EXTENDED INTERVIEWS:

Enjoy hour-after-hour of extended interviews and deleted scenes featuring some of our favorite podcast guests. You'll also get early access to most of the new podcast episodes we release.

Extended Interview: Claire Keane

Claire Keane is a brilliant illustrator and visual development artist, who has helped to develop numerous immersive worlds, including Tangled and Duet.

After leaving Disney, she released her first illustrated children’s book: Once Upon A Cloud. It’s a beautifully rendered, heartwarming story about family and following your dreams.

This Extended Interview Contains 15 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

When characters start writing themselves.
Revealing characters through moments.
The big question in developing Rapunzel.
Once Upon A Cloud.
Getting lost in the illusion of a story.
Making the kind of marks you want to make.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Eric Canete: Animation Storyboard Artist & Co-Creator of “Run Love Kill”

Eric Canete‘s unique drawing style demonstrates layer upon layer of artistic mastery: Anatomy, character, caricature, composition, storytelling…

After 20+ years of trend-setting work in story, games and comics, his style is as distinct and intense as ever. So you might find it hard to believe that such beautiful work was once rejected by industry gatekeepers.

This Extended Interview Contains fifteen Minutes Of Extra Audio:

Eric describes how his art was fostered by competition.
The key is healthy obsession.
The premonitions of professionalism.
Moving to the U.S. with the help of James Bond.
The Little Mermaid was a game-changer.
Uncanny X-Men to Aeon Flux.
Eric discusses Run, Love, Kill and working with friends.
Three fascinating things about storyboards…

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Character Designer Justin Rodrigues

Justin Rodrigues is a good friend and one of my favorite current artists.

Here we discuss the most productive way to respond to rejection and how his character design style blends 2D sensibility with 3D structure.

This Extended Interview Contains 5 Minutes Of Extra Audio.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Aliki Grafft :: Prolific Animation Writer/Director Story Artist & Show Creator

Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft describes her career as “failing upward.”

She broke-in during the TV animation revolution and has since accumulated numerous impressive credits including: animated series creator, director, storyboard artist, writer, emmy-nominated songwriter and voice actor.

This Extended Interview Contains Almost Half An Hour Of Extra Audio:

The artistry and emotional power of cartoons.
How Aliki practically applied her love for cartoons.
Her adventures as a PA at Hanna Barbera.
And the rest is history? No!
Growing (painfully) through character design.
The art and heartbreak of pitching.
Phineas and Ferb.
Being a mom in animation.
The road maps of storytelling.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Jimmy Gownley :: From Self-Publishing to Scholastic

Since he was 15 years old, Jimmy Gownley has never stopped breaking the rules of self-publishing.

He went from selling self-published comics in the hallways of his high school to huge publishing deals with both Simon & Schuster AND Scholastic.

This Extended Interview Contains 40 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

It all started with Peanuts.
The Dumbest Idea Ever.
The rise of independent comics in the 80’s.
Jimmy shares about getting Amelia Rules published.
Understanding how story works.
Challenges of being a writer who draws.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Jenn Ely :: The Winding Road To Laika (Part 2)

In part one, Jenn Ely regaled us with tales of alligators, emu burgers and art school…

Now, Jenn talks about her time at The Savannah College Of Art & Design (SCAD) as well as her mentorship with Dreamworks Production Designer Kathy Altieri.

…but most of the episode is, as promised, about her time at Laika.

This Extended Interview Contains Almost Half An Hour Of Extra Audio:

What drew Jenn to animated film rather than games.
How she connected with OA and Visual Development..
Jenn explains her need for a mentor who would not hold back..
It’s important to recognize the roadblocks, not just the “good parts.”.
Look for people who understand you and want to invest in you.
Is your fear bigger than your desire?
Consider what others need from you, rather than what they can do for you.
Jenn gives detail of the creative process she experienced at Laika.
Life comes full circle as she joins OA to teach!

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Jenn Ely :: The Winding Road To Laika (Part 1)

Like the design of the world of The BoxTrolls, Jenn Ely‘s life is full of quirky twists and turns.

With stories like these, it’s no wonder she eventually got a job at Laika.

This Extended Interview Contains Almost One Hour Of Extra Audio:

More memories from the Emu farm.
Chris and Jenn’s tell stories of their weirdest and most ridiculously ambitious childhood art projects.
How Jenn transcended the discouragement from a bad teacher with the help of a good one.
How Jenn found sweet salvation in the world of illustration.
How Jenn created her own concept art curriculum at SCAD.
More ranting about the pointlessness of degrees.
How collaboration is vital to good Commercial Art.
Showing your artistic process within the art itself.
Why commercial viability is not always a compromise.

[Read more…]

EXTENDED INTERVIEWS:

Connect With Us: