PODCAST · tv
Writers Get Animated
by Chris Leyva & Mackenzie Worrall
Get drawn into your favorite animated movies and shows with writers Chris Leyva and Mackenzie Worrall! Whether it's following an alcoholic horse actor, a family of adventuring ducks, a wise-cracking rabbit, or some wacky kids down the street, we've got you covered. Every two weeks, we English-major-the-crap-out-of the latest animated movies and shows to uncover how the magic works.
Episodes
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The Final Episode! Animation that Inspires Us to Create
Episode 200! In our final episode we discuss what we've learned from watching all these cartoons and what makes art "inspiring." How does art make us feel the need to create? How have the animated shows and movies we've experienced over the past six years (and beyond) helped our art? Thank you so...
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The Best New Animated Shows of 2021!
Every year, we binge all of the new shows of the year to bring you some recommendations in the hopes that you will find some new favorites! The list keeps getting longer and longer as more and more animated shows hit the airwaves. What a wonderful time to be a fan of animation! Chris and...
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Character Study: Chip ‘n‘ Dale
Those rambunctious chipmunks Chip and Dale are back in a new show, so we're seeing how they have evolved over the years! What makes duos so satisfying? Why are Chip and Dale always fighting? Are we Chip or Dale? Links Watch Food for Feudin' on Disney Plus Watch Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers on...
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The Emmy Episode (2021)!
It's the Emmy's again, and we're watching (streaming) all the nominees to see what stories are being told! Spoilers, there's a lot of coronavirus in these shows. From South Park to Simpsons to Robot Chicken to Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal, this year has some striking entries! Links Watch South…
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Vivo!
First there was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, then The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, now Sony brings Vivo! What can we learn from this musical, buddy comedy, finding a new family adventure movie? How do the music and visuals interact to create something meaningful? Links Watch Vivo on Netflix...
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He-Man v. He-Man
We have the power (to discuss the character development and world-building He-Man)! In this week's episode, we look at where He-Man and the Masters of the Universe started and then look at what has changed in Masters of the Universe: Revelation! How do you reboot a show without rebooting a show?...
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Space Jam: A New Legacy
Chris and Mackenzie jump into Space Jam: A New Legacy to see how the game is different this time! How do you get a famous NBA player and the Looney Tunes characters to the basketball game and make the game matter? How is the story constructed? What did we learn from this Looney sequel? Links…
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We the People
All rise for a rocking, moving civics lesson from Chris Nee, Barack and Michelle Obama, and a whole host of artists and musicians: “We the People” on Netflix! How do narrative and image and music collide to teach lessons? What are the different ways to inspire an audience toward action? Links…
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Pixar's Luca
Travel with us to Italy for Pixar's latest story: Luca! How does the story of Luca fit with our expectations for Pixar movies? How is Luca different? How can a story's intentions change through the collaboration process? Links Watch Luca on Disney Plus Luca: How Studio Ghibli Inspired the Pixar...
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City of Ghosts
We're investigating the gorgeously crafted show "City of Ghosts" on Netflix! How do the stories of real neighborhoods and real people get enhanced with art and story? How can a show about ghosts be so inviting and earnest in its approach? How can you make a show that is for everyone? Links Watch...
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Infinity Train: What Makes Anthology Shows Work
We're jumping on the Infinity Train to figure out what makes an anthology show so compelling? How do mysteries deepen and shift? How do you hold onto an audience when main characters shift? What connects these stories together? Also, how can we get more Infinity Train?! Links Watch Infinity Train...
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A Good Batch of The Bad Batch
A new animated Star Wars show is on our televisions, and we're here to enjoy it alongside all of you! How does this story fit into the larger Star Wars universe? Where do we think and hope the story will go? What are the familiar Star Wars elements that are already present in this new show? Links...
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The Mitchells vs. The Machines
How can the robot apocalypse bring family together? We find out in this episode as we upload ourselves into The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix! How does this movie both defy and meet our expectations? Links Watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines on Netflix The Mitchells vs. The Machines: How...
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187 - The 2021 Oscar-Nominated Shorts!
The Oscars are here again, and we're taking a trip through the varied ways these filmmakers have told their stories in this year's nominees for Best Animated Short Films! From the story of a bunny creating her home to a young woman dealing with the chaos of the world, we look at how animation can...
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186 - Farewell, DuckTales
We’re saying goodbye to one of our favorite shows: DuckTales! The series finale certainly solved some mysteries and rewrote some history! How does the series finale complete the story that was being told? What themes and tools told the story? Previously on Writers Get Animated 176 - Healthy...
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185 - Tom & Jerry & Modern Audiences
Tom and Jerry are back in new animated shorts and a new animated/live action hybrid movie! What endures about these two characters? How do animated/live action hybrid movies work story-wise? What can we learn from a decades-long rivalry between a cat and a mouse? Previously on Writers Get…
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184 - Raya and the Last Dragon
A new era of Disney animated films is here with "Raya and the Last Dragon!" How does "Raya" represent a change in storytelling for Disney? What makes this story so unique? How does watching at home change the experience of a new Disney film? Links Watch Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney Plus...
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183 - The Breakdown: Hilda - The Fifty Year Night
We’re back with another breakdown! In the breakdown, we go beat by beat to see how a show works! This time, we’re looking at one of our favorites: Hilda! How does time travel work in the world of Hilda? How to do you establish theme and danger? Links Watch Hilda on Netflix Previously on Writers…
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182 - Kid Cosmic
This week, we’re heading to the desert to have a date with destiny! And the rings of power! And Kid Cosmic, the latest hero from Craig McCracken! How do the expectations of a specific creator, a specific streaming service, and of the super hero genre collide and affect a show for families? Links...
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181 - Revisiting Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles
In a year of catching up on streaming, we look back on one of Mackenzie’s favorite shows: Gargoyles! Looking at the fabled third season, we investigate how this animated show from the 90’s is prescient about our current era. What would make someone join The Quarrymen? What does justice look like?...
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180 - Pixar's Soul
It's a new year and a new season! We're unpacking the themes and ideas in Pixar's latest film, Soul! What makes life so special? What is the "spark?" How does Pixar (and Pete Docter) continue create rich, tangible worlds based on ideas? Links Watch Pixar's Soul on Disney+ It’s Like a Magic Trick:...
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179 - A Very Special LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special Holiday Special
There's a new Star Wars Holiday Special, and it's LEGO! Does the new LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special pass as authentic Star Wars and as a true holiday specials? What Star Wars expectations do we have? What holiday special tropes pay off in this adventure? Previously on Writers Get Animated 152 -...
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178 - It's Time for Animaniacs (Again)!
The Warner Brothers and the Warner Sister are back! Is this a reboot, a sequel, or a continuation? We investigate audience expectations, including our own, to see how much difference 22 years can make when a show returns! Previously on Writers Get Animated 045 - Bologna in Our Slacks: Animaniacs!...
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177 - ParaNorman
Who knew that one of the best movies to compliment 2020 would be a Laika film from 2012? This week we discuss the strangely timely message of ParaNorman! How can the passage time help a story's message? Links Watch ParaNorman on Netflix Chris Butler and Sam Fell interview: on writing and…
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176 - Healthy Rejections: DuckTales and Steven Universe
Have you ever experienced a crushing rejection? It's rough. But, as we learn from "DuckTales" and "Steven Universe," there are healthy ways to deal with rejection. We unpack representations of relationships, love interests, and rejections. Chris even expresses his hatred of the term "friend zone."
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175 - The Best New Animated Shows of 2020!
Once a year, we binge for you! It's the best new animated shows of 2020! 2020 has given us so many new shows, we can barely keep up! We cover new shows for young audiences, shows for the whole family, and shows for "adults." Will you find a new favorite? Previously on Writers Get Animated 169 -...
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174 - Mulan v. Mulan
We’re breaking tradition and are discussing a Disney live action remake that is actually live action: Mulan! How does this version of Mulan compare to the original animated film? What is improved? Who is the audience for this new version? Previously on Writers Get Animated 027 - Is The Jungle…
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173 - The Emmy Episode (2020)
It's the Emmys! We look at what we can learn from each of this year's nominees. It's an eclectic bunch! Big Mouth, Bob’s Burgers, BoJack Horseman, Rick And Morty, The Simpsons, Forky Asks A Question, Robot Chicken, and Steven Universe Future! Previously on Writers Get Animated 148 - 2019 Best…
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172 - The Breakdown: Into the Spider-Verse - The Liv Scene
Today we’re breaking down one of the best scenes in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: the reveal of Olivia... You know... How does this great film set, reset, and subvert our expectations? How do you switch tone as necessary? How do character details and specificity influence a scene? Previously...
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171 - How Things End
In this episode, we look at what makes a satisfying ending! By looking at three different series finales (Wizards, Doc McStuffins, and Steven Universe:Future), we try to see how endings function and how you can stick the landing of your story. Previously on Writers Get Animated 165 - Ended, The...
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170 - Plagues in Animation: We Bare Bares The Movie and The Prince of Egypt
With summer movies being postponed or canceled because of the "plague" of COVID-19, we decided to look at plagues as portrayed in animation! We look at the biblical plagues depicted in Dreamworks' "The Prince of Egypt" and a more metaphorical plague in this year's "We Bare Bears: The Movie."…
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169 - Happy Birthday, Bugs Bunny!
What's up, Doc? We're celebrating the 80th birthday of everyone's favorite wise-cracking rabbit: Bugs Bunny! When taking a look at Bugs' first appearance in "A Wild Hare," we'll see what carries over to the brand new series "Looney Tunes Cartoons?" What are the core traits of Bugs Bunny? What has...
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168 - Current Trends in Adult Animation
In this episode, we break down what's been going on with animation specifically made for adults. After a brief overview, we take a look at "The Midnight Gospel" and "Lastman," two shows that look and feel like nothing else out there. How has the field of adult animation changed? What are the...
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167 - Scoob!
Scooby, Shaggy, and the gang are back in action and, this time, they're bringing some friends! The Scooby Doo-niverse is becoming the Hanna-Barbera-verse! What happens when you expand the world of Scooby Doo to include Blue Falcon and Dick Dastardly? Is anything lost? How big can this universe…
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166 - The Willoughbys
What makes a family a family? And what makes a family film a family film? We get into The Willoughbys - the newest animated film from Netflix! Links ‘The Willoughbys’ Director Kris Pearn is Blending 2D and Stop-Motion Animation Styles for a New Take on an Old Story Terry Crews Explains Why...
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165 - Ended, The Clone Wars Have
Star Wars: The Clone Wars has returned with a force! We take a look at how the finale of Star Wars: Clone Wars fits into the larger questions explored in the Star Wars universe. What is different about this particular ending and story? What's next for the animated Star Wars canon? Previously on...
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164 - Quack Pack v. Quack Pack
In celebration of the episode "Quack Pack" latest season of DuckTales, we revisit Disney's Quack Pack from 1996! In what ways are they similar? How has storytelling changed in Disney TV animation since then? Previously on Writers Get Animated 141 - The Breakdown: Nothing Can Stop Della Duck 090 -...
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163 - Never Fear, The Rocketeer's Here!
Buckle up your jetpacks because we're taking to the skies with The Rocketeer! What changes when a comic book movie from the early 1990's becomes a Disney Junior series? How do you make an action-packed series for young audiences? Links 5 Ways Disney Junior’s New The Rocketeer Series Was Inspired…
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162 - Magical Adventures in The Owl House, Hoot!
Hoot! We’re following the owls to join Luz’s adventures in The Owl House! What makes The Owl House so different from other recent fantasy shows? How do Luz and Eda defy expectations? What adventures are in store for us?
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161 - Nice While It Lasted: The End of BoJack Horseman
We say goodbye to one of our favorite shows: BoJack Horseman. How does the “Great American Novel” end? What story have we been following these past few years? What have we learned about how to end a story? How do you give closure to characters and relationships without answering all the…
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160 - Onward
Grab your wizard’s staff and set off with us as we discuss Pixar’s Onward! Why is Pixar telling this story now? What can we learn about foreshadowing and audience expectations?
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159 - Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
Climb aboard a massive dragonfly as we zoom through the coolest post-apocalyptic world around in “Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts!” How is the storytelling different in Kipo? What are the trends that we’re seeing? How is the world introduced? What is most exciting about the world created in Kipo?
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158 - Dear Academy 2020: The Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts
It's our annual look at the Oscar-nominated animated short films! Five different and engaging short films were nominated for the Oscar this year: Hair Love, Daughter, Sister, Memorable, and Kitbull. What trends and themes were present this year? What were the different ways stories were told?...
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157 - The Return of the Writers of Harvey Girls Forever!
Brendan Hay, Mike Yank, Sarah Nerboso, and Marie Cheng from Harvey Girls Forever join us to discuss the final season of the show. We discuss their favorite moments of the final season, how they said goodbye to the show, and what they were glad made it into the final season! Previously on Writers...
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156 - Harley Quinn!
Harley Quinn has her own series now on DC Universe! What happens when a character who began in animation, went into comic book form, then into live action, returns to animation? How has the character of Harley Quinn evolved? How is this series different from other DC animated series that have…
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155 - It Writes Itself: Disney+ Edition
It’s a new year, so we’re celebrating by dreaming big! We’re taking our tradition of proving that some things write themselves to new heights. It’s one part improv and one part writing exercise. Play along with us as we come up with sequels, reboots, and spin-offs of some of the properties...
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154 - Canon in Disney+
Disney+ is here, and the Disney Vault is mostly open! Our trip through the Disney canon continues as we go back through the early shorts of Disney to see if we can identify Disney DNA. What makes Disney Disney? What has changed through the years? What can we learn from these early Disney shorts?...
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153 - Frozen 2: Let-It-Go Boogaloo
When is a sequel justified? Or… How do you make a sequel that’s just as merited as the first film when you’re writing for the sequel to the biggest animated film of all time (besides The Lion King)? This week, we plunge into the icy waters of Frozen II (2)! What else does Elsa have to do to...
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152 - Klaus: A Very Early, Very Special Christmas Special Christmas Special
It’s (almost) Christmastime, so we unwrap your gift early to talk Klaus on Netflix! What kinds of stories can you tell with Santa? What are the tropes and trappings of Santa? How successful can a dark and gritty reboot of Santa be? Links Klaus director pushed past the limitations of traditional...
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151 - Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal: Stories Without Words
How do you tell a story without words? We look at the tools and techniques used in Genndy Tartakovsky’s new show: Primal! How can color and staging tell your story? How do you show a changing relationship without words? Links Watch Primal on Adult Swim About the Herculoids About Act Without Words I
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Get drawn into your favorite animated movies and shows with writers Chris Leyva and Mackenzie Worrall! Whether it's following an alcoholic horse actor, a family of adventuring ducks, a wise-cracking rabbit, or some wacky kids down the street, we've got you covered. Every two weeks, we English-major-the-crap-out-of the latest animated movies and shows to uncover how the magic works.
HOSTED BY
Chris Leyva & Mackenzie Worrall
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Writers Get Animated have?
Writers Get Animated currently has 200 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Writers Get Animated about?
Get drawn into your favorite animated movies and shows with writers Chris Leyva and Mackenzie Worrall! Whether it's following an alcoholic horse actor, a family of adventuring ducks, a wise-cracking rabbit, or some wacky kids down the street, we've got you covered. Every two weeks, we...
How often does Writers Get Animated release new episodes?
Writers Get Animated publishes regularly with 200 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Writers Get Animated?
You can listen to Writers Get Animated on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Writers Get Animated?
Writers Get Animated is created and hosted by Chris Leyva & Mackenzie Worrall.
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