The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning, and Happy Halloween! Today we are looking into probably the most iconic Halloween movie of all time which is also a Christmas classic; “The Nightmare Before Christmas”! I was also lucky enough to ask a couple of questions to two voice actors who were actually a part of this film in a super cool way: Randy Crenshaw and Debi Durst!

When “The Nightmare Before Christmas” premiered in 1993, it carved out a unique place in holiday cinema. The stop-motion musical fantasy follows Jack Skellington, Halloween Town’s Pumpkin King, who stumbles upon Christmas Town and, intrigued by its festive spirit, attempts to take over Christmas; leading to charming chaos and darkly delightful mischief. Though closely associated with Henry Selick’s direction and Tim Burton’s imaginative vision, the story originated from a poem Burton wrote back in the early 1980s, blending Halloween spookiness with Christmas wonder.

On the production side, the film was a labor of love. Every frame required painstaking stop-motion animation to bring Burton’s spooky-cute world to life. The soundtrack, crafted by Danny Elfman, remains iconic, with Elfman lending his own voice to Jack’s singing. Randy Crenshaw, a versatile singer and voice actor, also made his mark: he voiced the mischievous Mr. Hyde, the gruesome Behemoth, and one of the eerie Vampires; adding rich, atmospheric layers to both the narrative and musical ensemble. Another seasoned performer: Debi Durst, voiced a corpse kid, a corpse mom, and a small witch!

At the time of its release, critical responses were mixed; some didn’t know what to make of its genre-blending style; but it rapidly found its audience. Beloved by fans and buoyed by home video successes and annual re-releases, the film’s reputation grew into cult territory. It now stands as a seasonal tradition, captivating both spooky–inclined Halloween revelers and cozy Christmas watchers alike.

Over thirty years later, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” continues to charm and inspire. Its rich craftsmanship, unforgettable songs, and distinct visuals have left a lasting imprint on pop culture.

Bonus Question:

Giancarlo: How’s it feel to be a part of such a beloved film like “Nightmare Before Christmas” in such a cool way?

Randy Crenshaw: It’s amazing especially since the film wasn’t a big smash hit when it was released in 1993. It’s gradually become a family favorite of millions who’ve watched it, especially when it was released on VHS, DVD, and Blu-Ray, for home viewing! I feel privileged to be a part of the voice cast for this film.

Debi Durst: Means a lot. We had no idea at the time the film would become such a classic. It makes me happy that the film gives so many people joy!

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Randy Crenshaw: If you can be happy making a living doing anything else other than music, you should do that and let music just be a hobby that you love!

On the other hand, if you happen to be gifted as a music-maker, and you just can’t be truly happy doing non- music jobs for a living, go ahead and pursue music as a career. But just know that you’ll always be unemployed after every gig!

Debi Durst: Look in the mirror every day and say to yourself, “I am the best at what I do.”

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo