Dance your cares away, and come on down to Fraggle Rock!
Interview With Fraggles Mokey and Wembley For Fraggle Rock Back to the Rock
Although Mokey and Wembley have no idea what a TV show is or that we can actually see their adventures, they were excited to talk with us silly space creatures. Not sure who was more excited, us or them. It’s not every day you get to talk to a Fraggle!
Since we couldn’t ask them about their show we did talk to them about their latest adventures, what they do for fun, and more. They even asked us questions and invited us to live with them down in Fraggle Rock. With a 30-minute workweek that sounds absolutely divine.
About Fraggle Rock Back to the Rock
Jim Henson’s fun-loving, musical Fraggles are back! Join Gobo, Red, Wembley, Mokey, Boober, and new Fraggle friends on hilarious, epic adventures about the magic that happens when we celebrate and care for our interconnected world.
Fraggle Rock Back to the Rock season 1 is available on Apple TV+ starting January 21, 2022.
We had the chance to interview Emma Stone and Emma Thompson for their new film Cruella. Not only that but we also heard from the filmmakers about what it took to bring this most villainous villain to life. No spoilers here but we have seen the film, and we absolutely loved it.
Interview with Emma Stone and Emma Thompson for Cruella
We were delighted that Disney went dark with Cruella. How could you not? The woman eventually wants a spotted puppy coat.
Emma Stone: They really let Craig and Tony write and make what they wanted to make. I think it’s definitely dark for a Disney movie. It was darker than I’ve seen a Disney movie for a good long time.
Craig has worked on villain stories in the past like I, Tonya, What is it about the villains and what attracted you to Cruella’s story?
Craig: (Laughs) I mean, villains are always so fun to portray, because you just have more license to do things that aren’t quite appropriate or push the boundaries, and create these larger-than-life characters. It was really important to me that this was not black and white. Obviously, no pun intended there with Cruella. But I wanted there to be this gray area and be able to empathize with the choices that she was making. And I wanted to do it in a way that was really fun.
If you had to pick between Estella and Cruella who would it be? They are both so different.
Emma Stone: I think Estella is sweet, but she’s not fully embodied. So I would say there is something about Cruella that’s pretty enticing because she just kind of is who she is. She’s in full acceptance and autonomy there. So I am kind of interested in that Cruella world. That said she does some things, crosses some lines that I don’t think I would necessarily cross. But to be honest, I sort of prefer Cruella.
The set pieces in this film are phenomenal. What was the biggest challenge when creating Cruella’s world?
Fiona: I think the biggest challenge was actually the number sets. The film has great pace and we move around a lot. There are lots of little moments that require different sets. And so we were very busy. There were 120-odd sets to do across the course of the shoot. Some of them are enormous and some of them are tiny. I think one of the things that I’m most pleased about with the film is the level of detail in every single one of those sets.
Listen to the podcast and check out the links above for the full interview.
Cruella is in theaters and on Disney+ Premiere Access May 28, 2021. Tickets are on sale now.
For the latest episode of the Geek Girls Universe Podcast, we sat down for an interview with Jon Levine your soon-to-be favorite friendly neighborhood TVA clerk. That’s right, Jon is part of the new series Loki.
Interview with Jon Levine
One of the standout moments in the new Loki trailer was when Loki ended up in the TVA’s version of the DMV. Only instead of waiting forever for your number to be called, you have to verify everything you’ve ever said. Absurd. Yikes.
In the room we see an adorable cat, that may or may not be a Flerken, and the paperwork clerk in charge of getting Loki to sign off on an inordinate amount of papers. That clerk is none other than Jon Levine.
We couldn’t wait to talk with Jon about his time on the Loki set. Naturally, we wanted all the details but we know how those pesky NDAs work. However, he shared what he could including what it was like working with the god of mischief himself. From what he told us, that scene is going to be awesome.
As with all our guests, we asked him about his favorite fandoms, characters, and movies, which included a little tangent about Taika Waititi because how can you not. Jon also talked about Cobra Kai, Flerkens, and a lot more.
About Jon Levine
Jon Levine is an actor and standup comedian who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Jon has appeared in several films, TV shows, and commercials throughout his career as an actor. He has had roles on shows such as Cobra Kai and the upcoming Marvel Studios’Loki.
As a stand-up comedian, Jon has performed in a multitude of standup shows across the country as the host, guest, and featured comedian, as well as numerous corporate and private events. Jon has been the emcee at Belushi’s Comedy Club in Fort Myers, the Comedy Zone Sunny Isles Beach, and the Improv in West Palm Beach.
Now streaming on Netflix, is the all-new show Go, Dog. Go! is based on the best-selling children’s book by PD Eastman. We sat down for an interview with Executive Producer Adam Peltzman to learn more about what to expect in the town of Pawston.
Go, Dog. Go!
The show, Go, Dog. Go! follows 6-year-old Tag Barker on her adventures in the city of Pawston, a fun-loving community of dogs on the go. Tag is a skilled mechanic and loves anything that goes. With her ingenuity and creativity, Tag can go as far as any plan will take her with her best friend Scooch Pooch by her side.
Adam Peltzman is the executive producer of the Netflix original series from DreamWorks Animation and WildBrain, Go, Dog. Go! It is based on P.D. Eastman’s classic, best-selling children’s book.
A five-time Emmy Award-winning creator, writer and producer, Peltzman began his career on the hit show, Blue’s Clues, where he served as head writer for multiple seasons. Afterwards, he became the head writer on two well-known series The Electric Company and The Backyardigans. Peltzman’s credits include serving as creator on Nickelodeon’s Wallykazam! He also co-created the PBS Kids series Odd Squad and the WNYC fictional family podcast, This Podcast Has Fleas.
This show is not just colorful and musical, it’s a lot of fun, just like the book we both know and love. It features several recognizable characters and lots of new friends to meet like the all dog singing group the Barkapellas.
Fans of PD Eastman will be interested to hear whether or not other beloved characters will show up in the series. Our kids wanted to know if their friends Fred and Ted from Big Dog, Little Dog or the bird from Are You My Mother? will make their way into the show.
Adam hopes that children and families will enjoy the show together. Above that, there is a sense of community in the show.
“It’s about how community members get along, welcome new members, work as a team. I hope it inspires kids to get more curious about their own community and start thinking about what it means to be part of a community. Respecting each other and working with differences.”
To hear everything Adam had to say about the show listen in now!
Calling all Jurassic World fans! Season two of Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous debuts on Netflix on January 22. We had the chance to sit down for an interview with Executive Producer Scott Kreamer.
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Season 2
In Season 2 of Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, the campers are stranded on Isla Nublar. When the T.Rex takes over Main Street, forcing the kids deeper into the jungle, they discover that they may not be alone. This not only threatens their rescue but may uncover something more sinister.
Inspired by the Jurassic World franchise, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceousfollows six teenagers chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Camp Cretaceous. At camp they must work together to survive when dinosaurs wreak havoc across the island. Will they ever make it back? Only time will tell.
Scott Kreamer is the Emmy-nominated executive producer of the Netflix original series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. It’s inspired by the multi-billion-dollar Jurassic World franchise from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
Prior to Jurassic World, Kreamer served as co-executive producer and story editor of DreamWorks Cleopatra in Space. He also executive produced and work as a story editor for Nickelodeon’s Pinky Malinky. Scott also co-executive produced DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness.
We had the chance to speak with Scott about what to expect in Season 2 of the show. There are a lot of things he and the crew want children and families to take away from this season. First and foremost is that kids are resilient. And in a time like this, we all need to focus on that resiliency.
A fan favorite and Scott favorite dinosaur will be front and center this season as well. That’s right, the T. Rex is coming and those kids better watch out! Plus, since the show is set in the same universe as the films, we had to ask if a cross-over into live action was in the works. What did he say? You’ll have to listen to find out!
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Season 2 will be available January 22.
It’s 2021 and that means we are kicking off Season 2 of the Geek Girls Universe Podcast. What better way to get the new year started than this interview with special effects artist Steve Boyle? This is the man responsible for creatures from some of our favorite films and probably some of your nightmares.
Photo: Steve Boyle Studios
Interview With Special Effects Artist Steve Boyle
Steve Boyle’s work can be seen in Love and Monsters, What We Do In The Shadows, Attack of the Clones, and Daybreakers amongst other things. We had a chance to speak with him about his latest film, Love and Monsters which is available from Paramount Pictures to own today on Blu-ray, 4K, and DVD.
Love and Monsters is one of our favorite films from 2020. You can hear the others one on our Year End Review Episode.
What creature was the most challenging to create for Love and Monsters? And which one was your favorite?
Steve: My favorite was the Buzzard, the bunker creature. I think that was my favorite because it’s an asymmetrical, miss-mash of flesh, slime, and thorns. It was really fun to do. When I was a kid that was the sort of stuff I always wanted to do. That’s the kind of creature that has pulled me into doing this kind of stuff.
The most challenging was Mavis. About 4 hours before we had to film her on location she was about 100 pieces on a table we were trying to assemble. It was one of those ones where you think “Maybe this is going to be the one that doesn’t work.”
There is one monster we never get to see on screen despite it being a massive threat to the characters. Was it always the plan not to have it show up?
Steve: Yes. This was an intimate approach which personally I liked because you wanted to see more of everything. I think it’s better to get little suggestions, have you wanting to see more than seeing too much of them.
How many of the monsters were practical effects versus CGI?
Steve: I’m trying to remember. The gobblers were puppets but they were also CGI. Mavis was practical, the buzzard was about 80% practical. We ended up doing more practical stuff than I thought.
When it comes to special effects, you have designed creatures that are well known in lore like the werewolves for What We Do In The Shadows and others like in Star Wars and Love and Monsters that no one has ever seen before. Do you prefer taking something that is traditional and making it your own or coming up with something completely new?
Steve: That’s a really good question because I don’t know the answer to that. They excite me both in different ways.
I don’t know. I think I kinda swing between the two. Both are hugely satisfying. I guess with building all new stuff you don’t have to break through people’s conceived ideas of what a werewolf should look like, what a vampire should look like. You can be a bit more free. It’s also not compared in the same way. But I love doing both.
Along those lines, is there a character or a monster that you want to bring to life that you haven’t yet?
Steve: I haven’t done my own version of Frankenstein yet, I would love to do that. I’ve been really lucky, I’ve done most of what I always wanted to do. I’ve had amazing opportunities across all genres and to be able to work with the best artists in the world. People who were my idols as a kid are now some of my closest friends.
What inspired you to become a special effects artist? What drew you into this as your career?
Steve: I don’t know what drew me to it. I just remember being obsessed with it. I never wanted to do anything else. It was one of those things that kinda chose me and I got the bug very early on. I am creatively ambitious but not careerist if that makes sense. I’m much more interested in what I’m making.
Getting into this at such a young age, were there artists or puppeteers that you looked up to?
Steve: Oh yeah a lot. Richard Taylor who has his company WETA with Peter Jackson. I got to go over there and work with them for about 5 years. It wasn’t just about special effects, they were really original thinkers.
And where will we see Steve’s work showing up next? You’ll have to listen to find out!
For the full interview listen to the latest episode of the podcast.
Love and Monsters from Paramount Home Entertainment is now available on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD.
We are back with the latest meet the Magic Makers episode. These episodes are dedicated to showcasing the amazing talents of Disney Cast Members. We got a chance to talk with Jennifer Padley, a cast member from the Disney World Fine Arts Photography Department who can create almost anything your little geek heart desires!
Interview with Disney Cast Member Jennifer Padley
Jennifer worked in post-production at Disney World’s Fine Arts Photography department. She helped guests take their special moments captured during a Disney photography session and create custom layouts, photo books, and more to tell their story.
What started as a side hustle for friends has quickly turned into a business that is thriving. Jennifer found inspiration as a child from The Lion King (1994), to get into art and design. She takes that inspiration, her talents, and her love of all things Disney and combines them to make some of the prettiest murals, art pieces, even custom shoes that you have ever seen!
Find Jennifer on Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy @PadleyARTS. She shared that one of her best-sellers are these adorable donut magnets and ornaments. I mean don’t they look good enough to eat?
If you can dream it and want custom artwork Jennifer can do it. From handpainted ornaments and shoes to massive wall murals, Jennifer is your girl. Although she is local to central Florida she did share she is willing to travel (when life permits it again) to your home to make your rooms pop.
We both really like the character DNA canvas prints she has created like this Princess one. This type of artwork can be made for any character(s) or fandom.
Of course, before we wrapped up we had to ask Jennifer about her favorite fandoms and Disney characters. And since she worked in the photography department we also asked her to share her favorite photo spots and editing hacks for those special Disney moments.
We are back with another meeting the Magic Makers episode. These episodes are dedicated to showcasing the amazing talents of Disney Cast Members. This time we chatted with Katie Brown, a cast member who has filled many roles at Walt Disney World.
Interview with Disney Cast Member Katie Brown
Katie has done it all from photo pass photography to entertainment. She recently performed with The Voices of Liberty (her dream role) and sailed aboard the Disney Cruise Line as part of their onboard entertainment. Which she said was amazing before 2020 hit. Fingers crossed we can all get back to sailing (safely) very soon.
Since we both have musical backgrounds we were excited to talk to a CM in that field. One of us always wanted to perform for Disney, can you guess who? Let us know if you got it right.
Find Katie at Katie Brown Music and Piano Party. On her own, Katie continues to offer customized musical experiences for any occasion. She has performed in driveway concerts, socially distant wedding receptions, and is currently working on a Carol Kane Tribute show.
If you have a holiday party, class reunion, or anything that could use some live music, Katie is your girl! Or, if you’re looking for a nice night out in the Orlando area, check out The Edison at Disney Springs. Katie is a regular performer there. We can’t wait to go visit and say hi, from a distance of course!
Piano Party started as a side hustle and quickly grew. If you’ve never experienced a dueling piano show you need to get on that now. Or at least visit their website. It is incredible to watch.
We also couldn’t let Katie leave without her sharing not only her favorite fandoms but also her favorite songs to sing. She went for a classic, you’ll have to listen to find out what it was!
We are back with another meeting the Magic Makers episode. These episodes are dedicated to showcasing the amazing talents of Disney Cast Members. This time we chatted with Ashlee Santmyers, a cast member from Walt Disney World.
Interview With Disney Cast Member Ashlee Santmyers
Ashlee is a pastry chef in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. She enjoys being able to create the various treats you can find throughout the park. Cakes are her favorite thing to make!
She is also a geek just like us! So you know we had to ask her to pick her favorites and yes we know that can be as hard as picking a favorite child. Ashlee told us how she and her husband are a house divided: Batman vs. Superman and Sailor Moon vs. Dragonball Z. We had to share our own picks out of those two!
Ashlee owns Storybook Delights, where she makes sweet treats for various fandoms and occasions. Every order is custom, Ashlee will work with you to figure out the perfect flavor and decoration combinations to make your next special event shine.
Getting custom made cakes or cupcakes would be a perfect way to have some Disney Magic at home. Going into the winter months, we definitely recommend an extra dose of magic.
This Batman Wedding Cake is phenomenal! We know a few Batman fans who would love this at their wedding.
Do you even like Disney if you don’t have a Mickey-themed birthday party at least once? Look at this adorable Mickey Mouse cake complete with the ears on top!
Obviously, we love Star Wars around here so this cake is a definite favorite. And we bet she can put one together themed after The Mandalorian too if you ask! Just saying!!
Calling all witches, wizards, and muggles! These Wizard House Cookies look amazing. You need them for your next Yule Ball.
Order your custom pastries, cakes, cupcakes, and more from Storybook Delights today!
It is no secret we are big Disney fans. When the news of the furloughs and lay-offs came down our hearts broke. We wanted to help in any way we could. Part of our plan is to showcase the amazing Magic Makers, the people who are behind all the magic you experience when heading to the park. From PhotoPass photographers and character attendants to chefs and artists, it takes a lot of special people to make Disney what it is.
Interview with Disney Cast Member Felicia Wisniewski
We got a chance to talk with Felicia Wisniewski, a magic-making cast member from Walt Disney World.Felicia works in costuming primarily at Magic Kingdom. One of her favorite events to work is Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire stage show. The colors, the seasonal changes, it is all so fun.
She is also a geek just like us! So you know we had to ask her to pick her favorites and yes we know that can be as hard as picking a favorite child. Felicia loves Tiana, Daisy, and Star Wars. You know we had to talk some Star Wars with her because we Geek Girls are all about it.
As a big fan of Star Wars, she tells us what it was like to be one of the first CM’s to see what The Rise of the Resistance costumes would look like. We aren’t jealous at all…not at all…
Felicia owns Fandom Sophisticates, an Etsy shop where she makes and sells items for various fandoms, including hard to find pieces for Disney favorites! Lucky for us, and you, Felicia’s shop is also open for CUSTOM orders. So if you’re prepping for a runDisney event, a day at the parks, or just feel like showing off your fandom loving side, she is your girl.
You can’t help but love the Move it! Shake it! MousekeDance it! Street Party! The costumes are colorful, the music is lively, and it is a great time to interact with some of your favorite characters. These ears bring that joy to life and are sure to get you a ton of compliments at the park.
This one is available in English or Aurebesh. It would look great on your laptop, car window, water bottle, basically wherever you can stick a sticker.
Who said Frozen is only for kids? Warm-up your vocal cords and get ready to go Into The Unknown with this poodle skirt. Elsa not your girl? No worries, Felicia can make one custom for your favorite Disney Princess.
