LCJ Q&A Podcast

Andy Gent - Head of Puppet Dept. "Isle of Dogs"

 

Puppet fabricator/modeler extraordinaire Andy Gent works regularly with two of today's great stop-motion animators  - Tim Burton and Wes Anderson. Most recently, Gent was head of the puppet department for Anderson's "Isle of Dogs", which will be in the running for plenty of blue ribbons throughout the upcoming awards season. And some of the actual sets and puppets from the film will be on display for the public next month in New York City.

Vic Cook - Creator "Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters"

Stretch Armstrong was one of the most popular toys of the late 20th century. But unlike most action figures, Stretch didn't have a backstory, or really any story at all. However, that's changed now thanks to a collaboration between toymaker Hasbro and talented team behind "Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters". The animated series just launched Season 2 episodes on Netflix. Veteran animator Victor Cook and two colleagues created the show. He's also the series' supervising director.

Kevin Adams & Joe Ksander - Directors "Next Gen"

"Next Gen" is an unconventional animated movie in content, execution and delivery. This sci-fi cautionary tale, about a lonely girl and her relationship with a thoughtful combat robot, takes its look from some of the great visual films of our time. The story balances action, drama, comedy and suspense with both adult and adolescent themes. Directors Kevin Adams and Joe Ksander were in charge of putting it all together.

Eric Bauza - Voice of 'Splinter': "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"

 

Eric Bauza is one of the busiest voice actors in the business. His recents gigs include Woody Woodpecker in 2017 film, Puss in Boots on the Netflix show, Fozzie Bear on the new "Muppet Babies" and Bugs, Tweety and Daffy in the upcoming Looney Tunes Cartoons. A lifelong fan of the TMNT franchise, Bauza is thrilled and honored to be voicing Splinter on Nickelodeon's new reboot series - "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

Matt Beans - EP "Trolls: The Beat Goes On!"

For fans who can't get enough of DreamWorks' "Trolls" - good news! Not only is production of the sequel to the 2016 hit movie in full swing, but a new season of the spin-off TV series "Trolls: The Beat Goes On!" debuts this week (8/24) on Netflix. And with series veteran Matt Beans back as Executive Producer for Season 3, it's clear that "Trolls" feeling can't be stopped. 

Josh Weinstein - 'Disenchantment' Showrunner

"Disenchantment", which debuts Aug. 17 on Netflix, is "The Simpsons" creator Matt Groening's new animated series. The show centers around the adventures of an elf, a princess and a demon - and is set in and around the fantastical Medieval village of Dreamland. Josh Weinstein, a longtime Groening collaborator, is "Disenchantment"'s showrunner.

Phil Matarese and Mark Luciano - 'Animals' Creators

There are conventional ways to get into the world of animated TV - and then there's how Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano have done it. The two friends started in the advertising business, created a side hustle with a cartoon short, became film festival darlings and then caught the eye of Hollywood.

 

The third season of "Animals", their hit HBO series, debuts Friday August 3rd at 11:30pm ET.

Peter Hastings - Executive Producer: 'The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants'

Peter Hastings is the 6-time Emmy-winning animation writer and producer of 'Pinky and the Brain', 'Animaniacs' and the 'Kung Fu Panda' series. Now, he soars to new heights as the executive producer of DreamWorks' 'The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants', premiering this Friday, July 13th on Netflix.