Jared and Jerusha Hess, the duo behind Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, present their first-ever animated short film. The excellent Ninety-Five Senses stars Tim Blake Nelson as the voice of Coy, a man reflecting on all facets of his life and body. The Hesses give me a taste of how this short came to be […]
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INTERVIEW: “Kung Fu Panda 4” Preview With The Directors And Producer
December 13th, 2023 
Jackson Murphy DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 4 is one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2024. It’s been eight years since Po’s last big screen adventure. Director Mike Mitchell (of Shrek Forever After and Trolls), co-director Stephanie Ma Stine (art director on How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World) and producer Rebecca Huntley (The […]
INTERVIEW: A New Beginning With “Awakening: The First Day”
December 12th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Santiago Carrasquilla and Jos Diaz Contreras are the directors of the visionary new animated short film Awakening: The First Day. It’s a cool, gripping look at the planet. The talented duo shares how this presentation has gone from stage to screen. (This Animation Scoop Q&A was conducted as an Email Interview and was edited for […]
INTERVIEW With “Humo” Director Rita Basulto
December 11th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Humo is about Daniel, a boy who witnesses and experiences the horrors of The Holocaust. Director Rita Basulto describes the powerful story and some of the short’s unforgettable visual moments in this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This was conducted as an Email Interview and was edited for length and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: How did the book […]
INTERVIEW: Detailing “The Day I Became a Bird”
December 8th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Oscar and Emmy winner Andrew Ruhemann (of The Lost Thing and Love, Death + Robots) has adapted the book The Day I Became a Bird — about a boy’s first love — into a sweet and tender new animated short. We take flight for this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This was conducted as an Email Interview […]
INTERVIEW: Ready To Unwrap “Merry Little Batman”
December 7th, 2023 Jackson Murphy The Caped Crusader’s eight year old son Damian is on a Christmas Eve mission to save Gotham City in the heartwarming and hilarious new animated comedy feature Merry Little Batman. It debuts this Friday December 8th on Prime Video. Writers Morgan Evans and Jase Ricci describe the fa-la-la-la-fun of crafting an entertaining and exciting story […]
Posted in Warner Bros., WB Animation (TV) 
Tags: Amazon Prime, Batman, DC Comics, Warner Bros. Animation 
No Comments » INTERVIEW: “Starling” Shines Brightly
December 6th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Animation Scoop first profiled Starling as part of a 2023 Tribeca Film Festival preview piece earlier this year. It ended-up winning at the fest, sending it on a major trajectory for this awards season. Director Mitra Shahidi describes the emotion and power behind this short about parents remembering their daughter on her birthday. (This Animation […]
INTERVIEW: Time To Meet “The Smeds And The Smoos”
December 5th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Magic Light Pictures has adapted many of author Julia Donaldson’s books for the screen, in delightful 20-plus minute animated short films. The latest is The Smeds and The Smoos, about red and blue creatures who vow not to interact with each other. Two younger members of these families want to change that. Directors Samantha Cutler […]
INTERVIEW: Singing The Praises Of “Baby Shark’s Big Movie”
December 4th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Nickelodeon’s popular Baby Shark’s Big Show expands to feature-length format for the hilarious and heartwarming Baby Shark’s Big Movie. It premieres this Friday December 8th on Paramount+. Writer Whitney Ralls and director Alan Foreman join me for this Animation Scoop Q&A to talk about the film they hope earns wave reviews from families this holiday […]
Posted in Nickelodeon, Paramount, Paramount+ Tags: Nickelodeon Movies, Paramount Pictures No Comments » INTERVIEW: A Personal Journey For “Rosemary A.D. (After Dad)”
November 30th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Awards season is in full swing, with the Best Animated Short Film Oscars shortlist announcement coming in December, as well as the official Academy and Annie Awards nominations in January. One short hoping to make an impact this year is Rosemary A.D. (After Dad), from director Ethan Barrett. He narrates an exploration into his thoughts […]
INTERVIEW: “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday” Brings Good Tidings
November 20th, 2023 Jackson Murphy DreamWorks presents a feisty, heisty new prequel special to one of their most recent hit movies. The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday premieres Thursday November 30th on Netflix. Director (and seven-time Emmy-winner) Bret Haaland and Executive Producer Katherine Nolfi join me for this Animation Scoop Q&A. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.) […]
Posted in DreamWorks Tags: Dreamworks Animation Comments Off on INTERVIEW: “The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday” Brings Good Tidings
INTERVIEW: “Leo” Directors On Sandler Lizard Inspired By Poppins
November 16th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim direct the new Netflix animated family feature Leo, starring the voice of Adam Sandler in the title role. It debuts this Tuesday November 21st. In this Animation Scoop Q&A, learn what makes Leo one of the holiday season’s must-see comedies. (This interview was edited for length and clarity.) Jackson Murphy: […]
INTERVIEW: Discovering “They Shot The Piano Player”
November 13th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Academy Award nominated Chico & Rita directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal have made a new animated feature for grown-ups — a unique, moving investigation documentary drama. They Shot the Piano Player, starring Jeff Goldblum as the narrator and voice of journalist / author Jeff Harris, opens in New York City and Los Angeles for […]
INTERVIEW: Pump Up The Party For “Trolls Band Together”
November 6th, 2023 Jackson Murphy Following a shift to VOD at the start of the COVID pandemic with Trolls World Tour, DreamWorks is bringing Poppy and Branch back to the big screen with the new third feature in the popular pop music franchise. Trolls Band Together is already a hit overseas, and held preview screenings nationwide in North America this […]
INTERVIEW: “The Simpsons” Co-EP Brian Kelley On “Treehouse Of Horror XXXIV”
November 2nd, 2023 Jackson Murphy Fox’s Animation Domination is giving us a post-Halloween treat with the latest “Treehouse of Horror” episode of The Simpsons airing this Sunday November 5th at 8pm. Writer and Co-EP Brian Kelley, who’s been with the iconic series for nearly two and a half decades, shares insights on this year’s stories, some Simpsons secrets, and how […]
