Dreamfinders

Whether for television, film, or theme parks, Kirk Hanson has used a pencil and a little ingenuity to create some of the most beloved stories of our time. As a story artist for Disney Feature animation, Kirk helped bring to life Aladdin, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Hercules. He’s also found himself over at Imagineering fleshing out ideas for Pirates of the Caribbean and Monster Inc: Ride and Go Seek. Kirk was nice enough to chat with me about starting his career at Hanna Barbera, pitching scenes to Jeffery Katzenberg, and the Country Bear Jamboree racing dark ride that could have been. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

If there is one cultural touchstone that Disney theme parks might have helped bring back from obscurity, it’s Tiki culture. While the Enchanted Tiki Room was in response to the burgeoning craze of the late 50’s early 60’s, when all the bars and rum joints closed down over the years, the Tiki Room kept the culture around for later generations of fans to discover. One of those fans was Tiki Tony. Inspired by island culture and his love of Disney, Tony crafts mugs, makes totems, and even has had some of his artwork show up at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. But he also has a passion for bringing fans together and heads up the annual Disneyland Adventureland Day. Tony and Nathan sat down to chat about how his love of Tiki came about, what it’s culture is like in the 21st century, and the ultra themed Tiki hut and truck he created for his backyard. Learn more about what Tony is up to at tikitony.com Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

From the mountains of China, to the plains of Kenya and even Moscow’s Red Square, filmmaker Jeff Blyth has focused his camera on all sorts of wonders of the world. Well…more like cameras... nine to be exact. Throughout his career, Blythe has directed six circle-vision films for Disney, including Portraits of Canada, Wonders of China, The Timekeeper, and Reflections of China. But that's just scratching the surface as Jeff chats with Nathan about the technical struggles of shooting a full 360 degree image for Circle Vision, his time in Africa filming the Disney feature “Cheetah” and how you can find his work in both The Shining and Blade Runner. As a very special treat, Jeff has also worked with Nathan on a director's commentary track for WDWNT's 360° presentation of his EPCOT film "Reflections of China." Be sure to check that out! Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

Skipper David John Marley used to sail the rivers of the world for the Jungle Navigation Company at Disneyland. Now a history professor, he's compiled "Skipper Stories" - two volumes of the best jungle cruise stories money can buy. Marley sits down with Nathan to chat about what it takes to be a great skipper, looking at the Jungle Cruise from a historians perspective, and the greatest pranks he ever pulled on the job. Check out all David John Marley has going on... * Dr. Skipper on Etsy * Skipper Stories on Amazon. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

There are Disney theme park megafans and then there are those that transcend the title to become pillars for what the entire fan culture sits upon. Martin Smith is one of those fans. Known worldwide as the “Ken Burns” of Disney parks history on Youtube and across the internet, Martin's documentaries about attractions, pavilions, and other park elements have become a staple for Disney fans and a way into the culture for many. Martin was kind enough to chat with Nathan about getting into Disney culture, his filmmaking process for archiving Disney’s theme park past, and the support he’s found in the Disney fan community. Check out Martin's work at martinsvids.net or on Youtube or Vimeo. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

Believe it or not, there was once a time where theme parks were rather humorless. Then artist and Imagineer Marc Davis came along and changed the game. If you like the dog holding the prison cell key in Pirates of the Caribbean or any of the gags on the Jungle Cruise, that's all Davis and it's safe to say that the whimsical tone of Disney theme parks owes him a great debt. Author and Imagineer Christopher Merritt hopes to repay some of that debt with a massive and beautiful book he recently co-authored with Pete Doctor entitled “Marc Davis: In His Own Words.” Chris sat down with Nathan to chat about his pathway into Disney Imagineering and how a decades long mentorship from Davis changed him on both an artistic and personal level. You can pick up "Marc Davis In His Own Words" on Amazon or your local book seller. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

Evan and Britta Kasperzak have quiet the history of acting, dance, and Disney. Having met in college, the two’s journey led Evan to perform on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," and Broadway's Newsies while later acting as choreographer for Disney World. At the same time, Britta found herself training young Jedi at Hollywood Studios and discovering a love for fitness training. Nathan Hartman chats with Evan and Britta about their Disney experiences and the challenges of balancing a romance with personal creative goals. You can find Evan on Facebook, Instagram and Twitch. You can learn all about Britta and Weirdo Wellness at weirdowellness.com or on Instagram. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

In the late 70’s Mark Eades found himself juggling an internship with Disney productions while also working nights at Autopia in Disneyland. But his work paid off and soon he found himself helping on a little film called Tron and then joining the editorial team for Epcot Center. For Epcot, Mark worked in post-production on such favorites as Magic Journeys, Universe of Energy, and the Golden Dreams segment of American Adventure, but that's just the beginning. Mark chats with Nathan about working with Jim Henson on Muppet Vision-3D, casting the voice of Rex for Star Tours, and working on one of the most beloved Universal Studio shows of all time - Terminator 2: 3D. Keep up with Mark at markeades.com Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

For Scott Curtis, Disney fans hold a special place in his thoughts. Mostly because they’ve well… been in his head. As a child actor, Scott played both Bobby and the voice of Buzzy in Epcot’s much-loved, now-defunct Cranium Command inside Wonders of Life. After hearing of the theft of the Buzzy animatronic, Scott reached out to WDWNT, hoping to help spread the word and maybe get the little pilot back home. He also chats with Nathan about his career guesting on shows like "Newhart" and "The Golden Girls," being DJ Tanner’s first kiss on Full House, and getting a change to touch fingers with E.T. himself. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Show Editor - Shannen Michaelsen * Quality Control - Ben Harris * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

In the early 1950’s Bob D’Arcy had just got back to California from playing in the Army Band and was looking for work. Fortunately his father had just been hired at a place that needed someone to tour big-wigs and celebrities around - a still under-construction Disneyland. From there Bob became the very first tour guide ever at a Disney park and spent his time showing Walt Disney’s vision off to…well Walt Disney’s friends. Bob’s stories are absolutely incredible as he remembers the time he drove a jeep with Imagineer Harper Goff through the Jungle Cruise, fell in love and found himself a part of one of Disneyland’s first scandals, and how years later he ended up playing Adolf Hitler in “The Rocketeer.” Make sure to check out Bob's book "A Walk in the Park: Reflections from Disneyland's First Host" on Amazon. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Editor: Shannen Michaelsen * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

Historian Andrew Kiste is the author of “The Historical Tour of Walt Disney World" Volumes 1-3 and in each he dives deep into how actual history surrounds our experiences in a Disney park, answering questions like "how accurate is Pirates of the Caribbean?" or "should we really should Thank the Phonecians?" Andrew chats with Nathan about how the WDW Explore CD-Rom inspired his Disney love at a young age, what responsibility Disney might have to preserve history in their parks accurately and his news book looking at the 64-65 Worlds Fair and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Find Andrew at his website kistethehistorian.com Also check out his books at themeparkpress.com or Amazon. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

Last episode voice actor and impersonator Brian Hull came on the show. Well, after our chat he told me that a friend of his had mentioned he'd love to chat so here's a very special guest straight from Pride Rock! Make sure to check out his website brianhull.co and his Youtube channel. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

We all have our favorite Disney cartoon characters. Sometimes we wear them on shirts or put them backpacks - maybe even go to the parks and Disney bound as them. Well, Brian Hull likes to go to the parks as characters - just not like you and me. As a voice artist and impersonator, Brian has almost a whole Disney vault’s worth of voices he shares on his Youtube channel with his two million fans. Brian sits with Nathan to chat about how a simple online contest made him go viral over night, what it takes for him to figure out an impression, and what it’s like to do voice at the parks for the character’s themselves. Make sure to check out his website brianhull.co and his Youtube channel. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

Matthew Jordan Leeds always loved the music of Epcot. From an early age he found himself listening to the work of Bruce Broughton as it echoed through the cathedral like space of Ellen’s Energy Adventure and, from that point on, composing was something he wanted to do. Who would have thought years later he would have the chance to rearrange some of Broughton’s theme park music for a brand new Epcot fireworks spectacular - Epcot Forever. Matthew was kind enough to chat with Nathan about what the process it takes to compose a theme park show, his unique way into working for Disney, and the challenges of ushering in a new era of Epcot. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.

Comic book writer Jim Zub had tackled all sorts of stories. From sword and sandal epics to fun web comics, he’d created tons of worlds for people to enjoy, but then he had to use his imagination for something all about imagination. As writer of the Figment comic books series, Jim fleshed out a world theme park fans only glimpsed in the original Journey Into Imagination ride and he talks with Nathan about working with Imagineers on the story, writing Spiderman, and the time comics legend Scott McCloud personally invited him to Comic Con. Check out Jim's work at jimzub.com. You can also help him out over on Patreon at patreon.com/jimzub. Contact Nathan * Twitter – @somestuffisaid * Instagram – @somestuffisaw * Email – dreamfinders@wdwnt.com Credits: * Podcast Artwork - JP Tanner * This podcast is distributed by WDW News Today Find us on Apple Podcasts, Youtube, Spotify, Google, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Stitcher, or your favorite podcatcher using our RSS feed.