2016 - Angry Birds, Storks and The Little Prince

Happy New Year! It's been a while since I've had time to sit down and do a blog post. 2015 was a huge year. 


While working on "The Angry Birds Movie" at Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver I was presented with the opportunity to be a lead. I must admit it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. It was tough and a huge learning experience, but I'm so happy I did it. The entire team was amazing, from the director to the animators on the team. The final product is going to look amazing.

Over Christmas, a super cute and adorable tv spot was released showing the hatchlings of the movie. Check out it below but beware...your head may explode into candy due to the cuteness.




After a much needed (albeit short) holiday I'm back at Sony in the new year for "Storks" a Warner Bros production being done at Imageworks also being released in 2016. I'm going back to animating on this project which I'm super excited about. Being a lead on ABM didn't leave me much time to animate myself, which I was okay with but I'm looking forward to keeping my speed back and learning more about animating on this fun project.

Check out the teaser trailer here:



Finally some good news about "The Little Prince" which I worked on out in Montreal roughly for a year through 2013-2014 before returning to Vancouver. It now has a release date for all the English territories! March 18 2016! I'm super excited for this to finally be released in English as it's been making the rounds in other countries to much success.

Here's the trailer in case you haven't seen it yet:



So 2016 is looking to be another big year, I'll hopefully be able to post more updates about these amazing upcoming movies.

Wishing you an amazing 2016!

Angry Birds Posters

Here are some character posters for "The Angry Birds" movie that I am currently working on at Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver!

Yes they have arms and legs. It's been an amazing project and opportunity to work on this movie, hopefully people will be amazed at the quality of animation that we are producing at the moment.

Vancouver 2.0

  

(I spent a lot of time making this)

Back to the beautiful west coast city of Vancouver. After a year stint out 'east' in Montreal, my time at Mikros and on "The Little Prince" finished up and I have fortunately returned to Sony Pictures Imageworks to work on the "Angry Birds" movie directed by Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly set to be released in 2016.

I had a great time in Montreal (even though half the year was covered in snow), and "The Little Prince" was amazing to work on.

Can't wait to post more "The Little Prince" and "Angry Birds" movie related posts on here!

Angry Birds Movie

Sony Imageworks have released a promo pic and a list of the vocal talent that will providing voices for their upcoming feature film based on the crazy popular "Angry Birds" franchise.


Link to the article:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jason-sudeikis-bill-hader-maya-737141

Cloudy 2 Animation Reel

While being back home in Sydney on a short vacation, I've finally had enough time (and motivation) to put together the shots I did while at Sony Imageworks on "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" back in 2013.

Looking back at this amazing and fun project, I became all nostalgic with a permanent smile on my dial as I reminisced on the good times and great friends I made. Not to say it wasn't a challenging and or difficult show, but I have incredibly fond memories of the time spent working on this film.

Here is my reel:



Thanks for viewing :D

Sony's Popeye Animation Test

Sony Imageworks have released the animation test for "Popeye" directed by Genndy Tartakovsky on to their YouTube page.

Incredibly inspirational and insanely cartoony!



I'm so glad they decided to release this and hopefully it becomes a feature sometime in the near future!

Cloudy 2 - Kris Pearn drawing

Sony Pictures Imageworks have released a 'Thank you' drawing from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 co-director Kris Pearn, after reaching 1 million facebook fans.



Both Kris and Cody Cameron we're amazing to work with, they were one of the main reasons why Cloudy2 was the most rewarding project I've ever had the privledge to work on.

Cloudy 2 in your home!

Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs 2 is out on DVD and Blu-ray! Yay! By far the best and most rewarding project I've ever had the pleasure of working on. Go buy it now!

Cloudy 2 Deleted Scene

With the release of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" on DVD and bluray EVEN SOONER THEN BEFORE, Sony have released a deleted scene.

Watch it here:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/01/23/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-2-exclusive-deleted-scene/4789893/

I'm super glad this was released as so much amazing work went into every shot of this movie, and even though it happens on every movie, its always hard to see such great work and gags get cut from the movie. I love Flint's puppetry arm waving at his dad, it was such a brilliantly executed gag. And the glimpse into Flint's OCD neurotic behavior when he fixes the remote on the table.

Cloudy 2 - Chester V featurette

With the release of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 on DVD and bluray in a few weeks, Sony have released a short featurette about the movie's antagonist 'Chester V' with commentary from Senior Animation Supervisor Peter Nash.



Chester was one of the best characters I've ever had the pleasure of animating. The insane ideas we were able to get away with on this movie, made it a once in a life time experience for me.

Simon Black Animation Reel

Check out Simon Black's new animation reel which includes his awesome work on "Smurfs 2" and "Legend of the Guardians: The Owl's of Ga'Hoole"

Cloudy 2 - trailer 2!

It's been a while since I've posted frequently on this blog. Here's the second trailer for 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2' which I just finished up on!

So excited to see this!

Cloudy 2 Whiteboard

During my time on "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" I decided to have a collaborative drawing whiteboard, and also something to remind me of when cutoff for director review was (as it usually changed daily). The idea was I would start with a blank whiteboard on Monday morning and either leave it till someone would start drawing upon Dan desk visit, or I would start with something small and simple which would grow by Friday (or Saturday).

"Animators are disturbed creatures"

"Pirate plant"

"Expressionist Animators"

"Too much coffee"

"Dino" - by Simon Black

"Bleeding Pac man ghost?"

"Poo joke" by Simon Black

"Bathtub monster"

"Julius' rabbit" by Julius Kwan

"Julius Kwan" by Philip Rudolph and myself

"Director visit" by Cody Cameron and myself (while drinking all my Jameson)

"No" by Julius Kwan

"We're done"

Cloudy 2 Trailer

Finally, the first trailer of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. I have the greatest pleasure and am so fortunate to be working on this movie with such talented and amazing friends.


Excited?

Cloudy 2 Trailer Countdown

The trailer for "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" comes out tomorrow (February 27) and for the last 5 days Sony have been releasing posters through their Facebook page.

Check back tomorrow for the trailer!

First look at Cloudy 2

Here's a first look at the production I've been animating on for the last 3 months, Cloudy 2! The original image is lot bigger, but USA Today have released this cropped tease. Hopefully more Cloudy 2 stuff start to show up on the internets.

Check out this link to see some descriptions of the food animals!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/01/17/first-look-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-meatballs-2/1840839/

Hotel Transylvania Animation Reel

Hotel Transylvania was by far the best (and most challenging) project, as well as the most rewarding. After returning back to Sony Imageworks from holidays to work on "Cloudy 2", I was able to obtain the shots I animated on Hotel T.

Above is a drawing that director Genndy Tartakovsky drew in a dailies session to convey his wishes for this particular shot in the pool sequence. I was lucky enough to keep it and have him sign it. He also drew a 'Dexter's Laboratory' drawing in my book. I totally geeked out.

Here's my reel:

Congrats to everyone who worked on it and contributed to its success, and to everyone who went and watched it!

The Making of Hotel Transylvania

Really cool video detailing some cool techniques used during various stages of the Hotel T Production. Even talks about the "Genndy Blur" in the animation section.

Check it out here:

http://www.itsartmag.com/features/the-making-of-hotel-transylvania/#.UGyHmE3R6i2

Go see Hotel T if you haven't seen it already :D

FX Guide on Hotel Transylvania

FXGuideTV's latest episode has a section on "Hotel Transylvania". Mike Seymour speaks with James Crossley (Animation Director), Dan Kramer (VFX Supervisor) and Lydia Bottegoni (Line Producer & Co-Producer).

Starts around the 21 minute mark.

http://www.fxguide.com/fxguidetv/fxguidetv-158-foundry-luxology-merger-and-hotel-t/

Hotel Transylvania - The Rigs

Here's a peak at what we were using on "Hotel Transylvania" to scuplt Dracula's cape, and animate Jonathan. They were probably the best rig's I've ever used on a production before.