Charlie the Unicorn, Filmcow, and indie YouTube animation

This week, we're chatting about FilmCow, the animation-focused channel run by Jason Steele and made famous by Charlie the Unicorn. We touch on how Charlie the Unicorn is one of the enduring viral videos, FilmCow’s vast and varied body of work, and how changes to YouTube’s algorithm affected animators.

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:30 Our history with FilmCow

00:03:23 FilmCow’s origins

00:07:43 Charlie the Unicorn

00:15:10 Charlie the Unicorn 2

00:24:43 Charlie the Unicorn 3

00:28:46 YouTube Live, Hot Topic promos

00:36:33 Charlie teh Unicron parody series

00:45:28: Charlie the Unicorn: The Grand Finale

00:53:44 Abysmal monetisation on animated content

00:59:46 Ferrets

01:01:46 Chris Brown - American Super Hero

01:05:59 It’s Cake Boss

01:10:24 FilmCow’s videos featuring political figures

01:12:46 RIP Henry Kissinger

01:14:57 Llamas with Hats series

01:25:53 Justice and first person essay style

01:29:08 FilmCow channel in 2025

01:31:31 FilmCow’s legacy

01:36:38 Lucy’s subscription: Guzman y Gomez mini grilled chicken burrito

01:37:48 Max’s subscription: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

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