Rotoscopers
  • News
  • Podcasts
    • Animation Addicts Podcast
    • Every Episode Ever
  • Reviews
    • Animated Movies
    • Art Books
    • Blu-ray/DVD
    • Live Action
  • Interviews
  • Opinions
  • Studios
    • Aardman
    • Blue Sky Studios
    • Disney
    • Don Bluth
    • DreamWorks
    • Fox Animation Studios
    • Illumination Entertainment
    • LAIKA
    • Lucasfilm Animation
    • Paramount Animation
    • Pixar
    • Sony Pictures Animation
    • Reel FX
    • Studio Ghibli
    • Warner Animation
  • Animation Calendar
No Result
View All Result
Rotoscopers
  • News
  • Podcasts
    • Animation Addicts Podcast
    • Every Episode Ever
  • Reviews
    • Animated Movies
    • Art Books
    • Blu-ray/DVD
    • Live Action
  • Interviews
  • Opinions
  • Studios
    • Aardman
    • Blue Sky Studios
    • Disney
    • Don Bluth
    • DreamWorks
    • Fox Animation Studios
    • Illumination Entertainment
    • LAIKA
    • Lucasfilm Animation
    • Paramount Animation
    • Pixar
    • Sony Pictures Animation
    • Reel FX
    • Studio Ghibli
    • Warner Animation
  • Animation Calendar
No Result
View All Result
Rotoscopers
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinions

5 Animation Directors to Watch in Feature Animation

Brandon Smith by Brandon Smith
August 11, 2014
in Opinions
6 min read
0
top-5-animation-directors-to-watch2
395
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

top-5-animation-directors-to-watch2

There’s a topic of conversation in animation circles that comes and goes in waves, but is presented as such: Where are all the directors in feature animation going? The main concern seems to be that we are seeing an ‘exodus’ of sorts of talented directors from the world of animation into live action. Opinions (as always) are very split on this issue, but while I won’t go too deep into it (that would be another article for another day), I would like to say that that’s not entirely true.

Thus, I present to you my own personal list of five animation directors who are proof that there are still some good, strong talent still working in the industry.

Dean DeBlois (Lilo & Stitch, How To Train Your Dragon 1 & 2)

There are few directors in feature animation who think as big and grand as Dean DeBlois, and even fewer who actually posses the talent and sure-handed confidence to pull it off on screen. For Dean, nowhere is this more evident than with How To Train Your Dragon 2. 

With that film, DeBlois made a film that we almost never see done in the animation medium: an epic adventure tale in the old-fashioned tradition. Awash with gorgeous visuals, large-scale action scenes, and a top-class handling of mature themes and subject matter. Very rarely do adult characters get their own character arcs!

DeBlois is very much a big fan of the wide-angle shot in this movie. And with much of the film taking place outside of Berk, it gives Dean ample opportunities to utilize this technique to great effect. One moment that will forever be implanted in my memory is Hiccup and Toothless flying side by side with each other. It’s one of those magical cinematic moments that you really have to see on a theater screen (or a really big plasma TV) to believe.

While not a first time director (he co-directed the first film and Lilo & Stitch with his regular collaborator, Chris Sanders), this was the first time he directed and wrote a animated feature film on his own. And if this is anything to judge by, I’d say he’s more than capable of carrying an ambitious project on his own. He’s no stranger to live-action either. In 2006, he directed Heima, a documentary film about the concert tour of Icelandic rock band Sigur Ros. In 2010 he directed Go Quiet, a music film featuring Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi, who also contributed songs for both How To Train Your Dragon films.

It’s not much of a stretch to say that DeBlois may head back towards live-action after finishing the Dragon films. But in any case, he’s readily become one of my favorite directors and I can’t wait to see more from him, animated or otherwise.

Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2)

Kung Fu Panda 2 is an amazing case, as it marked Jennfer Yuh Nelson’s very first directorial effort. Prior to that, she had been a storyboard artist at DWA since 1998 and had severed as head of story for the first Kung Fu Panda (she directed the hand-drawn dream sequence). Shortly after the film’s release, she had been approached by DWA’s CEO, Jeffery Katzenberg, about taking the director’s chair for the second. While hesitant at first, she eventually took the job after being convinced by the producers.

What resulted in 2011, was (and still is) among DWA’s best work yet. Like How To Train Your Dragon 2, we see the progression of Po’s arc and the maturation of his character. It’s pretty meaty stuff, especially with a flashback scene that packs a giant emotional punch that takes the story above and beyond your normal animated fare. It’s also a really darn good action film, as Nelson’s love for martial arts movies, video games, and anime shine through in the masterful choreography and staging of the various set pieces. There’s really no wonder why Jennifer won the 2012 Annie award for directing (and being the first female director to do so).

She’ll be back in the director’s chair for Kung Fu Panda 3, set for release in December of 2015. At this point, I have nothing but complete faith in Jennifer for delivering another great installment in the franchise.

Jorge Gutierrez (The Book of Life)

While Jorge’s first directorial effort hasn’t reached theaters yet, he nevertheless makes it onto the list for what appears to be some of the most creative and distinctive visual designs I’ve seen in a while.

Known best for his award-winning animated series El Tigre: The Adventures Of Manny Rivera, his creative vision is very evident in The Book of Life‘s visual style. Again, we are seeing what’s often considered rare in feature animation: a film that looks and feels like the product of a singular vision. It’s a love letter to his cultural roots while crafting a story that appeals to all audiences.

I’m very confidant that The Book of Life will redeem Reel FX after the false start that was Free Birds, in addition to launching Jorge into a successful start as a newcomer in feature animation.

Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3)

Continuing with the tradition of first-time directors who blow expectations away, Lee Unkrich has been a staple at Pixar since he first started as an editor on the first Toy Story. But it wasn’t until February 2007 that Lee was hired to be a full-time director for Toy Story 3.

Despite admitting that he felt the pressure to avoid creating the first dud for Pixar (a task that, unfortunately, was realized in 2011 by Cars 2), what resulted on the big screen on June 18, 2010 was an emotionally fulfilling and ultimately satisfying conclusion to one of the most iconic animated franchises in the history of film. It’s just as much a commentary on the difficulty of growing up, the fear of an uncertain future, and the longing of days gone by as it is a knockout finale that says goodbye to characters that we’ve known and loved since childhood. And once again, this was Lee’s first film. Absolutely incredible.

His second directorial outing will be an untitled film about the Mexican holiday Dìa de los Muertos (more commonly known as the Day of the Dead), set for a 2016 release window. Asides from the fact that it will be Lee’s second directorial effort in six years, there’s another day of the dead-centered film coming out this October (The Book of Life). Not to mention there had been a controversy some time back about Disney trying to trademark the Dìa de los Muertos name in preparation for the film. The trademark has since been withdrawn, as the film will go by a different name.

Will Pixar be able to do the Mexican holiday justice? It could, provided Lee’s directorial skills can produce a film that retains the authentic integrity of the holiday. It’s been a while, but he just might pull it off.

Pete Docter (Monster’s Inc., Up, Inside Out)

Another Pixar mainstay, Pete Docter gave us Monster’s Inc., a charming and heartwarming tale that creatively answers the question where our childhood ‘monsters from the closet’ really come from. And he also gave us Up, a film that shows us that, even as we grow old, we can still have adventures in life. His next outing is Inside Out, a film that takes a look into the consciousness of a young girl as her five primary emotions lead her throughout her everyday life upended with major changes.

Just from looking at these three films, it’s obvious that Pete has a gift for taking strange and risky ideas and turning them into critical gold. He’s a pro at taking concepts from real life and delving into them with deft innovation and loads of heart.

At this point in time, all signs seem to be pointing at Inside Out being another case of Pete delivering another awe-worthy animated cinematic experience. We’ll see if this is the case (I’m confidant that it will) when Inside Out hits theaters on June 19, 2015.

And that does it for our list of exciting directors in feature animation. All of which are visionaries who continue to breathe life and spirit into feature animation, one film at a time.

What are your thoughts? Which animation directors do you think deserves to be on this list?

Tags: Dean DeBloisdirectorjennifer yuh nelsonjorge gutierrexlee unkrichpete docter
Previous Post

Meet the Boxtrolls in a New Featurette For LAIKA’s ‘The Boxtrolls’

Next Post

Rotoscopers Store is Up and Running! Contest Shirts Available Now [UPDATE]

Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith

Brandon is your average nerd with a love for nerdy things (games, comics, anime/manga, etc.). He also loves reading and writing and plans to be an author someday. For now, he writes with passion and curiosity about the world of animation. He lives with his family in North Carolina and is currently attending college.

Related Posts

[OPINION] 10 Heartwarming Animated Adverts to Watch This Holiday Season
Coronavirus

[OPINION] 10 Heartwarming Animated Adverts to Watch This Holiday Season

December 17, 2021
Animation Addicts Podcast #226: The Tim Burton Theory
Animation Addicts Podcast

Animation Addicts Podcast #226: The Tim Burton Theory

October 26, 2021
Animation Addicts Podcast #225: Disney Animated Movie Musical Opening Songs Ranked
Animation Addicts Podcast

Animation Addicts Podcast #225: Disney Animated Movie Musical Opening Songs Ranked

October 19, 2021
[LOOKING BACK] ‘The Fox and the Hound’ at 40
Animated Movies

[LOOKING BACK] ‘The Fox and the Hound’ at 40

September 30, 2021
Load More
Next Post
rotoscopers-contest-t-shirt-teal

Rotoscopers Store is Up and Running! Contest Shirts Available Now [UPDATE]

Discussion about this post

Popular Posts

  • ‘Disney Princess – The Concert’ Review: One More Reason to Have Your Tiara Ready 197 views
  • Don Bluth to Release Autobiography in Summer 2022 77 views
  • Animation Addicts Podcast #240: Review of ‘Disney Princess – The Concert’ 72 views
  • Animation Addicts Podcast #239: Rotoscopers 10-year Spectacular 67 views
  • Animation Addicts Podcast #238: ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ Hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 52 views
  • 11k Fans
  • 12.1k Followers
  • 5.7k Followers
  • 5.3k Followers

Recently Added

Animation Addicts Podcast #241: The Aristocats – Crème de la Crème à la Edgar

Animation Addicts Podcast #241: The Aristocats – Crème de la Crème à la Edgar

March 3, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #240: Review of ‘Disney Princess – The Concert’

Animation Addicts Podcast #240: Review of ‘Disney Princess – The Concert’

February 23, 2022
‘Disney Princess – The Concert’ Review: One More Reason to Have Your Tiara Ready

‘Disney Princess – The Concert’ Review: One More Reason to Have Your Tiara Ready

February 17, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #239: Rotoscopers 10-year Spectacular

Animation Addicts Podcast #239: Rotoscopers 10-year Spectacular

February 15, 2022
Animation Addicts Podcast #238: ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ Hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100

Animation Addicts Podcast #238: ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ Hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100

February 9, 2022
Rotoscopers

© 2019 Rotoscopers

Important Links

  • About
  • Support
  • Contact
  • Store
  • Privacy Policy
  • User Posts

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Podcasts
    • Animation Addicts Podcast
    • Every Episode Ever
  • Reviews
    • Animated Movies
    • Art Books
    • Blu-ray/DVD
    • Live Action
  • Interviews
  • Opinions
  • Studios
    • Aardman
    • Blue Sky Studios
    • Disney
    • Don Bluth
    • DreamWorks
    • Fox Animation Studios
    • Illumination Entertainment
    • LAIKA
    • Lucasfilm Animation
    • Paramount Animation
    • Pixar
    • Sony Pictures Animation
    • Reel FX
    • Studio Ghibli
    • Warner Animation
  • Animation Calendar

© 2019 Rotoscopers

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Posting....