Juliet Donenfeld - The Big Show Show, Gabby's Dollhouse, Pete the CAT | AW07
/Have you ever dreamed of doing what you love when you start working? Like, just getting paid for something that you are passionate about? Most of us developed our love and talent for animation and video games ever since we were young. That love has shaped how we lived our lives. And while we are on the subject of developing talent from a young age, our adorable guest today is the youngest voice actor to have ever been nominated for a prestigious Annie Award! That’s right! Our guest is none other than Juliet Donenfeld!
Juliet, despite her young age, has been in so many big productions. She’s been in numerous national commercials. She has been an on-screen actress, playing the role of J.J. on The Big Show Show and Kaylee from Better Call Saul. And of course, voicing numerous characters like Sally the Squirrel from Pete the Cat and Cakey from Gabby’s Dollhouse. Juliet and I talked about her different talents and hobbies, and the question on everybody’s mind, how such a young girl can balance school and work. This is one episode you don’t want to miss!
Show Notes:
[4:35] How Juliet started out in voice acting.
[8:12] Juliet on balancing school and work.
[15:06] Juliet’s various on-screen roles: The Big Show Show, Better Call Saul
[20:10] How COVID has affected her career.
[25:36] Juliet’s role on the animated series, Gabby's Dollhouse.
[36:44] Q&A with Juliet during the live IgTV.
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Transcript :
Intro
Welcome to Alicyn's Wonderland. I'm your host, Alicyn Packard. Join us as we journey through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole into the wild and wonderful world of animation and video games.
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Alicyn
Hi, guys. Happy Wednesday. This song is so, so cute. Hey, Rocky. Hey, Chris, it's good to see you. Thanks for tuning in live. Hey, welcome to Wonderland guys. Oh, Walt, it is so good to see you. Jeff! And of course, the one and only Juliet has just joined. I had to play, this is one of my favorite singles. Although the whole album is amazing, Sprinkle Party from Gabby's Dollhouse. If you guys haven't heard this song, Juliet is the singer and it is fantastic. So thanks to everyone that's tuning in live and Happy Wednesday. Today we're gonna welcome Juliet Donenfeld to the show. So let's go ahead and do that right now. Congrats on your full vaccination, Jeff. You must be so excited. Thomas, good to see you on. You guys, please give a warm Wonderland Welcome to Juliet Donenfeld.
Juliet
Hi!
Alicyn
Hi! How are you?
Juliet
Good. Am I sideways for you?
Alicyn
You are sideways. Yeah, I think, you know, unfortunately Instagram Live only does the portrait, so. Hi. Okay, there we go. Perfect.
Juliet
Perfect.
Alicyn
That is such a pretty flower in your backyard.
Juliet
Thank you.
Alicyn
I couldn't help myself but play Sprinkle Party. Because I don't know if you saw my Instagram story, but my son and I absolutely love that song. And I mean, if that isn't enough, we've also done the avocado facials. My husband as well. We have photos of all of us in the Cakey avocado facials. So that was so great. And your character on there is so wonderful. It is so nice to meet you, Juliet.
Juliet
You too.
Alicyn
Thank you so much for coming on the show. I know you are such a busy girl, so.
Juliet
Yup, of course. Thank you for having me.
Alicyn
Yeah. You know, it's so funny because I was curious, just your range of characters. You do a lot of different different characters from Cakey to Sally the Squirrel. And I was curious to hear what your real voice is, so it's so cool to hear it in person.
Juliet
Thank you.
Alicyn
Yeah. How's your day going?
Juliet
Good! How are you?
Alicyn
I'm doing good. Yeah, I'm, it's Wednesday, so it's the middle of the week, you know? So, um, yeah, so you are only 11 years old. Is that right? Did I do my math right?
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Awesome. Awesome. And you are actually the youngest person to ever be nominated for an Annie Award?
Juliet
Yes.
Alicyn
What was that like? Was that, was that an exciting time for you?
Juliet
Um, well, yeah, that was pretty fun. It felt really cool to like, be there and like, be making history. And I was just super happy to be there.
Alicyn
Yeah. Did you did you get to run into any voice actors you admire?
Juliet
Um, well, I am on, um, I don't, well, I kind of know, um, Tara Strong. We we saw each other, and we kind of like hung out at The Bugs Ball, which was the night before. The pre Annie event. And then, so yeah, I saw Tara Strong and Debi Derryberry. Those are kind of like the people I know.
Alicyn
That's so great. You know, both Tara and Debi live in my hood. So, Toluca Lake represent.
Juliet
That's so cool.
Alicyn
Yeah. And so you grew up in Los Angeles as well, right?
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
And you've been acting since a very young age. When was your first acting gig?
Juliet
Um, well, my first acting gig was a commercial for Gymboree and I was like, five or six? Five, yeah.
Alicyn
Five years old. Wow. Do you remember that day?
Juliet
Oh, yeah, I do. Um, so we were at the shoot, and like, all the like, like, little setup was like on the wall. And then there was it was like a big commercial for Gymboree. So there was like a different room for like, different scenes of it because it's like, the commercials like about different rooms. Like, the camera just goes across for all the different settings and all the different people in rooms. Yeah, I was on like a running board and I was so confused. I did not, like, know what it was. And, yeah.
Alicyn
Yeah, everybody's got to start somewhere and start learning but you've already had so many excellent roles under your belt. When did you, did you know a]the fact that you wanted to get into acting? Or was it something you just fell into?
Juliet
Um, well, kind of both. Because I've been a competition dancer. Um, all my friends are on the live right now. And I've been dancing since I was two. And I've been a competition dancer since I was four. And that's, when I was on stage, I always like, loved competing, and it was just always so much fun for me. And then I was just always so outgoing. And then I just got my first audition, and my first audition, I booked it, which was a Gymboree commercial. And then I got an agent, and then it just all fell in from there.
Alicyn
That's amazing. Cause you do both on camera acting, and you do voiceover acting. So you started with the on camera and commercials and stuff? And were you ever nervous when you were just getting started?
Juliet
Um, well, yeah, I was always pretty nervous. And I was like, it was just so much going on for like, the first time I was doing it. But it was all really fun. And it was like a new territory. And it was pretty exciting.
Alicyn
Yeah, I can understand that. Is there, is there something that you love, particularly about voice acting that you don't get to experience when you're doing on camera acting?
Juliet
Um, well, I love like, I think I just like, like, bringing the characters to life. And like, I always, I always, I don't know why it might be just me, but I always like, have to picture things, like, whenever I'm like, in a story or something, whenever I'm reading or something, I just always like, have to picture it. So whenever I'm like, doing voiceover acting, I always just imagine the character in it. That's just pretty cool to imagine it, and then see what it's really like, in the end. It's just pretty cool.
Alicyn
Yeah. And what about on camera? Is there something that you find is more, something that you like most about that?
Juliet
Um, well, I just think, also bringing a character to life, but also making different choices and like, having a different set bedroom and a different set house, and just getting to work with the casting crew and like, having a different family in the dressing room, and the school was just all pretty fun.
Alicyn
And how do you how do you juggle, kind of, your schoolwork with your career?
Juliet
Well, um, so basically, I was in regular school, I went to Warner's since, from kindergarten until the middle of third grade. So I've been homeschooled for about two and a half years now. But that was pretty hard, like I was having to be taken out of school a lot and stuff like that. But then, ever since I was homeschooled, it's been much easier. Because if, say, can only do two hours one day, because I have a voiceover job and a job to go to then and I had nothing to do the next day, then I could do four hours the next day, because you have to get three hours of school and in all, and that's what I also like about homeschool, you don't have to do six hours, you only have to do three hours. But,
Alicyn
That's amazing.
Juliet
Yeah, even though you're doing a lot less hours, I think you still get just as much or more work done. Because, first of all, if you've got something down already, you could just move on. And if you need more time to work on that, and it's not much busy work. Like it's not a whole 30-minute lunch and 20-minute recess, and stuff like that. You just do three hours of work and then you can be done and then you can take the break you want. And if you like just being homeschooled, it's really flexible. So with your schedule, you could just, like, it's pretty easy.
Alicyn
That's amazing. I think I want to go to homeschool, sign me up. It sounds amazing. Um, yeah, my son is just getting ready to enter kinder too, so it's gonna be a whole new world coming out of preschool you know? I'm gonna get real, real, real schooly over here.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Do you find it challenging to be both a voice actor and an on camera actor?
Juliet
Um, it is a little challenging, but it also is really fun. Because you get to like, you get to experience both worlds. And they're both just so different. And they're both just so amazing. And yeah, I just feel like it's pretty fun. And yes, it is hard. It's very busy. But it's really fun.
Alicyn
With, when you go into a studio, like the first time you went into studio, were you, what did you think of the microphone and and the glass? Everybody kind of sitting behind the glass? What was that experience like for you?
Juliet
What was my first job? (Juliet's mom) Pete the Cat. That was my very first voice? (Juliet's mom) Yes. Okay. Basically. Yeah, that's what I thought, I went and I was like, I think it was about six. I was so young. I read, there was so many people like watching me and I was like, Oh, hi. I was just, there's a big double door like two doors. You walk into the, I was like woah.
Alicyn
So heavy?
Juliet
Uhuh. And then I went walked in, I saw this big glass window. And I was like, Oh, hi, from the other side. And then there was this chair and a big stand with my script on it and a big microphone. It was all pretty cool.
Alicyn
Wow.
Juliet
And I, the first time I ever did was Pete the Cat, and um Swampy, if you're watching, it was super fun. And my director Swampy, he's really amazing. He, the first time I ever went in, he probably, he even, he knew I was really young. And he knew it was like all new to me. And they, like, hesitated on booking me in the first place because they're like, Oh, she's so new. She probably doesn't know how to do it. And then basically when I went in, um, when you starting, he asked me if I wanted to, he wanted me to sit. He asked me if I wanted him to sit in the room, or just go out and I said sit in the room. So the first like, few sessions of recording, he sat in the room with me and did everything with me. And I think that helps a lot to just transition to voice.
Alicyn
"Swampy" Marsh?
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
So great. So would he act with you as well?
Juliet
What?
Alicyn
Would he read the lines with you too, or just hang out?
Juliet
Yeah. No, but like the other part. So, yeah. So yeah, he was doing like the other part. Like, he directed me thoroughly, I was like, Okay, one more time. And whenever I did, like a funny line, he like, tried to hold his laughing because he was in the room. Like he couldn't laugh on the other side of it. Yeah.
Alicyn
Eight. Normally, they're like laughing extra loud. Like, you know that like they're on the same page.
Juliet
Yeah. Yeah. And then in the room you, like, couldn't laugh and it was, it was pretty funny. And I just thought that was like, a good way to transition into acting.
Alicyn
Yeah. How did you come up with the character for Sally? She was kind of very similar to your voice, did you?
Juliet
Yeah, I didn't really put on a voice but I didn't really like, well, I knew I put on a voice but I just didn't think I needed to do anything different. So I just like read the lines. And I read what it was and like, I just put some like, excitement and fast talking on it.
Alicyn
Uhuh. That's amazing. When, were you surprised when you got the nomination for the Annie Award for Best voice acting?
Juliet
Was I seven or eight? Or nine? Because it takes two years. Oh, yeah. Okay, so I was nine. So I was like, all confused. I didn't really know what an Annie Award was. I didn't like know how, like special it was. Um, it was, I was pretty excited that I was the youngest ever nominated. Um, but yeah, it was, it was pretty cool. I liked doing the interview. And I liked, I went to go in for like this fitting and I got to like, have a customized dress and,
Alicyn
Oh, wow.
Juliet
after they customized the dress, it I was just like, they fit it on me. And then like, we picked out the shoes and we got like this special stylist for the dress like to make it like handmade and one of a kind. And then like we got, I got this really fancy hair done. You've probably seen the pictures but yeah, it was pretty cool. And I didn't have my ears pierced at the time. So we went on Amazon and ordered these, like, really cute, big, like diamond earrings clip on. And I still have them over there I think.
Alicyn
Awe, what a great memory.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
That's so awesome. Yeah, there's something, something really fun about getting dressed up. So you were doing a lot of commercials, what was your first, I know you were, you worked on the Big Show Show, what was that like being on set for The Big Show Show?
Juliet
Um, that might have been the most fun job I ever done. I just feel like the whole cast and crew were like, so sweet. And they were so fun to work with. I mean, I loved my character, and I love the family. And then, well, a story about my studio teacher. So I was one thing to the max, and I was a guest star. So I was only like, there for a week. Yeah, um, and in the school room, I loved the teacher. And we did school together, she helped me. And then at the end of the week, I was leaving, and it was so sad because I love the teacher. And she was so sweet. And she was like, I was too sad to leave, and you're like, you know what, kiddo? You're going to book a series regular, and I'm going to be your teacher on it. And then about a year later, I booked the nature show. And then I was like, so happy. I was like, Oh my gosh, oh, my gosh, I could request um, Miss Lauren, and that's her name to be my studio teacher. And then, so we were going to do that like later though, because we it was much later on in the year. But then, like, during those few months, while I was waiting, I did a few jobs, I did Better Call Saul. We were flying out, I think my studio teacher was either Laura Compton or Bettina Russo, it was one of those two. And we told her that I booked it. And she was like, Oh my gosh, I think the studio teacher like named Laura, and we were like, wait a minute. So then we were, we hoped, we held off on requesting the teacher and then we went, and then we found out it was Miss Lauren because we texted her. And then we're like, oh my gosh, yeah, yeah, yeah we're so excited to see you there. Um, and yeah, that's just, um, it was funny, Because it was such a coincidence. And then what's actually really funny is they booked Lauren before they booked me. So they booked the teacher before they booked me as JJ. And then I love the school room, being with Lily. And yeah, it was pretty fun.
Alicyn
It's like fate.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Yeah. It was, it was meant to be, I'm sure.
Juliet
The dad on the show that says, thank you, this is how tall he is compared to me.
Alicyn
Oh, my goodness.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Wow. And is that a den of Warner Brothers?
Juliet
Um, Paramount.
Alicyn
Paramount. Oh, that's so fun.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Do you remember the audition for that?
Juliet
Um, yes, I do. And actually, for the callback, I was on my way to Las Vegas for nationals with my dance team. And right after we perform, like, Oh my god, like, Okay, good job. And then she rushed me out. We had to go get all my hair and makeup off, my costume off, put up like the thing and because I got a call back, so it's on the way to the callback I was accepted in. And then on the way back from Las Vegas, we realized I was on avail for it, and that was actually the Fourth of July. So we're like, Okay, Happy Fourth of July. It's a big celebration. But we're not just celebrating the Fourth of July. We're celebrating that you're on avail for The Big Show Show.
Alicyn
Oh my gosh. Then you see the fireworks. You're just like, thank you very much.
Juliet
Uhuh, yeah.
Alicyn
That's amazing.
Promo
Hey, guys, this is Alicyn Packard. Sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to let you know that if you like the show, please, please, please remember to subscribe to this podcast, and leave us a review on iTunes. It really helps us to get heard by more people. Thanks so much.
Alicyn
And so you also worked on, what is a very adult show, Better Call Saul. What was it like being on set for that show? I mean, yeah. Scary. Scary.
Juliet
Yeah, I loved working with Jonathan Banks, we called Cops. And he was always, he's, he's such like a funny, nice guy. And he taught me how to play poker.
Alicyn
What? What?
Juliet
Yeah, and then also, every,
Alicyn
Are you and Jonathan Banks just like playing cards on the weekends?
Juliet
Yeah, we were waiting, like, in the, it was a real house that we were filming in. So we were waiting for a scene. We're like, in the garage playing poker. And then also, whenever he cursed, he had to give me $1.
Alicyn
Oh my God.
Juliet
I got like, so rich. And yeah, it was just super fun working with him. Oh, and also during the callback, um, he was there. So he was reading his lines with me. And then he was the one who actually got to pick who he wanted to be as his granddaughter, and he picked me.
Alicyn
Oh, wow.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Wow. Did he tell you that?
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Yeah, that must have made you feel really good, huh?
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Wow. That's amazing. Now, I'm curious, since COVID has hit, I know it's, for a while everything has been shut down production-wise, how did that affect both your on camera and VO stuff?
Juliet
Um, it, it didn't really affect my voiceover.
Alicyn
Were you doing stuff at home before or just mostly going into studio?
Juliet
Mostly going into the studio, but then everybody just switched to home. But then for live action, it kind of affected me, not really. We were, we were getting a lot of self-takes. But also it came, my show came out during COVID, it helped the show, because everybody was at home trying to find a show to watch. And it was actually number two in the whole world for about two weeks. And a huge billboard in New York.
Alicyn
Wow.
Juliet
It was it's so sad though, because nobody got to see it. Because that's when everything was in huge lockdown. But it was super big.
Alicyn
Nobody got to see the Billboard. Awe. Did you get a picture, at least?
Juliet
It was in Times Square.
Alicyn
Oh my god.
Juliet
Yeah. But that was, it was still top 2 in the US, I mean, in the world for two weeks. But that affected it because we did not get a second season because of COVID. Because the price would have gone up. Like more like half because of everything. But, yeah.
Alicyn
You mean, the cost of production would have shot way up because of testing and other protocol?
Juliet
Yeah, testing, and then all of that, and then we would have to have, they have to test the guardian. And then it would just be like, a lot more. And then. So that's why that affected it. But then I shot a pilot during COVID called Wilde Things, well it used to be called the Big Bang World. But now it's the Wilde Things.
Alicyn
Wilde with an E. W-I-L-D-E.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Wilde Things.
Juliet
Yeah. And that we're not sure if, it's tha,t if that's getting picked up. But the write, the writers were the writers on Will and Grace, and that thing, what, The Old Timey Show, Will and Grace and, no, there's one more.
Alicyn
Friends?
Juliet
(Juliet's mom) Are you're talking about the director? Oh, yeah. Yeah. And then the director James Burrows, he was the director of, it was not Friends. It was that big old time movie? No, anyways.
Alicyn
Guys, type it in if you know what the big old time movie was. See if anyone is, Will and Grace. So is that, one of the writers on Will and Grace?
Juliet
Um, yeah. The, both of the writers were the writers of Will and Grace. Um, and yes, so, but then, what was his name? He's taking over all shows? Oh, yeah. Chuck Lorre. So he's like taking up all the shows on CBS right now. So we don't know if that's gonna get picked up for a season. But it's, we're still on hold. But if one of his shows does bad, and doesn't get picked up, then we'll take its spot. So far, that hasn't happened. So, um, yeah.
Alicyn
Can you tell us a little bit about what this show is about?
Juliet
Yeah, it's about well, I was a foster child. And I was like, going from home to home. Like, not really like, I wasn't like really hopeful anymore, because I knew that nobody was gonna adopt me. And then what was her name on the show? No. Yeah, what was her name on the show? Oh, I forgot her name on the show. Anyways, Stephanie Alynne, which was the main one, well, the Julie Bowen's sister on the show. She adopted me and like, she's like, kind of a mess, like, doesn't really like know how to do anything. She lives like, in like a tiny little apartment. And she just adopted me and like, she doesn't know how to do this anymore. So she came knocking on Julie Bowen's door, which they're sisters and Julie Bowen is like this very put together lawyer, crisis manager. She charges like a lot of money. And she has like a huge fancy apartment. And she's very well put together, in her business suit and all the stuff and Stephanie comes running to her like, Oh my gosh, I don't know what to do. Help me. And then, so she ends, like, I like go in the kitchen and like, just start seeing things because I've never seen such a fancy house. And Stephanie starts freaking out to Julie like, I don't know what to do, like, okay, it's okay, I could do this. I could do this. And then Julie was like, are you sure you could do this? She's like, I could do this. I'm pretty sure I could do this. I don't know if I could do this. I can't do this. So then Julie has to take me on and then they were like both handling me.
Alicyn
Like my two moms.
Juliet
Yeah. And then at the end, Julie just ended up adopting me full time. But um, yeah.
Alicyn
That's so cool. Well good luck with that. Um, so I was just asking what this show is. We should let you guys know. Oh, sorry. Yeah, it's called,
Juliet
It's called Wilde Things. But it was a pilot and we don't know if it's gonna get picked up yet, but if it does, it's gonna be on CBS. Yeah.
Alicyn
So, let's all cross our fingers for Juliet and for everybody on the show. So Gabby's Dollhouse. What is it been like, working on that production?
Juliet
Um, that was really fun. I loved my director. And I just, I loved, well, first, I was working for two of the characters on the show, Baby Box and Cakey, then we booked The Big Show Show. And then we had to just switch to Cakey fully. But I'm really glad I got Cakey, because she's such a cute little cupcake. And she's just so like, outgoing and energetic. And she's so like, rainbow and upbeat, and Sprinkle Party. And I just like, love her attitude.
Alicyn
Did you record the song from home too or was that done in the studio?
Juliet
I'm pretty sure I did. (Juliet's mom) We don't remember but, yeah. Maybe. Yeah, we don't remember. But I think I did.
Alicyn
That whole album is so good.
Juliet
Thank you.
Alicyn
We just listen to it around the house. Yeah. You feel like doing the voice for us?
Juliet
Of the song? Or just Cakey?
Alicyn
Maybe just sing a line of the song, if you feel up to it.
Juliet
Hi, Cakey here, there's nothing I love more than a Sprinkle Party. Cupcakes, baking. Couple dozen treats in the making. Gotta gobble them up when the timer sounds. Yeah. This is the sweet life. Milk and honey.
Alicyn
Thank you.
Juliet
Yeah, that was so fun. Thank you.
Alicyn
Did you, did you really, um, did you get the chance to work with the other voice actors on zoom or something? Or did they bring everybody in one at a time?
Juliet
We did, like in the very beginning of COVID, and like, when the lockdown was like, we didn't really know what was happening. I recorded a few episodes from home. And then we just started like, going into the studio, like one at a time. And the directors were all on zoom in the TV and only the engineer was behind the glass. And then yeah, we started doing it like that.
Alicyn
Do you, do you sing in your regular life too?
Juliet
Yeah. I've been taking some singing lessons. Um, and I've sang for some auditions and jobs before. And, yeah.
Alicyn
Yeah.
Juliet
And I sing a lot in Pete the Cat and Gabby's Dollhouse.
Alicyn
And do you, have you ever written any music or written any songs?
Juliet
Um, well, I like written a few small songs. Like, I've never really released it to anything. I just like kind of like, you know? Yeah.
Alicyn
Do you have any other forms of art that you'd like to engage in? You said you dance?
Juliet
Yes. I dance a lot. I sing. I act. I play the piano. I do the drums. And then,
Alicyn
Oh, you play the drums too?
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Wow.
Juliet
Oh, yeah, I do the silks. You know, like the aerials. Yeah.
Alicyn
Oh, that's so fun.
Juliet
Thank you. And we actually got some for my house, because my sister was really into it. And we have this like archway, like that goes really high. So we hung the silks from there in my backyard, and it was perfect. Because it was like this like plant area that we just like, cut the plants down to like, the area and then it was just like a nice box of silks.
Alicyn
Wow, that sounds so fun. And so you have just one sister, is that right? That was her birthday.
Juliet
And she turned 21. Yes, no. Monday. And then I have a brother and he's 22.
Alicyn
Oh, okay. Cool. Do you get to see them a lot.
Juliet
My brother lives in Utah with his girlfriend. But he goes to Harvey Mudd, which is like an hour away from my house. And then my sistes, yes, I see her a lot. Cause she goes to USC.
Alicyn
That's so awesome.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
So it seems like you are very busy. I mean, you have dance, you have aerial silks, and a lot of hobbies, how do you find the time to juggle everything?
Juliet
Um, well, when I booked The Big Show Show. I had to like, stop. I have to not really quit my dance studio, but we just told them like, okay, we just booked a series regular. We're gonna take a break for three months, because that's the longest filming. They're like, Okay, good luck, have fun. And so my friends came to my live taping, um, actually, and then after that COVID hit, and the studio wasn't like really safe, and they weren't wearing masks and stuff. But then, in like, September, when COVID started getting really bad, they started wearing masks. And I still didn't go back because COVID was getting really bad. But then like, February, it started to get better. And we asked if we could go back and I've been going back every day since then.
Alicyn
Every single day. Wow.
Juliet
I've been missing the days that I've had to go record my voiceover jobs. And then sometimes like I had a, sometimes if I had Oh, yeah, I felt safe, do that day with like, a lot of lines, our lives dance, but only if I didn't get it done in the day, because, because some of that, some of the self-takes could come in school a little bit from like, reading or language arts. Yeah.
Alicyn
That's pretty cool. I want to study language arts.
Juliet
Yeah.
Alicyn
Hi, Stephanie. Um, so Wow, that's amazing. So and I guess if you can condense school into three hours, then you have more time for these, you know, hobbies and creative development.
Juliet
Yeah, um, because I don't get up that early. I get up at like 9 or 9:30, depending how late I go to bed.
Alicyn
Your kinda living my childhood dream right now.
Juliet
And every two weeks, I record four hours for one of my voiceover jobs that I'm not allowed to say yet. But, um, yeah, I feel like yeah, so I feel like I've been able to juggle the time too, because we've been able, we've been creative and we've been able to like fit the stuff into it because we found ways to because every two weeks they record four hours. So we like just do like 30 minutes or an hour more school and then we have the rest, it is a lot of school because that's really hard to do four hours, and I only get like two five-minute breaks. Um, but yeah, we found ways to make it work.
Alicyn
Yeah. Do you ever get tired and worn down with all that work? Or does it energize you?
Juliet
Both. I feel like sometimes, yeah. Sometimes it's a little tiring. And then, sometimes it's like, a little bit easier, depending on how many lines I have in my script, which is normally like 60 to 70 an episode and I do like two episodes. Um, yeah.
Alicyn
Oh, voiceover. I thought you meant, had enough booked for a second.
Juliet
Oh, no.
Alicyn
Oh, my god.
Juliet
But, yeah, it's, it's pretty fun. It is tiring, though.
Alicyn
I can imagine. Now what, do you have a favorite musical artist or a favorite favorite visual artists? Anybody that you know?
Juliet
For singing or acting?
Alicyn
Both?
Juliet
Okay, well, I like Olivia Rodrigo for singing and a little bit for acting, cuz she was in high school musical, the series. And yeah, I love her two new songs "Deja vu" and "Driver's license" And for acting, Oh, for singing also Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, and Big Show. the dad on The Big Show Show, he actually got us VIP tickets to the Ariana Grande concert. Which was pretty cool. We got, we had like our own room backstage and stuff like that. It was pretty fun.
Alicyn
You already went? Oh, wow. That must have been amazing. And now, and now you have your own single out, so, who knows, maybe Ariana Grande's listening to Sprinkle Party. Maybe she'll even give you a cover. That was like the worst Ariana Grande impression ever. So if there was like another kid that wanted to get into acting, would you have any advice for them?
Juliet
Well, keep in mind, it is a lot of work. You'll, you'll have to like give up a lot of things you're doing like sometimes, I've had six auditions on a weekend and that like was my whole weekend. But it is pretty fun. Um, I feel like it's worth it. Um, but I feel like if you want to get started, maybe take some acting classes. Go to camp. I went to Fringe Woods in New York, since I was little. Because my dad was a doctor. Because my dad's a doctor, and my mom's a nurse practitioner. Um, but yeah, so he worked there, so I got to go to camp for free. And that was like, if you could build your own schedule thing, so I did musical theater, dancing, and acting mostly, and singing, and I did some like minors like making bracelets and stuff like that. And I thought that was really fun. Um, I never really got the full experience cuz I stayed in the fancy nurses lounge. Not really the,
Alicyn
Cabins? Bunks?
Juliet
Cabin with like a bunch of like, bunk beds and roommates. I mean, but yeah, I was gonna go this summer, but depending on if it gets better then probably not, but probably next year.
Alicyn
Yeah, that sounds really fun.
Juliet
Yeah, it's really fun.
Alicyn
Do you have to be a kid to go?
Juliet
I think it's from like, ages 8.
Alicyn
I mean, I can play 8.
Juliet
(Juliet's mom) It starts at 8, you were you were the youngest. Oh, 8 to anywhere until you can be a counselor.
Alicyn
Sign me up. Counselor Ali. So I don't want to take up too too much of your time, because I know you've had a very long day. Did you get a chance to have dinner? I knew he had dance. Yes. I had dinner. Okay, good, good, good. But I was wondering if you would mind taking a question or two from the audience?
Juliet
Yeah, sure.
Alicyn
Okay. Adam O'Clay is asking: Who's your favorite Disney Princess? You have one?
Juliet
Ohh. Well, I actually was, oh my gosh, those are my two favorites. I was literally about well, I modeled for Disney and I was Cinderella and Ariel. And those are actually my two favorite Disney characters.
Alicyn
For like a magazine or something, for one of their magazines?
Juliet
For their web, for their, for their catalog for like, cuz I've modeled in the dress up area. But yeah. Let me see if there's.
Alicyn
Yeah, those two are awesome. Let's see. Oh, there's, how old are you? We already talked about that.
Juliet
Yeah. Is there any more Big Show episodes filming? No, we are not filming at the moment. And we are not, we're unfortunately not getting another season, sadly. Um, but yeah, I'm crossing my fingers for the pilot I'm working on. And I'm on hold for a few other shows right now.
Alicyn
Crossing fingers. What's your favorite style of dance? And also, I guess maybe you could let us know what types of dance you do, you think competitive dance, ss that modern or a particular style?
Juliet
Um, well, that's a pretty good question. I do contemporary jazz, lyrical tap, ballroom, hip-hop. I kinda do it all. Today, I did, um, contemporary acro.
Alicyn
Acro, like acro yoga?
Juliet
Um like, acrobatics.
Alicyn
Acrobatics.
Juliet
Yeah, like gymnastics. And then, yeah we do choreography and we did contemporary.
Alicyn
That's amazing. So you kind of like them all.
Juliet
Yeah, I like them all. Oh, and we also do ballet. I forgot about that. We haven't been doing ballet for a while.
Alicyn
Ah. Gosh, there's so many questions coming. I'm just trying to keep up. If you had to choose pineapple pizza, spaghetti, or mac and cheese, what would it be?
Juliet
Pineapple pizza, spaghetti, or mac and cheese? Probably butter spaghetti.
Alicyn
Butter spaghetti, keeping it simple. Carolyn wants to know how you find auditions for your, your roles?
Juliet
Well, I have an agent and like they get to know me and see what jobs are like best for me. And then they send me out and I also recently got a manager. And they've been really well, they've been really good. And they've been getting me a lot of roles that I've asked for. I've, I've always wanted to be in like a musical with like singing and dancing.
Alicyn
Oh, yeah.
Juliet
Um, so yeah. I just recommend like, if you're trying to get into acting, meeting with an agent, and like trying to sign up.
Alicyn
Cool. Girl, how long you on furlough? Well, so, Daffy, I'll answer that question later. What's your favorite show that you've done? Would that be The Big Show Show?
Juliet
Um, yeah, probably The Big Show Show.
Alicyn
Now, I know you don't have a lot of time to watch cartoons. But do you watch any cartoons? And if so, which ones are your favorite?
Juliet
Um, yes. I actually like Phineas and Ferb. Swampy directed it. And I also like the Loud House.
Alicyn
The Loud House. Yes, and you had a role in that as well.
Juliet
Yeah, I had a guest star role and her name was Claire.
Alicyn
Awesome. Thank you so much. Well, I know it's been, you know, I know it's getting pretty late for you. So I don't want to keep you too long. What do you hope that your followers gain from from being part of your content?
Juliet
I try to like, not just post pictures, I mean I try to post things like that I'm doing and things that I think are fun things I've been doing. And um, I'm also just a normal girl. Even with all the things I'm doing, I also do fun things. And, um, yeah, I post sometimes of my acting and dancing and sometimes from places that I go. Um, and yeah, I hope my followers enjoy that.
Alicyn
Yeah. It's, you're giving people a lot of joy.
Juliet
Thank you.
Alicyn
Yeah. Well, I want to say thank you so much, Juliet. For anybody that just is tuning in for the first time. This is Alicyn's Wonderland. It's a weekly show where we interview people that work in animation and video games. And we're so happy to have Juliet as our guest tonight.
Juliet
Yes, thank you so, so much for having me.
Alicyn
You're so welcome. Do you mind before you go just saying this is Juliet Donenfeld, Cakey from Gabby's Dollhouse, and you should watch Alicyn's Wonderland.
Juliet
Okay, sure. Um, hi, this is Juliet Donenfeld, Cakey from Gabby's Dollhouse and Sally the Squirrel from Pete the Cat, go watch Alicyn's Wonderland. It's amazing.
Alicyn
Thank you. Have a great rest of your day. And we'll see you guys next time.
Juliet
Thank you so much for having me. I had a blast. Thank you have a good night.
Alicyn
Bye.
Juliet
Bye.
Outro
Thanks for tuning in to Alicyn's Wonderland, where we explore the wild and wonderful world of animation and video games. Please remember to subscribe and leave us a review. For more episodes of Alicyn's Wonderland. Please visit us at www.AlicynPackard.com. See you next week.