The Front Row Network

Craig discusses the long-form improv comedy podcast, Mega with co-hosts Greg Hess and Holly Laurent. They also talk about their improv roots, including some tips and advice for others wanting to give improv a try themselves. The show will be returning to Chicago this Sunday at Sleeping Village, link to tickets down below.

"When you're doing something you love, and you're passionate about, there is nothing like it in the world."

We are so excited to bring you a special interview with Cara Menzel and her sister, Disney Legend Idina Menzel. These two have teamed up to write a wonderful new children's book called Loud Mouse: How a Little Mouse Found Her Big Voice, which will be available through Disney Publishing on September 27. We speak to them about their inspiration behind the book, also how Idina's performing career helped to craft the story. As a special treat for our listeners, Idina sings a bit of the melody for her new song that is being released in conjunction with her book. This was truly a special opportunity, we'd like to send a big thank you to Disney Publishing.

FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Brett Rutherford and Vanessa Ferguson

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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts

FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network

JOIN PODCAST PALS! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/186691492980265

FIND US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/BeyondMouse

FIND US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemousepod

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Please enjoy this episode of BEYOND THE MOUSE and as always, we'll see you in the front row!

We commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month with a look at the acheivements & influence of the Hispanic and Latino community throughout Hollywood history. Brandon is thrilled to welcome author, Luis Reyes to the podcast to dicuss his latest book, "Viva Hollywood: The Legacy of Latin and Hispanic Artists in American Film". The book pays tribute to the many actors & craftsmen who left an indelible legacy on film history. Their story includes the fight to overcome sterotyping & predjudice while building a rich legacy for film fans to treasure forever. Brandon and Luis' conversation includes tributes to stars ranging from Lupé Velez & Caesar Romero to Rita Hayworth & Anthony Quinn. We hope this conversation will inspire you to dscover or re-discover many these talented artists.

"Viva Hollywood: The Legacy of Latin and Hispanic Artists in American Film" is available from Turner Classic Movies and Running Press wherever books are sold.

Luis I. Reyes is a renowned scholar, author, and lecturer who specializes in the history of Latinos in the Hollywood film industry. He is the author or coauthor of several books on film, including Hispanics in Hollywood, Made in Paradise: Hollywood's Films of Hawaii and the South Seas, and Made in Mexico: Hollywood South of the Border.He has been featured on Turner Classic Movies, CNN, TNT Latin America, NBC, Good Morning America, and NPR's Latino USA. His articles on film have appeared in DGA Quarterly, Hawaii magazine, the Los Angeles Times and the Oakland Tribune. Reyes lives in Pasadena, CA.

"This looks like it was made for me."

Thanks to Walt Disney Animation Studios, Craig had the opportunity to speak to many of the creators behind the upcoming Disney film Strange World. This film will be coming to theaters on November 23, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Jaboukie Young-White, Gabrielle Union and Lucy Liu. Join along as we discuss the creative inspiration of the film you're sure to see with your family this holiday season!

Today's interviews in order:

Amy Smeed- Head of Animation and Justin Sklar- Head of Animation

Mehrdad Isvandi- Production Design and Sean Jenkins- Head of Environments

Don Hall-Director, Qui Nguyen- Co-Director/Writer and Roy Conli- Producer

FEATURING: Craig McFarland

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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts

FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network

JOIN PODCAST PALS! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/186691492980265

FIND US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/BeyondMouse

FIND US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemousepod

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Please enjoy this episode of BEYOND THE MOUSE and as always, we'll see you in the front row!

Wow! Yesterday was a day no B5 fan will ever forget! To discuss #B5onCWin23, we gathered a group of amazing Babylon 5 podcasts! We hope you enjoy the first meeting (and hopefully not the last) of the League of Non-Aligned Podcasts!

If you have just started watching #Babylon5, have no fear! Our newbies are right there with you. If you have watched the series before, and you want to take a deeper dive, stay until the end when we go beyond the rim and talk spoilers for the entire show!

Hosts:

From Grey 17 - Scott, Blake, Mike, Emily, Jessi, Nicole, Andrew

From Babylon 5 for the First Time (https://www.babylon5first.com/) - Jeff and Brent

From Yum Yum Podcast (https://yum-yum-podcast.simplecast.com/) - Ryan

From Babylon Podcast (https://www.babylonpodcast.com/) - Summer and Tim

From Grey Sector Podcast (https://greysector.buzzsprout.com/) - Mike

From Who are You? Podcast (https://soundcloud.com/who-are-you-a-babylon-5-watchcast) - Laura and Xhafer

The one where Brett and Craig argue about Harmonious again….

Wow! This past weekend brought us a ton of Disney announcements from D23 Expo 2022. On this episode, Craig, Brett and Bea will break down some of the announcements they were the most excited about from the whole weekend of panels and events. You'll get to hear about some of the film studio properties, video games, TV shows coming to Disney+ and of course we cover all the Disney Parks news. Let us know what your favorite announcement was from the weekend!

FEATURING: Craig McFarland, Brett Rutherford and Bea Bonner

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Named one of the top 50 Disney Podcasts by Feedspot! blog.feedspot.com/disney_podcasts

FIND US ON NPR ILLINOIS! https://www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-network

JOIN PODCAST PALS! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/186691492980265

FIND US ON TWITTER – https://twitter.com/BeyondMouse

FIND US ON INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemousepod

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Please enjoy this episode of BEYOND THE MOUSE and as always, we'll see you in the front row!

Front Row Classics celebrates the history of rock n'roll in the movies with author, Fred Goodman. Goodman has penned a fantastic new book dedicated to the marriage of cinema and rock. "Rock on Film: The Movies That Rocked the Big Screen" highlights the origins of rock on film all the way up to the present day. The book highlights 50 must-see films that will appeal to any rock or film fan Brandon and Fred discusses the many genres that encompass rock n'roll's impact in the movie world from musicals & drama to documentaries and comedy.

"Rock on Film: The Movies That Rocked the Big Screen" is available from Running Press and Turner Classic Movies wherever books are sold.

Fred Goodman is a former editor at Rolling Stone, whose work has appeared in the New York Times and many other publications. His previous books include the award-winning The Mansion on the Hill: Dylan, Young, Geffen, Springsteen and the Head-on Collision of Rock and Commerce and Why Lhasa de Sela Matters. He lives in New York.

We welcome back to the Front Row Network Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governor, Howard Berger. Also, joining us for the first time is film critic and editor Marshall Julius. These two have partnered to bring us an amazing book. Masters of Make-up Effects: A Century of Practical Magic is available TODAY at independent bookstores and online. This book is pure movie magic, less a how-to and more built on the conversations that Howard and Marshall had with over 70 artists, actors, directors and others involved in the film industry. We chat all about the book, and really already start to make plans for volume two! Be sure to check it out. If you're in the LA area, we also discuss some amazing signings happening over the next few weeks.

Find the Book: https://www.mastersofmakeupeffects.net

FEATURING: Craig McFarland

Who needs sleep when you can stay up and react to the 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards? This year brought some new contenders to the stage, with Abbott Elementary having the best showing of a freshman effort. But we know all you Lasso-holics from Peanut Butter and Biscuits were cheering on the Greyhounds as they continued their domination of the comedy category. We will talk Lasso, Lasso and more Lasso along with some other drama shows as well!

Featuring: Jeremy Goeckner and Craig McFarland