Click here for the other posts of ‘Behind the Scenes with Bee and PuppyCat’
Now that Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space has dropped on Netflix, I thought I would share some of my recollections as to how this special series of Natasha Allegri’s came to be. –Fred Seibert
Taking a break from the BTS chronology I’m going to take a minute for some thank yous. Of course, I’ll forget to include some people, but you shouldn’t take it as more than swiss cheese brain.
Some say that filmmaking is a collaborative art, and in my case, that’s been totally true. Yes, for me, that’s an understatement. Getting to a series like “Bee and PuppyCat” is a collection of experiences where I learned from hundreds of people, and then worked directly with hundreds more. In cartoons alone, I’ve had 30 years of a lot of ups, too many downs, some great successes and greater misses.
It was clear to me right at the beginning that American cartoons suffered greatly from relegating women to support positions rather than primary creative ones. Within weeks of starting at Hanna-Barbera I’d voice the lament to anyone who’d listen. It was a long time before anyone even pitched, but by 2006, with Random! Cartoons, we had more women coming in with their ideas than ever before, and in the end nine women created finished cartoons. And during Too Cool! Cartoons, for our Cartoon Hangover channel, almost half the shorts were by a new generation of creative women, including Natasha.
Onto the thanks. Please remember that these posts are about the “behind the scenes” of what makes B&PC. None of us miss the plain truth that it’s our fans that makes everything worth it.
I’m not sure if there’s a way to thanks Natasha Allegri enough, is there? An amazing artist, a deep storyteller, a lovely person with a stunning vision.
Eric Homan and I were colleagues for 27 years, the last 15 or so, heading development at Frederator Studios. It was Eric who, for us, spotted what a special talent Natasha had. He was the person who saw her web comic that kickstarted the Fionna and Cake phenomenon. And, of course, he invited Natasha over to show us the cartoon she’d been working on in 2013.
Carrie Miller has been another indispensable presence during my Frederator years. She ran our New York operation, produced our first original cartoons for Channel Frederator, and by the time Eric sent over the PuppyCat storyboard for a second opinion (”Greenlight this cartoon right now!”), she was running the entire New York office and our YouTube channels.
Don’t think I’ve ignored Pendleton Ward. Because it was Pen’s and Natasha’s friendship, built around the web comics that they traded over years, that inspired Pen to convince her to join the Adventure Time team, her first foray into professional cartoons. Without Pen, I’m not at all sure that any of us could have become her great followers. And don’t think he didn’t help B&PC creatively whenever possible.
Kevin Kolde and I met during my time at Hanna-Barbera, and during his pre-cartoon and SPüMCø lives I did everything I could to bring him over to my side of things. Eventually he succumbed, and while he was developing what has become the ”Castlevania” universe, he patiently worked with dozens of the creators –almost none of whom had ever run a professional cartoon production– I foisted upon him during various shorts productions. Natasha was definitely a mature artist and storyteller who had relatively scant experience in production, and over the decade that Bee and PuppyCat has lived it’s Kevin’s subtle hand that has made all the productions possible.
Efrain Farias and Hans Tseng have been key creative collaborators with Natasha throughout the decade of the B&PC saga. Both of these folks are talented artists, but that doesn’t begin to catalog their contributions to the shows.
Larry Leichliter has worked on everything. As far as I’m concerned, Larry Huber introduced him my way to direct on ChalkZone; Eric and Kevin suggested him for the Adventure Time short, and he eventually became the series’ original supervising director. He served on Bee and PuppyCat the same way where set the directorial vision.
Actors, we’ve had a few. You’re undoubtedly familiar with Allyn Rachel, Kent Osborne, Pretty Patrick Seery, but I think if you peruse the who cast you might get a few surprises.
Didn’t Will Wiesenfeld do an amazing job? Just check out Baths too! Natasha really scored here.
The entire Frederator Studios production team, small as it was, kept things on track, particularly Sylvia Edwards and Steve Worth, who had a lot going on at the same time. The editors, sound department, special and visual effects, Garrett, they all did incredible work. Thank you!
Meredith Layne has voice casted and directed both series (among a whole lot of others for us). And if you look at the credits closely, these shows do not in any way tread the expected paths when it comes to actors.
Heather Kenyon and Junichi Yanagihara really made the difference when we moved the animation to OLM in Tokyo, and kept it up during “Lazy in Space.”
Matt Gielen had recently joined Frederator Networks when we started looking at storyboards for Too Cool!. Though “influencers” were already flooding YouTube, which de-emphasized scripted, character based programming, Matt became an industry leader understanding how to help us build a loyal community of viewers who became the backbone of the Bee and PuppyCat fandom.
We heard from Nate Olson in Part 4 of this BTS series, but as I said there, a Bee and PuppyCat series might not have existed with his sweat, blood and smarts he brought to bear in shepherding our community of viewers-turned-fans into a group of committed supporters, first with the Kickstarter, then with the product companies that came aboard. Maybe more than anyone else, Nate was the loud voice representing the community, keeping all of us in line, understanding that without that special audience all our work would be for nothing.
Making a show like B&PC should be enough. The Cartoon Hangover crew in New York –Cade Hiser, Nicky Fung, Zoe Barton, and all the interns– lost a few years of their lives helped our fans stay fans. No, it’s not as easy as it looks.
Tom Pickett had bought my company, Next New Networks, for Google and YouTube to help them find audiences. And when he started Ellation (owner of Crunchyroll) and VRV to work with independent streaming networks, he reached out to see if Cartoon Hangover might be interested. His programmer, Arlen Marmel and business development head, Eric Berman, were particularly interested in “Bravest Warriors” and “Bee and PuppyCat.” Without these intrepid entrepreneurs we couldn’t have made “Lazy in Space.”
Michael Hirsh, Canadian animation innovator, saved Frederator when we ran into some tough times. “Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space” probably wouldn’t have seen the light of day without him.
Brian Gucciardo was in the law department at my other company, Next New Networks. He’s been around the block, and then some, in almost every facet of the entertainment business. Let me tell you true, doing the kind of agreements we have with first time creators for “Too Cool! Cartoons” (home of B&PC) and “GO! Cartoons” (throw Sony Pictures Animation in that mix) is no easy rolling. Not to mention our arrangements with Netflix and everything else we through at him (thousands –thousands!– of Channel Frederator Network members!).
Fred Pustay and I have worked together for decades, starting at MTV. He's saved my bacon more often than I can say. And he kept Frederator on an even keel no matter now hard I tried to screw it up. We couldn't have gotten through the treacherous waters to get Bee and PuppyCat made without him.
Like I said, it takes a village. And any villagers I’d neglected will be added as they yell at me.
That’s actually my own personal aesthetic BUT if you read this and says “hey, that’s actually quite like me”, feel free to call yourself a Vixen Academia person :)
SO I was reading a little about aesthetics and subcultures and I just realized I feet both Dark Academia AND femme fatale aesthetics and I though... Why not create a name to my aesthetic? Basically, Vixen Academia would be a little close to Romantic Academia, but less idealistic. It’s about confidence about your looks AND your academic skill, not letting anyone ashame you for been who you are, been feminine but quite dark at same time.
MOVIES & SERIES
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Chicago (2002)
The Love Witch (2016)
The Pink Panther (1963)
The Tourist (2010)
Clue (1985)
Rebecca (1940)
Girl from Nowhere (2018-present)
Black Swan (2010)
Mean Girls (2004)
Heathers (the musical, please. The movie is so… meh)
BOOKS
Rebecca, Daphine du Maurier
Junji Ito’s Tomie
Carmilla, Sheridan Le Fanu
Lady Killers
They Never Learn, Layne Fargo
If We Were Villains, M. L. Rio (Meredith is 100% Vixen Academia)
THINGS
Cheerleading, fencing, martial arts or any sport that make you look badass af
Learning French just for the aesthetic
Always been the “too well dressed” friend of your group
Having THAT red lipstick
Knowing that your social life don’t make you less academic
Pearls, gold/silver neackless, hoop earings
“Carrear over romance” type
Reading layed down on your couch with a wine glass near by
(Comfortable) high heels, oxford shoes, mary janes etc
Hand fans to hot days
Readings about fashion and cosmetics
Sunny day = sunglasses day
Been a little mysteryus just for the fun
Always with a hand mirror on the bag
The “C’mon, I heard about a new place that’s seems amazing and nobody knows yet!” friend
Feminist studies and books
Skincare routine
Police & spy thriller books
“Villain Era” playlists
Usually hearing you have the “resting b face”
ALWAYS with something red (a bracelet, your shoes, a dress… anything, but always in red)
I also made a playlist you can hear clicking here!
Stylist of the Year, Including Naya Ashley, Jason Rembert, Maeve Reilly + More
Celebrity style, fashion shows, lookbooks and campaigns would cease to exist without stylists. Stylists are the architects of the industry. Creating stories and trends with every look. We owe a lot to the individuals that never stopped playing dressing up.
From their red carpet domination to glorious celebrity rebrands, celebrity stylists have been killing it all 2022. Here are the FABY nominees for Stylist of the Year:
Click here to vote
Behind the best of Winnie Harlow’s, Lala Anthony’s, and Megan Fox’s looks, stands Maeve Reilly. Reilly knows how to take her clients from day to night and red carpet to street without compromising on their sexy-inclusive aesthetics.
Wayman + Micah
Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald sit among The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 10 Power Stylists of the Decade. Their appreciation for color on the red carpet and valiance in the face of experimentation make them a styling duo you can’t help but watch. You can credit Wayman + Micah for Kiki Layne’s style evolution, Tessa Thompson’s standout street style looks, and Regina King’s regal red carpet presence.
Elly Karamoh is known for dressing the Harvey family. He’s the reason Steve Harvey may win a Faby of his own this year while he keeps Harvey’s daughter Lori in internet-breaking looks at every event.
If you’ve ever wondered why Monica looks so fly and who keeps Kandi Burruss looking as sweet as her name, Jeremy Haynes is the answer. Haynes has had his hand in dressing musical legends for a large sum of his career. He keeps his clients in commanding looks by keeping a roster of bright, bold, and illuminating pieces on his racks.
Jason Rembert has dressed some of the biggest names in Hollywood. From supermodel veteran Iman to the queen of R&B Mary J. Blige, his client book is the creme de la creme of entertainment. This roster of talent trusts Rembert to dress them in looks just as alluring as they are, and he delivers every time.
There isn’t much detail on the sister styling duo behind Kylie Jenner’s looks, but it’s known that they keep the youngest of the Kardashian/Jenner clan the most consistently best dressed. As Kylie continues to excel in her career, the Grandquist sisters have done a fine job keeping her at the forefront of fashion conversation.
Cardi B has always been a girl with style, but a large part of her It Girl success is heavily influenced by Kollin Carter. Since splitting with her former stylist, Cardi and Carter have formed a dynamic relationship that has only elevated Cardi as a fashion girl.
Since growing further into their stardom, Chloe and Halle Bailey have trusted Udechukwu to stylishly elevate their brands. Udechukwu is also responsible for the jaw-dropping glamor that is Kelly Rowland’s style.
Karla Welch takes credit for styling many Hollywood actresses, but her most prominent relationship is that of her and Tracee Ellis Ross. With Ross’ immense love for fashion and Welch’s remarkable talent to pull pieces together, this dynamic duo has kept Hollywood wanting more on every red carpet, press tour, and Instagram post.
Consider Jaheel Weaver Rihanna’s right hand in everything style. Behind every polarizing look, from her maternity couture tour to Fenty campaign and launch parties, is Weaver’s golden strings pulling everything together like a posh puppeteer.
Thomas Christos is most notably known for dressing the Wade girls. He’s Gabrielle Union’s go-to guy for every event, and we have him to thank for the continued making of incoming It Girl Zaya Wade.
Legendary queens Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj trust Diandre Tristan to get their looks right. He’s a master in Minaj’s label-heavy looks that explore bright colors and textures, which she usually coordinates with a wig. He also effortlessly channels Carey’s dynamic diva energy with lush velvet gowns and crystal corsets.
If you enjoyed Michelle Obama’s versatile book tour looks, you have Meredith Koop to thank. Obama’s book tour is one of the most talked about style tours of 2022, and Koop deserves all her flowers. The former First Lady isn’t a stranger to a well-curated look, but with Koop, Obama explores all sides of style from White House-approved elegance to double denim.
The rap girls trust Naya Ashley, and they should. She understands the texture, pattern, and color play needed to get a ‘fit off. She’s added upcoming star Glorilla to her roster and she’s already locked in one 2022 Stylist of the Year award. She plays no games and we love to see it.
Takes an icon to dress one. Billingsley is the stylish stylist behind some of the most beautiful Black talent. From new girls like Coco Jones to industry icons like Michelle Williams, Billingsley brings a cinematic sense of feeling and boldness to every look.
Vote for Stylist of the Year below:
Click here to vote
#Stylist #Year #Including #Naya #Ashley #Jason #Rembert #Maeve #Reilly
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We don't agree, but don't let that stop you from revisiting Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready's 2013 interview with Kyle Meredith With where they talk about PJ, his UFO tribute band, and Mad Season, his one-off supergroup with the late Layne Staley of Alice In Chains.
Credits for This Episode
-----------------------------------
Created by: Natasha Allegri
Written by: Natasha Allegri
Directed by: Larry Leichliter
Storyboard by: Natasha Allegri
Sheet Timing: Larry Leichliter
Character Designer: Natasha Allegri
Prop/EFX Designers: Zachary Sterling
Char/prop/EFX Clean Up: Jojo Baptista
Background Design: Alex Dilts
Background Painter: Amanda Thomas, Emily Partridge
Color Stylist: Efrain Farias
Executive Producer: Fred Seibert
Producer: Kevin Kolde, Eric Homan
Co Producer: Natasha Allegri
Production Manager: Sylvia Edwards
Production Coordinators: Stephen Worth, Dana Jo Granger
Production Assistant: Ross Kolde, Diane Kolde
Casting Director: Meredith Layne, CSA
Editor: Andy Tauke, Dave Woody
Cast
Bee: Allyn Rachel
Deckard, Police Officer: Kent Osborne
Temp. Agent, Ladybug: Tom Kenny
Wallace: Frank Gibson
Assign Bot, Double Mouth: Marina Sirtis
Voice Director: Kent Osborne
Dialogue Recording: Salami Studios Post Production
Dialogue Mixer: Mark Mercado
Assistant Dialogue Mixer: Jonathan Abelardo
Post Production: Salami Studios Post Production
Sound Design and Editorial: Robert McIntyre
Sound Effects Editor: Jessey Drake
Foley Mixer: Roberto Dominguez Alegria
Foley Artist: Cynthia Merrill
Dialogue Conform: Mark Mercado
Re-recording Mixer: Thomas J. Maydeck C.A.S.
Score By: Will Wiesenfeld
Animation Checking: Wendy Jacobsmeyer
Track Reading: Slightly-off Track Inc.
Animation Services: Dongwoo A&E Co., Ltd
Animation Director: Ki-ho Hwang
Layout Artists: Jae-ryong Shim
Model Checker: Hee-jin Choi
Assistant Animation Supervisors: Jung-sil Kang
Key Animation: Jung-seok Seo, Jong-min Kim, Jae-won Baec, In-seol Hwang, Hyun-seok Seo, Hak-soo Bok, Young-rim Lee
Final Checker: Eun-hee Jung
Background Director: Yoon-ho Lee
Color Stylist: Mi-ok Jeon
Composition: Kang-ok Kim, Joo-hee Yang, Soo-jung Yang, Eun-joo Choi, Mi-kyung Lee
Production Staff: Young-wun Park, Sua Park, Shinwan Kim
if you’re a fan of if we were villains by m.l. rio, i highly suggest that you check out temper by layne fargo!
adult thriller set in the chicago theater scene
follows kira, a down-on-her-luck actress who gets cast in the new two-person production of infamous director/actor malcolm mercer
this could be her big break, but malcolm has a reputation for pushing his actors to the breaking point in the name of art
joanna, the co-founder of malcolm’s theater and the other protagonist, also has her own secrets that could turn the theater upside down
the theater comes to a boiling point as secrets seethe beneath the surface, malcolm becomes increasingly drastic, and stage violence turns into real violence
explores bad men whose actions are excused in the name of their art
features multiple #ownvoices bisexual main characters (none of them are, like, good people because this is a thriller, but the rep seems nuanced to me)
lots of shakespeare references
super gripping & intense
content warnings for a student/teacher relationship, discussions of a suicide attempt, physical violence, miscarriage/abortion, and abusive relationships, (maybe other stuff i’m forgetting but that’s the main stuff)
basically, if you’re looking to scratch that theater-thriller itch, temper is a great bet
Notes from Meredith Layne's (casting & voice director of Castlevania) interview on the Cartoon Bar Room podcast
- Richard Armitage, James Callis, and Alejandra Reynoso only ever recorded together in the same room once during the entire series - and that was simply because Richard happened to be in LA on that particular recording day
- Aside from that one day in LA, Richard was one of the cast members who recorded all his lines remotely and mostly alone - often without hearing how his co-stars were delivering their lines (due to the nature of the animation recording process)
- Meredith described Richard as being one of the cast members who did really well & succeeded at "balanc[ing] the physicality" of their character:
"these guys who are warriors... you don't sense the physicality of them because it's all in reserve and then the minute they need it, it's there and they're an extremely physical character... balancing the physicality of a character with this sense of 'don't cross them'; it's there, it's under the surface, but they don't show it until they have to."
Kevin Kolde changed American cartoons on television and streaming forever. And Thursday, September 28, will just be more proof of it.
You think that’s hyperbole?
When producer Kevin Kolde joined us at Frederator Studios in 2005, he brought along the animation rights to the Konami video game Castlevania, thinking it would make a great direct-to-DVD movie, and that the 30+ years of the franchise’s worldwide success would feed sequels forever. A “universe,” if you will. There certainly wasn’t any broadcast or cable channel that had shown a scintilla of interest in anything other than an animated comedy. Kevin, on the other hand was a dedicated video game player and felt that the video game-to-feature film attempts had been woeful failures. He was absolutely certain felt he could do better.
Who was I to argue?
It took 10 years after Kevin had recruited Warren Ellis to write the script and “no” after “no” after “absolutely not!” before the good folks at Netflix stepped up and gave a Castlevania series a chance.
As a global video platform, Netflix was uniquely suited to reaching across the Earth to the game’s generation of fans. And Kevin’s team building of Warren, voice director Meredith Layne and Powerhouse Animation’s Sam Deats, Adam Deats and Brad Graeber would deliver a winning mini-series (the original movie script broken into four episodes) guaranteed to capture the imagine of fans that had been pining for adult animation that examined more than just the hijinks of a wacky family.
Kevin’s showrunning skills were unparalleled, extremely unusual for a non-writing producer. But all his instincts were perfect, extending to the notion that a franchise universe could be in the cards.
Enter Castlevania: Nocture, a new series that, IMHO, is just the beginning.
youtube
Back to my original “hyperbole.” Cartoons on television have changed forever. Proof? Arcane, The Guardians of Justice, Beastars, Blood of Zeus... the list goes on. And none them possible without the success of Castlevania.
You can thank Kevin.
.....
From the postcard back:
Congratulations!
You are one of 125 people
to receive this limited edition
FredFilms postcard!
www.fredfilms.com
Castlevania: Nocturne
Executive Producers
Kevin Kolde
Clive Bradley, Fred Seibert
(*) indicates 18+ content. MINORS DO NOT INTERACT. 18+ is not just smut but delicate topics as well. Read at your own will.
If you spam like everything in less than 30 secs I will block you!
To read other works or to not read on this hellsite, everything is cross posted on (or actively moved to) wattpad!
| A Stark in the Wind | Bradley Bradshaw | Marvel Au
| Friend's Don't | Jake Seresin
| Meet the Family | Bradley Bradshaw
Thanksgiving | Christmas | Goodbye
| Three’s a Crowd, Unless its You* | Hangman/Rooster/Bob
| H_NGM_N | Jake Seresin
H_NGM_N* | MIAMI*
| Songbird | Bradley Bradshaw & Delilah Mitchell
| Always Darling | Jake & Willow Seresin
| Everybody Wants You* | Jake Seresin & Locklyn James
| Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince | Jake Seresin & Meredith Mitchell
| You Burn With Us | Jake Seresin & Birdie Abernathy
| Gunpowder & Lead | Jake & Emory Seresin feat Bob & Birdie Floyd
| Puck Around and Find Out | Top Gun Hockey AU
| PUCKING FINALLY | Javy Machado x Natasha Trace
| ROYALLY PUCKED | Jake Seresin x OC!Layne Thomas
| WHAT THE PUCK | Bradley Bradshaw x OC!Riley St. James
| PUCKING SHOTS | Bob Floyd x OC!Beatrice St. James
| BEYOND PUCKED | Mickey Garcia x OC!Mia Floyd
| SOCIAL PUCKS | Reuben Fitch x OC!Jessica Monroe
Curtis Andrews - Speaking Hands - drummer-led world jazz set with guest percussionists from Ghana and India
Speaking Hands is the sophomore release by the globe-trotting percussionist/composer Curtis Andrews, featuring 9 original compositions and one very special commission. Released more than 10 years since his award-winning eponymous debut, Speaking Hands features his Vancouver-based ensemble The Offering of Curtis Andrews, and guests from across Canada (via South India), down to California, over to urban South Africa, and up to rural Ghana.
Though recorded on the cusp of and during the 2020 pandemic, this is far from a “COVID record”. The seeds were sown over the past 11 years of travel, study, collaboration, and exploration, both abroad and at home, within and without. The compositions are reflective of the various sounds, aesthetics, and influences that Andrews gravitates towards with an open heart and mind: the intertwined rhythms and polyphonies of vodu-derived traditional music West Africa, the micro and macrocosmic play of time and pitch found in Carnatic traditions of South India, the open field of improvisation, and the intersection of all of these as one cohesive and original sound. It a place where korvais intermingle with the timeline of the gakogui. Andrews has been dwelling in these musical (and physical worlds) for the past 20 years, through deep engagement and study with communities and masters musicians. As such, his music is a natural extension of these experiences.
Of special note is the presence of world-renowned South Indian master drummer Dr. Trichy Sankaran. Andrews is honored and humbled to have his guru of more than 20 years join the ensemble on 4 pieces, including one piece that Sankaran composed especially for the group.
Musicians:
Curtis Andrews: drumset, percussion (1-10)
Meredith Bates: violin (3,5,6,8,9)
Jared Burrows: electric guitar (1-10)
Neelamjit Dhillon: alto saxophone (3) and bansuri (2)
Mark Duggan: vibraphone (1-3)
Drum ensemble from Dzogadze (Ghana): Kofi Avi, Clemens, Abomazu, Seth and Evans Agudzeamegah, Worlasi Agbavitor, Eugene Amegayibor (8)
Sandile Jwaai: electric bass (3)
John Korsrud: trumpet (1)
Robin Layne: vibraphone (4-10)
Colin Maskell: baritone & tenor saxophone (1)
Kristian Naso: trumpet (5,6,8,9)
Shantaleela Rao Andrews: in-utero heartbeat (5)
David Spidel: electric bass (1,2,4-10)
Kaushik Sivaramakrishnan: violin (2,4,7,10)
…and very special guest…
Sri Trichy Sankaran: mridangam (4,7,10) & kanjira (2)
All compositions by Curtis Andrews (SOCAN) except Chapu Tala Malika, composed for this group by Trichy Sankaran (SOCAN)