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Drawn: The Story of Animation

An exploration of cartoons with an insider's perspective, including show creators, voice actors, historians, animators and business leaders.

HowStuffWorks and Cartoon Network

Throughout the production of Drawn, there have been so many great moments in interviews that didn't quite fit into any of our episodes, but we wanted to make sure that listeners got to hear them. So today, it's all random moments from chats with the voice actors, animators, and production staff who make some of our favorite shows and movies. via Knit

Bonus Episode!

Bad guys are integral to driving the plots of many stories, and animation is no different. But villains are as varied as heroes -- from Jafar in "Aladdin" to the Monarch in "The Venture Brothers," and everything in between. What makes the perfect villain in animation, and why do we love them so much? via Knit

The Villains

While most of the high-profile positions in animation have been occupied by men for decades, women have been part of animation from the beginning. How has the industry changed for women over the years, and what does the future hold? via Knit

Women in Animation

Boing! Zip! Crash! The sound of animation is a character all its own. Who designs the non-music soundscape of a cartoon, and how does that work impact the final product? via Knit

The Sound Effects

Viewers may not always realize how deeply the music in a cartoon affects them. But without the score, we'd be emotionally lost. How do composers deftly handle that crucial emotional manipulation? via Knit

Music of 'Toons

From the Jetsons to Futurama, cartoons have long been envisioning what the world will be like in the space age. In many ways we've surpassed what animation told us to expect from technology. But animation's very existence is closely tied to technology in ways that enable that fantastic storytelling. via Knit

The Animated Future

Cartoons have gone through a number of identity shifts in terms of their intended audience. How did a medium initially aimed at adults become such an essential part of childhood, and then blossom again as a genre full of adult-oriented content? How has animation for kids included grown-ups in the humor, and why has animation made just for adults gotten so popular? via Knit

You Know, for Kids!

From Mel Blanc and June Foray to Tara Strong and Billy West, some of the most familiar sounds of childhood come from the mouths of rarely seen actors. Who are the people behind the voices that make us laugh, and how did they get this career? via Knit

The Voices of Childhood

From Oswald the Lucky Rabbit candies to today's mass-market collectibles, cartoons have driven an entire industry of branded merchandise. How did it go from pez dispensers to housewares to amusement parks? via Knit

Cartoon Consumables

Since 1950, kids have been learning about opera from Bugs Bunny. And he probably was the first drag performer most people can remember seeing. How did the wascally wabbit become a cultural influencer? via Knit

Bugs Bunny: Culture Guide

Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse are stars in their own right, but there were cartoons before either of those characters existed. What sorts of creatures and comics were dancing across screens in animation's early days? via Knit

Before There Were Icons

While some technology has changed over the years, in many ways, the path from an idea to a finished cartoon has remained the same. How does a cartoon come to life, and what does the future hold for animation? via Knit

How Cartoons Get Made

We're in the midst of a new golden age of animation, and this podcast takes a look at the where the industry has been and where it's going -- from the inside. Through dozens of interviews shared over 11 episodes, Drawn takes listeners on a fun and unique cartoon journey. via Knit