Director's Dungeon
Director’s Dungeon is a conversation-driven podcast about the people behind the games we play—and the stories that make them matter.
Hosted by filmmaker and storyteller Chris Moreland, this series began as an offshoot of Roll For Togetherness (formerly 50 Years of Fantasy), a documentary exploring the cultural legacy of Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop roleplaying games. But as the documentary evolved, so did the community around it—and Director’s Dungeon emerged as a space to slow down, dig deeper, and talk directly with the creatives shaping the future of storytelling in games.
Each episode features a guest from the wider world of tabletop and interactive media: game designers, dungeon masters, performers, producers, and even veterans of the original TSR days. You’ll hear from names like Frank Mentzer, co-creator of the Red Box era of D&D; Clint McElroy of The Adventure Zone; and The GM Tim, known for theatrical storytelling and immersive live games. But you’ll also meet artists, activists, and behind-the-scenes builders whose names may not be household yet—but whose impact is deeply felt in the communities they serve.
This isn’t your average game history podcast. Chris approaches each conversation less as a host and more as a curious collaborator—someone who’s worked in the trenches of film, games, and event production, and who knows the power of asking the right question at the right moment. Interviews are relaxed, personal, and unscripted—just two (or more) people swapping stories and insights from across the creative spectrum.
What binds the episodes together is a love of narrative craft, community-building, and the evolving ecosystem of play. Whether it’s a chat about military service and nonprofit grant-writing with Kaylee York, or a deep-dive into horror performance and Call of Cthulhu live tours with Mark Meer, Director’s Dungeon is always looking for the why behind the what. What drives someone to pour hundreds of hours into a homebrew campaign? Why does collaborative fiction matter in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms? What lessons can we learn from 40 years of dice rolls?
And like any good dungeon, it’s a little messy. Some episodes start with mic issues. Others get derailed by talk of mycology, mini painting, or the emotional gut-punch of winning (or losing) at a film festival. But every conversation returns to the human element: the relationships, risks, and rewrites that define life in the creative world.
Director's Dungeon
Agency in Gaming: David Andrew Laws Talks Narrative and TTRPGs
In this episode of Directors Dungeon, Chris Moreland sits down with David Andrew Laws, a passionate creator and co-founder of the popular 20-Sided Tavern. David takes us through his journey of blending storytelling and gameplay, creating immersive experiences for Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) fans around the world.
David's love for D&D began in his childhood, where his stepdad, a devoted D&D player, introduced him to the world of sourcebooks and miniatures. Early on, David was captivated by the infinite possibilities that D&D offered, not just as a game but as a way to explore creativity and identity. This fascination with D&D would evolve into a deeper connection with role-playing games as a means of self-exploration, something he shares in this episode.
A major highlight of David's career has been the creation of 20-Sided Tavern, a groundbreaking live D&D show. He explains how the idea grew from an experiment in his basement to a full-scale international show. With co-creator Sarah Davis Reynolds, David reimagined how D&D could be experienced, turning the audience into active participants. The 20-Sided Tavern has allowed fans to not only watch but also engage in the storytelling, making every session unique and unpredictable. David explains how the blend of agency, curiosity, and joy has become the foundation of their work, and how this philosophy continues to shape everything they create.
Throughout the episode, David reflects on the importance of agency in TTRPGs, emphasizing how critical it is for players to feel that their decisions have real consequences. For David, the game is not just about dice rolls but about authentic choices made by characters in a world full of infinite possibilities. This mindset is something he has carried into his work at 20-Sided Tavern, ensuring that each game is crafted with care, making every player's actions impactful and every outcome rewarding.
David also shares his love for the performative aspects of D&D. As an actor and storyteller, he found a natural connection to role-playing, where he could immerse himself in imaginary circumstances and create dynamic characters. His personal character, Tamberlain the Greatest, has become a throughline in his gaming life, appearing not only in 20-Sided Tavern sessions but also in video games like Fallout New Vegas and Skyrim, showcasing the deeper connection between player and character.
- Instagram: @davidandrewlaws
- X (formerly Twitter): @DavidAndrewLaws
- TikTok: @davidandrewlaws
- Official Website: davidandrewlaws.com
- Instagram: @thetwentysidedtavern
- TikTok: @thetwentysidedtavern
- Official Website: thetwentysidedtavern.com
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Produced by: Build Something Media