In the Booth: Brian Medeiros & J.T. Shea, IV
In the Booth is a new blog series where we go behind the scenes and chat with the folks that make How it Ends. We asked our team a series of questions and let them choose which resonated most, so expect to see some variance in these features. Join us as the creators, cast, and crew members share their experience working on the show. Get ready to meet our talented team and maybe even hear a few secrets behind its gripping conclusion!
Please note that some answers may contain spoilers for How it Ends Season 3, so read at your own risk.
In an unexpected turn, Season 3 kicked off not with Micah and her friends but with Luke and Brendan-then credited as 'Unknown Man;' Brian Medeiros and J.T. Shea voice those two controversial characters in How it Ends. Brian is Luke, a “forever suspect” in the eyes/ears of some listeners or “the mysterious guy with a quiet sadness about him” to others. J.T. is Brendan, Aimee's long-lost brother, who adds a whole new layer to the mystery the gang is trying to solve.
Brian was brought on early in the casting process, right after Alozie (voice of Devon), and has truly thrown himself into the learn-it-as-you-go atmosphere that is How it Ends. If we can say anything about him that everyone should know, it's that he's the world's best listener, he's thoughtful in his responses to just about everything, and we're so glad to work with him.
J.T. has been behind the scenes for most of the show's run, primarily functioning as a carry-equipment, build stuff, and play host to group get-togethers kind of guy. He joined the cast once Micah and Stephanie were ready to reveal Brendan's role in the story. As an aside, J.T. is Micah's partner and is what they consider to be the IRL Ted Lasso. You'll probably catch a bit of that by reading his thoughts.
Either way, these two characters and their voice actors, respectively, added a new element to the core How it Ends group. It's more than clear that Luke and Brendan brought the drama and suspicions to a new level and the reveals to the surface.
Why did you want to be part of How it Ends?
J.T. I've always enjoyed stories but always struggled to keep my attention on them long enough to understand what the writers wanted from my experience as the reader/listener/viewer. I still struggle with that. Being a small part of the creation/production has given me a window into the process and helped me see more of what I've missed as a distracted observer, leaving me to strive harder to be a better listener.
Storytelling is a passion of Micah's, and this show was built with our friends. Watching their production come together and then be acted out by our friends is like that second Pop-Ice in the summer as a kid. It just makes me feel good.
Brian: I had kept in touch with Micah after meeting her about a decade ago. They mentioned the idea of an audio project and asked if I would try some voice acting. At that point in my life, I challenged myself to try new things and be open-minded about different ideas. So I said yes.
It's safe to say Luke and Brendan's dynamic started off tense and shifted throughout the season.
Can you tell us about that early dynamic versus the present day? How do these two characters view one another?
J.T.: I think the initial dynamic is stand-offish and dismissive toward Luke because Brendan thought he was doing fine alone. Almost like, "Who the hell is Schrade to think he knows me enough to send along "help?" That said, it made me certain Brendan wouldn't open up to Luke immediately, especially about his experience with the organization.
Brian: I think the dynamic started out straightforward and professional. There was a mission to collect information, and that was the main task. Relationship building between the two wasn’t the priority. Obviously, as time passes, habits and character traits are picked up on, and the rapport is a bit better. I think Luke took Brendan at face value and didn't question his subdued nature. He viewed Brendan as a resource and didn’t think to dig much deeper than that, not out of exploitation but out of a sense to remain on task.
How is your character like you, and/or how are they different? Is there anything you like or dislike about your character?
Brian: I would say Luke and I are similar in our reserved nature and how our most common way of communicating is through asking questions. Like Luke, it takes me a while to warm up to folks, so I can seem off-putting to those I just met. In early episodes, I believe that comes across in Luke's personality and might be part of the reason I was cast.
- We'll never tell...
J.T. There are a lot of similarities, for sure. I think I might be more impulsive, which would have caused a lot of trouble for me in his situation. I don't think I'd have maintained my conviction to stay away as long as Brendan did, though.
I don't know if I like how cold he was to Luke and for how long. His secrets aside, he was a social creature and sports star, so I think there may have been room for him to be excited to have someone else who's in on it. This also might be me projecting how I think I'd feel... If, after so many years, someone with similar knowledge and motivations were there to help me achieve a mutual goal, I think I'd be relieved. This is about me, right?
Brian, Luke remains high on listeners' suspect list, even though he's come clean about why and how he got involved in Micah's life.
As the character's voice, what do you think stopped Luke from telling Micah the truth much earlier? If you were actually in his shoes, what would you have done?
I think it was Luke’s way of trying to control a situation, knowing that there was more unknown to come. There would never be a right time to tell Micah, but Luke was still waiting, hoping that one would reveal itself. I don’t know if I would have ever agreed to follow Micah, but I believe if I were coerced into it, I would have held back telling Micah as well. I don’t think I would have held out as long as Luke, but I probably would have kept her in the dark until I knew what the hell I was doing. There is a strong possibility I would chicken out on the whole deal, flee the country and send Micah an anonymous letter.
Brian Medeiros
voice of Luke James
Is there anything you found challenging about portraying Luke?
Brian: This is my first acting job, so it can be challenging to get in the right mindset of the scene and the character's emotions at times. Sometimes it is just straightforward dialogue, but for heavy scenes, I would have to channel my focus on the script and frame my mindset for the proper emotion-allowing that to dictate my tone and cadence. Micah and Stephanie's direction definitely helps, but ultimately, it's about getting my mind right to be happy with my performance.
J.T. Shea IV
voice of Brendan
J.T., Brendan has been floating in the background for a very long time. How do you feel about his decision to leave Aimee behind? Would you have done the same thing?
When everything went down, Brendan was 20 years old; his two choices were to accept what was presented to him or run. He couldn't protect Aimee from an unknown force and didn't know their control over him if he complied. I may have done the same thing. Maybe Brendan could have communicated through a friend of Aimee's to maintain contact, but that's a benefit of hindsight, in my opinion. However, I think he should have sought a good therapist and psychiatrist. Then again, telehealth wasn't quite as established yet for a windblown vagabond.
We've asked other team members this same question. Do you have a favorite line, scene, or episode? Tell us why it’s your favorite.
J.T. As for a line, I can't single one out. But I do have a scene. It's the final act of Season 3; it felt like being pulled into the friend circle by the chaos around them. Even though I performed in it, when it ended, I felt like I was left wondering what will happen in the next season.
Is there another character you’d have liked to play? Who is it? Or do you have a favorite? Tell us why!
Brian: I would say, if I could have voiced any other character, it'd be Devon. He's such a sage and calming character in the series that you can't help but be drawn to him. It'd be interesting to try putting that character's hat on. However, it would be extremely difficult to envision anyone else but Alozie as Devon. Alozie's unique voice and calming influence provide such depth to the character's presence, and it would be hard to replace that in an audio series.
J.T.: Brendan Perry is definitely my favorite. I just think their voice actor is a natural talent. Just kidding. Honestly, Devon's probably my favorite. He's so smart at deducing what's really happening and where the dangers are coming from. I aspire to be that clever in real life.
Who’s the funniest cast member in real life?
J.T.: Brian or Micah. If there was a joke or blooper breakdown, it was always made better by Brian or Micah. They’re so funny, quick, and smart that they always know exactly what to plug in to get more laughs and make everyone feel better. Not just the one stress-sweating in the corner. (That’s me)
Brian, we can definitively say that you’ve clinched the win for “Funniest Cast Member.”
What are your thoughts on that?
- *Confirmed by both released and upcoming features.
I should have used the past ten years of my life doing comedy instead of market research.
J.T., we've already covered your thoughts on being a new voice actor, but you're technically a crew member, too. You've put in a lot of DIY-build energy behind the scenes. For those who don’t know, J.T. is the guy who brought our new recording booth to life. How was that process?
When Stephanie and Micah lost access to their original recording space, they had to think quickly about how they were going to manage recording with 7+ voices. Building their own space was the result. Micah and I luckily had the space in our house, so I cleared out our spare bedroom. The booth design is all Micah, but it was a great learning experience for me as a weekend DIYer and a real labor of love and sweat.
Old homes in New England are like snowflakes, no two are the same, and our spare bedroom was a peculiar character in its own right. There were no less than ten layers of different colors and textures of paint on the walls from past owners. My first attempt at completing the painting portion of the project ended poorly; thinking the standard sand/clean/paint/repeat process would work, I had finished walls that looked worse than before I started. It took a complete redo with a "skim-coat" applied to every square inch of wall that left a much more "Maybelline commercial" finished wall texture. It f****** sucked but was well worth the effort in the end.
The hardest part is not flinching any time someone bumps into it. That said, it's especially nice seeing everyone come together in a space I helped put together.
Do you have any other insights as someone both on the inside and the outside?
As a partner of one of the creators, I get to see everything behind the scenes. Seeing the amount of actual blood, sweat, and tears that goes into this production is amazing. I've never truly grasped the effort required to make an audio storytelling production. The pursuit of perfection so there is no wasted information, emotion, or dialogue from the first to the most recent episode is really inspiring. It may not seem like it, but everything you've heard progresses this story. Yes, even the seemingly innocuous conversation.
Other than obtaining the knowledge that you need a contractor-grade drywall sander, have you learned anything from working behind the scenes?
You can never invest too much thought into what makes a recording sound better. The engineering and sound absorption added or tweaked between each episode is another aspect of that pursuit of perfection that I've loved to see.
Okay, last question. What do you do when you're not actively recording? Since the booth is in your house... You probably have to stay quiet.
Playing host. I feel like I'm a "deconstructed" receptionist at some big studio portrayed in movies, except we are all in sweatpants, and nobody speaks L.A.
- A note from Micah: This last part is true for at least J.T. himself, as he seems to lack the vocabulary to call himself a PA. This is also how I am acutely aware I married the IRL Ted Lasso. I read this response in Ted's voice.
- We just need Coach Beard to chime in and say, "It's called a PA, Ted." And Ted will say, "Oh, that's right. I just up and forgot."