Behind the Scenes Shows

Every other week, except holidays, and where prohibited by law, Rudy and James crank out a non-scripted, unproduced, barely edited and improvisationally entertaining Behind the Scenes show (BTS for you HaveSpellerheads ) In these episodes, they typically interview cast members or ensemble players, they talk about the show, answer reader mail, beg for five-star reviews and subscribers, and give away huge spoilers. **SPOILER ALERT: No they don't. 

Listeners who send in questions often get answers directly from the show's ruling cabal on the air. When recording is being done, the Behind the Scenes show intro includes a non-sequitur of the featured cast member answering a reader-submitted Levels Question of the Week, asked of the guest as a way to keep them talking while the recording artist sets the levels on the microphones, and also designed to stump the guest and get them to make up various silly things. 

Guests on the BTS episodes have included (Now in Reverse Chronological Order for your viewing pleasure!)

BTS 33 - Rudy and James discuss pros and Cons

BTS 33, the second episode in a row to disappointingly not feature any Vegas, was a short one where Rudy and James discuss their life as Cons. Sorry, I meant AT Cons. Rudy, James and the rest of their DSPN/HSWT Entourage (Vegas) visited Acadecon in Ohio and PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia during the past few weeks. They discuss the pluses and minuses (the Con joke ran its course in the last sentence), of each, concluding that RPG Academy's Acadecon was totally awesome, and worth going to even though it's in Ohio; and that PAX Unplugged had some really good ideas that they can totally make better next year with a little more focus on RPG rather than their traditional video-game and board game focus, and James will totally jump in and help them plan and run the whole Con next year, since he has all this free time. What's that? No?

BTS 32 - Neal Powell is Featured

BTS 32 features an interview with guest co-actor Neal Powell, famous for his own D&D podcasting antics.

BTS 31 - What happens in Vegas, well... more Vegas

What could possibly follow up Episode 0-2: Revenge of the Vegas, but more Vegas?

BTS 30 - The New Season Begins!

BTS 30 drops after the release of the first episode of Season 2! It features only Rudy and James with an audio teaser from Noel Shiri, guest voice from Episode S2-1. James and Rudy talk a little about the new season-long story arc structure, give examples from such classic TV favorites as Friends, Seinfeld, MacGuyver, The Rockford Files, Mayberry RFD, and many fewer.

The first batch of Patreon... uh, ers is read out loud for the first time. No surprise, JK Rowling is not a big fan.

BTS 29 - Have Patreon, Will Pander

HaveSpellerheads take note! Are you tired of sitting around one of your mansion's pools thinking to yourself, 'Geez, I really should have the butler figure out something for me to do with all this filthy lucre I have laying around' ? If so, Rudy and James have news for you! They announce the newest way to fund your favorite radio play/podcast, via the D&D-sounding service: Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/havespellbook. Pledge some dollars. Or some cents. Electrum pieces. Or Bitcoins. Or leave an encouraging message. They'll even take the always valuable 'thoughts and prayers'.

Remember, listening to HaveSpellbook will always be totally free, even though it costs figuratively millions of dollars to produce for you ungrateful bastards. But feel under no pressure to contribute, even though that's what deadbeats do. Rudy and James are happy to contribute their own money to produce it and continue to feed their families on sous vide Ramen noodles up to 5 nights a week. I mean if you contribute, that would be great, but no pressure; I mean who needs medical care anyway?

As James Introcaso says, "This is for you, niche nerds."

BTS 28 - Gencon Pre-Show and Full Production Walk-through

Rudy and James answer listener questions from Grandmaester of Castle Havespellerhead Mark G. Smith, walking through the entire production process for an episode of HSWT. The creative partners behind the show talk about story-kerneling, arc-forming, out-lining, wri-ting, edi-ting, show-running, talent-wrangling, sound-recording, recording-session-hosting, noise-combining, hair-pulling-out-editing, coffee-drinking, pub-lishing, deep-sighing, word-hyphening, and accolade-receiving.

This is the last show before GenCon 2017, the 50th anniversary GenCon show. Rudy and James will host a Don't Split the Podcast Network Q&A on Thursday night of GenCon and then will be stalked to an eating and drinking establishment for post-panel festivities. Mead will flow. Blood will spill. Laughs will be heartily had. A good time will be had by all, and tales will be told of the grand time had for decades to come.

BTS 27 - The End of Season 1

Rudy and James look back on a full season of BTS and HSWT during the past year plus. HSWT will be off until the end of October. The sounds of the crowd of pitchfork-carrying mobs gathering outside Rudy's home can be heard nearly immediately in the background. They bid a tearful farewell to the amazing cast, the guests, yours truly the Wiki author, and, most importantly, SquareSpace. Will they return? Will there be a plot twist? Will Rudy betray James in a way that nobody would ever suspect? Will Mark and Ray ever answer these questions live? Tune in in October to find out!

BTS 26 - Vegas Lancaster

Vegas Lancaster antagonizes Rudy Basso with the more-or-less constant encouragement of James Introcaso. He discusses his role as Aurox, now deceased (again).

BTS 25 - Vin St. John

Vin St. John is featured, May 31, 2017.

Rudy and James speak with Vin St. John about college RAs, acting, Star Wars The Musical, and other things I didn't get to yet since I had a short commute this morning. But I'm guessing D&D. Bonus Havespellerhead trivia: One of Rudy Basso's favorite Sous-vide recipes is Coq au Vin St. John. Go ahead, look it up.

Some venturing maidens take a break from promoting their Venture Maidens podcast and instead plug the Dames & Dragons podcast. You should check it out.

BTS 24 - No guest, just news

Rudy and James talk about the just completed Story Arc 6, tease a bit the upcoming "Season 1 Finale" Story Arc 7 excitement, and answer a reader question about which Cons they will attend this year. Spoiler alert: GenCon, and two others!! (I listened in the car) Also, Don't Split the Podcast Network is plugged, Venture Maidens is promoted, and Rudy shills for Game O'Clock, featuring -- you guessed it -- Rudy and Alex Basso.

BTS 23 - Jen Fischer

The silver-throated Jen Nelson Fischer is featured May 3, 2017.

Jen voices Jennifer Strong in the podcast as well as other random ensemble parts. She loves romance novels, tending to the young 'uns, and not playing Dungeons & Dragons. The better singer of the Fischers, she has graced the podcast with her speaking voice, because Jennifer Strong would never come out as a multi-classing Bard... or would she?

BTS 23 also represents the 52nd weekly show produced by Rudy and James, meaning the podcast has been on air for one year (plus that vacation week back around Thanksgiving). Congratulations to the cast and crew for this important milestone. Dragnet was only on the air for about 9 years, so you're 15% of the way there!

BTS 22 - Matt Uhrich

James and Rudy are joined by Matt Uhrich, California Resident, to discuss acting with a Mom Director, having zero experience with D&D, and voice over acting versus stage acting (a conversation we never get tired of).  Also - book recommendations!

BTS 21 - Caroline Collins

She talks about being a Havespellerhead, her acting career, CJ, her love of all things nerdery, the Actual Play, and her fearlessness in employing accents.

BTS BONUS Episodes!

Q&A starring chief Havespellerhead Mark Smith and Ray Fallon speaking from the other side of the locked bathroom door. Oh and Rudy. And Alex shows up at some point. And a train. Mark and Ray answer questions from users and fans from 2016 and 2017, and debate the large questions of existence. This two-episode arc is also known as "Tacomin Live!!" These Behind the Scenes shows appeared on the break between Story Arc 5 and Story Arc 6, and didn't get numbers. Probably because of the Tacomin Effect.

BTS 20 - Rudy and James. Again.

Where they announce that they'll be taking a break from doing the show for a little while because life.

BTS 19 - Bonnie MacDonald

Bonnie MacDonald, muse, lifemate and abiding force in the life of one half of the show's producers is interviewed on her recent introduction to D&D, her life in the Belgian Congo, the charity work she does for drooling goblins, her views on the whole Antarctic exploration thing, and likely none of these things that I literally just made up since I haven't had to drive downtown in a while and haven't listened to the podcast yet.

BTS 18 - Finally, Sarah Stryker

Fan favorite and last major character portrayer to appear, Sarah Stryker appears, thanks to Rudy. February 16, 2017

BTS 17 - Mark Smith

Mark Smith is featured, standing in for Barack Obama who could neither be confirmed nor denied to be on the show.

BTS 16 - Rudy and James discuss the new network

BTS 15 - James Introcaso is featured

BTS 14 - Rudy Basso Part II, The Revenge of Rudy

BTS 13 - Andrew Timmes

BTS 12 - Rudy Basso, Part I

BTS 11 - Alex Basso, sort of.

Alex Basso, brother of Rudy and drummer of HaveSpellbook Halen, is featured. October 7, 2016

This second BTS in a row, due to scheduling abnormalities introduced by GenCon --- thanks Obama -- features brother and roommate of the creator of Have Spellbook, Alex Basso. Alphabetically, the pre-eminent Basso, Alex discusses his love of 4th Edition D&D, his hero-worship of brother Rudy, his lack of acting or performing experience and his new Amway distributorship.

BTS 10 - Sean Curry

Sean Curry is featured. September 28, 2016

Aha!  An interview with the man behind Filigrin the Feared and other notable characters - Mr. Sean Curry! Listen in to hear about cheese rankings, MORE improv talk, and SANDWICHES (I know, you were thinking Indian food)

Sean does not talk about his upcoming scripted radio drama, Filigrin the Feared and the Knights of Terror, appearing on a competing podcast network in the mind of Sean Curry.

BTS 9 - Evie King

Evie King is featured. September 14, 2016

Rudy and James sit down with Evie King, a noted world traveler and foodie who has stepped away from her busy life to join with the HSWT ensemble.  Hear her talk about her superhero alter ego Smart Girl, growing up with a D&D Dad, and living in South Korea.

BTS 8 - Lili Timmes

Lili Timmes is featured. August 17, 2016

Tune in to this latest BTS episode with ensemble member and professional law practitioner Lili Timmes.  Hear about her hatred of law school, MOOT COURT (!!!), and the frustration of being D&D-adjacent but not actually playing it (which will be remedied!). In this episode Lili Timmes, when asked, as all guests are asked, how listeners can contact her did not tell them the easiest method, which would be to break the law in some significant way in the jurisdiction where she works as a prosecutor. You will receive her fullest attention.

BTS 7 - Liz So

Liz is So featured. August 3, 2016

Rudy and James have a chat with Liz So, the voice behind Veena the Water Nymph and various other roles. They discuss forensics, the allure and fun in getting to play lots of different parts, and improv in D&D (again!).

BTS 6 - Dave Breidenstine

Dave Breidenstine is featured. July 20, 2016

Rudy and James interview Dave Breidenstine, one half of the writing/composing team behind the Clam Song and Thoven's Song from Episode 2-2.  In addition to being a talented musician, Dave voices the Clam himself, along with a number of other memorable characters.  Then we're joined by the other half of the team - John Fischer- to learn more about the song writing/composing process.  An incredibly fascinating listen - enjoy!

BTS 5 - Dan Keyser

Dan Keyser is featured. July 6, 2016

The man behind Benicio Markanti - Dan Keyser - joins Rudy and James to discuss improv and role playing, how to come up with a neat and memorable character, and how using a character voice can help you get into the headspace of your PC.  Also, of course, his background in D&D and acting

BTS 4 - Vegas Lancaster

All-Namer Vegas Lancaster is featured. June 22, 2016

Ensemble member Vegas Lancaster joins Rudy and James to discuss his various villainous roles, super powered vegetable TV Show Pilots, and why improv and D&D go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

BTS 3 - John Fischer

John Fischer is featured. June 8, 2016

Greetings and hello to you, listeners!  Join Rudy, James, and actor/composer/DOCTOR John Fischer as they discuss Thoven Battlebeard, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Half-Orc Monks!

BTS 2 - Ray Fallon

Ray Fallon is featured. May 25, 2016

It's that time again!  Behind-the-scenes time!  This episode we talk to Ray Fallon, who plays Andar Patrone, leader of Party 13.  Listen in as  James, Rudy, and Ray discuss Ray's thoughts on the show, Andar, and Dungeons and Dragons.

BTS 1 - Rudy and James discuss the show

Rudy Basso and James Introcaso selfishly feature themselves. May 11, 2016

In our first behind-the-scenes episode, James Introcaso and Rudy Basso introduce themselves and explain who they are and why they started this podcast.  Hopefully you enjoy learning a bit more about the hosts of this journey!