Geppetto (2000)
Larry and Andie dive into to this made for TV musical with a discussion of character motives, strong structure, and Larry's concept of superfoiling.
Nov 23, 2022•57 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Once Upon A Disney
Andie Redwine and Larry Brenner
An educational podcast detailing principles of screenwriting and storytelling using Disney narrative filmography from the 20th Century.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
The Aristocats (1970)
Sacre bleu! Larry and Andie dissect this animated Disney feature with an eye toward missed opportunities, an underuse of characters, and plot and protagonist problems.
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 5
The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
Wocka wocka!! Another Muppet movie - so you know Larry is fired up! Join Andie and Larry as they explore Muppet character development and laud the genius of Frank Oz's direction.
Nov 09, 2022•59 min•Season 4Ep. 4
The Lion King 2 (1998)
Hakuna Mata-two? Join Larry and Andie as they analyze the 1998 sequel to the 1994 hit The Lion King. Topics include showing vs. telling and why giving the protagonist the satisfaction of triumph in the climax is always the way to go.
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Happy Halloween! Larry and Andie tackle this cult classic. The duo discuss the dangers of a long windup in exposition, the importance of character choice, and the need to stick to your rules in your screenplay.
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr•Season 4Ep. 2
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Season 4 kicks off with the piece de resistance from the 1990s Disney Renaissance, Beauty and the Beast. In this episode, Andie and Larry tackle protagonist problems, foiling, and recent film criticism on Stockholm Syndrome.
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) with Taj Whitesell
For this season finale, Larry and Andie are joined by artist Taj Whitesell to unpack the hit launching the Disney renaissance. Highlights include many craft takeaways and Larry's working theory of Who REALLY Framed Roger Rabbit?
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Hercules (1997)
Andie and Larry tackle this Disney retelling of the epic Greek myth. Topics include the need for a protagonist with selfless goals and why too much exposition can lose your viewers.
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Bonus Episode- Ducktales: Time is Money (1988)
In this episode, Larry talks about the five part Ducktales "movie" Time is Money, which introduces the character of Bubba Duck to the cast.
Aug 31, 2022•37 min
Herbie Rides Again (1974)
Vrrrrrooooom! Disney Villain Alonzo Hawk joins the Herbie world, and Andie and Larry are here for it! Topics include using a false climax, the lack of a showdown, and choosing to start a film with your antagonist.
Aug 24, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 18
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) with Bryn Tanner
Playwright Bryn Tanner joins Larry and Andie in unpacking this adaptation of Victor Hugo's foundational French novel. Topics include the dangers of explicit exposition, protagonist problems, and adult themes in a movie for families.
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Season 3Ep. 17
The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
Join Larry and Andie as they crack the case of this movie, including discussions of foiling, the use of time in a screenplay, and how this movie starts perfectly.
Aug 10, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 16
TRON (1982) with Brett Niethamer
The Holy Goof's Brett Niethamer combines forces with Larry and Andie to discuss the first computer animated Disney classic. Topics include protagonist problems, the need for a character to address flaws, and overkill on worldbuilding.
Aug 03, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Robin Hood (1973)
Oo-De-Lolly! Larry and Andie discuss the first Disney animated feature without Walt, including the dangers of crafting a narrative feature with one eye to television.
Jul 27, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Treasure Island (1950)
Arrrr, Matey! Andie and Larry unpack this treasure of a film, offering a lot of historical content, a thematic breakdown, and a discussion on film adaptation and why some parts of a novel do not make the cut.
Jul 20, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Toy Story 2 (1999)
There's a snake in my boot! Larry and Andie rave over this near perfect sequel, picking up where Toy Story left off. Topics include a dual inciting incident, themes, and how Pixar solves the Buzz Lightyear problem.
Jul 13, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
Larry and Andie tackle the first Disney movie musical completed without Walt. Topics include the Fetch Quest trope, how best to marry plot and music, and the problems with a heavy edit.
Jun 30, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Bonus Episode- Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears: A New Beginning (1985)
In this bonus episode, Larry discusses the pilot of Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985.) He posits that this series is an important pivot point, drawing from past successes in Disney animation but also laying the groundwork for Disney stories for years to come.
Jun 22, 2022•38 min
The Great Muppet Caper (1981)
Join Andie and Larry for this followup to The Muppet Movie. Topics include love triangles, how cameo appearances need to drive the story, and how one of us feels Fozzie is grossly underutilized.
Jun 15, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Pete's Dragon (1977) - Recorded LIVE at Spalding University
This BONUS episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Naslund-Mann School of Writing at Spalding University. Topics include the Mahnishtahnah, trouble with the inciting incident, and the vaudevillian nature of this movie musical.
Jun 08, 2022•49 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)
Andie and Larry shrink down the elements of this late 80's classic. Topics include showing over telling, the primary importance of theme, and wondering who in the backyard is the real protagonist!
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 8
The Tigger Movie (2000)
Larry and Andie "bounce" through this theatrical reboot of the Winnie The Pooh franchise. Topics include character continuity in a franchise, thematic challenges, how songs need pathos, and how to write a character experiencing a dark night of the soul.
May 25, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Swiss Family Robinson (1960) with Andrea Nasfell
Team Fritz or Team Ernst? Screenwriter Andrea Nasfell joins Andie and Larry for a discussion of this classic family film. Topics include the inciting incident, character arcs, and the structure of the film influenced by television.
May 18, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Join Andie and Larry to discuss foiling, character relationships, and worldbuilding using this fast-paced Pixar classic.
May 11, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The Shaggy Dog (1959)
Larry and Andie discuss Disney's first live action comedy and the dangers of editing a TV show into a feature - namely setups never paid off.
May 04, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Join Andie and Larry for a discussion of this Disney miss - a movie which favors plot and location over character and theme - and what's up with no music?
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 3
The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) with Tom Provost
Join Andie, Larry, and Director Tom Provost for this look at the 1961 live-action classic. Topics include dramatic questions, a recipe for Flubber, and why Mrs. Chatsworth is the true villain of the picture.
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 2
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Kicking off Season 3 with the film credited with ushering in the Disney Renaissance of the 1990s! We discuss the importance of the 'mahnishtahnah,' characterization, and why the movie would end differently today.
Apr 13, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The Lion King (1994)
In this last episode of Season 2, Larry and Andie tackle this truly perfect film. The prologue's exceptional use of exposition for worldbuilding and relationships, music, and complex characterizations driving plot - The Lion King has it all!
Mar 02, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
Larry and Andie heroically tackle this futuristic Disney Channel Original Movie. While it's not their favorite, the duo discuss flaws in the script and ways to improve the film.
Feb 23, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 2Ep. 19
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android