The Squash:
In this episode, Randy Young and Kevin discuss the Netflix animated film 'The Sea Beast,' exploring its plot, character dynamics, animation style, and cinematography. They delve into the themes of power and propaganda, critique the character of Maisie for her unrealistic portrayal, and analyze the film's visual elements. The conversation highlights the film's strengths and weaknesses, ultimately concluding that while it is visually stunning, it lacks emotional depth and authenticity in storytelling.
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Topics Covered:
00:00 - Introduction and Context
02:16 - Overview of 'The Sea Beast'
03:57 - Themes of Power and Propaganda
07:29 - Character Development and Authenticity
11:06 - Visual Design and Animation Quality
16:30 - Emotional Engagement of Story with Audience
21:38 - Character Depth and Emotional Complexity
34:16 - Character Development and Realism in Animation
46:22 - The Intersection of Animation and Live Action
50:14 - Storytelling in Animation vs. Live Action
54:13 - The Role of Directors in Animation
57:40 - AI and the Future of Animation
01:00:05 - Cinematography and Visual Storytelling
01:04:08 - Squash It or Stretch It: Industry Debates
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Credit:
The images used in this video are the property of The Walt Disney Company and Netflix. They are presented here under fair use for purposes of commentary, criticism, and education.
A brief clip from The Sea Beast (2022) is used in this video under fair use for the purposes of commentary, critique, and discussion. All rights to The Sea Beast belong to Netflix and the respective creators. This use is transformative and does not compete with the original work.
Kevin and Randy debate the value of Brad Bird's The Iron Giant. #foryou #fyp #explore #podcast #new #animation
Randy and Kevin discuss the animated flop The Adventures of Tintin, directed by Steven Spielberg.
💚 THE SQUASH
Randy and Kevin team up to dive deep into Flow, Gints Zilbalodis' visually hypnotic and emotionally powerful animated masterpiece. In this episode, they break down the film’s breathtaking cinematography, grounded storytelling, and raw emotional punch - all conveyed without a single word of dialogue. The story follows a lone cat navigating a world shattered by disaster, weaving together survival drama with poignant reflections on fear, trust, and resilience.
💚 THE STRETCH
In this episode of Squash ‘n’ Stretch, hosts Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman invite listeners on a remarkable journey through Flow, an indie film already making waves across the awards circuit. With Zilbalodis’ unorthodox approach--storyboarding nothing and crafting the world entirely in Blender - the conversation covers everything from the elegance of wordless storytelling to the heart-pounding innovation of an animal’s-eye view.
The episode celebrates the film's core themes of courage and vulnerability, spotlighting Zilbalodis' ability to capture quiet yet universal moments—like the heart-wrenching portrayal of loss through a wounded bird—that make the story feel personal and deeply human.
Randy and Kevin also delve into the production’s brilliance: a French-Belgian-Latvian co-production that ditched traditional studio playbooks in favor of indie grit and delivered some of the most authentic character animation in years. The film’s exploration of survival and unity hits especially hard, with Randy drawing a thoughtful parallel to real-life crises that test our humanity.
This episode isn’t just about animation - it’s a tribute to bold, independent storytelling. Flow isn’t just a movie; it’s an emotional and philosophical experience that invites reflection long after the credits roll.
💚 THE SQUASH
Randy and Kevin team up with animation expert and production person Marlene Sharp to explore The Book of Life, Jorge Gutierrez's visually stunning, culturally rich masterpiece. The episode digs deep into how the film’s bold storytelling, vibrant art, and layered themes tackling masculinity, friendship, and representation in ways that are as heartfelt as they are groundbreaking.
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💚 THE STRETCH
In this episode of Squash 'n' Stretch, hosts Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman are joined by the joyful and endlessly insightful Marlene Sharp to unpack the cultural and cinematic brilliance of The Book of Life. The trio explores how the film balances tradition with innovation, weaving Mexican art and folklore into a universal tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery.Together, they discuss Jorge Gutierrez's personal journey - including his adult autism diagnosis - dissect key elements like the multi-dimensional portrayal of masculinity, the groundbreaking representation of autism and neurodiversity, and the film’s empowering female characters. From the challenges of script development and character design and art direction, to the art of character design and pacing, the conversation peels back the layers of what makes animated films resonate across borders and generations.The discussion also sheds light on the evolving landscape of animation—covering globalization’s impact on storytelling, the vital role of voice acting, and how indie films like The Book of Life navigate marketing and distribution to stand out in a competitive market.
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💚 CHAPTERS
00:00 - Welcome to Squash 'n' Stretch: Introducing Marlene Sharp
06:05 - Marlene Sharp’s Animation Journey: Career Insights and Lessons Learned
11:58 - Jorge Gutierrez’s Vision: The Cultural Tapestry of The Book of Life
20:25 - Themes of Masculinity and Friendship: Depth Beyond the Surface
27:10- Storytelling in Animation: Techniques That Captivate Audiences
31:45 - Localization & Cultural Adaptation: Bridging Borders Through Story
35:15 - Challenges of Indie Animation: Marketing and Distribution
40:30 - Pacing and Visual Style: Keeping Viewers Hooked
💜 THE SQUASH:
That time Randy and Kevin dived headfirst into the underworld (literally) with Henry Selick’s Wendell and Wild. They discuss whether the film’s dazzling world-building and dark humor outweigh its convoluted storyline—or if it’s just the kind of ambitious chaos the animation world needs.
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💜 THE STRETCH:
In this episode of Squash 'n' Stretch, Randy and Kevin explore the twisted brilliance of Wendell and Wild, a stop-motion delight from director Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and producer Jordan Peele (Get Out). They dig into the film’s stunning character design, innovative world-building, and themes of trauma, identity, and resilience.
The conversation doesn’t shy away from the film’s ambitious complexity, tackling its subversive narrative, underworld amusement parks (yes, really), and the chemistry of its mischievous demon duo. Randy and Kevin also highlight the importance of diversity and representation, celebrating Wendell and Wild as a bold, visually arresting step forward in animation.
From breaking cycles of trauma to creating worlds that feel alive, this episode celebrates how Selick’s unique vision challenges traditional animation norms—and how ambitious storytelling can resonate with audiences young and old.
Join the hosts as they examine whether Wendell and Wild is a Halloween classic in the making or a misunderstood masterpiece waiting for its moment.
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💜 CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction to Squash and Stretch Podcast
01:58 - Exploring 'Wendell and Wild' and Henry Selick's Vision
06:23 - Plot Overview and Character Dynamics
08:06 - World Building and Visual Design
12:31 - Character Design and Artistic Choices
17:22 - Target Audience and Thematic Depth
22:00 - Diversity and Production Insights
25:00 - Improv and Chemistry in Animation
27:00 - Underworld Amusement Parks: A Recurring Theme
30:00 - Convoluted Storylines and Faction Dynamics
31:00 - Exploring Trauma and Memory in Storytelling
33:00 - Themes of Breaking the Cycle and Rehabilitation
36:00 - Subversive Elements in Animated Storytelling
38:30 - Diversity and Representation in Animation
40:00 - Visual Design and Character Representation
41:00 - Final Thoughts on Ambition and Audience Engagement
💚 THE SQUASH - That time animation legend Tom Sito helps us squish into the cultural and political vibes that fueled animated classics like Fantastic Planetand Allegro Non Troppo. We're talking French sci-fi freakiness, adult-themed storylines, and satire that served as a love-hate letter to Disney's Fantasia. The 70s were wild—a time when animated storytelling wasn't just about selling merch but about breaking molds and challenging minds.
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💜 THE STRETCH - Tom and our hosts, stretch the conversation across time to explore how the ripple effects of this funky, fearless decade set the foundation for the '90s animation renaissance. The ups, the downs, and the downright bizarre—they’re all here, including the impact of underground comics, the looming shadow of television, and the fight for artistic freedom in a world obsessed with commercial viability.
Tune in for the perfect blend of highbrow insight and rebellious fun as Randy, Kevin, and Tom help you make sense of a time when animation was caught between art house expression and Saturday morning entertainment. Because without the risks of the 70s, we’d never have the animated goldmine of the 90s. Trust us—it’s a trip you don’t want to miss.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction to Squash and Stretch Podcast
04:47 - Animation History: The 1970s Shift
11:54 - Adult Themes in Animation
20:03 - Political Context of Fantastic Planet
24:50 - Art House Releases and Audience Reception
30:09 - The Evolution of Animated Features
36:10 - Art vs. Commerce in Animation
40:00 - Reflections on Animation's Past and Future
💚 THE SQUASH - That time Randy and Kevin tried to explain how Anastasia gave Disney a run for their crown…on half the budget, against all odds.
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💜 THE STRETCH - Randy and Kevin dig into the creative whirlwind behind the making of Anastasia, where Kevin, then Fox’s VP of Production, shares the excitement of bringing the story to life outside Disney’s shadow. They break down the casting process and star-studded lineup, featuring Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer and Angela Lansbury, and discuss the rare approach of recording voice overs with actors together, live in the booth, adding chemistry to the character performances. Budgetary woes take center stage, with Anastasia pushing limits at half of Disney’s typical spend while still standing strong against the coordinated releases of The Little Mermaid and Flubber.
The two dissect Anastasia’s unique animation style, focusing on the artistic challenges and financial prudence of rotoscoping to balance realism with flair and personal improvisation. They also explore the film’s cultural impact, particularly its role in the lives of young girls who grew up with Anastasia as a beloved heroine, and consider how content ratings for family films have evolved since.
The episode wraps up with a deep dive into the soundtrack development process, examining how songs were crafted to fit the story seamlessly. Randy and Kevin highlight the close collaboration between songwriters and scriptwriters, which ensured each song captured the right emotional beat and visual enchantment for audiences.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro!
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💜Hosted by:Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman
💚Produced and engineered by: Randy Young
💜 Squash 'n' Stretch is aGreen Ghost Media Podcast
💚 THE SQUASH - That time Randy and Kevin talked about Pixar’s Turning Red and whether the animation powerhouse is focused more on story or technology. They dive into the film's Toronto roots, its coming-of-age themes, and how Pixar is pushing boundaries with character designs and Asian culture representation.
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💜 THE STRETCH - In this episode of Squash 'n' Stretch, Randy and Kevin dive deep into Pixar’s Turning Red, a heartwarming and funny coming-of-age story set in Toronto, Canada. The film tells the story of Mei Lin, a 13-year-old girl who transforms into a giant red panda as she navigates the challenges of growing up and the complexities of identity and self-acceptance. The hosts celebrate the film’s attention to detail, vibrant animation, and how it authentically captures Toronto's multiculturalism and the experiences of young girls going through adolescence.
The conversation moves toward the balance between storytelling and technology in Pixar films, questioning whether the studio sometimes prioritizes its technical brilliance over story, potentially affecting audience perception. They also highlight the film's character designs and how those designs have sparked mixed reactions (in our hosts😭.) The hosts discuss the success of Turning Red in both streaming and box office performance, touching on how streaming impacts backend bonuses for filmmakers.
Randy and Kevin wrap up by congratulating Domi Shi, Pixar’s first female solo director, for breaking barriers and representing Asian culture in a way that resonates with global audiences.
Catch this insightful breakdown as the hosts explore whether Pixar’s focus on technology enhances or detracts from its storytelling, all while celebrating the success of Turning Red as a groundbreaking, culturally significant animation!
.CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro!
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💜Hosted by:Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman
💚Produced and engineered by: Randy Young
💜 Squash 'n' Stretch is aGreen Ghost Media Podcast
💜 THE SQUASH - That time Randy and Kevin self-traumatized by time warping back to the Covid lockdowns, essentially volunteering for emotional flashbacks caused by the parallel plot of The Mitchells vs. the Machines and 2020 in North America.
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💜 THE STRETCH - In this episode, Randy and Kevin dive into The Mitchells vs. The Machines and unpack how this animated joyride reflects our pandemic lives. They explore the film’s smart take on technology and social media, along with the complex dynamics within the Mitchell family, including its LGBTQ representation. The duo dissects how the movie balances entertaining kids while resonating with adults, while also highlighting the shift towards streaming platforms caused by the pandemic and its impact on the industry. From analyzing the main character’s instinctual choices to discussing themes of patriarchy, Randy and Kevin cover it all, even throwing in a recommendation for Mrs. Davis for fans of The Mitchells. Ultimately, they praise the film for its humor, charm, cutting-edge animation, and timely relevance.
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💜 CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Topic
03:24 - Exploring the Themes of 'Mitchell vs. The Machines'
08:35 - The Significance of LGBTQ Representation in the Movie
13:35 - Analyzing the Title of the Movie
23:19 - The Impact of the Pandemic on Movie Releases and Streaming
23:48 - Exploring Character Development and Instinct
26:00 - The Representation of the Patriarchy
29:50 - Addressing the Impact of Technology and Social Media
32:00 - The Need for Regulation
34:36 - Praising the Humor, Charm, and Animation
35:14 - Relevance to Contemporary Issues
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💜HOSTED BY: Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman💚PRODUCED & ENGINEERED BY: Randy Young💜 SQUASH 'N' STRETCH is aGreen Ghost Media Podcast
💚 THE SQUASH - That time Randy and Kevin unravelled the wild production and cult-classic rise of The Emperor's New Groove, celebrating its unique animation, iconic characters, and Eartha Kitt’s legendary performance. . 💜 THE STRETCH - In this episode, Randy and Kevin dive into the importance of self-care in high-pressure industries, sharing their personal routines and strategies. Then, they take a deep dive into the wild production history of The Emperor's New Groove—from the dramatic change in directors to its shift into a buddy comedy. They explore the film’s unique art style and animation techniques, celebrating its irreverent, contemporary flair. Plus, they break down what makes animation so special for creative storytelling, shining a spotlight on Eartha Kitt’s iconic voice performance and the brilliant character design. Despite The Emperor's New Groove initially struggling at the box office, Randy and Kevin unpack its unexpected rise as a cult classic, thanks to home video and DVD sales. . CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro!
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💜 Hosted by: Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman
💚 Produced and engineered by: Randy Young
💜 Squash 'n' Stretch is a Green Ghost Media Podcast
💚THE SQUASH -That time Randy and Kevin explored Who Framed Roger Rabbit, diving into its groundbreaking mix of live-action and animation, and themes of identity and attraction. They praise Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant, discuss Jessica Rabbit's allure, and reveal the technical brilliance behind this timeless pop culture phenomenon, from Zemeckis' vision to hidden Easter eggs.
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💚THE STRETCH -Randy and Kevin discuss the movie 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' and its impact on animation and pop culture. They explore the timeless quality of Robert Zemeckis' films and the brilliance of the casting, particularly Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant. They also touch on the blending of animation and live-action, the film's noir style, and the underlying themes of discrimination and identity. Overall, they praise the technical achievements of the movie and its ability to create a unique and immersive universe. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a groundbreaking film that combines live-action and animation. The conversation explores the themes of love, attraction, and the blending of different animation styles. The hosts discuss the character of Jessica Rabbit and the conflicting emotions she evokes in the protagonist. They also highlight the technical innovations of the film, such as the use of shadows and the blending of different animation styles. The conversation touches on the extensive use of Easter eggs and cameos in the film, as well as the collaboration between Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg.CHAPTERS:.00:00 - Introduction and Discussion of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'06:24 - The Brilliance of Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant10:50 - Blending Animation and Live-Action in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'13:38 - The Noir Style and Playful Moments16:46 - Themes of Discrimination and Identity20:42 - The Lasting Impact of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'25:50 - Introduction and Love at First Sight29:26 - Technical Innovations and Animation Styles32:37 - Collaboration Between Zemeckis and Spielberg.💜HOSTED BY:Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman💚PRODUCED & ENGINEERED BY:Randy Young💚 SQUASH 'N' STRETCH is aGreen Ghost Media Podcast
💚THE SQUASH -That time Randy and Kevin ferociously agreed (for once!) on the highs and lows of Turner Feature Animation's Cat's Don't Dance. But don’t let that fool you—they're still standing on opposite ends of the cinematic hills they've chosen to die on. Tune in as they break down what works, what flops, and why this animated gem has them both nodding and shaking their heads at the same time.
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💚THE STRETCH -The conversation revolves around the animated film 'Cats Don't Dance' and its underlying themes of systemic exclusion and historical struggles of visible minorities in the film industry. The film features anthropomorphized animals striving for stardom in Hollywood, where humans hold the power. The discussion explores the representation of animals and humans in the film, the blurring of traditional storytelling lines, and the lack of clear rules and parameters. The conversation also touches on the significance of the film's themes for different perspectives and the potential for broader relatability. The conversation revolves around the movie 'Cats Don't Dance' and explores various aspects of the film, including its target audience, production history, animation style, and character development. The hosts discuss the lack of clarity in the film's world-building and the confusion surrounding its intended audience. They also touch upon the challenges faced during production, such as changes in studio ownership and budget constraints. The conversation delves into the art and animation of the film, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses. The hosts appreciate the use of color and the performances of the voice actors, particularly the character Darla Dimple. They also discuss the pacing issues and the absence of rules in the film's narrative. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the making and reception of 'Cats Don't Dance'. In this conversation, Randy and Kevin discuss various aspects of the movie 'Cats Don't Dance'. They talk about the character development, the animation style, the representation of animals in Hollywood, and the lack of diversity in the cast. They also share their personal experiences in the animation industry and the importance of doing your homework and being prepared. Overall, they find the movie to be lacking in certain areas but appreciate the music and the underlying themes.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro!
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💜Hosted by:Randy Young and Kevin Bannerman
💚Produced and engineered by: Randy Young
💜 Squash 'n' Stretch is aGreen Ghost Media Podcast:)
