Nancy Cartwright

Dear Fans,

Over the next few articles, I am branching out and asking my industry friends to give me their insider takes. I am going to focus on subjects that professionals need to have some knowledge of and get opinions from a wide range of specialties and hats in the business.

These responses are from my good friend Jack Thomas, exec producer.

In previous lives, Jack Thomas, exec producer of the animated Disney series, The Replacements, has been a lawyer and a stand-up comic. "Apparently, I can't hold a job," he quips. But seriously folks, he doesn't have to worry. Since its debut in September 2006, The Replacements has been the number one rated animated TV series on the Disney Channel and ABC Kids networks.

What is an exec producer?
Nancy Cartwright: As exec producer of Disney’s newest animated shows for tweens, what exactly do you do? How is an exec producer different from a producer?

Jack Thomas: As the exec producer I am the “show runner.” The ultimate responsibility for all creative decisions rests with me. Having said that, my background is comedy writing, so my style is to delegate a lot. Heather Martinez, my director, who is a great artist, is in charge of most “art decisions.” I only weigh in on what I feel are the most crucial ones and I concentrate more on writing, acting and editing.

NC: How long have you been interested in animation? You originally came to Los Angeles with the goal of becoming a lawyer. At what time did that switch for you and how did you transition into animation?

JT: Actually, I came to L.A. as a stand-up comedian. I had quit the law to do comedy. My transition to animation was pretty abrupt. I had been writing for American Movie Classics and Fox Sports when Steve Marmel suggested I freelance a script for the Fairly Oddparents. (He was the story editor.) I wrote a script in February and in June, I was a staff writer.

Working with Actors
NC: What are the actors’ responsibilities when cast in a show? How much input do you expect and/or want from the voice actor when casting a show?

JT: I love funny actors. And I am blessed to have such a funny cast. You, Daran [Daran Norris -- Fairly Odd Parents, Dexter’s Laboratory, Veronica Mars] and Grey [Grey DeLisle -- Fairly Odd Parents, What’s New Scooby-Doo?, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law] especially love to ad-lib. As long as I get one good take that’s dead on the script I’ll give my actors the freedom to ad-lib as long as it doesn’t change the story. I encourage my actors to “own” their characters. David McCallum is always asking for one more take, and nine times out of 10 that extra take is the one I use.

NC: Please describe a casting session for a show.

JT: Casting is so high tech now. Normally I listen to a bunch of auditions that have been downloaded from Voice Bank. Then we bring in the actors for a callback. I actually try not to look at the actors, some of them are so funny with their expressions and gestures, but none of that translates, obviously. So I just stare at a picture of the character they are reading for.