Exclusive: Spire Animation Studios has hired a pair of Pixar alums for key roles, with Ricky Nierva joining as Production Designer and Michal Makarewicz now serving as Head of Character Animation.
In their time at Spire, Nierva and Makarewicz will work closely with Creative Directors, Animation and Story Shawn Krause and Michael Surrey, Creative Directors of Development, Ted Mathot and Karen Disher, story artist Sharon Bridgeman and co-founder and Cco Brad Lewis, first turning their attention to the studio’s first animated feature Trouble that it’s developing with Danny McBride’s Rough House Pictures, as previously announced.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Ricky and Michal,” said Lewis and co-founder P.J. Gunsagar in a joint statement. “Both bring a wealth of creative experience from working at Pixar on many of the studio’s most beloved movies.
In their time at Spire, Nierva and Makarewicz will work closely with Creative Directors, Animation and Story Shawn Krause and Michael Surrey, Creative Directors of Development, Ted Mathot and Karen Disher, story artist Sharon Bridgeman and co-founder and Cco Brad Lewis, first turning their attention to the studio’s first animated feature Trouble that it’s developing with Danny McBride’s Rough House Pictures, as previously announced.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Ricky and Michal,” said Lewis and co-founder P.J. Gunsagar in a joint statement. “Both bring a wealth of creative experience from working at Pixar on many of the studio’s most beloved movies.
- 2/24/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Spire Animation Studios, the newly formed feature animation studio co-founded by award-winning producer Brad Lewis (“Ratatouille”) and industry entrepreneur P.J. Gunsagar has tapped animation pioneers from Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks and Blue Sky Studios to join its team.
Among the creative team are Shawn Krause, Creative Director of Animation and Story, Michael Surrey, Creative Director, Story and Animation, Ted Mathot, Creative Director of Development and Karen Disher, Creative Director of Development.
Lewis said, “We have been trying to get a team together from a variety of places where I’ve worked with to do something creatively special.” He adds, “What gets me up in the morning is ‘let’s do something with a team that is really enthusiastic and behind it.’”
Spire Animation hopes to spearhead original and culturally relevant stories that resonate with audiences worldwide, rather than offer reboots. For Lewis, that means partnering with both best-in-class talent and emerging creatives to tell those stories.
Among the creative team are Shawn Krause, Creative Director of Animation and Story, Michael Surrey, Creative Director, Story and Animation, Ted Mathot, Creative Director of Development and Karen Disher, Creative Director of Development.
Lewis said, “We have been trying to get a team together from a variety of places where I’ve worked with to do something creatively special.” He adds, “What gets me up in the morning is ‘let’s do something with a team that is really enthusiastic and behind it.’”
Spire Animation hopes to spearhead original and culturally relevant stories that resonate with audiences worldwide, rather than offer reboots. For Lewis, that means partnering with both best-in-class talent and emerging creatives to tell those stories.
- 8/23/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers, the directors of The Lion King, discuss the classic Disney film.
The Movie Pool recently sat in on a Q&A session with Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers, the directors of Disney's The Lion King, as they reflect on the film, the 3D re-release, and the upcoming Blu-ray release. Following is a transcript of the entire Q&A.
Q - What is your opinion about Broadway Musical The Lion King directed by Julie Taymor?
A - Rob Minkoff: When I first heard that a musical was being contemplated for The Lion King I was concerned it would attempt to be too literal. Beauty & The Beast had already made the leap to the stage and it was very much a replica of the animated movie. I didn't think that kind of approach would work for The Lion King. When Julie Taymor was brought on board...
The Movie Pool recently sat in on a Q&A session with Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers, the directors of Disney's The Lion King, as they reflect on the film, the 3D re-release, and the upcoming Blu-ray release. Following is a transcript of the entire Q&A.
Q - What is your opinion about Broadway Musical The Lion King directed by Julie Taymor?
A - Rob Minkoff: When I first heard that a musical was being contemplated for The Lion King I was concerned it would attempt to be too literal. Beauty & The Beast had already made the leap to the stage and it was very much a replica of the animated movie. I didn't think that kind of approach would work for The Lion King. When Julie Taymor was brought on board...
- 10/3/2011
- Cinelinx
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