Description

🎬 From Elementary School Stardom to Law & Order: SVU | David Shapiro Interview

In this episode of I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In, host Stephen Lomer sits down with Brandeis graduate and Tufts student David Shapiro. David is a true multi-hyphenate, balancing acting and filmmaking with computer science, drone photography, comic creation, and even pogo sticking in local parades! David opens up about his fast-track start playing Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the fourth grade, his time studying abroad and working as a background actor in the landscapes of New Zealand, and what it’s really like to witness Mariska Hargitay at work on the set of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Inside This Episode:

📌 The Renaissance Man: How David manages his massive list of creative passions without burning out.

📌 The Viral Microwave Grilled Cheese: The hilarious story behind David's childhood YouTube cooking show that still holds his record for long-form views.

📌 New Zealand Background Work: A parent's worst nightmare turned dream acting gig—spending a day pretending to be dead in a New Zealand field.

📌 The Multi-Hyphenate Filmmaker: Behind the scenes of writing, co-directing, and starring in his Brandeis shorts, Fresh Start and Frat Material.

📌 PNN Cross-Over: David talks about playing David in a WarGames parody for the Parody News Network.

📌 The Law & Order: SVU Experience: How David made it into a 15-second promo package and what he learned watching TV legends up close.

📌 An Actor's Analytical Mind: Why it should surprise absolutely no one that this computer science enthusiast tracks every single one of his auditions on a master Excel spreadsheet.

📌 Union Dilemma: A candid conversation on the pros, cons, and logistics of pursuing SAG-AFTRA vs. remaining a non-union actor in the New England market.

Connect with David Shapiro:

Website: www.davidshapiro.com (Grab a snack, there are a lot of awesome project tabs to click through!)

Support the Show & Our Sponsors:

🎯 Parody News Network (PNN): ⁠   / parodynewsnetwork  ⁠

🎙️ I Saw You In That Thing I Saw You In: If you love deep dives into the acting craft, tales from the set, and practical industry tips, follow us and leave a review!

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