Inside Animation – Details, episodes & analysis

I chat with Leo Glantschnig, whose YouTube channel, Crash Frontier, has over 600k Subscribers and several videos with over 1 Million views. We talk about how he uses a sandbox-style, physics-based car crash simulator to create cinematic disaster shorts. In my "back-in-time" segment, we discuss how a trip to Universal Studios in 2003 inspired his love of directing and how the disaster movies of the late 90s led him to create these disaster shorts. Plus, great advice on how to start a YouTube channel using your passions and grow it using analytic tools. You can watch his videos at https://www.youtube.com/@CrashFrontier

I chat with a peer in the animation industry, Casandra Groves. Previously, I've talked with other voice actors, but never with one at my level, trying to get voice acting work of significance in the industry. We talk about the trials and tribulations of attempting to "make it" as a voice actor, which sites to avoid, which classes to take, what equipment to buy, and much more. In my "back in time" segment, we delve into Casandra's love for late 90s Nickelodeon. And as always, great advice if you wish to get started as a voice actor. You can follow her on Instagram at @casandra_groves_vo

In another Inside Animation first, I talk with Howard Benjamin, Interviewer for the ABC Radio network and The Interview Factory LLC. We dive indepth into how interviews happen and why it's best for the interviewer to bring their own equipment (we actually used Howard's equipment to record this episode!). In my "back in time" segment, Howard talks about how his wife founded a company that allows radio stations to order a celebrity interview like a pepperoni pizza! And I bring back my "how we know each other" segment, where you'll find out how Howard had a role in the creation of this very podcast! Plus as with all my guests, great advice. This time for those who want to do interviews.

Check out Howard's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@theinterviewfactoryllc433

I talk with fan of the show and Stop Motion producer Harrison Killian, who is currently working on a 5 minute preview of a stop motion feature film called Rider on the Storm, in which the stop motion is augmented by CGI. We get into the nitty gritty of everything that goes into making a stop motion animated film and how he's doing it pretty much all himself. I my "back in time" segment, we talk about how Harrison started learning photography and design and how that led to stop motion. We also dish about our favorite stop motion films and how The Incredible Mr Fox is way out of left field for a Wes Anderson film, yet somehow they pulled it off to fit perfectly into the Wes Anderson collection. Plus great advice for those looking to get into stop motion films.

Check out Harrison's Kickstarter (only a few days left) at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rideronthestormfilm

or follow him on Instagram @rideronthestorm_film

Adam talks with Composer Mark Evitts about his process for composing an animated series, how he went from "On the Road" to "Frog and Toad", and just how much of a Simpsons fan he really is. Plus, great advice for musicians that want to get into composing. You can watch Frog and Toad on Apple TV+ or follow Mark at @markevitts on social media.

I talk with Lance Falk, an Animation Artist who specializes in prop design and has worked on such shows as Johnny Quest, Animaniacs, Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, and more. We talk about how props are different from character design and background design. In my "going back in time" segment we talk about Lance's influences growing up from Looney Tunes to the original Johnny Quest and why everything is someone's favorite thing. Plus great advice for animators on how to break into the biz (there's good news, I promise).

I talk with Artist in Animation Shana Dixon, who is currently working on Minnie's Bow Toons (available on Disney+ and Disney Junior's YouTube Channel). We talk about the importance of color in animation and especially for kids shows how color, like many other aspects of animation, can tell a story. Also, we talk about how long it takes to work on a 3 minute animated episode and how Disney doesn't do all of their animating in the house of Mouse. Plus, great advice as always and a trip back to when HBO had a free kids channel that I never knew about! Thanks to our sponsors, Bob's Tire Town and McCurdy's Kitchen.

Adam chats with Lance Daniel, creator of the animated series "Carbuncle" about a wise cracking (but caring) attorney who guides oddball clients through crazy cases inspired by current headlines. You'll find out exactly what a Logline is, how "Carbuncle" was begun and continues through spite, and how to keep going when people tell you no as well as how much needs to be done before the show is even pitched. Inside Animation is brought to you by Bob's Tire Town and McCurdy's Kitchen.

I talk with Digital Cinematographer Gary H Lee, who has worked on Over the Hedge, The Life of Pi, Star Wars Episode 3, and many other films, all about Pre-Vis. You'll find out what pre-vis is and what it does for both live action and animated films. Plus, we talk about the difference between cinematography and digital cinematography and how they aren't that different. You'll also hear the incredible story of how Gary started his love for animation through Manga comics and was one of the first to play around with 3D animation thanks to a job his mother had. And if you're an animation student, Gary has great advice for you!

Follow Gary on Instagram @gary.h.lee or visit his website at garyhlee.com and don't forget to check out The Magician's Elephant, now on Netflix!

Plus if you don't follow us yet, go to @insideanimationpod on Instagram!

I chat with Anik Rosenblum, the director and founder of Dancing Line Productions, an animation studio that focuses on short form animation with an emphasis on commercials. We talk about the process of creating an animated commercial, how there's actually more room for creativity in commercials than you think, and how there's a surprising amount of VO in short form animation, at least, surprising to me. Plus, we get into Anik's journey to becoming an animator from growing up in Lithuania to being one of the first to study 3D Animation, to coming to Canada for formal education and his influences from independent shorts to Ren and Stimpy. And you know there's going to be awesome advice if you want to set out on your own. 

Check out more about Anik's company at www.dancinglineproductions.com