher and creator Daniel de Fox as well because that game looks to be incredible in its own right. So again, back on track and on us you looking through your Internet Movie Database and all the other stalking I've had to do to sort of build up a bit of background you've worked a lot. Majority percentage wise on sort of science fiction projects. You mentioned Galaxy Quest being your favourite film. I love Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver in that Yeah, such a brilliant film might put Spaceballs above it, but that might just be that's fair. Well, there's personal preference things. So is science fiction short, your your favourite genre, but high fantasy is what you play? Or where do you sort of sit on the scale of fiction?
Hope LaVelle:Um, you know what, it's interesting. I love working on science fiction, films and TV. But I don't like playing or like, I'm not a huge science fiction nerd when it comes to like, books or movies or TV shows. Like I'd rather play high fantasy work on science fiction, and probably watch fantasy movies better than watching science fiction movies, but, but getting to work on science fiction, films and TV is such a fun and rewarding experience. Because you get to do a lot of special effects a lot of interesting stunts, and just, everything's a little bit more movie magic, if I can, you know, use that term. You know, so I enjoy that. But at the same time, like if I wanted to play a game, I'd rather be playing a high fantasy game than playing like A Space Odyssey kind of game.
Snyders Return:Yeah, that's fair enough. That's fair enough. So what has been your, your favourite project to work on so far? And what what could we see you on? Be? part your production company or part of your tabletop role playing? What can we see you on? in what's coming up in the future for you?
Hope LaVelle:Hmm, let's see. I think about this for a second. Um, trying to think if there's, I don't think that there's any projects coming out anytime soon. As far as you know, professionally with sponsor if there is, you know, there's mo cap work that I can't talk about, because there's huge NDA is on it. But, uh, you know, the NDA world? I'm guessing. Yeah. Yeah. So, as far as Yeah, Mo caps and stunts and stuff. That's all pretty much NDA at this moment. Working through our code. Goodness, I wish I could answer this question. But even even at Funko studios, we have some pretty strong NDA that I can't talk about. I wish I could answer this question.
Snyders Return:So let's let's go from now we'll work backwards from things that you you have done what has been your favourite project to work on. And that's a general bit tabletop role playing or something at Funko or something. Way back to when I think your biography says way back when you were 13 and starting to kick out your own sort of films and winning awards. What has been your favourite project to work on? Up to this point of it? I'll rephrase the question.
Hope LaVelle:Man. Okay, well, my favourite things to work on. Of course, I have to throw beyond heroes out there as my absolute favourite project to ever be a part of. It was a really wonderful experience. Stepping back from that, I really loved working on Chronicle, which was a film, though I got to work on back in 2011. But more recently, probably my favourite thing that I've done in many, many years is I directed and produced a 24 hour film competition project, which if anybody is a filmmaker out there, I mean, if you're if you're not 24 hour film competition is where you and a group of people have exactly 20 For hours to write, produce, edit and turn in a completely finished short film. And we, we went into it just wanting to have fun. And we did, we had the best night of our lives of just filming into the late hours and editing into the morning. And we made an incredibly adorable short film that ended up going on to win second place in the world. So we was totally unexpected. But apparently everybody really enjoyed it. And it was one of those things where you could tell we were having a fun time. So the audience that would also you know, the audience then could enjoy it just as much as we did. So that's probably, while it's not a big a big, you know, big action movie or big blockbuster movie that that those are the little things that I cherish. And that I find is just getting together and making something with your friends. It's it's like passion projects.
Snyders Return:Not it's on congratulations for getting second in the world. I realised that was several years, I don't know, but I can appreciate the effort you've put into that. And I clearly the success from that has just fed into everything you're doing now and you seem to be going from strength to strength, I think that's fair to say. So,
Hope LaVelle:yeah, I love being able to hop around. I always say I'm a Jill of all trades, master of none. So when it comes to like, you know, directing, producing, acting, improving, you know, whatever it may be, I can do it, I might not be the best at it, but I can do it, I'm always willing to hop in and, and try my hand at anything. And, you know, I feel it's like the most fun, fun thing to do.
Snyders Return:Well, it's a if, if you're always able to learn a new skill or a new new trick or anything like that, then surely, surely, that's that's the joy of getting involved with these projects?
Hope LaVelle:Sure. I mean, if you're not learning, then you know, you're stagnant. And I think in life, you know, it's never too old to stop learning. You know, this, if you stop stop learning, then what's what's the point? I mean, that's the best part of life is, is experiencing new things.
Snyders Return:Definitely. Speaking of learning, and helping others to learn, if someone has seen your children steal all the rest of your cast, but mainly you because I'm interviewing you, and thinks you are a beacon. of I'm going to put you on a pedestal. And I want to be like you What advice would you give people to look into get into not necessarily streaming beginning into sort of playing Dungeons and Dragons or even being a DM? Since you've mentioned your experience with it? yourself?
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, that's such a great question. I definitely think my first words of advice would be, just have fun with it, don't worry about the rules. So soon, the word The rules are just guidelines. If you're having fun with your friends, then that's all that matters. And I think the second thing I would definitely bring to the table is be a good partner, you know, be be an uplifting member of your group, one that supports what others are doing, and not just make it about you a lot of people, you know, have written these, you know, heartfelt backstories, or pages and pages long, and all they care about is is, you know, making it about them and saying, well, this is my backstory, and this is why I'm trying to do to step back from that and to say, what are we trying to do you know, what is? What is my partner here that I, you know, I'm supposed to know this character really well, you know, what can I do to uplift them, and even as a DM to know, everything that everything that these people have brought to their characters to know and understand that and we've all have that backstory, and we've all have those wishes and wants from each character into your story, just to make it more of, you know, an encompassing group group event, you know, I think that that's the number one thing is to Don't be selfish, if I can say it simply You know, it. You know, it's it's a it's a group game.
Snyders Return:harsh but fair, I think. Don't Don't be selfish. I can't disagree with it. So we've spoken a lot about your streaming your professional career and things like that. Is there anything we haven't touched on anything that's close to your heart you would like to bring out into the open or sort of part for for discussion more we have this time. Hmm.
Hope LaVelle:I don't know. I feel like you've really covered a lot of things. I don't don't know what else I would add.
Snyders Return:Yes, let's it's not a trick question. It's just if you had something on your mind or a topic that you want to discuss, and it was sort of dear to you that I may not have found through my sort of researching and following you. Have you on the various social medias.
Hope LaVelle:Now, I think you did a great job with your homework. I really appreciate that.
Snyders Return:Thank you. Thank you. Well, I mentioned that about social media. Would you like to remind everybody where they can find you and your work and all the sorts of good stuff that you're putting out there into the community, please?
Hope LaVelle:Yeah, of course, you can. You can find everything you need to know about me on my website at hope for hire calm. There, you'll find links to my social medias, you'll find entire blog style pages about what I'm up to anything that's new, or in the past or what's coming up. You'll find my reels, and headshots, and all sorts of fun stuff, even links to some music I'm making. It's a great place to find anything you need to know about me. Or you can just follow me on twitter at the real hotel or on Instagram. At hope Lavelle.
Snyders Return:I will make sure links to that are in the description below. I hope it has been such a pleasure to have you on the show. You've been a real treat of a guest the snippets of Penelope will stay with me for time. I'm so glad and our mutual enjoyment of Galaxy Quest as well. So I'd love to have you back on the show in the future if you'd be willing to join me again.
Hope LaVelle:Absolutely. I would love that. Thank you.
Snyders Return:All right. Well, I will let you get back to that. It's a pleasure. I will let you get back to your to your busy day. And just say thank you so much for joining me today.
Hope LaVelle:Thank you for having me.
Snyders Return:Thank you for listening. If you'd like to learn more about the show, then go to WWW dot Snyder's return.squarespace.com. Alternatively, you can find us over on Twitter. At Return Snyder, you have a link tree link in the description of this episode. And if you want to support us, come and join us over on Patreon. And we also have a Discord server. Please leave us a review because we'd love to learn how to improve the channel and provide better content alpha for those who are listening until we until we speak again. Thank you