Jess Parks

Jess Parks is an LA-based feature sound mixer and creator behind the podcast I Seduce The Dragon.

In ten words or less, describe I Seduce The Dragon.
Hilarious, immersive storytelling with unbeatable chemistry and high production value.

How did you meet everyone on the cast? You’re such a rag-tag group but have amazing chemistry! You can really tell in the audio that you’re all friends outside of the game.
I could fangirl over these players forever! Some hadn’t even met when we kicked off, but I’ve got a bit of a talent for assembling a great team and I love to connect people. We didn't even plan a podcast at first — just wanted to have a blast with a fun crew.  Watching these friendships grow beyond the game? Pure magic.

I’ve known Flanders the longest; we met over a decade ago when she was a bartender at my favorite local dive, just one of her fascinating talents among blacksmithing, arm wrestling, homesteading, jiu jitzu, and, oh yes, she’s a lawyer.  At a dinner party with Flanders, I met Ryan, who is one of the coolest, most vibrant and fun people on the planet.  Meeting her inspired me to assemble the game, and I began considering who else would compliment the personalities we already had.

I brought in Dana, a colleague from my days as a post executive at Sony Pictures, adding her sweet enthusiasm and whimsical naughtiness to the mix (plus I just love her laugh).  And I snagged Cristina, who I met through D&D in 2020, for her appetite for deeper story, complex character exploration, and all that delicious emotional conflict. 

What inspired you to get into podcasting after working in Hollywood audio production? How has it differed from what you were used to?
Hollywood audio post production is still my life and there is a transferable set of skills, certainly, when it comes to editing and mixing for an immersive experience.  But in feature sound we don’t control the narrative or pacing, and I love the challenge of carving out the story for the podcast.  I turn three hours of free-flowing, improvised chaos (like dailies, for those in the biz) into a seamless, action-packed, hour-long narrative that’s truly a delightful listen where everyone sounds smart, funny, and great at D&D! 

What’s your favorite sound effect or sound design moment from the first season of I Seduce the Dragon?
There is a weretiger moment coming in Episode 11 that is such a thrilling confluence of sound design, music and dramatic narrative, it gives me goosebumps.  I can’t wait to release it. 

What’s your favorite podcast that everyone already knows about?
Dungeons & Daddies is a must-listen in the D&D genre and one of my biggest inspirations for our show.  The cast are incredibly funny people in very individual and complementary ways, it feels as much like hanging out with your funniest friends as listening to a well-produced show.  I had only just begun to get interested in D&D when I started listening to them, and they’re a big part of why I’ve grown to love the game now. 

What’s your favorite podcast that not enough people know about?
If you haven’t heard Murder She Rolled, I’m sorry but you’re blowing it.   It’s a pretty new D&D podcast starring Alan Seawright, creator of Cinema Therapy. Their DM is crazy talented, and the characters are diverse and hilarious.  Dive in now and thank me later.

Anything I didn’t ask that you’d like to share?
If you’re new to D&D, we’ve got you - start with our “Clippy’s Version” of the first couple episodes. They’re the same full adventure, but include helpful (and snarky) explainers to help you get the hang of it!

Thanks, Jess!