Writers Get Animated

Chris and Mackenzie breakdown Duck Amuck! In our words, we once again English-major-the-crap-out-of something. What’s a story? What’s a plot? What even is animation, bro? How much can be taken away from Daffy Duck before he stops being Daffy Duck? What’s the origin of Angry Birds? How do you tell the difference between Daffy and Donald? Do animated characters have reveries? Have you always wanted to do a sea picture? Are you ready to breakdown, shakedown? Previously on Writers Get Animated 015 - The Breakdown: What’s Opera, Doc? - http://bit.ly/wga-015 043 - The Breakdown: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - http://bit.ly/wga-043 Links Bob Seger’s “Shakedown” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3MTFJz50qc Charles M. Jones - http://www.chuckjones.com The Poseidon Adventure - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poseidon_Adventure_(1972_film) Bambi vs. Godzilla - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-wUdetAAlY Michael Maltese - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Maltese Tom and Jerry (Chuck Jones era) - https://en.wikipedia

In recognition that Cars 3 is a thing, we look at the tradition of bringing life to things that aren’t alive! Why would you use inanimate objects to tell a story? Chris and Mackenzie look at The Brave Little Toaster and Luxo Jr. Who knew that The Brave Little Toaster had a Pixar pedigree? What does The Brave Little Toaster have in common with the Toy Story films? Is there anything that Jon Lovitz can’t do? Does anyone really love their vacuum? What other podcast can talk about Home Alone, Mr. Mom, Tony Kushner, and talking toasters in the same episode? I think you know the answer. Links About The Brave Little Toaster http://bit.ly/2rlL9CI About Luxo Jr. http://bit.ly/2rmgWmE. Listen to the soundtrack to The Brave Little Toaster on Apple Music http://bit.ly/2rmkipQ Sean Charmatz “Secret World of Stuff” http://bit.ly/2rmasV5 About Thurl Ravenscroft http://bit.ly/2t7zEjx About Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet http://bit.ly/2sywEzC About Susie The Little Blue Coupe http://bit.ly/2t7WmI4 About Caroline, or Chan

Oh crap. It’s Hellboy! The animated one. From ten years ago. A new Hellboy reboot has been announced, so why not talk about the red, angry guy? What makes Hellboy Hellboy? What is the true struggle of Hellboy and will we ever see it on-screen? Mackenzie’s love and knowledge of Hellboy makes up for Chris’ lack of knowledge. How does adaptation work? How hard does your suspension of disbelief have to work to buy into the Hellboy world? Links About Hellboy http://bit.ly/2r1k8nD About Hellboy: Sword of Storms http://bit.ly/2skfHbw About Hellboy Animated http://bit.ly/2skrg2F David Harbour Teases ‘Hellboy’ Reboot As ‘Darker,’ ‘More of a Character Piece’ http://bit.ly/2r10kRz Hellboy: Pancakes http://bit.ly/2r1kquF About Guillermo del Toro http://bit.ly/2skG29j Watch the Hellboy movie http://nflx.it/2r1bequ About Gargoyles http://bit.ly/2r1lyyB Our episode “How to Suspend Your Disbelief Without Really Trying” http://bit.ly/2skvNC7

Chris and Mackenzie get political: Groening-style! Ralph Wiggum for President! Richard Nixon’s Head is back! Let’s make Animation great again? What are the ways that animation satirizes the political process, voters, and the office of the presidency? What are the presidential tropes? How do The Simpsons tackle politics? Links About E Pluribus Wiggum http://bit.ly/2suxIjY About A Head in the Polls http://bit.ly/2suCSMP Watch E Pluribus Wiggum http://bit.ly/2sus6WF Watch A Head in the Polls http://nflx.it/2suiVpo About Tiny Toons episode “Washingtoon” http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/TinyToonAdventuresS3E11Washingtoon Our Episode about The Critic https://overcast.fm/+FkrWkWcAE

Venture forth into the world of Prydain with Chris and Mackenzie as they seek what makes The Black Cauldron so monumental! Chris delves back into his childhood to see if one of his favorite movies hold up. What makes a hero? How long does it take to introduce characters? How do you adapt a five book series into a single movie? Why is the only impression Chris is good at one that Mackenzie can't stand? Special thanks to Aaron Waltke (https://twitter.com/goodaaron), writer for Trollhunters for sharing his best, worst, and most constructive notes! Links About The Black Cauldron http://bit.ly/2rVUW2P About The Chronicles of Prydain http://bit.ly/2rW1miA Revisiting The Black Cauldron http://slate.me/2rVQ91n https://bplusmovieblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/the-black-cauldron-2.png http://images.tfaw.com/tfaw2007/blog/Legend_of_Zelda_artwork.jpg https://i1.wp.com/nintendotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Zelda-Cliff.jpg Wizards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizards_(film) Previous Does It Hold Up Episode https

In this week’s episode, Chris and Mackenzie talk about the very first Simpsons episodes! The ones before the first premiere season premiere. Yeah, we’re going that far back. A whole 30 years, Marty! We mean, Listeners! What parts of The Simpsons haven’t changed in 30 years? And when America’s favorite family has changed, why did they change? Is there anything interesting about turning 30? Are you younger than the Simpsons shorts on the Tracey Ullman Show? What’s the difference between a short and an episode? Can Chris say the word ‘shouts’? What is the best Simpsons short? Do the design eras of The Simpsons line up with any storytelling eras? Whatever happened to Spider-pig? How much is Zoidberg’s sandwich stock worth these days? History of The Simpsons – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_The_Simpsons The Simpsons Shorts – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons_shorts The Tracey Ullman Show – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tracey_Ullman_Show Life in Hell 13 of the Best “Life in Hell” Comics by M

Welcome to Smurfs Get Smurfinated! On Smurf Day, we smurf about Smurfs: The Lost Village! It’s Smurfette and the Hero’s Journey! All About Smurfette! Chris and Mackenzie look at what makes a Smurf a Smurf. How does this film fix a problematic backstory? Is it feminist? Is it progressive? Links Smurfs Production Blog http://bit.ly/2q8JDp0 For Smurfs: The Lost Village‘s art department, it’s great to feel blue! http://bit.ly/2pDQaVa The Smurfs http://bit.ly/2pDQDXJ How “Smurfs” director Kelly Asbury & his team at Sony Pictures Animation finally found their way to “The Lost Village” http://huff.to/2pDU9kV Going Into and Beyond Peyo’s World for ‘Smurfs: The Lost Village’ http://bit.ly/2q8Ikqa Where is the Smurfs Nostalgia? http://bit.ly/2pDB8iu Smurfing Sing Song Album http://bit.ly/2pDAQbg

Podcasts are for closers! Chris and Mackenzie get down to business with The Boss Baby! What is the story? How do you choose a main character? How do you adapt a children’s book into a 90-minute movie? What do you add? What is a dream? Are Elvis impersonators ever a bad thing? Links About The Boss Baby http://bit.ly/2pLMt1u The Picture Book Behind the New Movie Boss Baby http://n.pr/2pFwhAC How DreamWorks Animation Went Retro with ‘The Boss Baby’ 2D Fantasies http://bit.ly/2pLOP0l The Boss Baby http://fox.co/2pLTXS0 About the Animation Oscar Rules Change http://bit.ly/2pLJiqP Hyptheticast http://apple.co/2pFEx3y

Chris and Mackenzie blast off again in another Star Wars episode! It’s their Star Wars: Rebels Retrospective! In an episode recorded before Star Wars Celebration, Mackenzie correctly prophesied that season 4 would be the final season of Rebels, but we still have questions! Will the Bendu have more? Who is marked for death? How many battles will they win or lose? How great would it be if Jedi were in every movie you haven’t seen? What are our hopes for the future of Star Wars in animation? Links ‘Star Wars Rebels’ to end after Season 4, trailer reveals returning characters and new looks http://nydn.us/2qkRblY STAR WARS REBELS: DAVE FILONI DISCUSSES KALLUS' ARC, MAUL'S FATE, AND MORE OF SEASON 3'S BIG STORYLINES http://bit.ly/2prP6r2 Rebels Recon: Twin Suns http://bit.ly/2qkTuFI About the Bendu http://bit.ly/2ql9V4C ‘Star Wars Rebels’ Confirms ‘General’ Hera in Season 4, ‘Rogue One’ Role Read More: 'Star Wars Rebels' Boss Confirms 'General' Hera in Season 4 http://bit.ly/2ql2ryJ “Thrawn’s Web” theme http://bit.

Cuddle up with with Chris, Mackenzie, and Rachel Dratch- in cute, fuzzy monster mode! It's Imaginary Mary! There's another live action/animation hybrid show in prime time, folks! This is not a drill! What happens when bad things happen to nice people? How much can a cute character get away with saying? How are relationships portrayed in sitcoms and how is Imaginary Mary different? Besides, you know, the animated, imaginary monster. She's sooooo cute! Links Watch Imaginary Mary http://abc.tv/2pICERz ‘Imaginary Mary’: Jenna Elfman on Acting Opposite 25 Co-Stars Who Can’t Stop Staring at Her http://bit.ly/2pJqw5u Imaginary Mary Trailer http://bit.ly/2pIQ2VF Here’s A New Look At ABC’s Upcoming Hybrid Series ‘Imaginary Mary’ http://bit.ly/2pIZrNa 'Imaginary Mary': How the Look of the CG Title Character Evolved http://bit.ly/2pJeoS2 Daddy Issues: Son of Zorn and The Venture Bros. http://bit.ly/wga-042

Chris and Mackenzie bask in the power of Jack and his… Is that a motorcycle with spikes? What do we love about Jack? How has the style changed since we were last in Jack’s world? How do you continue a story after 13 years? How has Jack matured and become damaged? Where will this go? Links Watch Samurai Jack http://bit.ly/2pcoHOn About Samurai Jack http://bit.ly/2odf7pS Samurai Jack Creator on Season 5's Opening: 'VROOOOOOOM BLAMABLAMABLAMABLAM' http://bit.ly/2odc413 Samurai Jack premiere: Jack lost more than just his faith http://bit.ly/2pcAwnU SAMURAI JACK SEASON 5 WILL PREMIERE IN MARCH http://bit.ly/2odeZ9V About Mako Iwamatsu http://bit.ly/2pcdWfa Samurai Jack’s Phil LaMarr on how to age a character through their voice http://bit.ly/2odomqc Visually rich 'Samurai Jack' is back in search of closure on Adult Swim http://lat.ms/2pciiCI What is the Kirby Krackle http://bit.ly/2pcdVI8 About Star Wars: Clone Wars http://bit.ly/2odoNAO Our Minority Report episode http://bit.ly/wga-016

Time to let down your hair and climb into another hair-raising episode of Writers Get Animated! Chris and Mackenzie talk Tangled: Before Ever After a midquel start to a new series! What makes this movie work? Why did Rapunzel's hair come back? How does this compare to other Disney movies that transitioned to TV (Aladdin)? What's missing? Certainly not laughs and great music. Links Watch the First Five Minutes of Tangled: Before Ever After http://www.slashfilm.com/first-5-minutes-of-tangled-before-ever-after/ About Tangled:The Series https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangled:_The_Series Oh My Disney: About Tangled: Before Ever After https://ohmy.disney.com/news/2016/03/08/tangled-before-ever-after/ About Rapunzel Unbraided http://www.aintitcool.com/node/18154 Art of Glen Keane: Rapunzel http://theartofglenkeane.blogspot.com/2006/07/rapunzel.html?m=1 Watch Tangled: Ever After on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/title/80062011?s=i

Chris and Mackenzie fly their kites out the car window on their way to My Life as a Zucchini! How's the story told? Can a story of childhood trauma be both haunting and beautiful? How does the stop motion animation help tell this small and intimate story? Links My Life as a Zucchini Official Site http://bit.ly/2on8hj9 About My Life as a Courgette http://bit.ly/2omZZrk Recording the Voices Video http://bit.ly/2omQ0lE Making the Puppets Video http://bit.ly/2omNPi6 Clip from My Life as a Zucchini https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx7tizZug3s My Life as a Zucchini English trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx7tizZug3s

The magic! The mystery! The MOUSE! Chris and Mackenzie explore the history and evolution of Mickey Mouse! What was Mickey like in the beginning? How has Mickey changed? What does Mickey have in common with Superman? What makes Mickey Mickey? Links Catch our episode all about The Sorcerer’s Apprentice http://bit.ly/wga-043 Get the Mickey Video app! Watch Mickey shorts! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mickey-video/id655254536?mt=8 Watch Steamboat Willie http://video.disney.com/watch/steamboat-willie-4ea9de5180b375f7476ada2c Watch The Band Concert http://video.disney.com/watch/the-band-concert-a-classic-mickey-short-545c25c431548a552e3524c8 Watch Hawaiian Holiday http://video.disney.com/watch/hawaiian-holiday-4bb39f1a02927a8833003b15 Watch The Sorcerer’s Apprentice http://video.disney.com/watch/sorcerer-s-apprentice-fantasia-4ea9ebc01a74ea59a5867853 Watch Mickey and the Seal http://video.disney.com/watch/mickey-and-the-seal-4be387e88cd10a0e1266b068 Watch a clip of Mickey’s Christmas Carol http://video.disney.com

Crossovers, call backs, and cameos! What do you get when two Disney Junior shows incorporate characters from Disney’s past? Chris and Mackenzie fly through the rainbow waterfall to visit Doc McStuffins and Winnie the Pooh and venture into the outlands of The Lion Guard with characters from The Lion King II! What is the opposite of “jumping the shark?” What do we plan for the series finale of Doc McStuffins? Who can make sense of the timeline of the Lion King movies and shows? Is Christopher Robin magic or insane? Links Disney Debuts Doc McStuffins-Winnie the Pooh Crossover Episode http://bit.ly/2ntOLnx A Look at the making of the McStuffins/Pooh episode from Chris Nee http://bit.ly/2myIQbZ About Little Black Rain Cloud http://bit.ly/2myvdd2 Winnie the Pooh (2011) http://bit.ly/2ntO1io Pooh sings “I Feel Better” http://bit.ly/2ntCn7g About Lions of the Outlands http://bit.ly/2myAZeo Watch the Trailer for Lions of the Outlands http://bit.ly/2ntS5PS Learn about Lion King II: Simba’s Pride from us! http://bit.ly/

Studio Ghibli explores the wonders of TV! Chris and Mackenzie explore the wondrous, fairy tale-esque world of Ronja:The Robber’s Daughter! What choices do you have when creating an adaptation? What did Goro Miyazaki find in a novel from Sweden? How do you build a world in tv? How does a father and daughter relationship grow and change? Links About Goro Miyazaki http://bit.ly/2lJmMzS About the book Ronia the Robber’s Daughter http://bit.ly/2lJc90c ‘Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter’: A Guide to Studio Ghibli’s Adventure Series on Amazon http://bit.ly/2lJ9YcN How Children’s TV Like Studio Ghibli’s Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter Can Give Grown-Ups the Strength to Endure http://slate.me/2lJkmkT Ronja The Robber’s Daughter Review http://collider.com/ronja-the-robbers-daughter-review/ http://www.indiewire.com/2017/02/ronja-the-robbers-daughter-goro-miyazaki-studio-ghibli-animation-1201777087/ The Studio Ghibli Retrospective: “Tales From Earthsea” http://moviemezzanine.com/studio-ghibli-retrospective-tales-from-earthsea/

Chris and Mackenzie talk about The Lego Batman Movie! And they don’t just talk in Batman voices for the -entire- podcast! What kind of actor (real or fictional horse) does it take to play Batman on screen? How many Batmen are there? Why does the Batman voice hurt? How many condiment-related puns can our hosts come up with? What makes a man a Batman? How many emotions does this movie make young children feel? Will we ever run out of animated Batman to talk about? The answer, for once, is ‘no’. Links The Lego Movie - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490017/ Lego Dimensions - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Dimensions A Guide to all the Villains in The Lego Batman Movie - http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/features/813125-a-guide-to-all-the-batman-villains-in-the-lego-batman-movie#/slide/1 A History of Batman on TV - http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/17/a-history-of-batman-on-tv BoJack Horseman does Birdman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ3hnIpBOVg What a Character: Why Gob Bluth from Arrested Development is

Roll out the Writers Get Animated red carpet, Chris and Mackenzie are heading to the Oscars! In their minds! Join them as they give in-depth coverage about this year’s Oscar-nominated animated shorts: Piper, Pear Cider and Cigarettes, Borrowed Time, Blind Vaysha, and Pearl! Listen as Chris goes VR in a cardboard box LIVE! How do styles affect storytelling? Is Piper a female? Did the sheriff actually intend to jump? What does linocut animation have to do with Bertolt Brecht? Links Watch VR’s first Oscar-nominated short film (Pearl) http://bit.ly/2lQfwSf Director Theodore Ushev on Bringing 'Blind Vaysha' to Life in Four Dimensions http://bit.ly/2lQl2US ‘Blind Vaysha’: How Theodore Ushev’s Zeitgeist-Grabbing Short Taps Political Anxiety http://bit.ly/2lBngVF About Pear Cider and Cigarettes http://bit.ly/2lQeOV4 ‘Pear Cider and Cigarettes’: How an Imperfect Life Became an Oscar Contender http://bit.ly/2lBnfRk Oscar-nominated ‘Borrowed Time’ directors Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj dish animated short film conte

Chris and Mackenzie do something a little different with this episode. They discuss the documentary “Life, Animated.” How did Disney movies open up a line of communication between a boy and his world? How did the filmmakers use animation to tell their story? How many Disney clips can a single, non-Disney movie have? Learn more about this moving and powerful film. Links Life, Animated the documentary http://bit.ly/2kYmuDd Life, Animated - A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism http://bit.ly/2kYiQJG Life, Animated Trailer http://bit.ly/2kYngA5 About the film Persepolis http://bit.ly/2kYkBGQ About the film Waltz with Bashir http://bit.ly/2lZU2yz About the book Fun Home http://bit.ly/2lZNv7b About Fun Home the Musical http://bit.ly/2lRsXl5 State of Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities http://bit.ly/2lZCjak

What has five lions and no thumbs and fights awesome space battles? That guy! Chris and Mackenzie assemble an episode about Voltron: Legendary Defender! How do you tell a story about a team? How did Netflix change the structure of the storytelling? Who are these characters? How do you make space bigger? Links About Voltron: Legendary Defender http://bit.ly/2kNVqor Voltron: Legendary Defender couldn’t have existed without Netflix http://bit.ly/2kO0MjL About Voltron: Defender of the Universe http://bit.ly/2kO5JJj Voltron: The Third Dimension http://bit.ly/2kNNunu Where is Old Zealand? http://mentalfloss.com/article/56233/where-old-zealand Battlestar Galactica “33” http://bit.ly/2ky70Wi Whose Line Is It Anyway Film Dub http://bit.ly/2ky5gwv