Cartoons, Comedy & Creative Storytelling with Alex Leighton of Mukpuddy Animation
In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann talks with Alex Leighton, co-founder and creative director of Mukpuddy Animation, one of New Zealand’s most recognisable and enduring animation studios.Alex shares the incredible story of how Mukpuddy began over two decades ago in a small basement in Pakuranga and grew into a thriving studio creating shows like The Barefoot Bandits, Jandal Burn, Badjelly the Witch, and Night Eyes. He reflects on the persistence and passion that kept the team going through tough years, their focus on original IP, and how they’ve built a creative culture rooted in humour, collaboration, and heart.The conversation also explores the realities of running an independent animation studio in New Zealand, from funding and production challenges to the joy of seeing homegrown stories connect with audiences both locally and overseas.Check out Mukpuddy's website here: https://mukpuddy.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:34:55
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1:34:55
Masters of Reality: The Kiwi Studio Behind Some Of Hollywood’s Darkest Scenes
In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann chats with Caleb Thompson, award-winning visual effects artist and founder of Masters of Reality, a leading New Zealand VFX studio.Caleb shares his journey from studying at Media Design School to working on blockbuster productions such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Game of Thrones, Jumanji, Spartacus, and M3GAN. He talks about what inspired him to start his own studio, how Masters of Reality has grown to a 20-person team, and the importance of building a supportive, healthy studio culture that avoids crunch time.The conversation also touches on the challenges facing New Zealand’s visual effects industry, including tax incentives and international competition, winning an award for his Game of Thrones episode “Battle of the Bastards,” and the exciting ways AI and machine learning are shaping the future of visual effects.Master of Reality Website: https://morvfx.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:19:22
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1:19:22
Storyboarding A Minecraft Movie & LOTR: The Rings of Power With Dylan Coburn
In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, Susan Mann talks with Dylan Coburn, a veteran storyboard artist, animator, and director whose career spans three decades in film, television, and animation.Dylan shares how he began in hand-drawn animation at Toonz in the 1990s, went on to found his own studio Karactaz, and led projects for global clients including Marvel, Cartoon Network, and Warner Bros. He opens up about the realities of running a creative business, the challenges of scaling and eventually closing a studio, and how those experiences shaped his approach to collaboration and artistry.Now one of New Zealand’s most in-demand storyboard artists, Dylan reflects on working on major productions like Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Equalizer 3, A Minecraft Movie and Chief of War, and offers advice for emerging artists about persistence, mentorship, and knowing your worth in a fast-changing creative landscape.Check out Dylan's website here: https://www.idrawandwrite.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:37:47
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1:37:47
Why Mistakes Matter: Lessons in Creativity and Mentorship with Raymond McGrath
In this episode, Susan Mann speaks with Raymond McGrath — writer, illustrator, director, musician, and educator — about his diverse creative journey. Raymond shares how he moved from hand-drawn animation into digital pipelines, and why adaptability and a willingness to learn new tools have sustained his career.They explore the role of mentorship in creative industries, the importance of mistakes as part of the learning process, and the challenges facing graduates entering animation today. Raymond also reflects on developing his own storytelling style, which centres on relationships and the natural world, and the creative process behind his beloved children’s books Big Little Blue and Kenneth and Queenie.The conversation extends to publishing, the realities of advances and royalties, the risks of self-publishing, and how authentic storytelling differs from generic content. Raymond also discusses turning Big Little Blue from songs into a graphic novel series and then into an animated TV production, sharing his philosophy on creating work that is unique, truthful, and rooted in personal experience rather than industry convention.This is an inspiring and insightful discussion for anyone navigating the creative industries, from students and emerging artists to seasoned studio leaders.Find out more about Raymond McGarth here: https://www.raymondmcgrath.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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2:13:40
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2:13:40
Building the Impossible with Carl Moody of Bootleg Design
In this episode of Managing Creative Studios, I sit down with Carl Moody, co-founder of Bootleg Design, the workshop behind some of New Zealand’s most iconic large-scale builds. From restoring Auckland’s infamous “Creepy Santa” to transporting a giant Shaun the Sheep across the country, or building a 5 tonne lolly jar for Air NZ, Carl shares how his team brings wild ideas to life.We talk about the balance between creativity and practicality, the constant challenge of budgets and timelines, and why the best projects start with early collaboration. Carl also opens up about the artistry behind making things by hand, the technical problem-solving that goes into massive structures, and the satisfaction his team gets from transforming concepts into reality.With over 36 years in the industry, Carl’s stories offer valuable lessons on planning, design thinking, and the magic of execution.If you want to get in touch with Bootleg Design, find them here: https://bootleg.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Managing Creative Studios is your go-to podcast for the people behind the pixels, pens, and production schedules. Whether you're leading a creative team or just getting started, we explore what really goes into running a creative studio—from workflows and leadership to tools, tech, and studio culture. Featuring conversations with industry pros across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific, this podcast is here to inform, support, and inspire anyone working in the creative sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand