"People can shine wherever they are."

And none shine more brightly than our guest in this episode, Sueann Rochester, CEO and co-founder of Wild Child Animation in Sterling, Scotland.

Not only is Sueann an exceptional producer, working on BAFTA and EMMY nominated shows like "Dennis & Gnasher", and BAFTA award WINNING "The Brilliant World of Tom Gates", she is also a powerful voice for Women in Animation, Scottish Animation and, as you will hear in this chat, a keen proponent and advocate of yoga - her Cannes yoga sessions are something of an institution (I really should make it along one day).

As you will hear in Julian's conversation with Sueann, she is as passionate about the people and crew she works with as she is the projects themselves and the industry in general. It's likely one of the reasons Wild Child Animation is a thriving studio and such a wonderful place to work.

I hope you enjoy listening to Sueann and Julian, and please do share these podcasts with friends and colleagues and subscribe for future episodes.

"Don't hesitate to enter the thing you're drawn to."

As you will hear in this latest episode, those are words that Mary Coleman has certainly lived by and benefited from.

Early beginnings in theatre led Mary to spend 8 years at The Magic Theatre in San Francisco before joining PIXAR Animation in 1999 as a Creative Executive. Almost 23 years later and having worked on almost too many PIXAR movies to name - Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles 1 & 2, WALL-E, Toy Story (2-4), Brave, Inside Out, Finding Dory, Coco, Onward, Soul, Luca, Turning Red - Mary joined Locksmith Animation as their Chief Creative Officer.

Enjoy Mary's insights into how her skills learned in theatre were transferable to the world of animated features and how she gets the best out of creative teams.

Also, do you know what a dramaturg is? Do you want to? Listen in and find out.

As ever, please subscribe, like, and share the podcast with friends and colleagues and feel free to brows the library of previous guests, including another PIXAR legend, Kelsey Mann.

"I'll get excited... when the money's in the bank account."

Wise words, from a wise dad.

But did today's guest take heed? Find out when Andrew Kavanagh, owner of Kavaleer Productions joins Julian for a very rambling and wonderful chat about everything from using art as a defence in school, to drawing caricatures on an almost daily basis, to Irish animation's origins, to karaoke (recurring theme?), to starting his studio with Gary Timpson, to his ADHD diagnosis, to creating beloved shows like Kiva Can Do!, Alva's World and Wildernuts.

Like I said, it's a wild and rambling chat that delights at every turn, so sit back and relax as Julian chats with Andrew Kavanagh.

As always, a huge thanks not only to Andrew but also to Julian Scott for hosting (filmlondon.org/animation), Janet Balmforth at Liberi Consulting for her amazing planning and organising skills (libericonsulting.com) and to Odilia Sickinghe for her editorial skills on this episode (linkedin.com/in/odiliasickinghe/)

This podcast wouldn't be possible without their help or without you listening. Thank you!

See you at the next festivus event (fstvs.net/events)

"Don't work with people you wouldn't have dinner with."

I genuinely don't know where to start with introducing this episode's guest - Eryk Casemiro.

Eryk's resumé reads like a Hollywood script... a young hopeful kid packs up his stuff and heads to LA in search of his dream, and finds himself serving soda's to Hollywood's stars when a chance encounter on a gameshow is the unexpected break he needs, and boy does he grab it with both hands and run!

After that it's just a litany of A-list names and shows - Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live, the Waynes World movie, Rugrats, Cartoon Network, Coolabi, YouTube, Zodiak Kids and Nickelodeon, where Eryk was EVP Global Series Content.

This episode is already a firm favourite of mine, as I am sure it will be for you too. Prepare to be beguiled by Eryk's warmth, passion, and compassion.

Please enjoy.

ROLL CREDITS!

"ALL OR NOTHING!"

Now a multi-award winning VFX Supervisor at Industrial Light and Magic in London, having worked on projects like Lost Ollie for Netflix, Black Mirror, The Mandalorian, Mission Impossible 2 and Ultraman: Rising, to name but a few, Hayden Jone's film career didn't start in a conventional place - a degree in Automotive and Industrial Design at Coventry University.

So, what path did Hayden's career take to get him to the lauded place in which he currently resides. And did he have fun along the way?

Join Julian Scott who had this enlightening and hugely enjoyable chat with him.

"Any day you can make a kid laugh, that's a pretty good day."

And if anyone knows that it's Terry Kalagian!

Terry's resumé reads like a who's who of big names - Cartoon Network, Mattel, Atomic Cartoons, Rainmaker, Marvel and now Gaumont, where Terry is President of Global Animation for Kids and Family.

Terry takes Julian on a journey through her early days in research and how that helped shape and influence the executive she would become as she moved across into content acquisitions and co-productions.

Terry's advice and 'rules' are extremely salient, just don't ask her to order your dinner in French!

Enjoy your time with Julian and Terry Kalagian.

"Slow down and take people on the journey with you."

Great advice for everyone at various times in our lives and careers. Even more poignant when it's quoted by Crosby Clyse, MD of DNeg in London, and you've listened to his journey.

A journey that takes him from playing piano in the hills of Appalachia to Pixar in California and thence to London and DNeg! Quite the journey.

Crosby is eloquent, inspiring, and very candid as he talks to Julian. It's a lovely listen, so take Crosby's own advice and "slow down" for an hour and wonder where your own journey might take you.

“People like me don’t end up with the career that I have.”

With a lead in line like that, you know you're in for an interesting career chat!

Ryan Delaney is Production Executive at Warner Brothers Pictures Animation and worked on the LEGO films, Men In Black, Tom and Jerry and Acme v Coyote but it's his career path from East End boy to West End darling (citation needed) that is most fascinating. A path that is best summed up by Ryan's own advice to you all, "Be ambitious.".

Please subscribe, like, and send love.

Learning from the best!

From Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network to PBS, and now as the Head of Character Development and Scripted Content at Duolingo, Linda Simensky’s career is a true masterclass in seizing opportunities and knowing when to take a step back in order to move forward and continue doing what she loves.

With a passion for animation that started at a young age, Linda has carried that enthusiasm into every executive role she's taken on. Not only has she been a fierce advocate for the audience, but she’s also been a powerful voice for women in the industry.

So grab your favourite beverage and enjoy Julian’s conversation with Linda Simensky.

"Stay curious."

The man in the white suit has spoken!

Lionel Marty is one of the most recognisable faces in kids distribution. From his time at Tele Images in the 90's to launching the distribution arm of France Animation through Moonscoop, to setting up his own, super successful, Paris based distribution company, APC Kids.

But there's another side to Lionel and the Marty family that might not be as well known. A different type of 'entertainment' that might delight you.

Join Julian as he dances through Lionel's career and sings his praises at each turn and twist, Lionel more than anyone shows that with the right attitude, you most certainly Cancan. OK, I'll stop now.

Enjoy this fun and enlightening episode and don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!