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 Berkowitrz 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 lastkidsoneart...