315: An Interview With Casper Kelly
Aug 26, 2026 · 58m
Summary
Eric Vespe interviews director Casper Kelly about his new mascot horror film *Buddy*, which reimagines a 90s children’s show icon as a terrifying antagonist. They discuss the movie’s blend of nostalgia, genuine scares, and emotional depth, drawing parallels to Stephen King’s *The Shining* and *Maximum Overdrive*. The conversation also covers Kelly’s meticulous aesthetic choices, the casting of Keegan-Michael Key and Patton Oswalt, and the unsettling nature of children’s programming.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: The Calamities and Fangoria Magazine
Introduction and Barbecue Tangent with Casper Kelly
The Concept of Buddy and Creepy Kids TV
Visual Aesthetics and Nostalgia in Animation
Stakes, Violence, and Killing Children in Horror
Casting Kristen Mallaty and Sponsor Break
The Shining as Inspiration and Parenting Parallels
Horror Trends, Mystery, and Stephen King's Premises
Stephen King's Maximum Overdrive and Filmmaking Stories
Voice Cast: Patton Oswalt, Eric Bauza, and Keegan-Michael Key
Directing Child Actors in a Horror Movie
Casper Kelly's Stephen King Origin Story and Favorites
Conclusion and Buddy Release Date
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