Showtime with Jordan von Haslow & Friends

Today we chat with Mack Williams, an artist, animator, and sometime "provocateur".

Mack is originally from beautiful Blackshear, GA and has worked with industry legends like Jon Stewart and Baz Luhrmann.

Mack is a seasoned Animation Director with two decades of industry experience, known for producing and directing animated content from initial storyboards through to final delivery. His work spans late-night cartoons, commercial motion design, and digital VFX. His work can be seen on shows like Archer, Our Cartoon President, Saturday Night Live, Sealab 2021, and The Get Down, to name a few. 

In addition to this, he's also a founding member of the video production company Pig Apple. 

Mack's passions extend beyond the borders of a Cintiq as well. He is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), a barbecue aficionado, and an avid pro wrestling fan – not to mention, swampwise!

https://mackwilliams.com/

https://www.pigapple.com/

@aewsome

Today we catch up with Jasten King, whose been on the show before, to talk about LA Pride, Television and other interesting things about the biz.

Jasten is a Los Angeles based photographer and video director. Starting out in the punk scene photographing bands before joining politico-punk mates, KillRadio (Columbia/Sony). Jasten currently works consistently with World of Wonder, photographing many of the queens on RuPaul's Drag Race. He also can be seen on the upcoming series Painting with Raven, as the series photographer along side Ru’s exclusive makeup artist, Raven. Jasten also is building a resume for music video directing, including recent pieces for new wave artist Devin Tait, Latin singer Eduardo Togi, and drag singer & comedian, Aunduh.

https://linktr.ee/jastenking

@JastenKing

Today we get to have a deep conversation with Gigi Chen, an artist and painter based in New York City. 

Gigi Chen’s work creates an aesthetic that combines her training as a traditional animator and painter, along with her love of  the techniques of Old Masters. Entrenched in the art of storytelling, the work pulls together her love of  contemporary idioms of cartooning, photo realism, texture and design to produce works that coalesce into Love, Craft and Fun. 

Born in Guang Dong, China and raised in New York, Gigi’s exhibition credits include Stone Sparrow Gallery, Superfine! Art Fair, Deep Space Gallery and Antler Gallery. 

http://www.gigichen.com/

@gigichen.art

Today we get to talk with Katherine Kennedy and Jeremy Bastard, the Singer and Guitarist from the NYC-based band Autodrone, who have recently released the single Let It Ride, and are in production on a new album. 

Autodrone formed in the early 2000s. They combine songwriting that draws upon the members' psychological damage, morbid interests, and broken hearts with influences drawn equally from 70s psych rock, 80s post-punk, and 90s shoegaze. From this miasma, they have forged a sound which is uniquely their own.

It is dark, powerful, emotive, and akin to a nervous breakdown during a bad acid trip.

@autodrone_nyc

Listen to "Let It Ride" on Spotify

Today we chat with Jim Hardy about the recent launch of the Official Bob Hope YouTube Channel.

Jim Hardy, has for years handled the licensing of these materials, issues pertaining to copyright and maintaining the extensive archives. In 1986, Jim filled in for a summer job at Bob Hope Enterprises as a production assistant. He never returned to his old job and 38 years later he is still there. Jim has worked on 43 television shows with Bob or about Bob, and countless personal appearances.   Clips include USO Tours, Tributes to Vaudeville, Hopes Insult Reel, Monologues, Christmas Specials, PGA & Bob Hope Classics, as well as stars such as Brooke Shields, Jayne Mansfield, Lucille Ball, Norman Lear, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Jr, Jackie Gleason, Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, and even Big Bird and Lassie.

https://www.youtube.com/@officialbobhope

https://bobhope.org/

Today we had a great conversation with Illustrator and Animated Filmmaker Debra Solomon!

Debra has been making animated films since 1995. She is a  N.Y.F.A fellow and Jerome recipient, her films have won awards at festivals around the world, including a Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale, Best Soundtrack in Annecy, and a Special Jury Award at the World Animation Festival. Her film Everybody’s Pregnant is in MOMA's film and video collection. In 2001, Debra helped create the Disney Channel's first hit show, Lizzie McGuire designing the animated Lizzie and acting as animation director for the series and movie adaptation. She has been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 2017. Her film Getting Over Him in 8 Songs or Less, was featured on HBO. Her latest animated short Little Hurts features fat-shaming, body image demons and family dieting obsessions performing under the big top.

Before her tenure in the world of Animation, Debra was also a celebrated Illustrator, whose worked on numerous magazines and books, including the wildly popular educational children's book series How Come.

https://www.debrasolomon.com

Today we speak with Dean Butler, who has written the book PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond. 

Dean is an actor, producer, and director best known for his role as Almanzo Wilder in Little House on the Prairie, based on the beloved Little House book series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. He was a producer for NBC Golf’s Emmy-nominated series Feherty for over ten seasons.

An iconic and heartwarming television show, Little House on the Prairie—and its cast—remains beloved by millions. Dean Butler considers the role Almanzo to be one of the greatest gifts of his life, and now, he’s ready to tell the story of his Prairie.

Cast at twenty-two years old, Butler had no idea of the lasting impact being cast in Little House on the Prairie would have on him. Having previously starred in Judy Blume’s Forever with Stephanie Zimbalist, Butler was fresh- faced and naïve to Hollywood, eager to make his mark. He found his home in the Prairie and embraced his fellow cast members as family. Butler’s passion for honest-to-goodness entertainment began in the Prairie and followed him throughout his rich career of acting, producing, and directing.

PRAIRIE MAN: My Little House Life & Beyond shares the behind-the-scenes of Little House on the Prairie on a heartfelt journey of “good luck, good television, and the very good— if gloriously imperfect—people who made it so.” Cast as Almanzo, Laura Ingalls’ starring love interest, Butler captured the enduring affection of fans and co-stars alike. With a foreword from Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie), this uplifting memoir follows Butler’s journey from childhood to the Prairie and beyond.

The book will be released on June 24, 2024 and available for pre-order now, though, Dean enthusiastically encourages readers to purchase it from their local book store.

www.deanbutler.com

@officialdeanbutler

https://littlehouseontheprairie.com/prairie-man-my-little-house-life-and-beyond/

Today's guest is the fabulous Honey Larochelle!

Honey is a force to be reckoned with in the realm of music. Throughout her career, Honey has played prestigious stages around the world, captivating audiences with her mesmerizing presence and undeniable talent. From intimate jazz clubs in New York City to grand arenas in Europe, her performances leave an indelible mark, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers to unite listeners in a shared experience of profound emotion. With a resume that reads like a who's who of music royalty, Honey has graced stages across the globe alongside legendary artists such as Roberta Flack, Macy Gray, and Joss Stone. Her standout performance with Lorde at Coachella, following a remarkable 9-year tenure as the lead singer of the 'acid jazz' sensation, The Brand New Heavies, solidified her reputation as a powerhouse vocalist. These days, she continues to mesmerize audiences with her soulful stylings, serving as the sole vocalist for South African icon Jonathan Butler since 2018." But Honey's artistry extends far beyond the spotlight. With four solo albums under her belt and a prolific career as a songwriter and vocal producer, she's left an indelible mark on the industry. From collaborating with the likes of Allen Stone and Donny Osmond to gracing several Grammy-winning records with her voice and vocal arrangements, her influence knows no bounds. Moreover, Honey Larochelle’s vocal talents reached millions worldwide as she graced the grand finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the illustrious RUSICAL, for three consecutive seasons, solidifying her reputation as a sought-after vocalist.

The Fungineers “FUNnomenon”: In a whirlwind fusion of psychedelic hip-hop and puppetry, Honey co-founded "The Fungineers," a boundary-pushing musical collective that defies categorization. Their electrifying performances, dubbed "kids shows for adults," have become a staple at underground bass and EDM festivals, captivating audiences from EDC to Electric Forest. With a devoted following who don Fungineer costumes and sing along to every word, their impact transcends mere entertainment, embodying a culture of vibrant expression and communal celebration. Keep an eye out for their TV show and multi million dollar merch launch, because both are inevitable.

Now, Honey embarks on her most ambitious endeavor yet: the creation of her next album. With the support of her team of incredible musicians, writers and producers, she seeks to weave together a tapestry of sound that not only entertains but also oers a glimpse into the depth of human experience. This nod to her favorite genres of neo soul and rhythm&blues isn't just a collection of songs; it's a testament to the power of the universal language of music to heal and transform, while bobbin’ your head. In every facet of her dynamic career, Honey Larochelle embodies the essence of passion and soulfulness. Whether she's captivating audiences on stage, empowering artists through coaching, or pushing artistic boundaries with The Fungineers, she leaves an indelible imprint on all who have the privilege of experiencing her artistry.

https://www.honeylarochelle.com/

@honeylarochelle

Today we chat up Brian Maffitt, who has a prolific background in VFX, Post Production and a myriad of other under-the-hood experiences in the entertainment industry.

Brian is the Visual Effects Supervisor and Technical Director at Late Night Cartoons, the NY-based animation studio that produced Our Cartoon President, Tooning Out the News and many animated specials for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Films include In and Of Itself, The Blind Date and Family of the Sun. He was founder and Creative Director of Total Training from 1997 through 2014, producing and presenting thousands of hours of educational content. He also designed the Evolution plugins for Adobe After Effects, which were acquired by Adobe and have been part of AE since 2000.

@BMaffitt

Today we catch up with our dear friend Angelina Feliciano to dish about movie money and living the LA dream.

Angelina is a native Bronx Latina with over ten years working in the entertainment industry. She originally thought she would become a web designer or journalist, but became enamored with broadcast life at MTV, VH1, and various television and digital brands in the city. She ditched long winters and relocated to Los Angeles, where she found a great opportunities as a Production Manager for FOX and explore the film finance world at Paramount Pictures. She hopes to continue her writing and producing stories to advocate for the vulnerable in our communities. 

https://www.AngelinaFeliciano.com

https://thehurtingsheep.com/

@angelinafeliciano