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

We get the chance to interview Frankie Franco III (also known as Frak). Frak is a production assistant atDreamWorks Animation SKG whose first project was Rise of the Guardians. In this interview, he talks about what it's like working at DreamWorks, his job and his thoughts on the film. Runtime: 0:40:28, 19.5 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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is dedicated to the wonderful world of video games! The Rotoscopers talk about this week's animation news, discuss their favorite video games before heading into a lengthy discussion about Disney's 52nd animated featureWreck-It Ralph! Highlights: ■ Go to www.therotoscopers.com/voicemail to leave a message for our Best of 2012 Show! ■ News: Disney Buys Lucasfilm, Disney's Wreck-It Ralphopening weekend numbers ■ Nerdy Couch Discussion: What were/are your top 5 video games growing up/today and why? ■ Paperman: everything they said it was going to be ■ Main Discussion: Wreck-it Ralph ■ Audience reactions and hype ■ What makes Wreck-It Ralph so much more successful than other video game-to-cartoon franchises?  ■ Animation: Felix’s movements are quick and spry, what stuck out most? What did they change from the test screening? ■ The many worlds of Wreck-it Ralph: Fix-It Felix Jr., Game Central Station, Hero's Duty, Sugar Rush ■ Ralph: John C. Reilly Inspired by Donkey Kong -Chelsea was right ■ Vanellop

In this episode, Wreck-it Ralph’s Animation Supervisor--Renato Dos Anjos--talks about his life and work at Disney Animation Studios. Highlights ■ About Renato: originally from São Paulo, Brazil and wanted to be in comic books ■ Started with Disney--it’s all about who you know ■ How did he get involved in the Wreck-It Ralph project? ■ Relationship with the director, Rich Moore ■ How Disney fills positions within the company  ■ Working with Art Director, Mike Gabriel  ■ Did Episode 10 really go through the whole animation department? YES! ...but did they like it? ■ Test screenings: The rush before and after ■ Technical achievements: how they educated the crew, glided between worlds and all the CGI challenges ■ Always go the extra mile because these movies change you ■ Award for largest cast: new friends and iconic Characters ■ Disney’s plan for staying on top: Goal #1 - Support the creative spirit. Be open, help the community, and get rid of egos. ■ Favorite scenes/work in Wreck-It Ralph? Rich Moore, animation

This is Halloween! The Rotoscoper gang discussese Disney's cult classic Halloween-Christmas film, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Highlights: ■ The Thunder Tube! ■ News: New Disney and Pixar release dates (Phineas & Ferb, Ron & Jon 2D animated film, Untitled Pixar Film), viral website for Monsters University, The Swan Princess Christmas ■ Remember to send in your submissions for the Best of 2012 Show! ■ New game segment: Wizard’s Duel! ■ Main Discussion: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas ■ Misconceptions: Tim Burton did not direct this film; Henry Selick did!  ■ Touchstone release, do you consider it a Disney film? ■ Hardcore Nightmare Before Christmas fans ■ Design & animation: popup book aesthetic, spindly characters ■ The beginning: starts with a rythme, not “scare-the-pants-off-of-you” scary, “This is Halloween”, fangirl witches, muppets cameo? ■ Jack Skellington: iconic Burton character, naive, eccentric genius, James and the Giant Peach cameo ■ Danny Elfman: the film's composer and singing voi

Morgan and Chelsea have the incredible opportunity to interview legendary voice actor, Bill Farmer. Bill is most notably known for being the voice of Goofy for the past 25 years, but he also has voiced numerous other famous cartoon characters such as Horace Horsecollar, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn, Slyvester the Cat and lots of other crazy voices along the way. Highlights: ■ What has Bill been up to recently? ■ All about Goofy’s yell ■ Other voices he has done: Horace Horscollar, Pluto, Foghorn, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester, Bugs, Daffy, Robot Chicken, Sam & Max Hit the Road & lots of incidental voices ■ The day in the life of Bill Farmer ■ Working with other voice actors or solo? ■ Favorite recording experiences ■ How grueling is voice acting on one's voice? ■ His thoughts on replacing voice actors ■ What advice does he have for future voice actors? ■ Does he ever get star struck? ■ Restrictions on using the Goofy voice ■ What was his first recording gig like? ■ Goof Troop and A Goofy Movie memories ■ What would he lik

The Rotoscopers kick off their spooky animated film month (aka October) by tackling Laika's Coraline.  Highlights: ■ News: 13th International Computer Graphics Conference in Turin, Italy; Help us Plan our #Bestof2012 show! ■ New segment: "Catch and Fire" with Mason, “Rotoscopers make you choose!” ■ Audible.com: Audio book synopsis ■ Main discussion: Coraline ■ Studio Spotlight: Laika vs. Laika House ■ “From the makers of Nightmare Before Christmas...” = False advertising? ■ Not going to be fun and happy the whole time ■ Michigan water witch; what’s with the well?; Chelsea has dowse doubts ■ Characters: Dakota Fanning is “one of the gems or our generation” ■ Be careful what you name your children ■ Why Wybie? Should we like him? Morgan’s "Real-life Wybie" ■ The real parents vs. the "Other Parents" (aka the animated versionStepford Wives) ■ How Laika does amazing stop motion. “Captivating” ■ First impressions: genuinely creepy; parents beware!; not for kids ■ Major difference between the real life and the ‘othe

The Rotoscopers interview the legendary animator and director, Don Bluth! Don shares his love for acting, theatre and--of course--animation in this intimate conversation conducted in his living room. He also starts off by announcing some big news for the show! Highlights: ■ Is this the right podcast? ■ Not your typical Interview. Don interviews Mason! ■ Animation: a two-pronged performing art ■ How does acting help in animation? ■ Casting on the Wizard of Oz. Why is Don doing theatre? ■ Characters of Secret of NIMH ■ Why Don liked Pixar's Up ■ Why Don doesn't think the world needs more movies ■ What characters have been his favorite/most dynamic over the years?  ■ What is the bigger picture of animation? ■ Pinocchio: "Everything comes in. Nothing goes out"  ■ How did Don help animators "see past the paper"? ■ Turner Classic Movies vs. Reality TV ■ Why doesn't Don rewatch his own films? ■ Orchestration of color ■ The darker side of the Disney Studio  ■ Don on animals characters and live-action reference ■ Disn

The gang is finally back for a classic Rotoscopers episode with their review of Disney’s Aladdin! Also join in for the animation news and a discussion on the impact of celebrity voice actors. Highlights: ■ News: The Minions spin-off film, Partysaurus Rex short, Finding Nemo 2 officially announced ■ Mini Nerdy Couch Discussion: Do we really need a Finding Nemosequel? Is Pixar coping out? ■ Real Nerdy Couch Discussion: Professional voice actors vs. celebrities? Do celebrity voices really add to an animated film?  ■ Voice acting is like a seasoning--it should enhance the film, not take away ■ How Aladdin & Robin Williams was a pivotal moment for celebrity voice actors ■ What characters were you surprised when you realized who did their voice? ■ Morgan & Chelsea’s experience meeting the film’s directors John Musker & Ron Clements ■ The movie really takes off once the Genie appears ■ Every single scene has either a great quote or great gag ■ Chock full of awesome characters “that have grinded their way to Disney i

Morgan and Chelsea talk to LAIKA animator, David Vandervoort. In this interview, they discuss his career as a "self-made animator", his experience at LAIKA, ParaNorman and all things animation.  Highlights: ■ Interview: David Vandervoort ■ Rapid Fire Q&A ■ His path as a “self-made animator” ■ What are his ultimate career goals ■ How does one make the jump into stop-motion animation? ■ What’s the difference in approaching animated CGI, 2D and stop-motion? ■ His work on ParaNorman: 2D faces and story ■ David’s favorite scenes from the movie ■ How did they accomplish the ghosts? ■ ParaNorman contest to win ParaNorman gear ■ Mail bag: Luis Escobar, late-night animation marathons, Anastasia/Tangled similarities, Frankie Franco III Runtime: 0:40:08, 19.4 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: Facebook, Twitter ■ Morgan Stradling: Twitter, Instagram ■ Visit our sponso

Morgan and Chelsea talk about their experience at D23's Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Feature Animation. If you love Disney animation, you won't want to miss this! Highlights: ■ Morgan and Chelsea won tickets to Destination D! It's fate! ■ Brief news: Chelsea's thoughts on ParaNorman and Brenda Chapman leaves Pixar ■ Interview: Kameron Nabal, who works at Entertainment Deployment at Disneyland and California Adventure ■ How Morgan, Chelsea and Kameron first met; "Tag me on facebook!" ■ Kameron talks about the Buena Vista Street and new Cars Land at California Adventure ■ What it's like working at Disneyland ■ How do the animated characters live on through the parks ■ Main Discusion: D23's Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Feature Animation ■ Overall thoughts & first impressions ■ Day 1: The Golden Age and 2nd Golden Age panels, Roy E. Disney and how he saved Disney animation, never before seen animation, Walt & El Grupo ■ Sneak Peaks: Wreck-It Ralph, Paperman and Frozen. ■ Concert with Dick Van Dyke and t

Morgan and Mason interview Chris Horne, a technical director at Pixar! They talk about Chris’s journey to Pixar; his work on Brave, Finding Nemo 3D and other films; and his advice for aspiring animation students. Highlights: ■ Thoughts on the hilarious stop-motion shorts, Creature Comforts ■ Interview: Pixar’s Chris Horne ■ Chris’s background: how he got interested in animation, Pixar, the college years ■ What’s the process of getting hired by a big studio like Pixar?  ■ Chris on being a Pixar fanboy working for Pixar. ■ About the lighting, rendering and Lightspeed departments ■ What do the lighting and rendering departments actually do? ■ Chris talks about crazy and hilarious software glitches, bloopers and malfunctions! ■ New animation software: Presto ■ Lighting an animated shot: balancing realism vs. cartoony ■ What part of Brave he worked on: the hardest scene Pixar’s ever done, cake cauldron scene,  ■ Hair simulation ■ Every character has its own posse of lights ■ How big is the team that worked on the

The Rotoscopers jump into the world of Japanese animation by reviewing their first ever anime: Studio Ghibli's fantasy-adventure film Spirited Away. Mason also introduces a new super duper anime trivia game and tries to stump Morgan and Chelsea. So join the Rotoscopers for all the news and laughs in the (Japanese) animated world! Highlights: ■ The Rotoscopers: The Band! ■ News: Epic trailer is epic, DreamWorks theme park, Penguins of Madagascar movie, Kung Fu Panda 3; get more news at our websiteand hypable.com ■ Mason discusses anime music and theme songs ■ New Game! 'Super Awesome Fun Time Anime Synopsis Game Deluxe Bean Burrito Game!' Mason reads a description of an anime and Morgan and Chelsea have to guess if it’s a real show or made up ■ Main discussion: Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away ■ Animes are like awkward conversations: you just can’t jump into them ■ Spirited Away is awesome because it stands out visually from other traditional animes ■ Characteristics of animes that deter Western viewers ■ Though

The Rotoscopers gang is back with some exciting news! They also cover new territories this episode by diving into stop-motion animation and animated shorts. The main discussion focuses on the four classic Wallace & Gromit shorts. Highlights: ■ Big News! Now apart of the Hypable Podcast Network ■ Winner for 'The Art of Brave' contest announced!  ■ Animation Spotlight: stop-motion animation ■ What is stop motion? Is all stop motion claymation? ■ Is stop motion more technical than hand-drawn or CGI animation? ■ Jurassic Park was going to be stop motion?! WHAT?! ■ Mason expounds the wonders of stop motion in Star Wars and other films over the years ■ Main Discussion: The Wallace & Gromit shorts  ■ Director's Spotlight: Nick Park ■ The Simpsons’ episode "Angry Dad the Movie"; “I’m more clay than man.” ■ Animated shorts spoofs: Mixar's Condiments & Nick Park's Willis & Crumble  ■ A Grand Day Out (1989):Can you SAY claymation?!  ■ Wallace and Gromit saved the Wensleydale cheese factory! ■ The Wrong Trousers (1993): 

Morgan, Chelsea and Mason get to see Pixar's 'Brave' and give all their thoughts on the summer blockbuster. They talk anything and everything about the film, so be ready for SPOILERS! Catch the spoiler-free review here on episode 13! Highlights: ■ Mason finally gets into an advance movie screening! ■ News: Wreck-It Ralph Trailer, Mr. Peabody & Sherman Poster, Disney’s Frozen announced with Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, D23 Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animated Features ■ Main Discussion: Brave ■ Mason’s initial thoughts: stunning authentic visuals, great 3D, the hair! ■ The good and bad of 3D films: Thor and Madagascar 3 ■ Legend of Zelda similarities: archery shooting range, will o’ wisps = stray fairies, Koume and Kotake ■ Act 1: Morgan was tricked by the bear spell, who is the bear?, too long, Scottish Boomhauer ■ Which son and Lord is your favorite? ■ Conundrums: Are the Lords relatives of Fergus? Are Fergus and the Lords descendants of the four brothers from the legend? ■ Is the film a ripoff or or

Morgan and Chelsea get to see an advance screening of Pixar’s hotly anticipated film, Brave. They share their spoiler-free thoughts and impressions about the film.  **We tried to keep the review as spoiler free as possible, but our definition of spoiler might be different that your definition. So if you don’t want to know anything about the film before it’s released, don’t listen!** Highlights: ■ Is Brave overhyped? ■ The HAIR is the star of the film ■ Madagascar 3 vs. Brave ■ Setting: old Scotland is beautiful ■ Despite the mystical elements, Brave feels the most “real” of Pixar’s films ■ Did they just do that?! ■ The clans: loveable, who’s your favorite Lord? ■ The suitors: not so desirable, Kronk bodyguard ■ The triplets: hilarious, free reign through the castle ■ Humor: not too over the top, just right ■ Merida and Elinor’s mother/daughter relationship drives the plot ■ Brave is not “the Scottish Mulan”, but it is a LOT like another Disney animated film ■ The music: makes you want to dance, hummable  ■ Th

The gang is back together for a full episode. This episode features a long discussion about the 1997 animated classic Anastasia. And where did the Nerdy Couch Discussion go, you may ask? Don't worry, this episode is a bit unconventional and the NCD is nestled in the middle of the main discussion. Highlights: ■ News: Maggie Simpsons 3D short, Pixar Disney California Cruise, A Cat in Paris released ■ Main Discussion: Don Bluth and Gary Goldman’s Anastasia ■ Gary Goldman: the forgotten part of the Bluth duo ■ Is Anastasia the pinnacle of Don and Gary’s career? ■ “My Fair Lady” plot? ■ Making-of featurettes hosted by...Aaliyah? ■ Mini Nerdy Couch Discussion: R&B songs over the credits in the 90s ■ Gangster Anastasia & greasy Dimitri  ■ Why do so many people think Anastasia is a Disney movie? ■ Dimitri: face doesn’t match the actor, best looking animated mantagonist?, “I don’t know what to tell you” ■ Anastasia: a witty romcom leading lady; grand duchess, not princess; first to elope, ■ Where would Anastasia rank

The Rotoscopers' trio is finally back together again...well sort of. In this episode, they discuss sequels, animation duos and DreamWorks' 2005 hit Madagascar. ■ Why Morgan just can’t get Chelsea’s last name right ■ What animation we watched this week ■ Morgan visits Don Bluth Front Row Theater for her bachelorette party and gets a special surprise ■ News: Don Bluth re-releases Dragon’s Lair comic in app store and hints at future Dragon’s Lair film, Ryan Woodwood releasing animated graphic novel, trailer for Arjun: The Warrior Prince ■ Nerdy Couch Discussion: Sequels! ■ Walt Disney vs. Roy Disney on sequels ■ Poster child for sequels gone wrong: The Land Before Time series ■ There are some good sequels ■ Are sequels canon? ■ The sequel that started it all: The Return of Jafar ■ Mason’s theory: The Return of Jafar is just a dream ■ The hierarchy of canon ■ What are some good sequels and bad sequels? Does it have replay value? ■ What Disney classics don’t have sequels? ■ Main discussion: Madagascar ■ Mini anima

Morgan and Chelsea stumble upon an opportunity to see a test screening Disney's upcoming animated film Wreck-It Ralph and share their thoughts. **Mostly spoiler free, but don't listen if you don't want to know too much about the film before it's released in November.*** Highlights: ■ What do we already know about Wreck-It Ralph? ■ Q: How did you get these tickets? A: LUCK! ■ Unfinished product: shows the different stages of production ■ Best moments: various video game cameos, Bad-Anon support group ■ Will you like it if you're not a gamer? ■ Ralph's main dilemna and motivation in the film ■ Hero's Duty, Sugar Rush and Game Central Station ■ They needed a Sideshow Bob rake moment at the end ■ Characters and voice actors ■ Did it feel like a Disney movie? ■ Toy Story with video games ■ We rated it "Very Good" ★★★★ ■ Surprise appearance by John Lasseter and other Disney guys ■ Would we see this movie in theatres in November? ■ CONTEST: Review us on iTunes for a chance to win "The Art of Brave" book. To enter: t

Morgan and Chelsea are flying solo in the studio as they discuss The Swan Princess. Hilarity and singing ensue. Highlights: ■ News: Paperman movie poster and synopsis, John Musker and Ron Clements working on new hand-drawn animated Disney film ■ Pixar CinemaCon news: Dia de los Muertos film (2015), The Good Dinosaur (2014), The Untitled Pixar Film that Goes Inside the Mind (2015) ■ Main Discussion: The Swan Princess ■ Behind-the-scenes 90s commercial: "The most memorable, magical, musical adventure ever!" Really? ■ Director Spotlight: Who is the elusive Richard Rich? ■ Differences from the ballet Swan Lake and the movie ■ Box office flop, but home video success! ■ Kate Middleton had a princess movie marathon to prep for princess-dom ■ Odette: headstrong princess, was she really ever an "ugly duckling"? ■ Derek: Incredibly flawed ("What else is there?") but endearing, one giant tooth ■ The Richard Rich villain theory ■ Re-release DVD cover: Derek has a Bieber haircut and got plastic surgery? ■ Rothbart: is tip

Chelsea's out of town so the Rotoscopers have a special guest host as they tango with Tangled, Disney's 50th animated feature film! Highlights: ■  A wild guest host appears! ■ Morgan attended an advance screening of The Pirates: Band of Misfits featuring director Peter Lord ■  Nerdy Couch Discussion: Top Disney Princesses ■  Main discussion: Tangled ■  Original plot and voice actors (Kristen Chenoweth)Is it a princess movie that appeals to guys? ■  Name changes: Rapunzel (European title), Rapunzel Unbraided, Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale ■  Mother Gothel's singing voice ■  Favorite songs on the soundtrack ■  Is Tangled a watered down version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame? ■  Standout characters: Maximus the horse, Captain of the Guard, Rapunzel's parents ■  "See the Light" lantern scene  ■  "Digital painting" blending classical animation elements with CGI ■  Rapunzel's hair: how much does her 70 feet of hair weigh?, changing length during the movie ■  Dislikes: Pascal, Rapunzel's teeth, Eugene's name ■  What othe