FSTVS - The Executive Sessions

In this episode Julian chats to the director of the highest grossing animated film… OF... ALL... TIME, Kelsey Mann.

Kelsey discusses his early passion for movies in Minnesota, where he grew up, and how that took him on a path, though not always direct, to Warner Brothers and Pixar and there through the ranks to direct his own movie.

We discover the knock-backs and rejections in Kelsey’s career that only made him more determined and focused and that he credits for ultimately helping him to where he is now – a record-breaking director.

He also sheds light on what makes good leaders and how to help further your career when you think you’ve hit a wall.

Kelsey is wonderfully warm, generous and very honest about his journey and there is a lot to be learned from this chat.

I’ll be asking him back for another episode as there is so much more that we didn’t get to cover but this is a great episode, so enjoy your time with the Mann of the Moment (sorry Kelsey).

With thanks to Julian Scott, Janet Balmforth and Odilia Sickinghe.

Bonjour et bienvenue dans un autre épisode

Today’s guest is Philippe Alessandri. A gentleman whose whole life seems to have been immersed in media, from being a teenage TV presenter and creating his own comic strips, to senior roles in some of Europe’s largest animation studios, to now running his own, Watch Next Media, in France and Italy. As if that wasn’t enough, Philippe is also the Chairman of the Animation in Europe federation. A busy man to whom we are very grateful for giving his time and his insights.

À toi, Julian.

A lovely and engaging conversation between two old friends this week as Julian Scott chats with Nancy Kanter, owner of Available Light Pictures.

Nancy talks about her time at Disney, Netflix, and Sesame Workshop and Julian tries to shamelessly namedrop on Nancy's behalf. Nancy looks to the future of kids TV entertainment and how ir has changed over her illustrious career.

Warm, charming, and wonderfully positive, this is a very inspiring episode. Enjoy.

A lively chat with Andrew Baker, CEO of Cantilever Media and producer of The Amazing Maurice, one of the most successful independent animated films of recent years.

Julian chats to Andrew about his interesting entry into the animation industry and where that path then led him.

They discuss how rights are secured for projects, how Andrew financed some of his shows ,and what might be next for an Executive with boundless energy and enthusiasm.

Buckle up, it's a fun ride.

A wonderful chat this week with Helen Brunsdon. Feel the energy, passion and positivity from one of the UK's leading animation Execs.

Julian digs into Helen's journey in the animation industry and how she channels her passion into mentoring, fighting for funding and infrastructure for skills and talent enhancement and how that then leads to exec producing short films .

And we haven't even got to her roles in helping set up Animation UK and in running The British Animation Awards for the past 6 years!

Sit back, excuse some dodgy audio, and lose yourself in the wonderful world of Helen Brunsdon - a true force for good.

In this episode Julian chats to Nico Lockhart, Director of Wildbrain's Digital Studios. We learn that animation wasn't Nico's first career choice, how he continues to adapt his approach and role to a constantly changing area of the industry, how he and Wildbrain look for new IP, and what he's rustling up for dinner tonight. A very tasty treat all round.

Today's guest is Alix Wiseman.

Alix is Senior Vice President of Distribution and Acquisitions at 9 Story Media Group and Alix has also spent time at Aardman Animations and Channel 4.

In this wonderfully diverse chat, Alix discusses her path into animation, how she and her team likes to operate when they look for new shows, the impact of new media and AI on the content landscape, and what the future might hold for our industry. A very intelligent chat with a wonderfully warm and super smart human being.

This episode is brought to you by the power of Liberi Consulting and Film London.

Today's guest is Kate O'Connor.

Kate is best known to the animation industry as the founder and Executive Chair of Animation UK. Kate is also a senior consultant in the wider creative industries, collaborating with private and public-sector clients throughout the UK, Ireland, and internationally.

Julian and Kate discuss how she got started in the industry and what led her to her role at Animation UK, the perceived skills gap in the animation sector, how the UK's animation industry can remain competitive in the current global climate, how UK animation can still work with European partners, the changing landscape of how children consume content and what it might mean for traditional production models, and some timely and sage advice from Kate's expansive career to date.

This episode is brought to you by the power of Liberi Consulting and Film London.