Brandon L. Harnish is a Carson City-based arranger-orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, music preparation specialist, and recording artist. Having founded Virtual Video Game Orchestra and been the recipient of four Game Music Remix Awards, Brandon is the Director of Orchestra & Choir at Reno Video Game Symphony, operations manager & librarian for the Reno Chamber Orchestra, and carries numerous arranging/performing credits with video game music ensembles across the country.
OneCuppaCoffee
Onecuppacoffee is a cosplay couple with expertise in intricately handcrafted cosplays that always come in pairs while infusing their original designs. Entirely self-taught with years of experience, they love to push their creativity through sewing, pattern drafting, designing, appliqué, 3D modeling and printing, machine embroidery, foam work, resin casting, prop work, and more. They aim to inspire that anyone can craft without any formal training and can bring their loved characters to life in their own unique ways!
Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (MADE)
Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (MADE) is a nonprofit video game museum based in Oakland, California. MADE is dedicated to preserving the history of digital games and promoting digital creation and game development through play, education, and hands-on exhibits. Visitors can explore a fully playable collection of consoles, computers, and classic titles, as well as take part in workshops, field trips, and community events.
GameGrooves
GameGrooves is a Video Game Music Record Label that creates albums celebrating the history of video game music, in various genres. GameGrooves also produce charity albums designed to raise funds for charities with missions that align with our goal of empowering our marginalized peers where possible.
Final Fantasy Files
The Final Fantasy Files is a NEW fan-created show focused on this great video game series.
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Jolie Hales is an award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, singer, and writer with a knack for storytelling that captivates the digital age. As the creator and host of The Final Fantasy Files show, she dives deep into the legendary franchise's lore, creative approaches, and fan-favorite moments, making her a key voice in the Final Fantasy gaming community. With a background as a Disney Ambassador and global spokesperson for the Walt Disney Company, Jolie has appeared on TV, radio shows, and live stages all around the world. Jolie earned her MFA in Film Directing from Chapman University and has gone on to create award-winning films and commercials, including earning a student Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation and numerous film festival accolades. Her creative work spans the tech industry, YouTube, live performances, and podcasts like Podsitivity and The Big Compute Podcast, earning millions of views. When she's not leading brand initiatives in the tech industry or indulging in her Final Fantasy passion, she's leveling up life in the way that matters most with her awesome husband Spencer -- also a cohost on the Final Fantasy Files -- and their three cherished sons.
Ernest de Leon is a cybersecurity exec by day and gaming aficionado by night. As co-host of Final Fantasy Files, he explores the lore, legacy, and love behind the legendary series he's followed since the original NA release. Ernest frequently appears on other podcasts, offering his perspectives on topics ranging from retro games to personal finance, as well as delving into the unusual and lesser-known aspects of gaming and pop culture.. He's got a soft spot for B-movies, too--ask him about his favorites and clear your schedule.
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Jolie Hales is an award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, singer, and writer with a knack for storytelling that captivates the digital age. As the creator and host of The Final Fantasy Files show, she dives deep into the legendary franchise's lore, creative approaches, and fan-favorite moments, making her a key voice in the Final Fantasy gaming community. With a background as a Disney Ambassador and global spokesperson for the Walt Disney Company, Jolie has appeared on TV, radio shows, and live stages all around the world. Jolie earned her MFA in Film Directing from Chapman University and has gone on to create award-winning films and commercials, including earning a student Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation and numerous film festival accolades. Her creative work spans the tech industry, YouTube, live performances, and podcasts like Podsitivity and The Big Compute Podcast, earning millions of views. When she's not leading brand initiatives in the tech industry or indulging in her Final Fantasy passion, she's leveling up life in the way that matters most with her awesome husband Spencer -- also a cohost on the Final Fantasy Files -- and their three cherished sons.
Ernest de Leon is a cybersecurity exec by day and gaming aficionado by night. As co-host of Final Fantasy Files, he explores the lore, legacy, and love behind the legendary series he's followed since the original NA release. Ernest frequently appears on other podcasts, offering his perspectives on topics ranging from retro games to personal finance, as well as delving into the unusual and lesser-known aspects of gaming and pop culture.. He's got a soft spot for B-movies, too--ask him about his favorites and clear your schedule.
Five Mics Studios
Austin Lee Matthews
Austin Lee Matthews is a Los Angeles based Voice Actor, best known for their work as Roche in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Fire Spirit Cookie in Cookie RUn, Hidetoshi in Persona 3 Reload, Arthur in Mystery Skulls Animated, Ash Carbide in the Legend of Heroes series, Governor Ivenci in Dragon Age, and tons more. Since 2014, they have lent their voice to numerous anime, video games and cartoons. They love their job almost as much as they love making people smile (which is great because their job makes people smile).
Arnie Pantoja
Arnie Pantoja is a voice actor with razor-sharp comedic timing and a knack for turning the quirky into the unforgettable. A UCB alum with improv chops and a background in Meisner and Stanislavski, Arnie brings bold, offbeat energy to every role.
You've heard him as Kazuma in Konosuba, Reno in Final Fantasy, and Teddy Ortiz in Nickelodeon's Big Nate. His voice lights up Rick and Morty, Trolls, Victor & Valentino, We Bare Bears, and more. On screen, he's made waves as Mark the "Thumb Buddy" on Henry Danger, and popped up in The Goldbergs, Superstore, and Sydney White.
Arnie has a gift for making even the most unlikable characters lovable--and bringing a spark to every project he's part of.
You've heard him as Kazuma in Konosuba, Reno in Final Fantasy, and Teddy Ortiz in Nickelodeon's Big Nate. His voice lights up Rick and Morty, Trolls, Victor & Valentino, We Bare Bears, and more. On screen, he's made waves as Mark the "Thumb Buddy" on Henry Danger, and popped up in The Goldbergs, Superstore, and Sydney White.
Arnie has a gift for making even the most unlikable characters lovable--and bringing a spark to every project he's part of.
Curtis Bonds
Curtis is a giant Nintendo fan, savvy in all things classic 90s cartoons and game shows, and an occasional PNGtuber known as Doggybara.
Jose Daniel Ruiz
Jose Daniel Ruiz is a conductor, composer, arranger, and music director whose primary mission is to bring public awareness and appreciation to the ever growing repertoire of music written for video games. As a panelist, Jose has been invited to share his knowledge of video game music concerts and their educational impact for organizations including Penny Arcade Expo, Magfest, and the UCLA Music Library. Jose began his study of music with the violin and accordion in elementary school. He has studied conducting under UC Santa Barbara music director Maxim Kuzin, Santa Monica College Symphony director Dr. James Martin, and choral music as a former member of the UCLA Chorale and the selective UCLA Chamber Singers, under the direction of the legendary Don Neuen. He is also a former bass balalaika player with the Los Angeles Russian Strings Orchestra directed by Iryna Orlova. He also plays accordion with his polka band Die Sauerkrauts during the Oktoberfest season. He is also the Tech Director at First Baptist Church of Glendale, producing and conducting regular productions that involve talent sourced from the entire Greater Los Angeles area and beyond.
In 2014, he founded the Game Music Ensemble at UCLA, serving as conductor, co-music director, music librarian, and arranger, leading to the group's inaugural performance at UCLA's historic Powell Library Rotunda, and more recently, has led the ensemble to grow to the largest performing arts organization on campus, a full 100+ piece orchestra by the end of its 2015-2016 season concert, to a 200+ piece orchestra and choir for its latest Winter 2020 concert in Schoenberg Hall. He continues to proudly serve as music director and conductor.
He has been serving as one of the Executive Directors of the Virtual Video Game Orchestra since 2020.
In 2014, he founded the Game Music Ensemble at UCLA, serving as conductor, co-music director, music librarian, and arranger, leading to the group's inaugural performance at UCLA's historic Powell Library Rotunda, and more recently, has led the ensemble to grow to the largest performing arts organization on campus, a full 100+ piece orchestra by the end of its 2015-2016 season concert, to a 200+ piece orchestra and choir for its latest Winter 2020 concert in Schoenberg Hall. He continues to proudly serve as music director and conductor.
He has been serving as one of the Executive Directors of the Virtual Video Game Orchestra since 2020.
William Christopher Stephens
William Christopher Stephens has been playing video games since they were cartridges and was working at EB Games when the original FF VII was released. Being an only child, marrying his love for video games, D&D, animation and acting came naturally, which has lead him to voice an ever growing roster of A-list characters, which include Rude in Final Fantasy VIi Remake & Rebirth, Jax in MK11, Maine in Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Walker in Back 4 Blood, Guan Yu - Dynasty Warriors:Origins and multiple characters in various Capcom titles.
Lovi.D
Cosplayer since 2011 & Freelance Character Performer since 2019. bring beloved characters to life, specializing in elaborate gowns but always excited to explore diverse fandoms and crafting techniques. My passion lies in crafting intricate builds from scratch and learning new skills. Thrilled to share my work and be part of the cosplay community!
John Bentley
John Bentley has been working at his trade in the business since 1996. He has several on-camera,
commercial and voice over credits. His V.O. Creds include Barret in the Final Fantasy VII remake, King
Bulgher in CannonBusters, Mr. Kapusinski In 12 Forever, Varys Truss in Promare, Sonada in Baki, Tiger's Claw In Sailor Moon, Whiplash in Turbo Netflix, and Fire Emblem In Tiger and Bunny. Several other projects he's worked on are as follows: Digimon, LA Noire, anything Nick Fury or Frozone, Red Dead Redemption, Call of Duty, Mecard, Carole and Tuesday, MFKZ and several other genres including film and television.
commercial and voice over credits. His V.O. Creds include Barret in the Final Fantasy VII remake, King
Bulgher in CannonBusters, Mr. Kapusinski In 12 Forever, Varys Truss in Promare, Sonada in Baki, Tiger's Claw In Sailor Moon, Whiplash in Turbo Netflix, and Fire Emblem In Tiger and Bunny. Several other projects he's worked on are as follows: Digimon, LA Noire, anything Nick Fury or Frozone, Red Dead Redemption, Call of Duty, Mecard, Carole and Tuesday, MFKZ and several other genres including film and television.
Dash Retro
Briana White
Briana White is a professional actress and content creator. She has succeeded in all worlds of
performing, with credits such as Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (Apatow Productions,
Andy Samberg), Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (CBS), and as the lead in hit indie feature,
Occupants, which earned her 12 Best Actress Wins. She is the voice of lead character Aerith
Gainsborough in the wildly popular video game series Final Fantasy VII Remake, which sold
over 7 million copies. She reprised her role in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII: Reunion and Final
Fantasy VII Rebirth. She has created digital content since her appearance in viral hit, Princess
Rap Battle: Snow vs Elsa, with over 200+ million views. Her own video game YouTube & Twitch
channel, Strange Rebel Gaming, and has a loyal and wildly engaged viewer base of over 470k+
with over 21+ million views across YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
dwangoAC & TASBot
dwangoAC is the keeper of TASBot, a robot that plays video games perfectly for charity events. TASBot presses buttons in order similar to a player piano and beats games perfectly, often employing game breaking glitches. TASBot content has helped raise more than $1.5M for various charities at Games Done Quick events since 2013. dwangoAC is part of the senior staff of TASVideos.org and has presented at DEF CON, Thotcon, GeekPwn, and other hacker events.