Animation Addicts Podcast - Animated Movie Reviews & Interviews For Disney, Dreamworks, Pixar & Everything In Between!

Steve Hickner is the writer of the new book Animating Your Career, which is a guide to help creative people learn how to stay and progress in the animation industry. Hickner has a rich, 30-year career in animation working at a variety of studios such as Disney, Amblination, and DreamWorks. He's known as the "pro's pro" and has done nearly every job in animation. He is most notably known for co-directing The Prince of Egypt and Bee Movie. This interview discusses his new book, his advice for creative professionals, as well as telling different anecdotes and lessons learned from his career. Highlights: Steve discusses the two parts of his book: working in the animation industry and managing a team of creative people. He wouldn't be anywhere today without the support of other people. Catch and Fire; the 3 fan letters he's written to other studios. "The truest test of talent is longevity." "A great leader never misses an opportunity to build others up." Attitude, attitude, attitude! "You'll know the guys who are

Schools back in session and summer's over, so Morgan and Chelsea thought it was fitting to talk about one of the greatest looniest animated movies of all time: Tiny Toons Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation (TTA:HISMV). Highlights D23 Expo News with Morgan. Lines a mile long... it's 3 days for a reason! Disney Live Action: Thor 2, Maleficent, Cinderella, Saving Mr. Banks, Tomorrowland formally known as '1953,' scorpion hunting in AZ. Disney Consumer Products, the line for 'Teen Beach Movie,' Disney App Panel!, Richard Sherman and Alan Menken concert. Pixar: MU Short: Party Central, The Good Dinosaur, The Pixar Theory, Inside Out, Toy Story of Terror, Finding Dory. WDAS: Frozen, (#FrozenFriday Chelsea sings) Get a Horse, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Giants, Moana. When is the next Princess Film? Chelsea's theory. DisneyToon Studios: Fairies and Planes. People in the industry: Winds of Change Miyazaki is retiring, Bob Peterson was no longer directing Pixar's 'The Good Dinosaur,' 'Paperman' director John Kahrs just lef

Mason and Chelsea join the Rotoscopers new writer, Alex Parker, as they discuss Disney's CGI animated film Meet the Robinsons. Highlights: Chelsea tweets Robert Lopez and Mason meets Don Bluth. CATCH AND FIRE WITH GRR ALEX! Nerdy Couch Discussion: “You can do anything you want” theme in animated films. (*Note some spoilers to other movies). Main Discussion: Meet the Robinsons. The stats, Disney's 47th animated feature, John Lasseter's influence. What is "Real D" vs 3D? More stats, commentary on the visuals, and music. Where did the term "Easter Eggs" come from? Based on a book called "A Day with Wilber Robinson" by William Joyce. Insta-buildings, bubble tavel, and segways. Things Mason doesn't get, Chelsea gets cynical, Tom Selleck. “You lied to me?!” Most overused line in kids’ movies. Lewis chills under a ginormous teapot shaped shrub. Bowler Hat Guy’s ending and the “Disney point”. Keep Moving Forward!, what we've learned in our own lives, Chelsea should be a motivational speaker. Twitter questions, cameo

Join Mason as he interviews Kevin Schreck, the director of Persistence of Vision, a documentary of the story behind the animated film by Richard Williams, The Thief and the Cobbler. Highlights: Kevin's interest in stop motion. Catch and Fire: Jafar and Iago were college roommates. Where did you get the name? What was the process of making this documentary? Who was the most fascinating to interview? The Fan Letter. Shout out to Canadian animators. Animation archeology. Sean Connery...why? The timeline of the documentary. What is the more important story: The Thief or Richard Williams? What were Richard's best qualities as a producer? How did his studio affect the world of animation? "A very special place." Life lessons learned. "The Supper Secret Project!" -Will show soldiers in a field. How Kevin got an internship at DreamWorks. "Unpaid" plug. Final thoughts Fan letters of today: The power of appreciation Next episode: Disney's "Meet the Robinsons!" Send us a voicemail! Persistence of Vision:  Official Traile

A conference call with Disney songwriters and legends Alan Menken and Richard Sherman, where they talk about their upcoming concert where the sing from "The Disney Songbook." "It's like Comic Con with Better Security!" -Robert Downy Jr. This is a great interview with many of the writers from major Disney fan outlets. The first 15 minuets are questions just for Alan Menken. What are your favorite songs in the Disney Song Book? (outside of your own) What songs are you most excited to share? What is it about the Disney Song book that touches people? What is it like for you to perform for Disney Fans? How do you go about writing your songs? "You want to poke fun but you don't want to poke fun in a way that is hurtful." "The story doesn't get written without us." "We are very involved in the writing process." Do you have a say in who sings the songs? Will there be any 'Fan Boy' nervousness when you perform with Richard Sherman? Which of your more obscure Disney songs are you most proud of? After which, we were joi

Love it or hate it, the Rotoscopers discuss the history, making and drama behind the movie The Thief and the Cobbler. Highlights: ■ Mason want’s to go back to school and Chelsea’s moved to Nashville! ■ What is a masterpiece? ■ Is it possible to be an artist and have money? Commercial successes and a tale about the woes of mismanagement. ■ Academy Award winner for the animation of Who Framed Roger Rabbit ■ Storytelling and storyboards. ‘Pose to Pose’ animation vs ‘Straight Ahead’ animation. ■ Art Babbit and Ken Harris: legendary animation masters. ■ Ah, the “animator’s wife.” This post is from a lady who calls herself an “EA widow.” ■ Signed a deal in 1988 with Warner Bros for $25 Million for production and $25 million for promotions. ■ Was Disney’s Aladdin a copy of The Thief and the Cobbler? ■ Where’s the merchandise? ■ Beware ‘The Completion Bond Company!’ ■ Richard Williams is said to be working on a super secret project. Want to be his assistant? ■ What can we learn from this? ■ Main Discussion: The Thief

Morgan, Mason and special guest host Gary Wright talk all things Pokémon! Be prepared for a nerdy, tangent-filled episode because this one takes us straight back into Generation 1. Highlights: ■ Special guest host: Water trainer Gary Wright ■ News: Despicable Me 2 review & box office performance; Frozen media blizzard - Japanese trailer, official character images, new Disney Animation release dates. ■ Catch & Fire with Gary ■ Nerdy Couch Discussion: All things Pokémon! Favorite games, genwunners, the anime & controversial episodes. ■ Random Pokemon generator game! ■ Main discussion: Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strike's Back. ■ Soundtrack with random artists, opening in Cinnabar Island, Giovanni is best Pokémon character, movie tie-ins. ■ Untold Story of Mewtwo, is Mewtwo still considered the most powerful Pokémon?, stupid scientists just working for a paycheck, Mewtwo's appearance in the anime in Giovanni's gym, ■ Opening scene with Ash & gang; random trainer with a Donphan; never-before-seen Gen 2 Pok

The Rotoscopers head back to school to review Pixar's 14th animated film Monsters University! Highlights: ■ New host: Brock Pearson. ■ Experiences from the MU showings: kids, Pixar super fans, cool MU gear. ■ Trailers before MU: Despicable Me 2, Frozen, Cloudy 2, Planes, Turbo, ■ News: Lego Movie trailer & Frozen trailer. ■ Animation Lesson by Mason: Character appeal/design in Monsters University. ■ Every monsters is different; real person names. ■ Mini discussion: The Blue Umbrella ■ Main discussion: Monsters University ■ Little Mike, opening credits, Mike’s roommate, first day of class, architecture, scare games introduction, clubs. ■ First day of class: Scaring 101, Hardscrabble’s entrance, MU is Mike’s story, stealing the pig similar to The Simpsons. ■ Final exam: poor Mike, sulking Sulley, canister engineering, realistic lighting using raytracing. ■ Members of Oozma Kappa: Don Carlton, Squishy Squibbles, Terry and Terri Perry, Art, Squishy’s mom. ■ Scare games: entertainment & show us time’s progression

The Rotoscopers gang is back in action in this extra long, 2-hour episode, where they talk about one of their all-around favorite Disney animated classics: Robin Hood! Highlights: ■ Chelsea tells about how she got to hang out with rock legend Alice Cooper. ■ Mini reviews of Epic and Monsters University. ■ Mason's previews Despicable Me 2 and shares his how he has the plot of Turbo all figured out. ■ Interview with Rotoscopers' writer Mayra Amaya! ■ Main Discussion: Robin Hood--the holy grail of funny Disney films. ■ Voice acting filled with Disney veterans (read Blake's opinion piece about Robin Hood's voice actors); Accents = proper English and backwood rednecks. ■ A little history of Disney's Xerox era. ■ Disney's Robin Hood origins: Reynard the Fox. ■ Introduction uses reused animation, "Whistle Stop" = hamster dance, intro to Robin Hood and Little John, justification,  ■ Sir Hiss is a well designed character; Prince John is a weak, pathetic, hilarious villain; "Beautiful, lovely TEXAS!" ■ Morgan's "solid

Mason, Morgan, and Chelsea are taking on a new DreamWorks film with Rise of the Guardians! This episode hits the history of the film, all the highs and lows of the movie, characters and a million tangents! Highlights: ■ What are we watching? Mini The Great Gatsby Review and My Little Ponies: Friendship Is Magic discussion. What are your opinions? Send us a voicemail! ■ The news! 8 Disney and Pixar animated films to be released from 2016 to 2018; WWE producing new animated Flinstones--Hilarity ensues. ■ Interview with our site writer: Meet Blake Taylor. Check out his website: blakeonline.com ■ Main Discussion: Rise of the Guardians. ■ Pokemon tangents! Can't get rid of 'em. ■ Box office: What happened?! Character analysis. ■ Twitter question and responses. ■ "Santa Claus…with swords." E. Aster Bunnymund: the cursing bunny. ■ Tooth Fairy fangirls out, slapstick comedy moment, Sandy (the Sandman)! ■ Manny aka the man in the moon, Religious references or Paganistic? ■ Pitch Black: some fan art is just not part of

Morgan, Chelsea, and Mason are flying high as they discuss DreamWorks’ How to Train your Dragon! Highlights: ■ What's going on in everyone's life? Awesome podcast plug: Talkin’ Toons with Rob Paulsen! We're fans. ■ Bring on the news! Big Hero 6, Disney Withdraws Trademark Application for 'Dia de los Muertos', DreamWorks plans sequel for 'The Croods'. ■ Main Discussion: How to Train your Dragon. ■ Pokemon Tangents! Were did the accents come from? ■ Box office and character analysis, Hog Hunters, and the parallels to life. ■ Would Stoick the Vast get along with Gaston? More Pokemon tangents! ■ Holy Dragon! Stoick's got problems. ■ "Kids Rule!" The motto of the 90s. ■ Other iconic dragons in Movies. ■ This movie is now a video game! ■ Fighting the big dragon is like fighting the Death Star. ■ Loosing a limb in an animated film is a big deal! ■ The Live-action Spectacular! ■ Hiccup pulls a Neville Longbottom! ■ Final thoughts, our ratings and voicemails! ■ Mail bag with Morgan and Chelsea! ■ Check out Animated Vi

Morgan and Chelsea are flying solo as they discuss DisneyToon Studios' first installment in the Tinker Bell franchise--Tinker Bell (the one with the green cover)! Join the fun as they discuss Tinker Bell's origins and first movie! Highlights: ■ Where's the news? ■ Main Discussion: Tinker Bell. ■ Movie's origins and general thoughts. ■ The history and evolution of Tinker Bell; what's a tinker? (Buy the book "Tinker Bell: An Evolution" on Amazon.com) ■ The music, celtic feeling, birth of fairies, Tinker Bell's "power". ■ Tinker fairies = the nerds; all the groups had "cool girl" representatives except for the Tinkers. ■ Monsters University and Tinker Bell breaking canon. ■ Vidia = superstar, brat fairy. ■ Is fairy romance a thing? ■ Recommended awesome podcast tangent: Talkin' Toons with Rob Paulsen; he voices everything (Bubble, Yakko, Pinky, PJ) , you can't un-hear him. ■ What kind of fairy would you be? ■ Tinker Bell creates her iconic green tube top dress. ■ Terrance--the token guy fairy--played by Jesse Mc

The Rotoscopers take an introspective dive into the Studio Ghibli film, Howl's Moving Castle! Join in as they review, discuss, analyze, think deeply and talk shallowly on this Miyazaki film! Highlights: ■ Jurassic Park mini review by Mason ■ News: Finding Dory, Monsters University Alumni Letter, Disney's Frozen Soundtrack leaked? and Elsa concept art leaked. ■ Main discussion: Howl's Moving Castle ■ Somethings Chelsea's noticed about Miyazaki films: BAM! Welcome to crazy. ■ A very introspective film and cultural questions. ■ Character and voice actor discussion: Sophie, Markl, [Wicked] Witch of the Waste ■ Mason and Chelsea's mustache rant. ■Character and voice actor discussion: Christian Bale as Howl, Billy Crystal (Mike Wazowski) as Calcifer. ■ Comparison to Beauty and the Beast. ■ Family themes, very sporadic ending, Sophie's magic kiss. ■ We rate it! ■ Voicemail and Twitter replies. ■ Mailbag: Mulan Episode, how The Rotoscopers met, other places to meet animation fans, Rise of the Gardians episode. ■ Fina

Morgan and Chelsea stumble their way into a test screening of DisneyToon Studio's upcoming film Planes. Join them as they talk about their thoughts, impressions, likes and dislikes--spoiler free, as always! Highlights: ■ Impression: it was actually pretty good. ■ Originally direct-to-video. ■ Favorite characters: El Chupacabra, Roper. ■ Lots of planes jokes, fun, and humor. ■ Basically the same story as Cars, but still fresh. ■ What’s the deal with racing? Would have liked to see navy fighter pilots or stunt planes. ■ Music: Chelsea’s theme song, songs are awesome, 80s throwback movie reference. ■ Disney crew in the audience, the “control panel”. ■ Mature humor is appreciated, Top Gun reference. ■ This movie is going to be a hit: August release, merchandise. ■ Turkeys (Free Birds) rant. ■ We rate it! Runtime: 25:38, 15.4 MB Where to Find Us: ■ Find us on the web: therotoscopers.com, twitter, facebook, YouTube, tumblr, hypable & Animated Views ■ Mason Smith: This Animated Life Blog, Twitter ■ Chelsea Robson: F

The Rotoscopers are excited to bring on their first official guest host (sorry, Steven)...William Jardine from A113Animation.com! Join in for a rip-roaring discussion of Pixar's first sequel Toy Story 2. Highlights: ■ What Have You Been Watching (WHYBW) - Animation Edition: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (Does that count as animation?), Rio, Hotel Transylvania. ■ Talking about The Oscars 2013: Winners and nominees. ■ Catch and Fire with William! We ask the hard questions. ■ News: Upon which book will Tintin 2 be based?, new Mickey Mouse shorts, Rumplestilkskin (The Name Game) animated film by Disney? ■ Nerdy Couch Discussion: Pixar sequels. ■ Beyond the trailer, Toy Story 3 filled with holocaust references? ■ Cars 2: the good and the bad. ■ Main Discussion: Toy Story 2 ■ A little perspective: other 1999 animated films ■ First thoughts: Happy meal toys, seen 60+ times, fear of growing up. ■ From direct-to-video to theatrical sequel, development woes. ■ Original plot: no Jesse, really pushing the Senorita Cactus characte

Morgan and Chelsea are flying solo as they talk about fast-paced, adventure film, The Adventures of Tintin. Join these Tintin newbies as they learn about and dive into the world of Tintin. Highlights: ■ New writers on the website, partnership with Animated Views, Anna and Elsa to join the official Disney princess lineup, Cars 3 and the Disney Shareholder meeting. ■ History of The Adventures of Tintin and the Author/creator Hergé (excuse our pronunciation). ■ Find the cartoons on Netflix! Get a free trial HERE. ■ Main Discussion: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson. ■ Mind boggling photo-real animation (motion capture) from the start. ■ Belgium/At sea: introduced to Pickpocket side story, introduced to Captain Haddock (Oh dear). ■ Haddock’s hallucination in the desert (due to the lack of alcohol). ■ The secret of the Unicorn: Gotta love a good story about pirates and their gold treasure. Never gets old (seriously, it doesn’t). ■ Milanes

You guys asked for it and we delivered! In is our very first listener-request episode, The Rotoscopers review, discuss, dissect, analyze, and goof around with Disney's 1998 film Mulan. Highlights: ■ Feeling gypped by Disney’s Netflix offering. ■ Nerdy Couch Discussion: Disney Princess 2013 redesigns  ■ Mulan with blue eyes?!, Whitewashing the Princesses, Disney redesigns over the years, crazy curls, plastic surgery. ■ Main Discussion: Disney’s Mulan. ■ Basic info, what are the directors doing now?, “This movie’s awesome!”  ■ Animation laws of the universe: Thou shalt make a crappy DVD cover. ■ Animation style and design is very modern, yet true to Asian aesthetics. ■ Act 1: cool intro, big fan of Shan Yu, Mulan = typical Disney oddball, how do you get the matchmaker job?, hair cutting scene music.  ■ Act 2: Pokémon style guardian battle, what happened to the great stone dragon?, Mushu = facilitator, no villain song, Shang just wants to impress his dad, “I’ll Make A Man Out of You” is Mulan’s transformation so

It's the one-year anniversary episode of the podcast! Join Chelsea, Morgan and Mason as they take a walk down memory lane as their discuss the Disney Renaissance and its first classic film, The Little Mermaid. Highlights: ■ News: fake Frozen posters, DreamWorks pushes Mr. Peabody and Sherman release date and massive staff cuts, LAIKA’s new feature The Boxtrolls ■ Nerdy Couch Discussion: Waking Sleeping Beauty and the Disney Renaissance (1989-1999). ■ Morgan gives a brief history on the Disney Renaissance. ■ Favorite movies from the era, the better part of the era (1989-1994), the second half of the era (1995-1999). ■ Would animation be the same if there wasn’t a Disney Renaissance? ■ Main discussion: The Little Mermaid ■ Howard Ashman key to its success, first film to use the CAPS system. ■ The real Hans Christian Anderson story of The Little Mermaid. ■ First thoughts and recollections: VHS, animation masterpiece, The Little Mermaid pool effect, ■ The beginning: prologue song, the seahorse, the sisters have

The Rotoscopers kick off the new year with an old Disney classic, A Goofy Movie!  Highlights: ■ News: Disney Infinity Video Game, The Rotoscopers YouTube channel, Mason’s big news ■ Where’s Mason been? ■ Main discussion: A Goofy Movie ■ Goof 101: What is a Goof? ■ One word to describe this film: 90s! ■ Chelsea’s very first DVD and iTunes album purchase ■ One of the best Disney soundtracks ever? ■ Goofy: voiced by our very own Bill Farmer ■ Max: voiced by Jason Marsden aka “that one guy from that one show” ■ Pete: voiced by Jim Cummings aka “THE voice actor from the 90s” ■ Roxanne: the world’s most awesome 90s shorts ■ PJ: voiced by Bob Paulson; Stacy’s a fast talker; Robert “Bobby” Zimeruski; Lester ■ Favorite scenes: opening dream, school assembly, live-action “After Today” ■ Max blew his chance with the hot girl ■ Is Max’s lie worse than Aladdin’s? ■ Lake Destiny, ID is actually Lake Destiny, GA! ■ “On the Open Road”: the original “Trashing the Camp,” undead guy, random nuns ■ Lester’s Possum Park: County B

It's been nearly one year since the Rotoscopers got together for their first episode. This episode takes a look back at the best moments of the Animation Addicts Podcast in 2012! Highlights: ■ News: Top 10 animated films of 2012 (domestic gross) ■ Main discussion: Best of 2012! ■ Joys of learning how to podcast, bloopers of intros ■ And...action! Ok, who starts? ■ Getting to know each other ■ Multi-tasking while podcasting ■ Themes: voice actors and tangents ■ The variety of special guests and hosts ■ Lots and lots of mail bag! Runtime: 1:37:15, 46.8 MB Where to Find Us: ■ Find us on the web: therotoscopers.com, twitter, facebook, YouTube, tumblr, hypable & Animated Views ■ Mason Smith: This Animated Life Blog, Twitter ■ Chelsea Robson: Facebook, Twitter ■ Morgan Stradling: Twitter, Instagram ■ Visit our sponsors: Netflix, Audible, Amazon ■ Questions, comments, suggestions? Send us an email at therotoscopers@gmail.com ■ Send us a voicemail at therotoscopers.com/voicemail Learn more about your ad choices. Visi