October 21st, 2019 
Jackson Murphy 
Disney TV Animation recently made a grand debut at New York Comic-Con with a showcase panel. Shane Prigmore, VP of Creative Affairs at Disney TVA introduced the “young, talented creators” of “the next generation of animation content.”
Chris and Shane Houghton of Big City Greens, Matt Braly of Amphibia and Dana Terrace of the upcoming The Owl House discussed how they turned their ideas into Disney Channel shows. They hope to inspire others to get into the industry and become animation showrunners as well. All four initially worked together on fellow Disney animated hit Gravity Falls. Terrace even recalled that Braly walked over to her during her first week on the show and became her first friend.
Matt Braley of “Amphibia”
The Houghtons grew-up in Michigan and did a comic book series out of college. A few years later, working their way up, they started pitching concepts and had two animated shows in development: one at Amazon, and the other at Disney. Each one lasted a year before they were passed on. After the Disney project fell through, the Mouse House still wanted to keep the guys on and gave them the opportunity to come-up with another show idea.
Chris and Shane decided to create Big City Greens (originally titled “Country Club”), based on their “culture-shock” experience of moving from Michigan to Los Angeles. Many characters are directly inspired by family members. “That’s what Disney responds to,” Shane Houghton said, “your POV. Something that’s grounded in our real lives.”
Following CalArts, a Pixar storyboard internship and work at DreamWorks Animation on Turbo, Braly wasn’t completely satisfied with doing character designs on feature films. The pacing was just too slow. Braly’s advice: “Pivot and change as many times as you need to in order to find out what you love to do.”
One night, after working for a while on Gravity Falls (a much more fun experience for Braly), that show’s creator Alex Hirsch told him “Hey – you should pitch a show.” Braly had no idea it could just happen like that. And that’s the origin of Amphibia.
Chris and Shane Houghton of “Big City Greens”
Terrace, who was “a very angry and miserable child”, drew her anger and desires (per her mom’s request). She attended the School of Visual Arts and was constantly posting her work online. Terrace made a great effort of calling and emailing the folks at Disney, Pixar, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation and Blue Sky – but no one called or emailed her back.
Jib-Jab eventually reached out, and that’s where staff members of Gravity Falls saw her work. Terrace took a Disney test and did well, leading her to “GF” and “DuckTales”. She, too, inspired her series “The Owl House” on family members and friends. “Owl” was in development for a year and a half before Disney TVA officially greenlit it. Terrace is excited for people to watch the show, which premieres on Disney Channel in January. “It’s the happiest I’ve ever been.”
Dana Terrace of “The Owl House”
All four Disney creators assured the eclectic audience that any of them can get themselves on the path to becoming showrunners by networking, posting work online and building strong relationships. You also need to work hard, constantly have ideas ready, and be willing to take chances. “You’re flying by the seat of your pants a lot,” Terrace said.
And Shane Houghton closed with the panel by saying that in order to be a successful showrunner, you have to have the management of your crew. “It’s a scary position. Everybody turns to you for the answers… and you have to have the answers.”
- INTERVIEW: A Friendly Welcome To “Carl The Collector” - November 4, 2024
- INTERVIEW: Looney Lowdown On “The Day The Earth Blew Up” - October 28, 2024
- Other Highlights Of NYCC 2024 - October 26, 2024
Posted in 
Tags: 
