💚 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 a Green Ghost Media Podcast

THE SQUASH:

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 a Green Ghost Media Podcast