Writers Get Animated
200 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsGet drawn into your favorite animated movies and shows! Whether it's following an alcoholic horse actor, a family of adventuring ducks, a wise-cracking rabbit, or some wacky kids down the street, we've got you covered.
Animators move audiences to laughter and tears conjuring worlds from blank paper and ones and zeros inside a computer. Every two weeks, we English-major-the-crap-out-of the latest animated movies and shows to uncover how the magic works.
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Episodes
The Final Episode! Animation that Inspires Us to Create
October 22, 2021 11:14 - 1 hour - 118 MBEpisode 200! In our final episode we discuss what we've learned from watching all these cartoons and what makes art "inspiring." How does art make us feel the need to create? How have the animated shows and movies we've experienced over the past six years (and beyond) helped our art? Thank you so much for being with us on this journey!
The Best New Animated Shows of 2021!
October 08, 2021 12:38 - 1 hour - 141 MBEvery year, we binge all of the new shows of the year to bring you some recommendations in the hopes that you will find some new favorites! The list keeps getting longer and longer as more and more animated shows hit the airwaves. What a wonderful time to be a fan of animation! Chris and Mackenzie’s Recommendations Young Ages: City of Ghosts (Netflix) Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix) Ridley Jones (Netflix) Spidey and His Amazing Friends (Disney) Alma’s Way (PBS Kids) Oggy Oggy (Netflix)...
Character Study: Chip ‘n‘ Dale
September 24, 2021 10:39 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBThose rambunctious chipmunks Chip and Dale are back in a new show, so we're seeing how they have evolved over the years! What makes duos so satisfying? Why are Chip and Dale always fighting? Are we Chip or Dale? Links Watch Food for Feudin' on Disney Plus Watch Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers on Disney Plus Watch Chip 'n' Dale: Park Life on Disney Plus Remembering ‘Rescue Rangers’ Frank Angones on Twitter Explains the Rescue Rangers' Cameo on DuckTales (2017) Here's How Disney's 'DuckTa...
The Emmy Episode (2021)!
September 10, 2021 11:14 - 1 hour - 96.7 MBIt's the Emmy's again, and we're watching (streaming) all the nominees to see what stories are being told! Spoilers, there's a lot of coronavirus in these shows. From South Park to Simpsons to Robot Chicken to Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal, this year has some striking entries! Links Watch South Park on HBO Max Watch Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal on HBO Max Watch Bob's Burgers on Fox Watch Big Mouth on Netflix Watch The Simpsons on Fox Watch Love, Death & Robots on Netflix Watch Once Upon...
Vivo!
August 27, 2021 11:26 - 53 minutes - 74.5 MBFirst there was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, then The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, now Sony brings Vivo! What can we learn from this musical, buddy comedy, finding a new family adventure movie? How do the music and visuals interact to create something meaningful? Links Watch Vivo on Netflix Lin-Manuel Miranda's Music from Vivo Deep Dive on Twitter
He-Man v. He-Man
August 13, 2021 11:12 - 49 minutes - 68.6 MBWe have the power (to discuss the character development and world-building He-Man)! In this week's episode, we look at where He-Man and the Masters of the Universe started and then look at what has changed in Masters of the Universe: Revelation! How do you reboot a show without rebooting a show? How can you give depth to a world that was built to sell toys? Previously on Writers Get Animated 004 - A Very Special Christmas Special Christmas Special Links Watch The Cosmic Comet on YouTube ...
Space Jam: A New Legacy
July 30, 2021 11:41 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBChris and Mackenzie jump into Space Jam: A New Legacy to see how the game is different this time! How do you get a famous NBA player and the Looney Tunes characters to the basketball game and make the game matter? How is the story constructed? What did we learn from this Looney sequel? Links Watch Space Jam: A New Legacy Behind the Scenes of Space Jam: A New Legacy Why Hollywood Can’t Stop Transforming Workaholic Dads Into Cats, Dogs, and Snowmen
We the People
July 16, 2021 11:31 - 1 hour - 117 MBAll rise for a rocking, moving civics lesson from Chris Nee, Barack and Michelle Obama, and a whole host of artists and musicians: “We the People” on Netflix! How do narrative and image and music collide to teach lessons? What are the different ways to inspire an audience toward action? Links Watch “We the People” on Netflix 'We The People' Creator On Making A Kids' Show About American Democracy ‘We the People’ Updates the Sound of Schoolhouse Rock With Rap and R&B She Never Saw Herself...
Pixar's Luca
July 02, 2021 11:52 - 1 hour - 93.7 MBTravel with us to Italy for Pixar's latest story: Luca! How does the story of Luca fit with our expectations for Pixar movies? How is Luca different? How can a story's intentions change through the collaboration process? Links Watch Luca on Disney Plus Luca: How Studio Ghibli Inspired the Pixar Movie How Pixar created Luca’s adorable, transforming sea monsters
City of Ghosts
June 18, 2021 11:53 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBWe're investigating the gorgeously crafted show "City of Ghosts" on Netflix! How do the stories of real neighborhoods and real people get enhanced with art and story? How can a show about ghosts be so inviting and earnest in its approach? How can you make a show that is for everyone? Links Watch City of Ghosts on Netflix! Watch the short Welcome to My Life Read on Wired: Netflix’s City of Ghosts Maps a Better Way to See LA—and Everywhere Else Interview from NPR: City of Ghosts creator E...
Infinity Train: What Makes Anthology Shows Work
June 04, 2021 12:45 - 51 minutes - 70.8 MBWe're jumping on the Infinity Train to figure out what makes an anthology show so compelling? How do mysteries deepen and shift? How do you hold onto an audience when main characters shift? What connects these stories together? Also, how can we get more Infinity Train?! Links Watch Infinity Train on HBO Max Infinity Train's Owen Dennis Talks About the End of the Cartoon
A Good Batch of The Bad Batch
May 21, 2021 12:04 - 57 minutes - 80.2 MBA new animated Star Wars show is on our televisions, and we're here to enjoy it alongside all of you! How does this story fit into the larger Star Wars universe? Where do we think and hope the story will go? What are the familiar Star Wars elements that are already present in this new show? Links Watch The Bad Batch on Disney Plus Brad Rau's Road to Star Wars Interview with Producers Brad Rau and Jennifer Corbett
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
May 07, 2021 12:02 - 1 hour - 97.6 MBHow can the robot apocalypse bring family together? We find out in this episode as we upload ourselves into The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix! How does this movie both defy and meet our expectations? Links Watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix The Mitchells vs. The Machines: How Michael Rianda Made a 'Dirtbag Miyazaki' Movie The Mitchells vs. The Machines Director Mike Rianda Wants to Make You Laugh (and Call Your Mom) The Mitchells vs the Machines Team Explain How The...
187 - The 2021 Oscar-Nominated Shorts!
April 23, 2021 10:05 - 1 hour - 89.1 MBThe Oscars are here again, and we're taking a trip through the varied ways these filmmakers have told their stories in this year's nominees for Best Animated Short Films! From the story of a bunny creating her home to a young woman dealing with the chaos of the world, we look at how animation can make meaningful and thought-provoking art time and time again. Links Watch the Oscar-Nominated Short Films
186 - Farewell, DuckTales
April 09, 2021 10:01 - 1 hour - 84 MBWe’re saying goodbye to one of our favorite shows: DuckTales! The series finale certainly solved some mysteries and rewrote some history! How does the series finale complete the story that was being told? What themes and tools told the story? Previously on Writers Get Animated 176 - Healthy Rejections: DuckTales and Steven Universe 164 - Quack Pack v. Quack Pack 141 - The Breakdown: Nothing Can Stop Della Duck! 121 - The Lost Loves of Scrooge McDuck and BoJack Horseman 090 - DuckTales...
185 - Tom & Jerry & Modern Audiences
March 26, 2021 10:47 - 46 minutes - 64.3 MBTom and Jerry are back in new animated shorts and a new animated/live action hybrid movie! What endures about these two characters? How do animated/live action hybrid movies work story-wise? What can we learn from a decades-long rivalry between a cat and a mouse? Previously on Writers Get Animated 085 - Pure "Imagination" - Tom & Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Links Watch Tom & Jerry Special Shorts on HBO Max Watch Tom & Jerry on HBO Max
184 - Raya and the Last Dragon
March 12, 2021 10:56 - 1 hour - 88 MBA new era of Disney animated films is here with "Raya and the Last Dragon!" How does "Raya" represent a change in storytelling for Disney? What makes this story so unique? How does watching at home change the experience of a new Disney film? Links Watch Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney Plus Interview: ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ Producer and Screenwriter on Creating a New Kind of Disney Hero
183 - The Breakdown: Hilda - The Fifty Year Night
February 26, 2021 10:04 - 53 minutes - 73.9 MBWe’re back with another breakdown! In the breakdown, we go beat by beat to see how a show works! This time, we’re looking at one of our favorites: Hilda! How does time travel work in the world of Hilda? How to do you establish theme and danger? Links Watch Hilda on Netflix Previously on Writers Get Animated 131 - Hilda and Adaptation
182 - Kid Cosmic
February 12, 2021 10:18 - 49 minutes - 68.6 MBThis week, we’re heading to the desert to have a date with destiny! And the rings of power! And Kid Cosmic, the latest hero from Craig McCracken! How do the expectations of a specific creator, a specific streaming service, and of the super hero genre collide and affect a show for families? Links Watch Kid Cosmic on Netflix Craig McCracken Talks About Creating Netflix Series “Kid Cosmic”
181 - Revisiting Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles
January 29, 2021 10:17 - 1 hour - 96.4 MBIn a year of catching up on streaming, we look back on one of Mackenzie’s favorite shows: Gargoyles! Looking at the fabled third season, we investigate how this animated show from the 90’s is prescient about our current era. What would make someone join The Quarrymen? What does justice look like? Previously on Writers Get Animated 040 - Thine Doodles Moveable: Shakespeare in Gargoyles and The Simpsons Links SyFy Wire: An Oral History of Gargoyles Polygon: Gargoyles was nearly the cente...
180 - Pixar's Soul
January 15, 2021 10:45 - 1 hour - 101 MBIt's a new year and a new season! We're unpacking the themes and ideas in Pixar's latest film, Soul! What makes life so special? What is the "spark?" How does Pixar (and Pete Docter) continue create rich, tangible worlds based on ideas? Links Watch Pixar's Soul on Disney+ It’s Like a Magic Trick: Pete Docter and Dana Murray on Pixar's Soul Pete Docter, Kemp Powers & Dana Murray Interview: Soul
179 - A Very Special LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special Holiday Special
December 18, 2020 09:27 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MBThere's a new Star Wars Holiday Special, and it's LEGO! Does the new LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special pass as authentic Star Wars and as a true holiday specials? What Star Wars expectations do we have? What holiday special tropes pay off in this adventure? Previously on Writers Get Animated 152 - Klaus: A Very Early, Very Special Christmas Special Christmas Special 128 - A Very Special Hanukkah Special 102 - A Very Special Christmas Special Christmas Special III: Revenge of Claus 052 - Ho...
178 - It's Time for Animaniacs (Again)!
December 04, 2020 10:11 - 52 minutes - 73.4 MBThe Warner Brothers and the Warner Sister are back! Is this a reboot, a sequel, or a continuation? We investigate audience expectations, including our own, to see how much difference 22 years can make when a show returns! Previously on Writers Get Animated 045 - Bologna in Our Slacks: Animaniacs! Links Watch Animaniacs on Hulu
177 - ParaNorman
November 20, 2020 09:32 - 52 minutes - 72.3 MBWho knew that one of the best movies to compliment 2020 would be a Laika film from 2012? This week we discuss the strangely timely message of ParaNorman! How can the passage time help a story's message? Links Watch ParaNorman on Netflix Chris Butler and Sam Fell interview: on writing and directing ParaNorman
176 - Healthy Rejections: DuckTales and Steven Universe
November 06, 2020 09:07 - 50 minutes - 70.6 MBHave you ever experienced a crushing rejection? It's rough. But, as we learn from "DuckTales" and "Steven Universe," there are healthy ways to deal with rejection. We unpack representations of relationships, love interests, and rejections. Chris even expresses his hatred of the term "friend zone."
175 - The Best New Animated Shows of 2020!
October 23, 2020 11:14 - 1 hour - 101 MBOnce a year, we binge for you! It's the best new animated shows of 2020! 2020 has given us so many new shows, we can barely keep up! We cover new shows for young audiences, shows for the whole family, and shows for "adults." Will you find a new favorite? Previously on Writers Get Animated 169 - Happy Birthday, Bugs Bunny! 168 - Current Trends in Adult Animation 163 - Never Fear, The Rocketeer’s Here! 162 - Magical Adventures in The Owl House, Hoot! 159 - Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeast...
174 - Mulan v. Mulan
October 09, 2020 09:58 - 1 hour - 91.8 MBWe’re breaking tradition and are discussing a Disney live action remake that is actually live action: Mulan! How does this version of Mulan compare to the original animated film? What is improved? Who is the audience for this new version? Previously on Writers Get Animated 027 - Is The Jungle Book (2016) an Animated Movie? 144 - Circle of Remakes: The Lion King (2019)
173 - The Emmy Episode (2020)
September 25, 2020 10:27 - 1 hour - 101 MBIt's the Emmys! We look at what we can learn from each of this year's nominees. It's an eclectic bunch! Big Mouth, Bob’s Burgers, BoJack Horseman, Rick And Morty, The Simpsons, Forky Asks A Question, Robot Chicken, and Steven Universe Future! Previously on Writers Get Animated 148 - 2019 Best Short Form Animated Program Emmy Nominees! 147 - 2019 Best Animated Program Emmy Nominees
172 - The Breakdown: Into the Spider-Verse - The Liv Scene
September 11, 2020 10:44 - 1 hour - 83.9 MBToday we’re breaking down one of the best scenes in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: the reveal of Olivia... You know... How does this great film set, reset, and subvert our expectations? How do you switch tone as necessary? How do character details and specificity influence a scene? Previously on Writers Get Animated 129 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Links ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’: Making Doc Ock Olivia the Subversive Secret Weapon
171 - How Things End
August 28, 2020 10:06 - 1 hour - 92.3 MBIn this episode, we look at what makes a satisfying ending! By looking at three different series finales (Wizards, Doc McStuffins, and Steven Universe:Future), we try to see how endings function and how you can stick the landing of your story. Previously on Writers Get Animated 165 - Ended, The Clone Wars Have 161- Nice While It Lasted: The End of BoJack Horseman 157 - The Return of the Writers from Harvey Girls Forever! 137 - Star Vs. The Forces of Evil: The Beginning of the End Links...
170 - Plagues in Animation: We Bare Bares The Movie and The Prince of Egypt
August 14, 2020 09:23 - 59 minutes - 82.8 MBWith summer movies being postponed or canceled because of the "plague" of COVID-19, we decided to look at plagues as portrayed in animation! We look at the biblical plagues depicted in Dreamworks' "The Prince of Egypt" and a more metaphorical plague in this year's "We Bare Bears: The Movie." Links Watch The Prince of Egypt on Hulu Watch We Bare Bears: The Movie
169 - Happy Birthday, Bugs Bunny!
July 31, 2020 10:21 - 53 minutes - 73.5 MBWhat's up, Doc? We're celebrating the 80th birthday of everyone's favorite wise-cracking rabbit: Bugs Bunny! When taking a look at Bugs' first appearance in "A Wild Hare," we'll see what carries over to the brand new series "Looney Tunes Cartoons?" What are the core traits of Bugs Bunny? What has changed in Bugs since 1940? Links Watch Looney Tunes Cartoons on HBO Max Previously on Writers Get Animated 080 - The Breakdown: Duck Amuck 015 - The Breakdown: What's Opera, Doc?
168 - Current Trends in Adult Animation
July 17, 2020 10:42 - 1 hour - 84.7 MBIn this episode, we break down what's been going on with animation specifically made for adults. After a brief overview, we take a look at "The Midnight Gospel" and "Lastman," two shows that look and feel like nothing else out there. How has the field of adult animation changed? What are the trends? What are the projects that set themselves apart from the pack? Previously on Writers Get Animated 161 - Nice While It Lasted: The End of BoJack Horseman 156 - Harley Quinn 151 - Genndy Tarta...
167 - Scoob!
June 19, 2020 10:40 - 41 minutes - 57 MBScooby, Shaggy, and the gang are back in action and, this time, they're bringing some friends! The Scooby Doo-niverse is becoming the Hanna-Barbera-verse! What happens when you expand the world of Scooby Doo to include Blue Falcon and Dick Dastardly? Is anything lost? How big can this universe get? Previously on Writers Get Animated 009 - A Tale of Two Scoobies
166 - The Willoughbys
June 05, 2020 12:06 - 56 minutes - 78 MBWhat makes a family a family? And what makes a family film a family film? We get into The Willoughbys - the newest animated film from Netflix! Links ‘The Willoughbys’ Director Kris Pearn is Blending 2D and Stop-Motion Animation Styles for a New Take on an Old Story Terry Crews Explains Why Netflix’s ‘The Willoughbys’ Is Perfect Pandemic Viewing
165 - Ended, The Clone Wars Have
May 22, 2020 10:06 - 1 hour - 110 MBStar Wars: The Clone Wars has returned with a force! We take a look at how the finale of Star Wars: Clone Wars fits into the larger questions explored in the Star Wars universe. What is different about this particular ending and story? What's next for the animated Star Wars canon? Previously on Writers Get Animated 23 - All About Ahsoka 136 - Star Wars: Resistance Recap 123 - Star Wars: Resistance 113 - Star Wars: Rebels Remembrances 87 - Who Rule Cartoons? (Girls.) 72 - Rebels Retros...
164 - Quack Pack v. Quack Pack
May 08, 2020 10:18 - 57 minutes - 79.7 MBIn celebration of the episode "Quack Pack" latest season of DuckTales, we revisit Disney's Quack Pack from 1996! In what ways are they similar? How has storytelling changed in Disney TV animation since then? Previously on Writers Get Animated 141 - The Breakdown: Nothing Can Stop Della Duck 090 - DuckTales! Woo-oo! Links Watch Quack Pack on Disney Plus Watch the latest season of DuckTales on DisneyNOW Watch past seasons of DuckTales on Disney Plus
163 - Never Fear, The Rocketeer's Here!
April 24, 2020 10:26 - 47 minutes - 66.3 MBBuckle up your jetpacks because we're taking to the skies with The Rocketeer! What changes when a comic book movie from the early 1990's becomes a Disney Junior series? How do you make an action-packed series for young audiences? Links 5 Ways Disney Junior’s New The Rocketeer Series Was Inspired by the 1991 Film Collider: Disney Junior's New Animated Series Takes to the Skies
162 - Magical Adventures in The Owl House, Hoot!
April 10, 2020 11:36 - 54 minutes - 75.2 MBHoot! We’re following the owls to join Luz’s adventures in The Owl House! What makes The Owl House so different from other recent fantasy shows? How do Luz and Eda defy expectations? What adventures are in store for us?
161 - Nice While It Lasted: The End of BoJack Horseman
March 27, 2020 11:13 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBWe say goodbye to one of our favorite shows: BoJack Horseman. How does the “Great American Novel” end? What story have we been following these past few years? What have we learned about how to end a story? How do you give closure to characters and relationships without answering all the questions? Previously on Writers Get Animated 121 - The Lost Loves of Scrooge McDuck and BoJack Horseman 103 - From Bazooga Eyes to BoJack: Sexual Harassment in Cartoons 046 - What Are You Doing Here? The...
160 - Onward
March 13, 2020 12:07 - 1 hour - 86 MBGrab your wizard’s staff and set off with us as we discuss Pixar’s Onward! Why is Pixar telling this story now? What can we learn about foreshadowing and audience expectations?
159 - Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
February 27, 2020 21:21 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBClimb aboard a massive dragonfly as we zoom through the coolest post-apocalyptic world around in “Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts!” How is the storytelling different in Kipo? What are the trends that we’re seeing? How is the world introduced? What is most exciting about the world created in Kipo?
158 - Dear Academy 2020: The Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts
February 14, 2020 09:00 - 58 minutes - 81.1 MBIt's our annual look at the Oscar-nominated animated short films! Five different and engaging short films were nominated for the Oscar this year: Hair Love, Daughter, Sister, Memorable, and Kitbull. What trends and themes were present this year? What were the different ways stories were told? Previously on Writers Get Animated 133 - Hey Academy, Here’s How You Should’ve Voted: The Oscar-Nominated Shorts 107 - Dear Academy, Here’s How to Vote 2018 063 - Dear Academy, Here’s How to Vote… A...
157 - The Return of the Writers of Harvey Girls Forever!
January 31, 2020 09:00 - 51 minutes - 70.7 MBBrendan Hay, Mike Yank, Sarah Nerboso, and Marie Cheng from Harvey Girls Forever join us to discuss the final season of the show. We discuss their favorite moments of the final season, how they said goodbye to the show, and what they were glad made it into the final season! Previously on Writers Get Animated 138 - The Writers of Harvey Girls Forever!
156 - Harley Quinn!
January 17, 2020 08:46 - 1 hour - 86.7 MBHarley Quinn has her own series now on DC Universe! What happens when a character who began in animation, went into comic book form, then into live action, returns to animation? How has the character of Harley Quinn evolved? How is this series different from other DC animated series that have come before? Also, who knew that Poison Ivy would be the ultimate roommate? Links Watch Harley Quinn on DC Universe (Subscription Needed)
155 - It Writes Itself: Disney+ Edition
January 03, 2020 09:00 - 55 minutes - 77.1 MBIt’s a new year, so we’re celebrating by dreaming big! We’re taking our tradition of proving that some things write themselves to new heights. It’s one part improv and one part writing exercise. Play along with us as we come up with sequels, reboots, and spin-offs of some of the properties available on Disney+. Previously on Writers Get Animated 095 - It Still Writes Itself, Apparently 050 - It Still Writes Itself 018 - It Writes Itself
154 - Canon in Disney+
December 20, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 88.7 MBDisney+ is here, and the Disney Vault is mostly open! Our trip through the Disney canon continues as we go back through the early shorts of Disney to see if we can identify Disney DNA. What makes Disney Disney? What has changed through the years? What can we learn from these early Disney shorts? Why would you ever trust Goofy to drive you anywhere? Previously on Writers Get Animated Canon in Disney Part I: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Canon in Disney Part II: The Not-So-Golden Age Can...
153 - Frozen 2: Let-It-Go Boogaloo
December 06, 2019 15:46 - 1 hour - 87.1 MBWhen is a sequel justified? Or… How do you make a sequel that’s just as merited as the first film when you’re writing for the sequel to the biggest animated film of all time (besides The Lion King)? This week, we plunge into the icy waters of Frozen II (2)! What else does Elsa have to do to complete her character arc? What can Idina Menzel sing about this time? What do you do when your characters get comfortable? Can a snowman make you cry? Links Buzzfeed Facts About Frozen 2: https:...
152 - Klaus: A Very Early, Very Special Christmas Special Christmas Special
November 22, 2019 09:00 - 1 hour - 87.6 MBIt’s (almost) Christmastime, so we unwrap your gift early to talk Klaus on Netflix! What kinds of stories can you tell with Santa? What are the tropes and trappings of Santa? How successful can a dark and gritty reboot of Santa be? Links Klaus director pushed past the limitations of traditional animation SPA Studios on YouTube Watch Klaus on Netflix
151 - Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: Stories Without Words
November 08, 2019 09:01 - 48 minutes - 67.5 MBHow do you tell a story without words? We look at the tools and techniques used in Genndy Tartakovsky’s new show: Primal! How can color and staging tell your story? How do you show a changing relationship without words? Links Watch Primal on Adult Swim About the Herculoids About Act Without Words I