HOW TO: Advocate for Equity in the Studio System (w/ Janie Kahan)
The 50/50 Podcast · May 19, 2026 · 1:08:16
The 50/50 Podcast · May 19, 2026 · 1:08:16
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This week , we sit down with Janie Kahan to trace her path through the animation industry — from learning the studio pipeline at DreamWorks on TROLLS WORLD TOUR and CROODS 2, to Nickelodeon’s PLANKTON: THE MOVIE, and eventually Netflix Animation, where she found a creative home working on Charlie Kaufman’s ORION AND THE DARK. Along the way, Janie reflects on gravitating toward more emotionally mature storytelling and the kinds of projects that align with her artistic instincts.
The conversation also dives into the larger purpose Janie brings to every workplace: advocacy, allyship, and creating more inclusive environments for disabled creatives in the industry. We discuss practical ways productions can better support disabled team members day-to-day, the importance of communication and adaptability, and how meaningful social change can happen through both art and workplace culture.
