Name: Lawrence Basso
Title: Motion Design Director
When did you start at Overit?
I started at Overit Media back in August of 2004. I found out about Overit through my friend Chad, who I went to SUNY Oneonta with and was employed by Overit at the time.
Where are you originally from?
My family is originally from Brooklyn, NY and we moved up when I was about four years old to a small town called Worcester, NY (in between Cobleskill and Oneonta). This is where I grew up (K-12) and I currently live in East Worcester, NY with my wife, Alicia and 2 children, Georgia and Grayson. Oh, and our cat, Rugen.
What are you known for in the office?
I think I’m known around the office as the guy who stays late. I like to think that people find me funny and enjoy being around me at work. I try, when I can, to make the work atmosphere enjoyable and/or entertaining. It helps with the stress – at least for me.
High school/college/funny life story?
In a nutshell – I got engaged, attended a funeral and a wedding all in one day.
What is your worst vacation mishap story?
In grade school, I had my swimming trunks pulled down at the public swimming pool one summer vacation.
Are you an early bird or night owl?
Both, actually. When stuff needs to get done, it needs to get done – whether that means coming in early or staying up all night – or sometimes both.
What are you most likely to be doing on a Sunday afternoon?
Eating breakfast with my family after 10 o’clock mass.
What is your favorite part about your job?
Just the adventure it has been and will continue to be (ups and downs). I started here in 2004 when it was only five people. We’ll have moved four times since then and have grown to around 25 people. It’s really neat to be a part of that roller coaster.
What is the most unique thing about this work environment?
I get paid to make cool stuff, and that’s just awesome.
If you could live anywhere in the world…
Tough to say… Visiting places and living somewhere are definitely two different things. There are a ton of places I’d love to visit – maybe even have an extended say – but I feel I’m pretty confortable where I am right now and enjoy it.
What is the song that gets stuck most often in your head?
I don’t think there’s just one song that gets stuck in my head. I listen to such an array of music all throughout the day. But i do like singing random songs aloud in hopes that they’ll get stuck in someone else’s head. My wife loves me for that, haha.
What song are you most likely to karaoke?
I have people request Bodies by Drowning Pool a lot when I used to karaoke regularly. For my hour commute back and forth to work, I pretty much sing the entire time – good thing I don’t carpool.
If you were an animal…
Bear, badger or wolverine.
Weirdest dream you’ve ever had?
I had a dream once that I was in a relationship with someone, deeply in love, that I didn’t really have feelings for in real life. When I woke up I actually felt depressed and heart broken for the entire day. Really weird.
Who inspires your creativity?
A ton of different people and companies, hard to say specifically.
If you were a television/movie character…
I watch too many movies to decide, haha.
Favorite movie/band/tv show?
One of my favorite movies would be Shaun of the Dead. One of my favorite bands would be Tool. One of my favorite TV shows from back in the day is Movie Magic.
Bucket list item?
Work on a major summer blockbuster feature film.
When you were eight, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’m not sure if I knew what I wanted to be in third grade. I’ll have to ask my mom.
What is your favorite place in Upstate NY to visit?
There are a lot – but one that comes to mind quickly is the Wellscroft Mansion B&B in Upper Jay, NY. Amazing place and what started my wife’s and my love-affair with Eggs Benedict.
Where is somewhere you haven’t been but want to go?
New Zealand.
What is your high school nickname?
“el Basso” to some; “Pudgie” to a select few.
What is something people didn’t know about you until this blog post got published?
I’m sort of a digital horder. I have computer files still from when I was in high school (on floppy disk). I still have a bunch of 5 1/4 inch floppies, too. =)
