Advertise on podcast: FSTVS - The Executive Sessions

"You've got to be a bit obsessed with it." This episode's guest is a dynast of the animation world; a man who started out at age 4 as the voice of Tiny Tim in an animated Christmas Carol but then threw it all away and ran off to Oxford University to become a lawyer! But the spell had been cast and in 1987 he found himself back in the industry and working on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. He then went on, ironically given his career path, to work at Disney/MGM in Florida to work on ‘Roller Coaster Rabbit. But then the dark side took him again and back to law and the House of Commons he went, only to return triumphantly once more to Warner Brothers Animation and this time he stayed, going on to work at many of the big studios and some huge films such as The Lion King, The Iron Giant, the last three Harry Potter films, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Since then he has split his time between education at Escape Studios and continuing to work on animated projects. Julians guest today is Alex Williams.

“The death of Optimus Prime had a big impact” This week's guest is Alexi Wheeler. Maybe best known for his time as VP Production Development at Nickelodeon where he launched International Shorts Program which was, as Alexi states, “a strong avenue for incredible work and lasting relationships,” pairing, as it did, emerging creators with studios ready to bring fresh ideas to life, or perhaps his role as as Head of Animated Series for Netflix EMEA during its explosive expansion into kids’ animation - what he describes as “the rocket ship trajectory”, where creativity could come from anywhere. His team commissioned a lot in a short period, helping define Netflix’s global kids and family slate at the time. Now running his own production development studio, Wheel In Motion in collaboration with SuperProd, Alexi is once again getting hands on with the creative process. We hope you enjoy this fun and funny episode and encourage you to share the podcast with your friends, family, colleagues and pets. As always, our eternal gratitude to Janet Balmforth at Liberi Consulting and host extraordinaire, Julian Scott.

"A special BAFTA Award for a 25 year legacy in children's media and the social and cultural impact." Ladies and gentlemen, as a special early Christmas present for you all, I give you Tom Box, Adam Shaw, and Oli Hyatt MBE, of Blue Zoo Animation Studio. While I am sure Tom, Adam, and Oli would be the first to acknowledge that everyone who has passed through the doors of Blue Zoo over the first 25 years has played a part in where they are now, we only had room for the 3 of them, so everyone else will have to wait. This is a hugely entertaining discourse about the journey of the studio and the chaps themselves, from their earliest days at Bournemouth University and bringing the company into existence, very much like a student band being formed, through the sometimes tough learning experiences along the way, to yesterday's wonderful recognition by BAFTA of all that they have achieved as a studio and as individuals. You don't need any more set up from me, just grab a glass of something Christmassy, sit back, and enjoy this extra special episode with some exceptional humans. As always, we cannot make this podcast without Janet Balmforth at Liberi Consulting and the hosting duties of the erudite and well classy, Julian Scott. Thank you both.

“Sometimes the detours are where you learn the most and that are the most exciting parts of your life.” A truer word was rarely spoken, especially when it comes to career journey's in the media industry. And the journey of today's guest, Denitsa Yordanova, is nothing if not filled with exiting detours. From studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematical Economics and International Relations at Colgate University and then an MBA from Stanford Business School in the US, you might be fooled into thinking Denitsa was life in pure finance but after internships at Merril Lynch, Bloomberg, and then Cinepolis in Mexico, an opportunity at Guardian Media Group in London arose and Denitsa moved continents and industries! After a stint at Endemol Shine, where she bridged the gap between commercial and creative, and another Master's Degree, this time in Media, Programming and Curating Film, Denitsa found a home at the British Film Institute as UK Global Screen Fund and International Funds. Quite the journey and, as you will hear, quite the woman! With my thanks as always to Denitsa for her time, Julian Scott for hosting and Janet Balmforth for making the whole thing possible and kicking me when I need it. And to you, for tuning in. Please remember to subscribe for all new episodes as they drop and recommend to friends. If you'd like details of how you can sponsor the podcast, drop me a line at [email protected]

"That truth shines through. That honesty shines through. And that's what animation is." In a special 'timely' edition this week Julian speaks to Dr Steve Henderson, CEO, Director and Co-Founder of The Manchester Animation Festival. We've dragged Steve away from his computer at the most crucial time of year for him, just a few days out from the start of this year's festival. And boy is it worth it! Not only do we get the origin story of MAF itself but also Doctor Steve, the man. And then as a bonus we also get the origin story of Skwigly Magazine! What an episode. Steve talks about trying to get the work life balance right and how his family and personal life are so intrinsically linked, it's hard to see the difference at times. Julian asks about Steve's thoughts on AI (trigger warning, he doesn't hold back) and how he and his wife and co-Director of the festival, Jen Hall, make decisions on curating the films that are shown and the panels that are staged. Fascinating stuff from a fascinating man. For more info and tickets (still available!) on MAF, which starts on Sunday 9th November, go to manchesteranimationfestival.co.uk For more on Skwigly Animation Magazine, so to skwigly.co.uk And for details of NORTHWESTIVUS on the evening of Wednesday 12th November alongside MAF, go to fstvs.net/events/northwestivus-2/ With eternal gratitude, as always, to Janet Balmforth at libericonsulting.com/ and Julian Scott for wonderful hosting duties linkedin.com/in/julian-scott-b363405/

"Let animation excellence begin!" Today's guest is the wonderfully warm and generous, Luke Jurevicius, owner and CEO of Vishus Productions in South Australia and Pune, India. Luke is a multi-award winning creative garnering accolades for Figaro Pho, The New Adventures of Figaro Pho, Peleda and Junction to name a few. In this fascinating chat Julian discovers the inspiration behind some of Luke's best know work, the passions that drive him, why he likes to doodle on dinner guests and why playing the bass guitar and fly fishing are so important to him, though not at the same time. Grab a brew, plug in and be prepared to be taken on a wonderful journey to the land of Aus. With thanks to Julian Scott at Film London for hosting so wonderfully and Janet Balmforth for organising so brilliantly. It doesn't happen without you. And feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] with guest suggestions or to find out more about our sponsorship packages. See you at the next FESTIVUS event!

"Sometimes you just have to get out of your own way!" Today's guest is the delightful Karen Miller. Karen is currently the President at The Hidden Pigeon Company - a great name and you can find out the reason behind it later in the podcast - but her whole CV reads like a who's who of A-list broadcasters and studios - Disney, Cyber Group, Warner Brothers, NBC Universal... I could go on. Karen has also traversed the worlds of publishing, consumer products, production, commissioning and acquisitions, channel management, merchandising, licensing, hang gliding, Michelin starred cooking, brain surgery... OK, maybe not the last few. A fascinating chat with a fascinating woman about a fascinating career. Fascinating. Enjoy, subscribe, share, like, eat, sleep. If you'd like to sponsor the podcast then drop me a line at [email protected]

"From the mailroom to the boardroom!" This week's guest is Bob Higgins. Currently the President of Trustbridge Entertainment and for bringing the likes of Maisy back to our screens, Bob's career has encompassed roles at WildBrain, Fremantle Media, Cartoon Network and Boat Rocker Media to name just a few. He's worked on such well loved shows as Katie & Mim-Mim, Dino Ranch, Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, Ben 10, Camp Lazlo and many, many more. He's even had a brush with a certain Ricky Gervais! This is a lovely dive into Bob's career and there's a lot to learn from Bob's approach - particularly when it comes to utilising one's mother to best effect! Enjoy. With thanks to Janet Balmforth at Liberi Consulting and Julian Scott at Film London.

"People can shine wherever they are." And none shine more brightly than our guest in this episode, Sueann Rochester, CEO and co-founder of Wild Child Animation in Sterling, Scotland. Not only is Sueann an exceptional producer, working on BAFTA and EMMY nominated shows like "Dennis & Gnasher", and BAFTA award WINNING "The Brilliant World of Tom Gates", she is also a powerful voice for Women in Animation, Scottish Animation and, as you will hear in this chat, a keen proponent and advocate of yoga - her Cannes yoga sessions are something of an institution (I really should make it along one day). As you will hear in Julian's conversation with Sueann, she is as passionate about the people and crew she works with as she is the projects themselves and the industry in general. It's likely one of the reasons Wild Child Animation is a thriving studio and such a wonderful place to work. I hope you enjoy listening to Sueann and Julian, and please do share these podcasts with friends and colleagues and subscribe for future episodes.

"Don't hesitate to enter the thing you're drawn to." As you will hear in this latest episode, those are words that Mary Coleman has certainly lived by and benefited from. Early beginnings in theatre led Mary to spend 8 years at The Magic Theatre in San Francisco before joining PIXAR Animation in 1999 as a Creative Executive. Almost 23 years later and having worked on almost too many PIXAR movies to name - Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles 1 & 2, WALL-E, Toy Story (2-4), Brave, Inside Out, Finding Dory, Coco, Onward, Soul, Luca, Turning Red - Mary joined Locksmith Animation as their Chief Creative Officer. Enjoy Mary's insights into how her skills learned in theatre were transferable to the world of animated features and how she gets the best out of creative teams. Also, do you know what a dramaturg is? Do you want to? Listen in and find out. As ever, please subscribe, like, and share the podcast with friends and colleagues and feel free to brows the library of previous guests, including another PIXAR legend, Kelsey Mann.

"I'll get excited... when the money's in the bank account." Wise words, from a wise dad. But did today's guest take heed? Find out when Andrew Kavanagh, owner of Kavaleer Productions joins Julian for a very rambling and wonderful chat about everything from using art as a defence in school, to drawing caricatures on an almost daily basis, to Irish animation's origins, to karaoke (recurring theme?), to starting his studio with Gary Timpson, to his ADHD diagnosis, to creating beloved shows like Kiva Can Do!, Alva's World and Wildernuts. Like I said, it's a wild and rambling chat that delights at every turn, so sit back and relax as Julian chats with Andrew Kavanagh. As always, a huge thanks not only to Andrew but also to Julian Scott for hosting (filmlondon.org/animation), Janet Balmforth at Liberi Consulting for her amazing planning and organising skills (libericonsulting.com) and to Odilia Sickinghe for her editorial skills on this episode (linkedin.com/in/odiliasickinghe/) This podcast wouldn't be possible without their help or without you listening. Thank you! See you at the next festivus event (fstvs.net/events)

"Don't work with people you wouldn't have dinner with." I genuinely don't know where to start with introducing this episode's guest - Eryk Casemiro. Eryk's resumé reads like a Hollywood script... a young hopeful kid packs up his stuff and heads to LA in search of his dream, and finds himself serving soda's to Hollywood's stars when a chance encounter on a gameshow is the unexpected break he needs, and boy does he grab it with both hands and run! After that it's just a litany of A-list names and shows - Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live, the Waynes World movie, Rugrats, Cartoon Network, Coolabi, YouTube, Zodiak Kids and Nickelodeon, where Eryk was EVP Global Series Content. This episode is already a firm favourite of mine, as I am sure it will be for you too. Prepare to be beguiled by Eryk's warmth, passion, and compassion. Please enjoy. ROLL CREDITS!

"ALL OR NOTHING!" Now a multi-award winning VFX Supervisor at Industrial Light and Magic in London, having worked on projects like Lost Ollie for Netflix, Black Mirror, The Mandalorian, Mission Impossible 2 and Ultraman: Rising, to name but a few, Hayden Jone's film career didn't start in a conventional place - a degree in Automotive and Industrial Design at Coventry University. So, what path did Hayden's career take to get him to the lauded place in which he currently resides. And did he have fun along the way? Join Julian Scott who had this enlightening and hugely enjoyable chat with him.

"Any day you can make a kid laugh, that's a pretty good day." And if anyone knows that it's Terry Kalagian! Terry's resumé reads like a who's who of big names - Cartoon Network, Mattel, Atomic Cartoons, Rainmaker, Marvel and now Gaumont, where Terry is President of Global Animation for Kids and Family. Terry takes Julian on a journey through her early days in research and how that helped shape and influence the executive she would become as she moved across into content acquisitions and co-productions. Terry's advice and 'rules' are extremely salient, just don't ask her to order your dinner in French! Enjoy your time with Julian and Terry Kalagian.

"Slow down and take people on the journey with you." Great advice for everyone at various times in our lives and careers. Even more poignant when it's quoted by Crosby Clyse, MD of DNeg in London, and you've listened to his journey. A journey that takes him from playing piano in the hills of Appalachia to Pixar in California and thence to London and DNeg! Quite the journey. Crosby is eloquent, inspiring, and very candid as he talks to Julian. It's a lovely listen, so take Crosby's own advice and "slow down" for an hour and wonder where your own journey might take you.