FSTVS - The Executive Sessions

With Cartoon Business taking place this week in Brussels, what better time to talk to one of European animations best known (and loved) faces but least known human, Vanessa Chapman.

With a career that started at The Mirror newspaper and BBC Radio, Vanessa then moved into kids tv while at ITV.

Sidelines in fire eating, rally driving and bob sledding notwithstanding, Vanessa has gone on to be come one of the most recognisable faces in international kids television, now consulting with companies and European bodies at an Executive level.

Let's see how much Julian can find out about this most enigmatic of Execs.

Super Happy Magic Chat!

Tom Beattie, ladies and gents!

From Pot Noodle, to U2, to working with Rowan Atkinson, to his eclectic collection of fancy yet affordable eyewear, this week Julian gets to talk to MD of Tiger Aspect Kids about his career in kids media and how he progressed through the ranks at Tiger Aspect to become one of the most respected Execs working today.

To make matters worse, he's also one of the nicest people in the industry.

Grab a cuppa and settle in for a wonderful chat with Tom Beattie.

As always, massive thanks to Julian Scott at Film London Animation for hosting, Janet Balmforth at Liberi Consulting for organising, and Odilia Sickinghe for edit expertise.

Bestriding oceans, genres, and animation techniques, Allison Abbate is one of the most prolific Animated Feature Producers of the past few decades.

The Little Mermaid, The Iron Giant, The Rescuers Down Under, Tom & Jerry as well as being the long time Tim Burton collaborator on Frankenweenie, Fantastic Mr Fox and The Corpse Bride, Allison's resume is impressive.

Have a listen as Allison chats to Julian about how she started in the industry, what drives her still and take notes on her tips for getting the most out of your career.

A huge thanks to Allison for her time, to Julian Scott of Film London, for hosting, Janet Balmforth at Liberi Consulting for all the organising and planning, and to Odilia Sickinghe for editing expertise.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run, Sherlock Gnomes, The Paw Patrol Movie!

He's worked on them all!

Get to know Ramsay McBean and hear how his globetrotting early days informs how he engages with projects and with teams. A fascinating insight into a fascinating man and, without wishing to go all 'click baity' on you, listen out for some of the best career advice towards the end of the podcast.

Enjoy.

It's... the incomparable Marion Edwards!

With a career that has taken her to Telemagination, Dreamworks, HiT/Mattel and, more recently Gutsy Animation, Marion's career path in animation was anything but set at the start.

The classiest person in kids TV* gives us a glimpse behind the serenity that is shown to the world and hints at the incredible hard work that has gone into making it all look so easy.

Marion gives us an insight into, and tips on, how to build and maintain successful co-production relationships and some great advice for those starting out in the industry today.

A wonderful episode with a wonderful human.

Enjoy.

*My own awards.

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.