Pupstruction’s Travis Braun

An Emmy Award-nominated writer and producer, Travis Braun is behind the new series Pupstruction, debuted on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+ last month. The show follows the adventures of the world’s first all-dog construction company, led by an innovative young corgi named Phinny, who might be the smallest pup on the crew but proves that you don’t need big paws to have big dreams or big ideas. Pupstruction has already been picked up for a second season.

Braun, creator and executive producer, says the concept was inspired by his own childhood, which included growing up in an auto-racing family. “It’s about doing these jobs, building things and fixing things, but it always comes down to that core family unit,” he says.

The series highlights themes of teamwork, family, community, creative problem-solving and the importance of imaginative play. “A big part of what we try to convey in the show is that it’s not about how big you are; it’s about how big you dream,” says Braun.

Braun also serves as creator and executive producer on Disney Junior’s hit series T.O.T.S., with additional credits such as the Disney Channel limited series Fast Layne and Disney Junior’s Vampirina, Puppy Dog Pals and Muppet Babies. “I follow the simple guiding principal of: just play,” Braun says. “Whenever we’re in the writers’ room or at any stage of making a show, I ask myself, Is this fun? Is this playful? Does it have that energy? If it doesn’t, we throw it out; there’s no place for it.”

Braun has extended his overall deal with Disney to develop and produce animated and live-action content across linear and streaming platforms for Disney Branded Television. The deal also includes a first look at any of Braun’s projects for other Disney-owned platforms. “Disney has been such a great creative partner,” he says. “There’s a sense of, if we’re going to do something, we’re going to make it great. We want to make sure that everything we put out there is the best it could be.”