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The Animator’s Friend

The Animator’s Friend

Written by: India Lombardi-Bello
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Befriending animators, 24 questions at a time. The Animator’s Friend creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for lighthearted and unexpected conversation.Copyright 2024-2025 All rights reserved. Art Science Fiction
Episodes
  • 26: Bring Back Pangea with Marcelese Cooper

    26: Bring Back Pangea with Marcelese Cooper
    May 19 2026
    In true TAF fashion, me and Marcelese Cooper talk about bugs. Marcelese Cooper is an artist and educator originally from Santa Clarita, California, and has practiced throughout the Midwest and the South for nearly a decade. Influenced by their experiences as a young, black, queer individual, Cooper explores themes of identity, community, and the black/brown narrative through mediums like animation, performance art, and experimental video. They blend the DNA of dreams, science-fiction, and surreal art-house cinema in their work. Currently a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Film and Media Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh, Cooper merges storytelling with time-based media to nurture the next generation of storytellers. Their recent artistic endeavors extend into 2D animation, video art, and sound experimentation, with a focus on community-centered projects that emphasize group storytelling and self-mythos. Learn more and contribute to Story Drive here - an ongoing video series focused on community storytelling. We interpret anonymous voicemails — dreams, memories, secrets, and more — into video art. Whether you're sharing a laugh, a personal truth, or a somber moment, your story will be heard. Donate to Marcelese's upcoming project On Good Days here - On Good Days is a short experimental documentary about what it means to live with chronic and autoimmune conditions on a daily basis. These conditions are often shown only during emergencies or flare ups, but most of life happens between those moments or potentially in spite of them. It happens in the pacing of energy, in care routines, in the small decisions that shape a day, and in the adaptations that allow people to keep moving through the world on their own terms. This film is focused on that living part, which is often the part that is least understood. Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO Get 10% off your submission to the Hudson Valley Film Festival with TAFnHVFFrCOOL Links to points of discussion: Marcelese Cooper's websiteMarcelese's InstagramStory Drive's websiteNo More Than Anyone ElseFilm Diary NYCOn Good Days on GoFundMeThe Animator's Friend on InstagramHellavision on June 2nd - Troy NYNo Fun - Troy NYGround Zero Basement - Troy NYThe Animator's Playlist on Apple Music and Spotify Smith's Hot Dogs Nathan's Hot Dogs American Museum of Natural History - NYC The Animator's FavoritesThe Animator's Animations The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. Credits: Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-BelloDigital marketing assistance from Arnesh KunduMusic by CloutmeyerDesign by Sawyer RipponSpecial thanks to Benton Bainbridge for connecting me to Marcelese!All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 25: Earthwalking with Andy & Carolyn London

    25: Earthwalking with Andy & Carolyn London
    Apr 16 2026
    From oatmeal to the occult, the London's give equal attention to their pastimes. They even begrudgingly give equal attention to their dislikes as well which include Long Island and the discomfort of growing up. These are featured predominently in their most recent film 1981, where the mullets are long, the metal is heavy, and 14-year-old Douglas gets a birthday surprise that will change his life forever. Andy and Carolyn are writers, directors, animators and co-founders of London Squared Productions. Since 1999, they’ve been creating films, music videos and animated content. Get 10% off your submission to the Hudson Valley Film Festival with TAFnHVFFrCOOL

    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO

    Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend

    Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Links to points of discussion:

    • Sundance Film Festival
    • NBC Page Program
    • Animation Speak/Easy - NYC
    • Lisa LaBracio's website
    • Anna Samo Bergmann's website
    • The Animator's Playlist on Apple Music and Spotify
    • Library180 - NYC
    • East Village Shoe Repair - BK
    • Cinanima - Portugal
    • The Animator's Animations
    • The Animator's Favorites
    • The Metropolitan Museum of Art - NYC
    • Fantagraphics
    • Woodstock Film Festival - NYS
    • Sonoma International Film Festival - CA
    • Stuttgart International Festival of Animation Film - Germany
    • Joy + Noelle's website
    • The Animator's Friend on Instagram

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation.

    Credits:

    • Recorded, produced, and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
    • Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu
    • Music by Cloutmeyer
    • Design by Sawyer Rippon
    • Special thanks: my mom and dad
    • All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
    • We are not doctors or mental health professionals, so consult a doctor before enacting on any of our opinions
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • TAF at the Marvels of Media Festival 2026!

    TAF at the Marvels of Media Festival 2026!
    Mar 27 2026

    Last night, I transcended my human form and turned into a rd carpet correspondent for the Museum of Moving Image's Marvels of Media Festival! We spoke with festival participants and organizers Dani Bowman, Jackson Tucker-Meyer, Josh Sapan, Susanna Hunt, Steven Fraser, Steph Prizhitomsky, Bob Clark, Miranda Lee, and Maxwell Scheller. The festival runs all weekend long, see details here: https://movingimage.org/series/marvels-of-media-festival-2026/

    Get your hands on a Camp Snap Camera for $5 off by using my link! https://www.campsnapphoto.com/INDIALOMBARDIBELLO

    Host your podcast on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    Do businessy things on Podbean, one month free trial! https://www.podbean.com/pro/theanimatorsfriend

    Advertise on Podbean! https://sponsorship.podbean.com/theanimatorsfriend

    The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an educator based in New York City. In this series, India creates a platform where animators get to talk about themselves outside the context of their work. A questionnaire format, inspired by the 24 frames per second of animation, allows for personal, lighthearted, and unexpected conversation. https://linktr.ee/theanimatorsfriend

    Credits:

    Recorded and produced by India Lombardi-Bello & Arnesh Kundu Edited by India Lombardi-Bello Digital marketing assistance from Arnesh Kundu Music by Cloutmeyer Design by Sawyer Rippon Special thanks: Renata Luczak, Justin Solar, and Arnesh All opinions belong to the guests and do not represent any other individual or entity
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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