The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast

Tom and Tony interview the amazing Sarah Macdonald a Character Supervisor at Skydance Animation, but living abroad in Madrid. We discuss the job of being a character supervisor on the new Netflix hit film "Swapped". 

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 Elver- 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!