The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast

Did you see "Project Hail Mary" and hear that the adorable character "Rocky" was a puppet?  Well, that's only half right, as more than half the shots were created in 3d animation!  In this podcast, Tom and  Tony interview Arslan Elvers- VFX supervisor at Framestore for Project Hail Mary.  Learn how both the CG and puppeteer teams worked together to create an amazingly unique performance on a character with no face!  

Tom and Tony interview Co-Creative director and Founder, Nic Cabana about his companies fast rise to profitability with their IP "Claynosaurz". Without a storyline, they were able to innovatively get their IP out into the world through social media clips and build their characters into revenue generating digital collectibles before launching into an animated series.

Tom and Tony dive into the new anime-inspired series coming to Disney+ and Hulu TODAY, "Dragon Striker," with Co-creator/ Executive Producer Sylvain Dos Santos and Co-creator/Director Charles Lefebvre! Hear how these two brought their vision to life for this exciting new show!

The Bancroft Brothers go way back to 2014 for this Flashback Friday episode with the legendary director Brenda Chapman. She discusses her early story years and Tony gushes about working with her for 3 months on The Lion King. Many references are made to the late great Roger Allers too, as he was a huge influence on Chapman. Oh, and has anyone heard about her directing of Dreamworks' Prince of Egypt and Pixar's Brave? Well, you will here! Check out this episode on iTunes, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

The BBros want to hear from you! What are some of your questions for us? For this episode, Tom and Tony went to our Instagram pages and asked fans for their questions. And, boy, did we get them! We reveal a favorite easter egg we put in a Disney film, lessons learned as a director, what it was like working at Disney Florida, and yes, what our favorite colors are! There are some doozies here, folks!  Check out this episode available on iTunes, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, we interview the prolific writer/creator Emily Brundige. After a strong career writing for some of the biggest animated series out there, developing and selling her own series, creating an original series, "Goldie", with Apple, Emily has broken away from the studio system to create her own Indy series: "Strawberry Vampire". Two successful Kickstarters later, hear what Emily has in store for your new favorite vampire family. 

Days after a successful second Animation Y'all Expo, Tom and Tony decompress about how great the weekend went and bring on artist exhibitor Aria Joy Pritchard (@ariajoy.art) to discuss the do's and don'ts of having a successful table experience at an expo/con.  

What happens when two independent animation studio heads discuss the future of their studios? Hopefully some wisdom, definitely some laughs, and a side of frustration. In this episode, Tom Bancroft (CEO/Founder of Pencilish Animation Studios) and Dominic Carola (Founder/Director of Premise Entertainment) discuss the current needs and future direction of the industry.

In this episode, Tom and Tony interview one of the creative forces on many modern Disney TV shows: James Eason- Garcia.  James is currently the co-executive producer and story editor for the Pre-K series Marvel's Iron Man and His Awesome Friends.  We talk to James about his career as a writer on many Disney/ Marvel/ Star WarsTV series like, Pupstruction, Gabby's Dollhouse, and Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures.   Find out how he became a writer and now producer on some of Disney's biggest IPs!  

This is the one! Voice-over actor extraordinaire, the legendary Jim Cummings, sits with the Bancroft Brothers and talks about some of his favorite characters. Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, and Ray from The Princess and the Frog are just the start of his A-list character roles. Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a career as a voice-over actor? Like honey from a bear, hear it straight from Winnie the Pooh himself! Available on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast.

In this episode, we welcome back the great character designer, Stephen Silver!  This was a pre-recorded lecture he gave at our own Animation Y'all Expo in 2025, which we wanted to share for the first time on our animation podcast!  Stephen, who has also been an artist recruiter at Disney Animation, gives his guidance to artists on how to approach their career and their passion all in this lecture!  He's been on both sides of the portfolio review, so sit back and hear a very unique viewpoint from an inspirational speaker!

Join Tom and Tony as they talk with Kevin Lima, the original director of the Disney classic "A Goofy Movie," and Juan Urbina, Animation Director and owner of Venturia Animation. They discuss their adventures making the popular documentary "Not Just A Goof," which is currently screening on Disney+ and has been nominated for an Annie Award. We share behind-the-scenes stories of this unlikely documentary about an unlikely film that has gone on to change lives!

Editing an Animated Feature with Tom Scott

With their short film "Snow Bear" short listed for an Academy Award nomination Tom and Tony speak to Director/ Animator Aaron Blaise and producer Nick Burch about what to do after you've made your short. We get into submitting to film festivals, award shows, distribution and opportunities that come from making a short animated masterpiece.  

In the first half of the episode, Tom and Tony sit down to discuss some of the unexpected theatrical animation hits of the year and slide into the unexpected: a film review!  In the second half, the brothers review (and critique) the biggest film of the year: "K-Pop Demon Hunters"!  

In this podcast, straight from Animation Y'all Expo 2025, is the amazing visual development artist Shannon Hallstein! In this art lecture, she discusses her approach to working in Procreate, her creative influences, and telling stories using color, composition, and layout.  But, because she had many physical examples on the screens in person, we recommend viewing her art on Instagram while listening (@the_blue_leviathan). Enjoy this mini-Masterclass with Shannon Hallstein! 

Tis the season to talk about Christmas animated films and there is none that brings more cheer than Disney's long running "Prep and Landing" animated specials!  Tom and Tony rangle some reindeer fun with their interview with Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol Executive Producers, Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers-Skelton!  These directing/producing/writing partners have helmed all of the Prep and Landing Christmas spirit through the years!  Join our lively discussion wherever you listen to your podcasts!  

Instagram Comments We Wish We Posted - Hash it out

Flashback Friday with Bruce W. Smith

Were you one of the millions of kids that grew up watching "The Proud Family" TV series on the Disney Channel in the 90s?  If so, you're in for a great show with series creator Bruce Smith.  Find out why Robin Williams called him "the Animator" and why the animation world looks up to Bruce Smith! 

The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast is sponsored by Stuart Ng Books!

In this episode, Tony and Tom tap three recently graduated animation students to discuss what they are experiencing in the scary "real world" of animation!  We feature Riley Housden (Undrgraduate), Dakota Byard (Masters), and Jacob Birm (Masters) all of which attended the Lipscomb Animation program in Nashville.  Find out their thoughts and expectations in school and the reality they hit up against going into the industry and even how they feel AI will affect them now and in the future.  You gotta hear this one!  

Indie Animation with the founder of Brazen Animation - Bryan Engram

To celebrate today's release of the 2d animated film "Light of the World"- a film the Bancroft's worked on- they discuss the ins and outs of creating a 2d independent animated feature film. They are joined by directing partner John J Schafer and producer Pam Darley. Let's get into it! 

The Bancroft's sit down with Julia McIntyre, also known as @thebookishanimator_   After losing her dream job in 2d animation, she gained popularity on her social media by creating animated scenes based on  books she was reading. Publishers now come to her to create custom content for new book releases!  

Welcome to a fun and inspiring episode of our podcast, featuring YouTube character designer, filmmaker, and influencer Jackie Droujko! 🎙✨

In this candid conversation, Jackie opens up about her creative journey — from early struggles to major successes — and shares the lessons she's learned along the way.

It's podcast episode 275 and we saved it for the amazing Kyle T. Webster!  If you have used Photoshop within the last five years, you know Kyle by his digital brushes that he created for Adobe.  He has an interesting story of being the forerunner of creating digital brushes, creating relationships with major studios, being an early entrepreneur on Gumroad, and his more recent decision to leave Adobe to join Procreate!  Get "brushed up" on Kyle in this episode! 

Is 2d animation making a comeback?  It is if you're talking with Tom and Tony and Aaron Blaise and Nick Burch!  Join these four animation vets as they discuss where 2d animation is now, what's happening with Aaron's one man-, hand drawn "Snow Bear" short film, will Disney get back into the 2d game, and what's next for this group of 2d animation lovers!  

There are a flood of amazing animated short films out and coming your way so Tony and Tom are sitting with a few creators to discuss their films pre-Oscar buzz!  For this episode, the Bancrofts interview Disney animation supervisor Nathan Englehardt and Disney Storyboard artist Jeremy Spears, the two creators/directors of the CG animated short film "Forevergreen".  This short was created by themselves and a small team of dedicated artists, all on their "off hours" from their jobs at Disney and elsewhere.  No big studio funding, just lots and lots of sweat and love poured into a film tha...

Tony (without Tom this time) sits down with the founders of Steamroller Animation- a new independent animation studio that is creating "steam" throughout the industry!  Innovative training programs and interesting projects abound at Steamroller.  Have a listen to hear how they are trying to make a difference in the US animation market!  

Recorded at this year's Animation Y'all Expo this was a panel called "Making it in Animation" with words of encouragement from vets to newer industry professionals. This panel includes tips, tricks and anecdotes from Aaron Blaise, Lara Carson, Matt O'Callaghan and wonderfully moderated by Chelsea Trousdale. If you are struggling to find your way in the crazy business of animation, this podcast is for you!

Here's a description: In our unofficial "Part 3" of podcasts where we talk to industry insiders about GenAI usage and how it will affect artists, The Bancroft Bros talk with filmmaker Paul Trillo from the LA studio, Asteria.  Paul and his team have just finished an animated music video for artist Cuco called "A Love Letter to LA" that uses hand drawn 2d animation and GenAI in harmony with each other.  Paul went out of his way to make sure real artists and animators were paid and that they created a "clean" AI data 

The Bancroft Brothers present the Chris Sonnenburg show- co-starring Jeff Snow!  Yep, this episode is a panel that Chris and Jeff put on at our own Animation Y'all Expo just a couple months ago.  Chris leads the panel which is called "Here's the pitch.." - and he goes deep on how you need to think about your show so it can get bought!  Chris and Jeff use real world examples and behind the scenes of developing shows like the "Tangled" animated series for Disney!  This one should NOT be missed!  

Co-creator of Pixar's Win or Lose series, Carrie Hobson!

In this fun episode, the Bancroft Bros get the chance to speak with the amazing voice actor, Eric Bauza, the voice for Daffy Duck, Elmor Fudd and many more.   He also does a pretty good TRUMP, as you'll hear.   We discuss the upcoming release of the fully 2D animated new WB feature film, "The Day the Earth Blew Up".   You won't want to miss this one!  Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts from.  

The Bancroft Brothers are honored to have the legendary illustrator, James Gurney on the podcast this week!  We discovered so many similarities in our paths and mutual loves and influences.  Enjoy this discussion of animation, illustration, and even a bit of where he believes things are headed for himself- and possibly you.  

The twins interview twins in this Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast episode!  French animation mastors and Disney alum directors, Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, have a storied past on some of the most epic Disney films of the 90s.  Tony and Tom discuss their storyboarding and directing of some of the most iconic scenes in films like Hunchback of Notre Dame and Fantasia 2000!   Enjoy the accents!  

Welcome to another Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast!  In this episode, Tom and Tony interview uber-talented illustrator and character designer Thomas Fluharty. Thomas has been in advertising and editorial illustration for magazines and newspapers for most of his career and has recently dove into the animation world through character design. In fact, he is the head character designer for the new "The Chosen" animated series. 

The BBros reminisce about a time in their lives when these two wet behind the ears, shy boys were trying to break into the animation industry. These are the stories that were game changer moments and helped define us. Listen to this episode if you are just starting out and-Seize the day!

The Bros enjoyed a sit down conversation with the talented UK Concept Artist Izzy Burton!  Fresh off of working together on a 2D feature film, we discuss: Her amazing drive and how she doesn't suffer from FOMO, but FONC (Fear of Not Creating), having an artist partner, and what the UK animation market is like right now and how she finds work.  Happy New Year from the Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast and thank you for your support in 2025!

In this fun-filled Hash It Out episode, Tom and Tony discuss what's happening in the industry with the Anination Union negotiations, trying to get AI standards, and how it can affect you. Let's get into it!