Emily Zemler on “The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town”

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In the latest episode of Portrait of a Fangirl podcast, host Jenna Wrenn spoke with author Emily Zemler about her latest book “The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town.”

Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast

The “Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast” is a new series from the team at the Temple of GeekPortrait of a Fangirl initially began as a web series and has now expanded into a podcast series as well. You can watch and listen to the series both here and on our YouTube channel.  Hosted by Jenna Wrenn, at the core of the project is the importance of telling the stories of women who have found inspiration, growth, and power through fandom.

You can listen to the Temple of Geek Podcast directly on this page or stream it on Apple Podcasts / Google Podcast / iHeart Radio / Stitcher / Spotify and wherever you stream your podcast. You can even watch it on our YouTube channel. 

Emily Zemler Discusses “The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town”

Being a fangirl looks different to each person. In this episode, Emily Zemler discussed how fandom played a large part in conducting research for “The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town.”

The filmmakers made the film, but the fans made the film what it is today. You should acknowledge their contributions, and Tim Burton acknowledges their contributions. He loves that fans take his creations and make them their own.

So I loved talking to the cosplayers [and] to people who made fashion out of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I just felt like everybody had such passion for it, and their reasons were different, but kind of similar. People really resonate with this “I felt like a misfit my whole life and this helps me to feel like I belong. And I think that’s a really nice message.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloweentown book cover

About Our Guest

Emily Zemler is a writer and journalist based in London. She is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times and Rolling Stone, among other prestigious outlets. Emily is the co-author of A Sick Life, with TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and the author of The Art and Making of Aladdin and Disney Princess: Beyond the Tiara.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town

From Disney and Epic Ink:

After 30 years, discover the inspirations behind Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas and its legacy as a certified pop-culture experience. 

What is it about Jack Skellington that is so compelling? Why does the love between Sally and Jack resonate with so many? The feature-length, stop-motion movie about the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town who becomes obsessed with celebrating Christmas is a fascinating musical and love story that has transcended the original film and captivated the world. From the improbable tale to the lovable characters, Tim Burton’s creation has turned into a lifestyle, branching into fashion, video games, card and board games, live-action concerts, themed celebrations at Disneyland, and even cameos in other movies.

Featuring an original foreword by Tim Burton himself, Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Beyond Halloween Town celebrates the film and the culture that has grown around it with exclusive and original interviews from:

  • Author and creator, Tim Burton
  • Animators, sculptors, and other artists of the film
  • Musical talent behind Jack Skellington
  • The iconic voice of Sally, comic actress Catherine O’Hara
  • Musicians on the Nightmare Revisited album

Delve into the magic of Halloween and Christmas in a story told through unlikely heroes that started 30 years ago. This beautifully designed coffee-table book is sure to captivate die-hard and casual fans alike.

About our Host

Jenna Wrenn is a podcast host and entertainment correspondent for Temple of Geek. She has also written several articles covering conventions, anime, and much more. Jenna is a historian by trade, writer by passion, and cat mom by birthright.

Jenna loves all things nerdy and can be found playing D&D with her long-standing Sunday night group. Equally important to her, Jenna loves cosplaying, reading, and rewatching Star Wars: Rebels.

For more Fangirl stories, check out:

Kayleigh McKee on Creativity, Industry, and Personal Growth

Fandom From Behind the Scenes

The Art of Fangirling with Let’s Play Creator Leeanne Krecic

A Discussion with Graphic Novelist Ghezal Omar

Interview with Ashley Eckstein–Her Universe Fashion Show

Elevating Fandom Through Fashion

The Business of Fangirling

 Creating a Safe Space in Fandom

Integrating Fangirl Culture into Everyday Life

Fangirling to the Best Version of Yourself

Fandom and Self-Discovery

Anne Yatco on Embracing Your Inner Fangirl

The Positive Impacts of the Cosplay Community

How Portrait of a Fangirl Came to Be

The Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast is executive-produced by Monica Duarte, Nathaniel J. Peinado, and Madison Morrow. In addition, it is produced by Jenna Wrenn and Tiffany Cagle. Hosted by Jenna Wrenn and was created under the umbrella of the Temple of Geek Podcast, as an ongoing series. Originally created by Monica Duarte and Emily Schuck for Temple of Geek.

 

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