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An Insider Look at The Last Kids on Earth
Check the book out here https://amzn.to/2Tdg7PS
Interview Timeline
The Last Kids on Earth is a popular multi-media franchise. Thunderbird Entertainment and Atomic Cartoons produce the Last Kids on Earth show. I spoke with Thunderbird executives Matt Berkowitz and Jenn McCarron about the show and about the animation and entertainment business in general.
0:57 – Matt talks about how he got into the animation business.
1:37 – Matt talks about the classes and studies he did for his career.
2:26 – Jenn talks about how she got into the animation business.
3:40 – Matt talks about The Last Kids on Earth show.
5:57 – Matt describes what the Last Kids on Earth show is about.
6:57 – Matt talks about how Last Kids on Earth references the 80s.
8:06 – Matt talks about family co-viewing in streaming services.
9:29 – Jenn talks about some of the other work Thunderbird is doing.
11:08 – Jenn talks about the business side of animation and entertainment.
12:49 – Jenn talks about how they were able to grow during the pandemic.
14:22 – Matt talks about interactive entertainment and choice points.
16:49 – Matt talks about writing interactive entertainment.
18:08 – Matt talks about testing their shows.
19:23 – Jenn and Matt talks about the interplay between the company and their broadcast partners.
21:32 – Matt talks about innovation in entertainment.
22:43 – Jenn talks about immediate feedback on shows when they’re shown.
24:17 – Jenn talks about how the shows earn money.
25:55 – Jenn talks about syndication.
26:42 – Matt talks about the emerging players in this field.
28:59 – Matt talks about the platforms a show might want to work with.
30:38 – Jenn talks about how people get into animation.
31:47 – Jenn talks about how they managed work during the pandemic.
35:06 – Jenn talks about protecting intellectual property during a pandemic.
37:45 – Matt talks about managing the various projects he works on.
39:38 – Matt talks about the current trend in kids programming.
41:49 – Matt talks about toddlers and children interaction with new technology.
43:41 – Jenn talks about kids and technology.
44:08 – Jenn talks about kids’ shows impacting kids lives as they grow older.
45:55 – Matt talks about the impact of children’s programming.
47:01 – Matt talks about animation styles.
48:22 – Matt talks about show leadership making decisions on the fundamentals of the show.
49:15 – Jenn talks about what she misses about being in the trenches.
50:01 – Matt talks about having been a production assistant.
51:17 – Matt talks about how shows are plotted out.
53:02 – Jenn and Matt talks about Cupcake and Dino.
54:06 – Matt and Jenn talk about Kim’s Convenience.
55:46 – Matt talks about having always wanted to fly.
56:39 – Jenn talks about the Lion King.
57:12 – Jenn talks about product placement in kids’ shows.
58:33 – Matt talks about the cross-over items with Last Kids on Earth.
1:00:14 – Matt talks about organizing all the cross-overs for Last Kids on Earth.
1:02:30 – Matt talks about managing all the moving parts.
1:02:47 – Matt talks about follow up programming with Last Kids on Earth.
1:04:26 – The cartoons and Last Kids on Earth information can be found at Thunderbird.tv and on the Atomic site on that website.
1:05:10 – The Last Kids on Earth can be found at lastkidsonearth.com
Links of interest
Contact Information
For more “Full Contact Nerd” please follow me at crisalvarez.com, on Facebook at CrisAlvarezFCN, on youtube at Cris Alvarez on twitter @CrisAlvarezFCN, on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi, and on Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Stitcher / Spotify for the podcast. Please see historyrabbithole.com for a list of my dozen or so blogs and podcasts. You’re sure to find something you like.
Guests: Matt Berkowitz and Jenn McCarron
Host: Cris Alvarez
Tags: Books, audio interviews, podcast, Thunderbird, animation, tv shows,
Check the book out here https://amzn.to/2Tdg7PS
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