From Marcel to Stitch: Dean Fleischer Camp on Protecting Your Character’s Soul

Dean Fleischer Camp, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, joins GG Hawkins on this episode of the No Film School Podcast to discuss his journey from indie auteur to directing Disney's live-action Lilo & Stitch. Camp delves into the emotional and technical challenges of maintaining character integrity, scaling up production, and bringing heart and authenticity to a beloved IP. From personal anecdotes about his early filmmaking days to deep dives into character animation and working with child actors, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring filmmakers and animation fans alike.

In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and guest Dean Fleischer Camp discuss...

• How Dean’s background in editing and indie filmmaking shaped his directorial approach

• The creative transition from Marcel the Shell to Lilo & Stitch

• Capturing the emotional depth and soul of Stitch in a live-action format

• The importance of involving original creators in adaptations

• Directing child actors and creating real interactions with animated characters

• The casting and character development of Nani, Lilo's sister

• Practical advice for emerging filmmakers navigating their first projects

Memorable Quotes:

• “Even the most exacting director... gets like 30% of what they set out to get exactly in their mind’s eye.”

• “You can feed the animated Stitch through the live-action machine... but if you don’t put any care into it, it actually has the opposite effect.”

• “Don’t wait for permission to make something... That’s an order.”

Guest:

• Dean Fleischer Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

• Experience Camps

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