LCJ Q&A Podcast

Guest: 'The Sheep Detectives' Director Kyle Balda

Kyle Balda has had a great career in VFX and animation, including directing and co-directing four Illumination features — "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax", "Minions" (for which he was BAFTA nominated), "Despicable Me 3" and "Minions: The Rise of Gru". Now he's the director of the live-action / animated murder mystery family dramedy "The Sheep Detectives", in theaters nationwide this Friday May 8th.

Guest: 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' Director Olivia Newman

Director Olivia Newman ("Where the Crawdads Sing") shares insights on making her latest film, "Remarkably Bright Creatures" (premiering May 8th on Netflix), including bringing to life the central CG character of Marcellus the Octopus.

Guest: 'Swapped' Director Nathan Greno

Nathan Greno ("Tangled") is the director of the new Skydance Animation feature "Swapped", premiering this Friday May 1st on Netflix. Greno discusses the personal aspects of the story, the importance of the film's nature themes, and working with Oscar-winning star Michael B. Jordan.

Guest: 'Animal Farm' Director Andy Serkis

 He's played some of the most iconic characters in cinema — Gollum, Caesar and King Kong. Now he's the director of the animated feature adaptation of George Orwell's iconic "Animal Farm", in theaters May 1st. Emmy and BAFTA winner Andy Serkis joins me on this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.

Guests: 'My Brother the Minotaur' creator Donal Morgan, EP Fionnuala Deane and producers John McDaid & Nora Twomey

"My Brother the Minotaur" is a new animated series premiering this Friday April 24th on AppleTV. Lorcan is a boy... who also happens to be a minotaur. His younger brother Charlie and their friends join him to learn more about his true self. Joining me are the creative team of Donal Morgan, Dog Ears' Fionnuala Deane & John McDaid, and Cartoon Saloon co-founder and Oscar nominee Nora Twomey.

Guest: 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' Showrunner & EP Eric Robles

Emmy-winner Eric Robles, of Nickelodeon's Fanboy & Chum Chum, is the executive producer and showrunner of Netflix's new animated series spinoff of one of the streamer's most beloved programs. Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is set in between seasons two and three — during the winter of that year — with the kids from Hawkins, Indiana on some of their most thrilling and emotional adventures ever. It premieres Thursday April 23rd, with the first two episodes screening in select cinemas Saturday April 18th.

Guests: 'Ted' stars Giorgia Whigham, Max Burkholder, Scott Grimes and Alanna Ubach

Seth MacFarlane's "Ted" event series returns for Season 2 this Thursday March 5th on Peacock. The actors who play four Bennett family members join me to talk about the hilarious '90s-set hijinks, the impact of voice acting, and even some hopes for this year's Oscars. It's the delightful Giorgia Whigham (Blaire), Max Burkholder (John), Scott Grimes (Matty) and Alanna Ubach (Susan).

Guests: 'The Pout-Pout Fish' Director Ricard Cussó and Writer Elise Allen

The Pout-Pout Fish is a new animated feature in theaters nationwide on March 20th. Director Ricard Cussó and writer Elise Allen share insights on adapting Deborah Diesen's books, working with star Nick Offerman, creating the undersea environment and more.