The Mouse Castle Lounge Podcast: Disney News and Interviews, Cocktails and Conversations

Don Hahn has produced so many great films at Disney: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Emperor's New Groove," "Waking Sleeping Beauty" and many more. On May 30th, 2014, his latest project "Maleficent," starring Angelina Jolie, will hit U.S. theaters. Tim Callaway talks with Don about the film and his 35 year career in motion pictures. www.TheMouseCastle.com.

Andreas Deja was an animator at Walt Disney Animation for 30 years and a bona fide master of villains. His rogues gallery of characters include Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast," Jafar in "Aladdin" and "Scar" in "The Lion King." His versatility as an artist is further represented by his work on "The Black Cauldron," "Oliver and Company," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "The Little Mermaid," "Lilo and Stitch," and "The Princess and the Frog." Tim Callaway talks with Andreas in this very special episode of "The Mouse Castle Lounge." www.TheMouseCastle.com

Walt Disney called artist and Imagineer Marc Davis his "Renaissance Man." Beginning April 30th, the Walt Disney Family Museum will showcase art from the man who animated Tinker Bell, Maleficent and Cruella de Vil in the exhibition "Leading Ladies and Femme Fatales: The Art of Marc Davis." Tim Callaway interviews the curator of exhibition, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum, Michael Labrie. www.TheMouseCastle.com

John Canemaker's name is synonymous with animation. This Oscar-winning animator, historian and author has taught animation at New York University for over 30 years. He's written more than ten books, including "Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation," "Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists," and "Treasures of Disney Animation Art." He is curator of the current exhibition at the Walt Disney Family Museum, "Magic, Color, Flair: The World of Mary Blair." In The Mouse Castle Lounge, Tim Callaway talks with John about his accomplished career in animation, the artists that have inspired him, and what lies in store for the future of the industry. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Disney animator Ruben Aquino is back for part two of his interview with Tim Callaway in "The Mouse Castle Lounge." Ruben discusses how a voice actor can inspire an animator, and the layoffs at Walt Disney Animation last year that effectively shut down 2D animation at the studio. Ruben also shares his advice to young artists looking to make a career in animation. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Ruben Aquino was an animator at Disney for over 30 years, giving life to characters ranging from Ursula in "The Little Mermaid" to Adult Simba in "The Lion King" to Captain Shang in "Mulan." In part one of a two-part conversation, Tim Callaway talks with Ruben about his career and how he became an animator without really setting out to do so. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Mary Blair was an incredibly gifted and original artist whose work has influenced and inspired the Walt Disney Studios for decades. Classic Mary Blair designs and color schemes can be seen in animated films like "The Three Caballeros," "Cinderella," "Alice in Wonderland" and "Peter Pan." Her signature project, though, remains "it's a small world" a visually exciting celebration of childlike joy. The Walt Disney Family Museum is honoring Blair's great talent with their new exhibition "Magic, Color, Flair: The World of Mary Blair." In The Mouse Castle Lounge, Tim Callaway interviews the exhibition curator John Canemaker along with WDFM executive director Kirsten Komoroske and members of Mary Blair's family. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Tim interviews actor Sean Astin about his lengthy Hollywood career and his work in "The Lord of the Rings," "Rudy," and "The Goonies." Sean also talks about his voicework at Disney and other studios as well as his latest podcast project "Vox Populi." Also, be sure to listen for how you can win some "Goonies" artwork autographed by Sean and artist Jim Ferguson. www.TheMouseCastle.com

It's Oscar week and Tim Callaway is joined by his good friend Christi Andersen as they preview the major nominees for this Sunday's Academy Awards. Who will be the big winners this weekend: "12 Years a Slave"? "Gravity"? "American Hustle"? Will Tim ever get over his disdain for "Frozen"? Get a horse and ride on over to the Mouse Castle Lounge and find out. Drinks are now being served. www.TheMouseCastle.com

In part two of Tim's interview with Robbie Sherman, the son of Disney songwriting legend Robert Sherman, they continue talking about Robert's memoir "Moose: Chapters From My Life," as well as Robbie's musical retrospective of Sherman Brothers music, "A Spoonful of Sherman." Tim also comments about the issues Robbie raised last week concerning his family and the Sherman Brothers documentary "The Boys." www.TheMouseCastle.com