WBBT: Dan Santat Interview
For the first time ever, I am indulging in a Video Interview for the WBBT. Our subject is Dan Santat, one of the wonders of the illustration biz. This is, without a doubt, one of the best interviews I’ve ever done, and it’s all thanks to Dan.
The following will appear during this interview at some point: Lightsabers, clones, chicken puppets, Rock Band, the digestion of hamburgers, L.A., New York, tears, sweat, and very little blood.
Here are two versions of the interview, depending on what your computer can take. This is a Vimeo interview in full:
Interview with Dan Santat from Elizabeth Bird on Vimeo.
And here is the same video, split into two parts for YouTube:
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About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Kirkus, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on BlueSky at: @fuse8.bsky.social
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Hilarious! Thanks to you and Dan for introducing the “dramatic reenactment” to the illustrator interview. Great stuff.
Dan is the hardest working person I know. And that talent?! He has more talent in one thumb than most of us could ever dream of having….
Great video!
What a great way to start the morning. Thanks, Dan & Betsy. Great pics, great fun, great soundtrack!
That was seven. kinds. of. awesome.
Man, someone hand me a tissue.
Riveting performance, Betsy and Dan!
P.S. I want a Dan Clone for Christmas.
Way fun!
Go Dan! That was awesome.
“The Mann Chinese Theater, the Chinese Man Theater.” Haha
LOVE THIS!!!
But Betsy, that was disgusting and almost sacrilegious watching you eat that cardboard burger right after Dan ate the juicy, delectable In-N-Out burger. If for no other reason, you should go to LA JUST FOR In-N-Out burgers!!!!
Ha! I love that the L.A. contingent is as faithful to their In-N-Out burgers as Dan is. Guess I’ll have to try one, eh?
That WAS fabulously entertaining, and you happen to have a very sweet dimple on your right cheek (or thereabouts) that showed up nicely in the video.
OMG!!! Betsy and Dan have raised the bar for illustrator interviews!
Great interview Betsy. You need to warm people about the clone stuff,though.
Amazing. Both of you. But I wonder, how many hamburgers did you two have to eat to get that perfect burger-eating scene?
Dan Santat is a force of nature!
Man.
a.) I miss home like wow and oh, my word.
b.) Betsy, you’re such a hoot.
c.) The two of you together are hilarious.
This was the best WBBT interview EVER.
This. is. wonderful.
And now I am a raving Dan Santat fan. (I’ve been your fan for a while, Betsy.)
Fantastic interview on both sides!
If indeed people are getting clones for Christmas, I’ll take the Betsy model.
You both are ****ing geniuses. I haven’t enjoyed a Fuse #8 video this much since, uh, well, I usually skip over the videos. I sure am glad I watched this one!