Toon-In Talk Episode 21: Interview with Marge Dean

Hello and welcome to twenty-first episode of Fanboy Nation’s Toon-In-Talk, your rendezvous for animation interviews. It’s that time of year for the Ladies of Animation Month, Whitney Grace’s yearly tribute to women who work in the animation industry and mission to inspire girls to pursue their animated ambitions. Whitney is a proud member of the Women in Animation organization and with their helped she rounded up great professional women who have made successful careers in animation. To kick off Ladies in Animation Month, Whitney interviews Marge Dean, co-presdient of Women in Animation, general manager of Stoopid Buddy Stoodies, and former production manager at Mattel’s Playground Productions. Marge discusses her past and present animation career accomplishments and then she explains Women in Animation’s mission. Show Notes Marge Dean has worked in the animation industry for over twenty years and she is currently the general manager of Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. She was the only production manager on the Ren and Stimpy Show to deliver a show on time. Marge worked at Mattel’s Playground Productions for three years and was responsible for Barbie, Monster High, Ever After High, Max Steel, Hot Wheels, and other lines. Whitney admits her guilty pleasure: animated movies based off toy lines. One of the keys to being successful with kid’s content these days is to have an ancillary license, like a toy line. Networks aren’t subsidizing shows anymore. Seth Green, Matthew Seinreich, John Harvatine, and Eric Towner founded Stoopid Buddy Stoodies. As a general manager, Marge will be taking over the front end of running Stoopid Buddy. She will be implementing in procedures to keep the workflow moving and freeing up Seth Green, Matthew Seinreich, John Harvatine, and Eric Towner to work on more creative projects. Marge will also be tracking down more work for Stoopid Buddy Stoodios and Whitney can’t wait to see what the studio will make. One of the biggest challenges Marge has noticed working at several studios is finding talent and with Stoopid Buddy she walked into it. Marge Dean is also one the board of Women In Animation. She shares how when she started in the industry there weren’t a lot of women working in animation and that has grown over the past twenty years. The entire goal of the Women In Animation organization is to empower women to become leaders, have studios rethink hiring practices, and encourage women and anyone to follow their dream for a career in animation. Nowadays people are more sensitive to women’s issues in various industries, not just animation. The newest generation of fathers is very dedicated to helping their daughters succeed in the world. Marge wants Women In Animation to become so obsolete that it dissolves, because she wants women and diversity to become commonplace. Women In Animation’s goal is 50/50 by 2025, meaning the workforce in the animation industry will be equal between men and women. Marge and Whitney both agree that women are an untapped resource. Whitney and Marge bond over their mutual love for chiweenies and The Godfather.