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June 1, 2006
The Gifts of Benjamin Quinto
By DEANNA DAHLSAD
Eleven years ago a 15 year old Benjamin Quinto made copies for a
customer at a Hell's Kitchen coffeeshop. That customer was Kat
Caverly, and those would be the first of many copies he would make for
her. Benjamin tells the story:
"As a then-thespian, she lured me to her lair with the promise of
headshots, which I worked off by being her Executive Assistant. I think
I was one of the earlier members of the team. I worked with Kat for
years, earned a little and learned a lot. I did her filing, her books,
bills, shopping and many other things, and remember it fondly as one of
the best jobs -- and her as the best boss -- I ever had."
During that time, Benjamin gave Kat her first computer. Little did he
know what he started... for 11 years later Kat, armed with computer
skills and knowledge of the internet, transitioned into online media.
(Without Benjamin's gift, where would we all be?!)
Once creating online media, Kat again easily lured Benjamin back to her
team -- this time, to do voice work. He is the man behind the voices of
Señor Gusano and Amin bin Amin the taxi-driver.
"I consider myself a linguist and love learning new cultures, accents
and languages. Living in the city for 15 years, and in other parts of
the world, I have been exposed to hundreds of accents from every corner
of the planet. The curious entertainer and creative person in me has a
tendency to mimic..."
I guess you might say that Benjamin still makes copies -- but not the
paper kind. And these copies are so much more fun to make!
"From juggling to developing voices and characters to entertain friends,
entertaining has always been something I was passionate about. Kat's
purpose has always inspired me, and I always considered it part of mine,
too: to bring joy into people's lives. What greater purpose could there
be?"
But what was the best thing about coming back to work for Kat Caverly?
"She's crazy! I love her. We're even crazier together, and I think
that's why we do great work. It's hella fun. She's creative and
brilliant, stubborn and kind, and if you give her a chance, she'll blow
your socks and your mind!"
Posted by photocartoonist at June 1, 2006 4:16 PM