Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Victor & Valentino’s Sean-Ryan Petersen

Sean-Ryan Petersen is one of the stars of the new animated series, Victor & Valentino. He’s the voice behind Valentino, a character he shares a lot in common with! Having been a part of the industry for over a decade, Sean-Ryan Petersen is no stranger to bringing characters to life with just his voice. Pop Culturalist caught up with him to chat about Victor & Valentino.

PC: Tell us about Victor & Valentino, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Sean-Ryan: Victor & Valentino is about two half-hermanos staying with their abuela in the town of Monte Macabre or Monty Macob, as Val usually calls it. As normal as the town may seem, Vic and Val quickly learn that it’s home or adjacent to many mythological creatures and beings from folklore in the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Each episode finds them dealing with some crazy situations that may or may not be involved with the brothers touching or opening something they shouldn’t have. [laughs] In the end, they have to solve it.

PC: What are some of the major similarities/differences between traditional and voice acting?
Sean-Ryan: There are some interesting differences and similarities between voice acting and “traditional”, or on-camera, acting. One similarity is the physical movement. When recording an episode of Victor & Valentino, everyone is in the booth emoting through facial expressions and physically expressing their lines; this adds to the performance. The prep is similar in terms of researching those involved with the project, including their history and past projects, though, you don’t have to memorize lines when preparing for voice overs. [laughs] There are numerous similarities and differences to name, but a key difference that exists for on-camera acting is that you are limited to your physical appearance and the special effects that make you. In animation, they can draw anything they want and you can embody just about anything you think of.

PC: You’ve done voice acting in the past. How did those experiences prepare you for your leading role in Victor & Valentino?
Sean-Ryan: With each job, you become more professional. You learn how to act around the rest of your cast and producers as well as directors. You also just perfect your craft. With each job, you learn new techniques and tricks to help you find new voices or perfect old ones. My ten years of work has culminated into this show, and it is an amazing project that I am honored to be a part of.

PC: What can you tease about Valentino’s story arc this season? How much of Sean-Ryan is in Valentino?
Sean-Ryan: There is a lot of myself in Valentino, from small things like having a coin collection, which is something I also have, to usually freaking out when things spiral infinitely out of control. Honestly, with each episode, Val and I merge slowly into one and it makes for some really funny moments. As for Val’s arc, I can’t say much. You’ll just have to see how the brothers have to adapt to deal with each new wacky situation they find themselves in.

PC: What are you most excited for your fans to see?
Sean-Ryan: There are some amazing creatures coming in future episodes. With each new episode I record, I get even more excited for that to be released. Of course, I have my favorites, and sorry I cannot exactly say much about them except that they will be amazing and I know you’ll love them as much as I loved recording them.

PC: How did you discover your passion in acting? When did you decide that you wanted to pursue it professionally?
Sean-Ryan: Well, I was watching cartoons on a bright, sunny day—it was either Yu-Gi-Oh or Pokémon—and I told my mom, who was there in the living room with me, that I wanted to be a voice on TV. From there, I met my first agents and began auditioning. I will admit that when I first started, I saw it as one of those things you do as a child, like karate or playing an instrument, and then you quit it at some point when you feel like you don’t enjoy it anymore. Then, I booked Dive Olly Dive! That was my first job and it was that show that inspired and fueled my love for the voice acting side of the industry, and ten years later, here I am.

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Sean-Ryan: Rejection is a very good motivator, depending on how you take it. This industry is filled with more “noes” than “yeses”, and it is something new people should expect coming in. Watching cartoons as a child doesn’t make you a voice actor just as watching movies doesn’t mean you are ready for the big screen, but if your love for the show or movie you see can be carried over, then hard work, preparation, and determination will lead you to success. I have auditioned for many projects and seen the final versions with the other actors they selected instead of me. Instead of getting down about that, I decided I need to and can learn a lot from the way that actor performed that part. Don’t let someone telling you that you aren’t right for a role stop you from being right for the next one.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Sean-Ryan: Game of Thrones which I will sit down and finish one of these days.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Sean-Ryan: The Mummy films because I’m a sucker for action flicks.

PC: Favorite book?
Sean-Ryan: The Odyssey

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Sean-Ryan: Young the Giant, the Dead South, Rise Against, and Two Door Cinema Club. I have quite the range.

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Sean-Ryan: Log-Horizon

PC: Hidden talent?
Sean-Ryan: I like to paint miniatures and I am only getting better with each one.

To keep up with Sean-Ryan, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Victor & Valentino on Cartoon Network.