Inside Animation

Dec 1

We've had students on the podcast before, and we've had plenty of producers. But a student learning how to be a producer? This is a first for our last episode of 2025! I chat with David Seibert, who is studying production and directing in New York. We talk about his internships (and what he's doing in them), what he's learned so far on what producers do, and what projects he's been working on. In our "Back in Time" segment, we talk about how growing up outside of the US meant he had very different influences as far as cartoons and entertainment goes. We talk about Studio Ghibli films and how AI is trying to steal them. And we ended up have TWO segments of advice. One formal and a bonus one in the beginning. You can follow David on his socials and YouTube channel at @soud10.

Nov 3

I chat with Entertainment Attorney and Director of The Autism Scene, host of the AuSPEC Awards, Britton Payne. We talk about his history working as "Superman's Lawyer" at DC Comics (including an amazing perk) as well as Warner Brothers and Nickelodeon and how different studios have different approaches to animation lawyers. Plus he talks about how he started The Autism Scene and the AuSPEC Awards as a way to encourage more autistic characters in popular animation, to both boost exposure for those on the autism spectrum and to normalize autism for others. In our "Back in Time" segment, we talk about how he actually started on the creative side, working as a writer/director, before going to law school and merging his two passions. Plus, as always, great advice, this time on how to start a career as an entertainment attorney by standing out and making connections. You can find out more information (and submit for the spec writing contest) at https://theautismscene.org

Sep 15

In an Inside Animation first, Professor Walter Santucci returns as Director Walter Santucci. He talks about how he has been working on a feature animated film since we last spoke, the process of incorporating traditional animation with puppets and how he found the voice actors for his film as well as the editing process. Our host Adam points out the mistake he made in Not conveying well enough that he is a voice actor. To redeem the fact that last time they didn't do a proper "Back in Time" sequence last time, Adam talks with Director Santucci about how he was inspired by the Beatles and Monty Python when he was younger and mentions how he worked at the same college he was attending. This time in our advice segment, Director Santucci talks about doing everything yourself if you can help it so you can guarantee no one flakes on you. His film, I'd Rather Be Turned into Cat Food, premieres in October, but you can get more information at evilcatland.com

Aug 25

I talk to film critic and author Nick Spake about what a film critic does and how he got into the business of critiquing films through his time at Arizona State University (Go Sun Devils). We also talk about his book, Bright and Shiny; A history of animation at award shows (Volumes 1 and 2 available now on Barnesandnoble.com !) and a bit about how the Best Animated Film category was added to the Oscars. Plus, advice about starting a career as a critic. You can follow Nick and his work at www.cartooncontender.com or follow @cartooncontender on your favorite social media!

Jul 14

Our host chats with Bryan Engram, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Brazen Animation. They talk about a variety of things, from how a for-hire animation company markets itself to how a CEO leads a team of creatives as well as how Bryan went from being an intern to hiring interns. In our "Back in Time" segment, Bryan talks about how there weren't many classes for animation when he was in college, and how his real education in animation began when he started working in it. Plus, great advice for those who want to break out of the big corporate atmosphere and start their own company. Especially if you want to make your own stuff. You can learn more about Bryan at https://www.brazenanimation.com/ And follow their socials @brazenanimation

Jun 2

Our host chats with Tad Branham, Production Designer and Head of Design for Steamroller Animation, about his work as a production designer and all about their new show, Spice Frontier. They talk about how being a production designer is a lot like being the conductor of an orchestra, in charge not of a single element, but the entire look of a show or film. We bring you back in time to Tad's childhood, where he was influenced by He-Man and many other shows of that era. In our Advice segment, Tad talks about how being a Jack of All Trades can actually be a boon to set you apart as an artist. You can watch Spice Frontier right now on YouTube https://youtu.be/SeAqnHywrx8?si=TxKgSnkQMN1t5hIA and be sure to follow @steamrolleranimation on all the socials!

May 5

We're back! To commemorate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I talk with Bobby Rubio, who has had an impressive career. Starting with an internship at Disney, he has worked on Pocahontas, Treasure Planet, Avatar the Last Airbender, and many more animated films and series, including being responsible for the first animated Filipino lead character, in the Pixar short, Float. We talk about it all, including what a "Clean up Artist" does, why there actually is pretty good representation in the animation industry, and how he thought his career was over just before landing a job on ATLA at Nickelodeon. And we get awesome advice on how to make a name for yourself in today's age of AI. Check out his work on Instagram and other socials at @bobbyrubio and stay tuned for his comic book Kickstarter coming up in October!

Mar 4

I chat with Writer Producer Pietro Schito about the community he has built around his Write for Animation YouTube channel. We start off by talking about the results of this year's Oscars and how it is good news for Indie filmmakers, especially animators. We talk at length about story telling and what makes a good story. Plus, we go back in time and talk about how Disney comics were big among teens and pre-teens in Italy as well as Disney and Pixar's influence in Pietro's life. And we get advice from a guy who gives it frequently on his channel about how you don't need to "be a writer" to write an animated short or feature, and how the structure of story telling is as old as civilization itself. You can check out his channel at https://www.youtube.com/@writeforanimation