Video Interview: ‘ZOOTOPIA’ directors dish on film’s comedy chops

Preston Barta // Editor

With nearly 80 years of experience in crafting animated adventures, Disney has become quite the expert at capturing the hearts and imaginations of our youth. There’s something genuinely magical about the studio’s ability to churn out enchanting spectacles filled with witty humor, vibrant visuals and charming characters.

Disney’s latest, ZOOTOPIA, fits seamlessly into its timeless repertoire.

Fresh Fiction had the opportunity to sit down with directors Byron Howard (TANGLED, BOLT) and Rich Moore (WRECK-IT RALPH, THE SIMPSONS) to discuss the film’s comedic tone.

0:06-2:36 | The path of deciding whether to pursue your dreams or settle for what’s safe
2:36-3:46 | Receiving a call at an inconvenient time
3:46-5:13 | Rapid-fire question session

ZOOTOPIA opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow.

Preston Barta

I have been working as a film journalist since 2010, dividing the first four years between radio broadcasting and entertainment writing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. In 2014, I entered Fresh Fiction (FreshFiction.tv) as the features editor. The following year, I stepped into the film critic position at the Denton Record-Chronicle, a daily North Texas print publication. My time is dedicated to writing theatrical film reviews, at-home entertainment columns, and conducting interviews with on-screen talent and filmmakers, as well as hosting a podcast devoted to genre filmmaking (called My Bloody Podcast). I've been married for ten happy years, and I have one son who is all about dinosaurs just like his dad.