Monsters, Inc. (2001) (with John Airlie)

The Fantasy/Animation podcast continues its involvement with the work of Pixar Animation Studios in this closer look at the computer-animated film Monsters, Inc. (2001) featuring Chris and Alex’s first guest of the new season John Airlie, Associate Lecturer in Film and Media at Birkbeck University in London. Not only has John has taught courses across higher education related to gender and sexuality, but has, in his own words, also toiled in the world of publishing and book distribution. He now works for one of the major U.S. film companies in London, where he specialises in post production (localisation/dubbing) for international markets. Topics include the role of the voice in character animation and international dubbing practices as a form of adaptation; the interplay between the dubbed voice and stardom, and what it means for culturally-specifically stars to ‘match’ the physicality of an ‘original’ animated body; contemporary Hollywood animation and celebrity voicework; the politics of the animated cameo; and what Monsters, Inc. has to say about the power of the child’s voice. **Fantasy/Animation theme tune composed by Francisca Araujo**