Inside Animation

This is Inside Animation's first interview with an Oscar Nominee. Adam interviews Pablo Berger, director and writer of Robot Dreams, Nominated this year for the Best Animated Feature Oscar. They talk about the process of taking an animated feature to an Oscar nomination, or at least the steps he took. Also, as this is Pablo's first foray into animation, the differences between live-action directing and animation and how it takes much more patience for animation. Then, in the "Back in Time" segment, Pablo's Japanese Animation influences are discussed and how Miyazaki films made him realize that animation isn't just for kids. Finally, in the "Advice" segment, the difference between live action and animation resurfaces as Pablo give great advice to live action directors finding themselves directing an animated feature.

We start off the 4th season on a positive note with the self described biggest pessimist in the world of animation, Mike Smolev. We talk about how he got into creating an animated show because he wanted good sound design and his harrowing journey so far, including 3 different attempts at a pilot and why he is doing stand up as a way to be able to pitch the show. Plus we find out the one animated show he thinks is any good and I squeeze a bit of advice out of him. To find out more about The Hunk and Grody Show and watch what is out there so far, go to www.mikesmolev.com

In the Season Finale for Season 3, I chat with composer and songwriter Kevin Smithers, who has worked for many projects from HBO to Disney Channel, even video games, and most recently worked on Frankelda's Book of Spooks on MAX. We briefly talk about the differences between narrative composing for animation and composing video game music before diving into Frankelda's Book of Spooks and how his first collaboration with Cinema Fantasma led to it becoming a musical series. Plus we go back in time to talk about Kevin's world travels and the Disney films that inspired him to compose for animation. And as always, there's great advice about finding your people, not just networking. You can follow him @kevinsmithersmusic on Instagram and find more of his work at https://www.kevinsmithers.com

In another Inside Animation first, I talk with Howard Benjamin, Interviewer for the ABC Radio network and The Interview Factory LLC. We dive indepth into how interviews happen and why it's best for the interviewer to bring their own equipment (we actually used Howard's equipment to record this episode!). In my "back in time" segment, Howard talks about how his wife founded a company that allows radio stations to order a celebrity interview like a pepperoni pizza! And I bring back my "how we know each other" segment, where you'll find out how Howard had a role in the creation of this very podcast! Plus as with all my guests, great advice. This time for those who want to do interviews.

Check out Howard's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@theinterviewfactoryllc433

I talk with fan of the show and Stop Motion producer Harrison Killian, who is currently working on a 5 minute preview of a stop motion feature film called Rider on the Storm, in which the stop motion is augmented by CGI. We get into the nitty gritty of everything that goes into making a stop motion animated film and how he's doing it pretty much all himself. I my "back in time" segment, we talk about how Harrison started learning photography and design and how that led to stop motion. We also dish about our favorite stop motion films and how The Incredible Mr Fox is way out of left field for a Wes Anderson film, yet somehow they pulled it off to fit perfectly into the Wes Anderson collection. Plus great advice for those looking to get into stop motion films.

Check out Harrison's Kickstarter (only a few days left) at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rideronthestormfilm

or follow him on Instagram @rideronthestorm_film

Adam talks with Composer Mark Evitts about his process for composing an animated series, how he went from "On the Road" to "Frog and Toad", and just how much of a Simpsons fan he really is. Plus, great advice for musicians that want to get into composing. You can watch Frog and Toad on Apple TV+ or follow Mark at @markevitts on social media.

I talk with Lance Falk, an Animation Artist who specializes in prop design and has worked on such shows as Johnny Quest, Animaniacs, Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, and more. We talk about how props are different from character design and background design. In my "going back in time" segment we talk about Lance's influences growing up from Looney Tunes to the original Johnny Quest and why everything is someone's favorite thing. Plus great advice for animators on how to break into the biz (there's good news, I promise).

I talk with Artist in Animation Shana Dixon, who is currently working on Minnie's Bow Toons (available on Disney+ and Disney Junior's YouTube Channel). We talk about the importance of color in animation and especially for kids shows how color, like many other aspects of animation, can tell a story. Also, we talk about how long it takes to work on a 3 minute animated episode and how Disney doesn't do all of their animating in the house of Mouse. Plus, great advice as always and a trip back to when HBO had a free kids channel that I never knew about! Thanks to our sponsors, Bob's Tire Town and McCurdy's Kitchen.

Adam chats with Lance Daniel, creator of the animated series "Carbuncle" about a wise cracking (but caring) attorney who guides oddball clients through crazy cases inspired by current headlines. You'll find out exactly what a Logline is, how "Carbuncle" was begun and continues through spite, and how to keep going when people tell you no as well as how much needs to be done before the show is even pitched. Inside Animation is brought to you by Bob's Tire Town and McCurdy's Kitchen.

I talk with Digital Cinematographer Gary H Lee, who has worked on Over the Hedge, The Life of Pi, Star Wars Episode 3, and many other films, all about Pre-Vis. You'll find out what pre-vis is and what it does for both live action and animated films. Plus, we talk about the difference between cinematography and digital cinematography and how they aren't that different. You'll also hear the incredible story of how Gary started his love for animation through Manga comics and was one of the first to play around with 3D animation thanks to a job his mother had. And if you're an animation student, Gary has great advice for you!

Follow Gary on Instagram @gary.h.lee or visit his website at garyhlee.com and don't forget to check out The Magician's Elephant, now on Netflix!

Plus if you don't follow us yet, go to @insideanimationpod on Instagram!