Author: Brooke Wehrle

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

We are thrilled to announce that Fred Rogers Productions has been named #3 in Production for Kidscreen's annual Hot 50, which recognizes the leading children's media companies. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our industry peers who voted for us, as well as our production partners and viewers.

The ranking follows the 50th anniversary of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in 2018 and a rebrand that was implemented to better champion Fred Rogers’ growing production slate and expansion into digital distribution, games and apps.

“One of the great things about being part of the public media system is we not only produce the TV shows, we get to make the digital experiences, too, and engage with the community on the grounds of public TV stations across the country,” says Ellen Doherty, Chief Creative Officer.

Now in its sixth year, the Hot50 is determined by Kidscreen’s 16,500-plus print and digital subscribers through votes for the most happening companies in children’s entertainment.

A complete list of this year’s Hot50 companies can be found on Kidscreen’s dedicated microsite.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Can you tell us about yourself and how you came to work on Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood?
I am a mom and grandmom. I have a son and daughter, and I have four grandchildren ages 19, 11, 9, and 6. Currently I direct The P.R.I.D.E. Program, which is a Pittsburgh-based initiative at the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development that aims to help young Black children develop a positive racial identity.

I came into the Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood work at the invitation of Bill Isler, former CEO of Fred Rogers Productions, because I had worked for the company years ago when it was called Family Communications, Inc. During that time, I was the director of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Childcare Partnership, which was a program designed to help child care providers use the television program consistently and intentionally with the children in their care. I subsequently worked as a consultant on the development of a couple Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood trainings—one called “What Do You Do with the Mad That You Feel?” named after the song, and one called “Challenging Behaviors.” My history with the company is probably what inspired Bill to invite me to join the team.

What was your favorite television show when you were growing up?
Well, I’m pretty old, so my memories of programs from my earliest years are foggy. I do remember watching cartoons on Saturdays, shows like The Flintsones and the Jetsons, but the ones I remember more vividly are programs I watched as a pre-teen and teenager, such as The Patty Duke Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gilligan’s Island. I loved them, but they were all very very white. It wasn’t until shows like Julia with Diahann Carroll were produced that I was able to see characters who at least looked a little more like me.

What are the steps that go into your advisory role in making an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?
I’m basically involved at two stages, as well as in a unique kind of way. The first is the brainstorming stage, when the new ideas and the related content are discussed and hashed out with all the participating team members. Those are so much fun, because they represent an opportunity to do some things with the show that are completely new while also revisiting themes that have really connected with the audience, which illustrates a desire for more.

The second stage is in reviewing and responding to multiple iterations of the actual scripts. It’s a lot of work, but I really enjoy that phase because the writers are so creative and clever—at times, I find myself laughing at my desk at work or on my couch at home in response to some of the things Daniel does and says. Sometimes, I think Arielle (Reed, production coordinator at FRP) and Chris (Loggins, FRP producer for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) might get tired of hearing the same comments from me—“Oh my God, I love love love this script!”

Because I’m African American, I also help the team with issues that relate specifically to Black characters on the show. For example, there’s an episode in which Miss Elaina gets her hair fixed in a new style, so the team asked for my advice about what to put in her hair, how the parts in her hair should look, and how it was actually styled via the animation.

What is your favorite episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood?
“Daniel Gets Mad.” It’s the episode where Daniel and Prince Wednesday want to go out to play on the beach, but they can’t because it’s raining. I haven’t seen it in a while, so I had completely forgot that even Mom Tiger says she’s mad about the rain, which models such a great way to empathize with a child who is so angry that they’re kind of stuck. Like so many of the episodes, the conflict is not resolved instantly; instead Daniel manages to calm himself enough to think even though he’s still not happy about the rain. That’s one of the many things that I think distinguishes the show. It’s focused on social emotional issues and ways children’s emotions are managed. It doesn’t sugar coat what’s happening with children, but offers very realistic portrayals, and it shows that while it does in fact take time for children to grow and learn there are things adults can do to scaffold that for children.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?
One of my favorite things to do after 1. being with my grandkids and 2. listening to reggae music, which I could do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is 3. watching foreign police, detective, or drama series. I have subscriptions to Hulu, Netflix, Acorn, and Britbox—the last two offer programming that’s primarily from the UK or Australia. I also have watched Swedish police dramas, which are very well done, and no, the subtitles don’t bother me at all.

Watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood daily on PBS KIDS.

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Pittsburgh, PA, December 11, 2019 – Fred Rogers Productions, the celebrated nonprofit children’s entertainment producer behind the Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, and Peg + Cat, has promoted Ellen Doherty to Chief Creative Officer, a newly-created position. In her new role, Doherty will oversee an expanding portfolio of children’s content across multiple platforms and manage a growing team of creative professionals. She reports directly to President and CEO Paul Siefken.

“Ellen is a creative dynamo who has done a fantastic job expanding our ‘Neighborhood’ with extraordinary content,” said Siefken. “From her oversight of our award-winning portfolio to exceptional new projects in development, Ellen has been instrumental at every stage of the creative process, and we’ll continue to benefit from her know-how and talent.”

“Being part of the Fred Rogers Productions team and its commitment to develop and deliver top quality educational media for kids and families is a true joy,” said Doherty. “I’m excited about the milestones we’ve achieved with our current series and look forward to introducing audiences to our new projects, which will provide them with even more outstanding content to engage with and learn from together.”

Doherty, who joined Fred Rogers Productions as Executive in Charge of Production in January 2016, oversees the creation of television and digital content for the company’s existing multiple Emmy Award-winning PBS KIDS series—Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Odd Squad. She also helms the development of new properties, including the Emmy Award-winning Through the Woods, a short-form, preschool series she created in 2017. In addition, she served as the program’s head writer and executive producer. In 2018, Doherty was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like, the 50th anniversary tribute to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Since Doherty joined the company, Fred Rogers Productions has won 58 awards. In 2019 alone, the company earned 18 awards, including five Daytime Emmys: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series); Odd Squad (Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series; Outstanding Writing for a Children’s Preschool Children’s, Family Viewing; and Outstanding Directing for a Children’s, Preschool Children’s or Family Viewing Program – Odd Squad: World Turned Odd); and Peg + Cat (Outstanding Original Song in A Children’s or Animated Program – “Making a World With My Friend”).

An Emmy-winning producer and writer with more than 20 years’ experience in children's media, Doherty was previously executive producer and story editor of the PBS KIDS series, Cyberchase. She oversaw production of television and digital content, including several short-form video series, for the program over six seasons. Doherty began her career as an associate producer on the award-winning PBS KIDS series, Reading Rainbow.

Doherty holds a B.A. in Communications from Boston College.

About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, Emmy Award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

# # #

Press contacts:
Grand Communications
Alison Grand
212-584-1133; Alison@grandcommunications.com

Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974; Laura@grandcommunications.com

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions is pleased to announce that Odd Squad has been nominated for two Kidscreen awards:

Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie: Odds and Ends

Best Live-Action Series

We are proud to share this honor with our partners at Sinking Ship Entertainment.

Kidscreen honors the best work in children’s television and digital media. Programming, Broadcasting and Digital category finalists will continue on to a final round of judging, and winners will be announced at the Kidscreen Summit in February 2020.

 

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Fred Rogers Productions is pleased to announce Odd Squad has won a 2019 BAFTA Children’s Awards for International Live Action. We are thrilled to share this honor with our partners at Sinking Ship Entertainment. This is the first BAFTA win for both companies.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. BAFTA’s annual British Academy Children’s Awards recognize and celebrate excellence within film, television, and games.

Read the full list of winners here.

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

How did you get into prop building for television shows?
Honestly, I’ve been building my own replicas and costumes since the age of five (gauntlets from Cleopatra 2525, and wearable claws from X-Men) They were terrible and made of popsicle sticks and paper maché, But I was sure proud of them at the time. I never considered prop building in the realm of career possibilities. I was a hobbyist cosplayer and I’ve always enjoyed building and construction, but it wasn’t until my second year of college when the institution I was attending developed a new practical film effects course where things began to click. Long story short, I took the course and it opened my mind to what was possible, proceeded to drop out. And then somehow found my way into the industry and never looked back!

What was your favorite television show when you were growing up?
Oh, I watched a lot of television. And still do. Growing up however It it was all about Power Rangers, Digimon, Reboot, Beast Wars, Buffy, CCS, Farscape, and beyond all else STAR TREK (so much Star Trek). Honestly everything I watched then and continue to love now is in the genre of fantasy and sci-fi. From an early age I was captivated by stories that took me into another worlds. Magics, aliens and monsters were always my jam.

What steps go into your role in an episode of Odd Squad?
I’m actually incredibly lucky to have scored a gig like Odd Squad, the crew is amazing and props team are the coolest bunch of weirdos you’ll ever meet. The amount of creative freedom is lovely. Occasionally the process is very structured, and designs get drawn up and approved before they are sent my way. However most of the time I get a look at the script and find out it calls for some kind of outrageous build, like a super high-tech containment unit, an army of robots, or even 1,000 balloon animals! I’m usually given liberty to just dive in and create whatever I think that it would look like! And then my coworkers help dial my ideas back to reality. Also now I’m proficient in balloon animals!

What is your favorite episode of Odd Squad?
Without question it’s gotta be "Odds and Ends." What’s not to love? It’s an extra-long episode where the villains are more maniacal than ever, the wackiness is cranked up to 9,000, there’s gadgets galore, and a super awesome Mech Suit. That’s a win in my books.

What's your favorite Odd Squad gadget?
Truth be told I can’t actually talk about my favorite gadget until the debut of the new season on Odd Squad. However my second favorite gadget is definitely the Dimension-a-nator. Opening portals to other dimensions with a flick of a switch! Yes, please. It’s one way to live out my Sliders fantasy.

What do you like to do when you're not working?
In the shop or out, you can always find me with a book in my bag or an audio book blasting in my ears. I still love to work on my own cosplays. I definitely play a lot of video games (currently Warcraft3 but I’m very hyped for the new Pokémon). When not plopped behind a screen, my partner and I are out on the lake or hiking a new trail up north. Despite all of my stationary habits, I do enjoy being active.

Watch Odd Squad weekdays on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

Posted on by Brooke Wehrle

Beverly Hills, CA and Pittsburgh, PA, July 29, 2019 –From the Neighborhood of Make-Believe to neighborhoods across the U.S., a new season of DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, the top-rated, Emmy-winning PBS KIDS series from Fred Rogers Productions, will premiere next summer. Featuring 20 engaging episodes, including a half-hour special, Season 5 of the hit series will address key universal themes for preschoolers and their parents, including managing sibling rivalry, maintaining calm at mealtimes, missing loved ones, growing up, coping with accidents, and more through the show’s hallmark musical strategies. In addition, three of the series’ most popular strategies will be revisited through brand-new stories. Plus, Daniel will get to meet fun new neighbors who are sure to become viewer favorites, too.

“Research shows that DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD nurtures empathy and strengthens emotional recognition, important skills for preschoolers,” said Linda Simensky, Vice President, Children’s Programming, PBS. “This series is the ‘go-to’ resource for parents who are navigating life with their young ones, and we’re excited to provide even more effective strategies to help their kids learn and grow in Season 5.”

“DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD truly resonates with young children and their parents, and we’re thrilled to bring a brand-new season of the standout series to PBS KIDS,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “Season 5 will bring wonderful new friends to the Neighborhood, along with exciting new experiences for Daniel—and young viewers nationwide.”

In conjunction with the Season 5 premiere, new digital content for kids, parents, and teachers will launch in summer 2020.

Each episode of DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD showcases two distinct stories starring 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends, who invite viewers to join them on their adventures as they explore the colorful Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Irresistible musical strategies reinforce the unique theme of every show, so preschoolers and parents can sing along and incorporate them into their daily lives. The popular animated series was created by co-executive producers Angela Santomero, Chief Creative Officer at 9 Story Media Group, and Kevin Morrison, COO of Fred Rogers Productions, along with Vince Commisso, President & CEO, 9 Story Media Group.

The animated show has garnered a host of prestigious awards, including the 2019 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Preschool Children’s Animated Series, the 2019 Parents’ Choice Gold Award for Television, and the 2018 Common Sense Media Seal of Approval and was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming by the Television Critics Association in 2019. Fans can watch DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD on their local PBS station, the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and on digital on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app. SixDANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD apps for children and one for parents are available on the App Store, Amazon Appstore and Google Play. Games, activities, and more can be found on pbskids.org/daniel.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is the #1 rated PBS KIDS program among kids 2-5, kids 2-8, and moms of young children*. It also continues to be one of the most streamed shows, averaging more than 51 million streams in May 2019**.

*Nielsen NPOWER L+7, 4/29/2019 - 5/26/2019, PBS Child Multi-weekly GAA%.
**Google Analytics, May ’19

About PBS KIDS

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen- and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children’s learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school readiness and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Fred Rogers Productions

Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program, but also extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly-rated, Emmy Award-winning children’s series include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, and Odd Squad, as well as Through the Woods. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

About 9Story Media Group

9 Story Media Group is a leading creator, producer and distributor of kids and family focused intellectual property. Its award-winning animation studio, Brown Bag Films, is recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Doc McStuffins, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Octonauts, Wild Kratts, Peter Rabbit and The Magic School Bus: Rides Again. The company’s international distribution arm, 9 Story Distribution International based in Dublin, represents over 4,000 half-hours of animated and live-action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. Its in-house consumer products division, 9 Story Brands, builds international entertainment brands for kids, with expertise across creative, brand marketing, and licensing. With facilities in Toronto, Dublin, Manchester and New York, 9 Story Media Group employs over 800 creative and corporate staff. www.9story.com

# # #

Contacts:

Lubna Abuulbah, PBS KIDS; 703-739-8463; labuulbah@pbs.org
Alison Grand, Grand Communications; 212-584-1133; alison@grandcommunications.com

 

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Get to know Shannon Case, one of the newest members of the Fred Rogers Productions team. Shannon comes to us from Washington, D.C., where she worked in digital programming for PBS KIDS, and was essential to the creation of online games for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, among other shows.

What led you to work in digital games for children’s TV shows?

I’ve always loved working with kids and spent many summers as a camp counselor and tutor. I knew I eventually wanted a career that would allow me to focus on kids and families. It wasn’t until I started working at PBS KIDS that I learned making digital games was a job that existed. I figured out pretty quickly that it was a dream job! Games can be a helpful way for kids to work on skills, like cooperation and problem solving, and to play and learn about new experiences. It brings me a lot of joy to spend my days creating games for kids to play with their favorite characters.

Can you talk a little bit about your favorite television show when you were growing up?

I was obsessed with the game shows on Nickelodeon, like Double Dare, GUTS, and Legends of the Hidden Temple. I have vivid memories of making obstacle courses in my neighbor’s backyard and running around the playground with friends, pretending we were racing up the Aggro Crag. Those shows were so fun to watch, but also inspired so much play away from the television screen.

How do people make a digital game?

There are many steps and many people involved in making a digital game. We typically start by deciding the theme or topic we’d like to cover in a game—it might be exploring feelings, going to the doctor, or taking turns. Then we think about the best way to make that topic into a playful experience, drawing inspiration from many sources like classic toys and board games. Throughout the development process, we observe kids playing the game and make changes to ensure the final game is engaging, easy to play, and fun!

What is your favorite Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood game you’ve worked on?

I love all my children equally, but I’m particularly proud of Spin & Sing. It incorporates several of the Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood songs into little games, like helping Daniel count to four to calm down or choosing a new food for him to try. It’s a simple game, but it provides children with lots of ways to play about these different strategies that both they and Daniel are learning.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I’m pretty much always thinking about food, whether it’s planning what to make for dinner, adding to my list of restaurants to try, or watching cooking videos on YouTube. I really enjoy the process of cooking and own an unreasonable number of cookbooks and kitchen gadgets. I also like spending time outside and going for walks to explore Pittsburgh (and attempt to walk off all that food).

As a new Pittsburgher, what is your favorite thing you’ve experienced in the city so far?

There are so many amazing parks! I like exploring new places by foot, so I have been taking my dog for long walks in the various parks around Pittsburgh. It’s incredible how quickly you can forget you’re in the middle of a city when you’re walking the trails in Frick or Schenley Parks.

Play free, online Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood games here, and watch the show daily on PBS KIDS.

 

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Get to know Rachel Kalban, Vice President, Research and Curriculum at 9 Story Media Group. She talks about her role in creating episode content for Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, her reaction when Daniel won a Daytime Emmy Award, and her favorite episodes of Punky Brewster.

How did you get into child development research for children’s television as a career?

I was really inspired by an article I had read in college about how Sesame Street had bridged the gap between low- and high-income children entering Kindergarten and knew that I wanted to have that kind of impact on kids today. I started out working in the business side of the industry and got to see all the aspects that contributed to a successful show. I noticed that the shows that seemed to have the biggest positive benefit for kids were the ones that were well researched. Then I got to sit in on a research session and it felt like my eyes were opened—of course to make a show that speaks to kids you need to ask them what they think! Integrating kids into the creative process was critical, and so was having a good understanding of child development. So, I decided to go back to school for a Master’s in Child Development, where I got to learn both sound research practices and the child development theory that our shows are all based in.

 

What was your favorite television show growing up?

I was a HUGE Punky Brewster fan! I think I wore my hair in pigtails for all of second grade thanks to her. If you asked me then, I probably would have told you that it was because she was so funny and had big imaginative ideas. When I think back though, I realize that it was also because my whole family would watch together. I can even remember my father saying we had to get going for Punky Brewster if we were out on a Sunday night. We often talked after about whatever the episode was about. I have such vivid memories of that show, whether it be when Cherie got locked in the refrigerator during hide and seek and they had to do CPR or when Punky met the older girls using drugs and learned to “Just Say No,” or the Punky Pizza restaurant they created for Henry’s important date!

 

What is your role in shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood?

I am involved from the very beginning when we brainstorm what topics we want to cover and strategies we want to teach for the new season of episodes. Once we have settled on what we will cover, the scripting process begins. I review each draft to make sure that it is written in a way that will best speak to our young audience; that it’s comprehensible, teaches a lesson, and is engaging. My team takes one of those drafts in the process and creates a storybook of the episode, using pictures from the show. We then go into preschools and read the story to groups of kids, and ask them a lot of questions along the way so we can assess how they are liking the episode, what they understand, and what they are learning and taking away from it. We work very closely with the writers to edit the script based on what the kids told us and what we observed during the session to make it as appealing and educational as possible!

What is your favorite episode of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood?

Oh wow, there are so many. I will always love the pilot, where Daniel learns that “When something seems bad, turn it around, and find something good,” it’s a strategy that I use in my everyday life! As the very first episode, we tested that script with dozens and dozens of kids to get it right and set the stage for the rest of the series.

 

What do you like to do when you're not working?

I love to travel—even planning a trip is a big hobby for me. I love yoga and running, too. Right now I am doing ceramics and pottery, and that has been such a great way to use another part of the creative side of my brain, while spending a few hours away from the analytical side!

 

How did you feel when Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood was announced as the winner at the Daytime Emmys?

I was completely stunned. It’s actually embarrassing, all of the pictures from that night have me with my hands just covering my mouth, I was so in shock. I always said that it didn’t matter to me whether we ever win an Emmy, the response that we get daily from parents and kids about how much this show has done for their lives is all the award I need. So I was also surprised at just how excited I was! It really is amazing to be recognized for the hard work we have put into this show for about a decade now. I have gotten to work on a lot of television shows, but Daniel really does have my heart, and so it was extra special to be there for this win.

 

Watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood daily on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

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How did you get into cinematography as a career?

I initially started in graphic design then moved to video editing until I realized I much preferred being behind and around a camera instead. From there, I went to Sheridan College (near Toronto) for film school and specialized in cinematography. Since film school, I have been fortunate enough to work on anything from narratives, documentaries, music videos, and commercials!

What was your favorite television show when you were growing up?

Growing up I was a huge The Office fan, and I still am today.

What are the steps that go into making an episode of a television show?

They say it takes a village to make a television show, and it couldn't be more true. Certainly there are the straightforward workflow steps like pre-production, production, and post-production but there are hundreds of people involved at every step, which makes for a lot of different interpretations of a story. All these interpretations make the magic of a television show. As a cinematographer on Season 3 of Odd Squad, I'm often reading three scripts on a weekend, location scouting on the Monday, and then shooting the rest of the week. I've always been a fan of the process over the product, and every block presents its own exciting challenges that I love tackling with my team.

What's your favorite episode of Odd Squad?

I can't reveal too much about Odd Squad or the Mobile Unit just yet, but I will say the energy of the characters is absolutely infectious, and the villains are some of the oddest / most awesome villains ever.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I'm on the show, I can get in the habit of thinking about thousand things at once, so when I'm not on set, I make sure to do things that allow me to be present and focused, such as cooking, biking, and swimming.

Watch Odd Squad weekdays on PBS KIDS (check local listings).

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