Jake Getman on 'ELIO', Caleb’s Journey & Apple Ad Fame

[00:00:09] Jake, thank you for joining me today on Pop Culture Unplugged. Appreciate it. We have Elio in a few days. How excited are you about this project? I've been seeing previews everywhere. Every time I go to the movie theaters with my kids, something pops up with that. Yeah, I mean, I was actually, funny enough, I was at the theater yesterday, I was watching Mission Impossible and they were doing a screening for Elio as I was walking out. So I saw like they had a little booth and everything there. It was pretty cool. But yeah, I'm really excited. I see the billboards, the bus stops everywhere. It's really exciting. I can't wait.

[00:00:39] How did you get involved with this project, with Pixar and how did you land the role of Caleb? Back in 2022, you know, we did the auditions and it was just like every other, you know, voiceover audition. And like six months went by, like a massive period of time. So it was the last thing on my mind. And then, you know, I got the email that they wanted to do a callback and then producer session and then it went from there.

[00:01:07] And then, you know, I got the job a couple of months after that and we started doing it in, I want to say February of 2023. So it's been, it's been a long road, but I'm really glad to be here. It's been an amazing experience and really, really fun. What did you enjoy about Caleb? You know, from what I've been reading everywhere, you know, he's your average school bully, not your average school bully. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:01:34] He's, he was an interesting character, you know, cause he changed a lot as the movie goes, like, you know, he's not necessarily a bad guy, right? Like in the movie, he, he's not, he comes across a certain way.

[00:01:50] You know, I don't know if I'm saying it right, but he comes across a certain way, but that's not necessarily means he's a bad guy. You know what I mean? Like he's, he's got his own issues just like every other human, right? At the end of the day, this movie is about people that can relate, you know, people can relate to these characters.

[00:02:07] So he's a human, just like anybody else. He makes mistakes. He expresses himself wrong. Um, and I think that's the moral of the story is that these are people at the end of the day making mistakes and that's how you learn and you grow. What was your, like, what was your approach to bringing him to life? Uh, the writing. I mean, the writing does a massive portion of it. I see the script. I go, okay, this is, this is how it's going to go. And, uh,

[00:02:37] and I, and I do my best to, you know, emulate what they put on the paper. Uh, and I hope I did this, but, uh, I really loved playing him. He's, he's a really cool guy. How different would you, how different would you say is, uh, Caleb in, you know, as an animated bully compared to like other similar characters we've seen throughout the, in Pixar world or animation world?

[00:03:05] Yeah. Um, well, Caleb is, is more of a big brother bully, right? He's not like, he's not like the, the type of guy who like Sid, right? Like Sid from Toy Story. That guy's a bully. He's, he's a mean guy. Right. Versus, versus Caleb. Who's, you know, he's mean, but he's not necessarily a bad person versus Sid, who's probably pretty black hearted. You know, Sid's a pretty messed up kid. But, uh, you know, Caleb, I think he's, he's got redemption qualities.

[00:03:34] Did a Pixar give you like a lot of freedom to play with Caleb's voice and humor or was it like locked in with a certain way they wanted it done? Um, I mean, there was a general idea of how he was right. Like he's like, he's a bully, but you know, it's not necessarily his fault, right? Like a lot of, a lot of it is, is Elio's doing. So he's just reacting off of a situation that he's it, right? Just like a human.

[00:04:02] So, uh, it was, it wasn't that he, they said, you have to play this guy angry. He's always angry. He's always mad. You know, it was more, you know, be human about it because he's, he's got those qualities. Did you get to record with any other cast members or was this like a solo session every time? Oh, solo session all the time. Yeah. Yeah. We first started, uh, we first started in Glendale and then we, we did the rest of it to look alike. Um, but yeah, I, I don't get it.

[00:04:32] I don't get it to meet anybody. And that's the case oftentimes, but, uh, yeah, it was, it was cool meeting everybody at the premiere, you know, being able to see everybody and say, Oh, so, so that's the name to the, to the character. And that's the face, you know, connecting the dots. Yeah. Without giving any spoilers away, do you have a favorite Caleb moment in the movie? Uh, Caleb moment. I got to say, well, I think he's got a lot of moments where he kind of

[00:05:02] shows that he kind of has a sort of animosity, but it's not that he's mad at Elio. He's mad at the situation. And I think that moment where the turning point is, is, is my favorite part where it turns from, he's not angry. Right. But he is really frustrated. Now he's going to take it out on someone else. You know what I mean? Like the turning point from now we're, we were cool.

[00:05:30] Now we're not. So I think that kind of shift, uh, was, was my favorite part seeing it go from, you know, Was there, was there like a line or a scene that was especially tricky or like fun to record? Um, that's a good question. There was a lot of things, I mean, in the booth, they had you doing all types of stuff that sometimes doesn't even make it into the movie.

[00:05:56] There was a lot of, uh, a lot of vocals and, and, you know, screams or a lot of it's loud. Right. Like he's kind of yelling. Um, so I think, I think doing that was, was a challenge. I mean, every voiceover actor has been through that where they're like, my throat is killing me after the session. But, uh, I think that was definitely a fun part in, in doing it was, was all of the range. Right.

[00:06:21] Cause it's not necessarily, you know, anger, anger, anger, but he's, he's kind of working up to it. So I think, I think the, the escalation was, was fun to ever work. What was your reaction when you first, the first time you saw what Caleb looked like in the animated form? Uh, did that, that, that influenced you at all the way you wanted to voice them?

[00:06:42] Um, sort of, I mean, they first showed it to, they, uh, they first showed him to me, uh, in, in Glendale when we did the first recording in 2023. And they showed me like a little clip and, and what he looked like. And, uh, I was like, oh, okay.

[00:06:56] Okay. So that's, that's what he looks like. Um, and it was, uh, it was interesting. I, I definitely, I, I saw him in a different way now because obviously you see what you want to see and you have your idea, but seeing him there sort of puts a face to the page.

[00:07:13] And I think that is, uh, is really important that, you know, Hey, okay. So this is the guy. Um, it doesn't necessarily change too drastically how you say it or what you do, but it's cool to know that that's kind of your mouthpiece is going to be that face. What I like about these, uh, Pixar films, you know, they do, they have like a powerful message or a theme, you know, like what do you hope the audience takes away from this story with the young viewers that might relate to either Caleb or Elio?

[00:07:42] Yeah. I mean, I think the movie is, is all about finding yourself and knowing that you're not alone, right? For people that are struggling with that, where they feel maybe alone or they feel that they're the only ones that understand themselves and they just feel isolated. Uh, this movie is to tell them, Hey, you know, you're not alone. You know, there's other people like you, you have the right to feel that way and you can get past that ultimately. So I think it's a movie to kind of affirm people and make them feel comforted and safe that they're not, uh, they're not wrong for feeling the way that they feel.

[00:08:12] Yeah. I can definitely see that. Was there any moments during, uh, the recording that really stuck with you or like, uh, gave you like a lot of meaningful things? Um, I think working with, with all the people was especially in the booth, cause you don't work with the other actors, but you do work pretty closely with the directors and you work with all the other writers and, and, uh, other people on the call that don't, uh, you know, cause they have like a little zoom call and the thing and they all have their cameras turned off.

[00:08:42] So I don't know who's who, but you know, it's cool. Um, hearing people chime in and say, Oh, okay. How about this? And then it kind of guides the, uh, the story. Um, cause sometimes you'll hear a voice out the corner of the screen and say, Hey, can we try it this way? And how about that? Um, and I'm like, okay. Yeah. I didn't think about that. So I think recording it is, is really interesting because it changes actively.

[00:09:05] So you might say it one way, 10 seconds and then 20 seconds later, it's a whole new, it's a whole new direction. Um, and that's really fun to play. I mean, I don't know how many times that happens with, uh, other, you know, things like theatrical movies. They pretty much have that down pat, but with voiceover, you can play around with, with all the, the ways that you want to say it. And I think that's, what's really fun about recording it is you can go every way you can try it.

[00:09:34] Happy, sad, you know, angry, you know, everything there's, there's range and you can play with that. Now you've done all this voiceover work the last few years. Is there like a dream voiceover role that you kind of hope you play a certain character or franchise you love to be part of? Uh, I'd say this is it. I mean, Pixar is definitely at the top of the board for, for voiceover. And that's kind of things where you're like, Pixar is there, right? Like every, every great classic animated movie has been Pixar.

[00:10:04] You know, you've seen them and you've said, Oh, that's a Pixar movie. Right. My first movie was, was cars too. You know, I sat in the theater at, I think like three or four and I was watching cars too. Uh, and so Pixar has definitely been there for me at least when, uh, throughout my life. So being there to be a part of one right now is, is full circle and just amazing opportunity. You know, could you see a sequel with this movie or like a Caleb spinoff and watch, see what he does?

[00:10:32] I mean, sure. That'd be great. But, uh, I think there's, there's definitely an LEO too. I hope, uh, they haven't told me anything, but I really hope there is an LEO too. Cause the characters got so much to, to share and say and do. So I think seeing an LEO too would just be fantastic. Would you want to spend a day in that universe? If you could. Oh yeah. I mean, it was beautiful, uh, up there, you know, you see the colors, the imagery, uh, it's really, truly breathtaking.

[00:11:00] We saw it, um, in 3d at the premiere and that was, that was amazing. I mean, just seeing everything literally coming off the screen. I was like, Whoa. Um, but yeah, that was, that was excellent. Yeah. What's next for you now? Any other projects you'd have to tell us about that you're working on or coming out? Yeah. I mean, I'm actually going to record a short in a, in a couple of days, but I also did a, uh, another voiceover project, a podcast, uh, called Montecito. It's kind of like a,

[00:11:26] uh, it's a drama kind of soap opera podcast that, uh, takes place in Montecito as the name suggests. Um, but yeah, that, that's, that's what I have out right now. But, uh, if you follow me on, uh, Instagram, I'll also post updates and stuff like that. My handles at Jake Getman and just my name. So I always post stuff like that to keep me up to date, but, uh, I also have an Apple commercial out funny enough right now. Um, with, with, uh, just me and the woman who plays my mom. Uh, and I get that a lot.

[00:11:56] I'll be, I'll be eating dinner and people will be like, Hey, is, aren't you that guy? I was even, I was at the premiere and people were like, Hey, you're that guy from that Apple commercial. I was like, how did you get here? And I'm like, I'm in LEO too. So, you know, it was cool. Cool to see that. Yeah. How crazy was that, that it went viral like that, that commercial? Uh, it still blows my mind. I mean, I was never expecting that. I've been in half a dozen commercials at this point, but, uh, you know, none of them have been, I guess, got me this,

[00:12:25] this sort of facial recognition. Like people see me on the street and they're like, Hey, you know, aren't you that guy? And that's never happened to me before. And I think it's kind of funny, uh, and, and cool, um, to just have that happen, you know? So you got that, you got LEO coming up in a few days. I mean, you're going up my friend. I appreciate it. Yeah. It's a, it's a beautiful opportunity. It's a, it's an amazing movie and I'm just really glad and honored to be a part of it. Jacob, how can the listeners of the viewers find you on social media and keep up with you?

[00:12:55] Yeah. Like I said, my, my handle on Instagram at Jake Gettman, that's probably the best way to see. I post a lot of updates on there just myself daily. Um, so yeah, this is my day to day is usually posted on there and all my upcoming projects and updates also there. Amazing. Jake, we'll have to get you back on. Thanks for giving us a few minutes today. Oh, thank you. Appreciate it.