This month, I made a new friend! John Morena joined me to talk all the taboo topics, including but not limited to politics, religion, and TikTok.

Morena is a Bronx-born animator and art director, currently living in Brooklyn. His films have been selected by such prestigious festivals Annecy, Ottawa, Hiroshima, Anima Mundi, Animafest Zagreb, and the International Children's Festival. He is currently working on an anthology piece Films for No One which you can keep stay up-to-date with on Instagram.

Links to points of discussion:

• Di Fara Pizza
• Creepshow 2
• Alphabet by David Lynch
• I'm Okay by Elizabeth Hobbs
• Martina Scarpelli
• Area 52 by John Morena
• 25 Ways to Quit Smoking by Bill Plympton
• Your Face by Bill Plympton
• Beauty in the Grime: An Interview with Independent Animator John Morena by ASIFA-East

The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. In this new 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 lighthearted and unexpected conversation.

Credits:

• Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
• Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts
• Music by Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans
• Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon
• Special thanks to Lisa LaBracio for recommending John Morena, Jose Vargas, Michael Dondero, and Nikolas Fortune Hagen

This month, The Animator's Friend is joined by the self-proclaimed Animator's Friend's Friend Josh Pilch. Josh is an animator at Augenblick Studios and has worked on such projects as City Island and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. He has his own improv podcast Big Town Improv which can be found on all major podcast platforms. This lively conversation leaves listeners wondering... is Josh brat? Is Josh a bully? Was Josh really raised amish? You be the judge!

Links to points of discussion:

• City Island (show)
• Bagel Villa (Brooklyn bakery)
• The Animator's Playlist
• Tigre (Manhattan bar)
• Bruce Blitz

The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. In this new 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 lighthearted and unexpected conversation.

Credits:

• Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
• Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts
• Music by Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans
• Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon
• Special thanks to Darren Santa Maria, Lisa LaBracio, my parents Lisa Lombardi-Bello and Mick Bello, and Josh for helping me move my couch.

The Animator's Friend is hosted by India Lombardi-Bello, an animation educator at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. In this new podcast, 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 lighthearted and unexpected conversation.

In this episode, India sits down with director and educator Lisa LaBracio to discuss their shared Italian heritage, social norms, failure, chocolate, and Animation Speak/Easy. Among other things!

Links to points of discussion:

• Anne Beal
• John Morena
• Uncle Thomas: Accounting for the Days by Regina Pessoa
• Tragic story with a Happy ending by Regina Pessoa
• Feet of Song by Erica Russell
• Neighbors by Norm McLaren
• Song Exploder
• The Animator's Friend's playlist heh

Credits:

• Recorded and edited by India Lombardi-Bello
• Produced in part with facilities provided by SVA MFA Computer Arts
• Music by Crankin' Cloutmeyer Evans
• Design and branding by Sawyer Rippon

• Special thanks to Ethan Kaplan, Michael Dondero, Adam Meyers, Lisa Lombardi-Bello, and Mick Bello