Tag Archives: Jim Henson

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Brynn Metheney

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What is your name and your current occupation? 
My name is Brynn Metheney and I am a freelance illustrator and Concept Artist.
What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation? 
I got my first job when I was 17 and I worked all kinds of jobs through college. I’d say my two craziest jobs were working at a make-up counter in a department store and being a waitress at a country club. I didn’t like them very much, haha!
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of? 
I have a few that I’m very proud of! Last year, my work was included in The Sappi Standard 5. It’s a educational printing manual for designers and firms and it was designed by Studio Hinrichs. I also collaborated with artist and writer, Ethan Nicolle on the cover for Axe Cop – President of the World 2. Recently I’ve been involved with Paizo and Wizards of the Coast on some really fun and exciting projects I’m looking forward to sharing more about. Of course, I’ve always wanted to work in film and the two projects I’ve worked on are very exciting for me! Can’t say much now but I’m looking forward to sharing more about it in the future!
How did you become interested in animation? 
I grew up on a pretty steady diet of Disney cartoons and movies as well as Looney Tunes and Jim Henson. All of these really pushed me to appreciate animation and film at a young age. I remember being amazed that Continue reading
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Igor-Alban Chevalier

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What is your name and your current occupation?
My name is Igor-Alban Chevalier or “The Black Frog” which is the nickname most people use in the industry.  As for my occupation, depends… I am a creative tool box I guess… or as I like to call myself: a mercenary world builder. Sometimes Director, sometimes Animation Production Designer, most of the time VFX Art Director, Concept Artist or Storyboard Artist.  And in my free time I sculpt, write and draw graphic novels.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?Nothing crazy really, I just survived until I got to get the jobs I was looking for.  So, I struggled a bit but not by killing chickens in a nugget factory, or by being a caretaker at the morgue or by working on oil rigs in the middle of the ocean like some of my friends. But more by just doing way lamer versions of the job I do now… or by sleeping on good friends couches a lot.  I must say, that I would have wished having tried other things, but where I grew up wasn’t really the kind of place where one could be adventurous.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?Well, there is a big ongoing project called “Tusk” with Whisper Pictures. It’s a high profile 3D animated feature on which I am co-writer and Production Designer. We’ve been working on it for years now, developing it with my good friend and Director/VFX Supervisor Tim McGovern (Tron, award on Totall Recall). It is a bit of an adventure in itself and I’ve had a lot of creative freedom on it, which is great.  There’s also a gritty Sci-Fi muppet TV series I wrote and designed Called “Boom Spectrum Space Pilot”.  I directed the trailer for it and the production pulled the plug without real logic. This was a bit devastating since I really went hard into it, sleeping 4 hour per night for 7 months straight, preparing all the infrastructure for what would have been the following show.  It’s a shame, I am still convinced that this thing could have become cult. The good thing is that it was my first job at directing and it taught me I could actually do it. And not too badly too. I had a wonderful time on set with a very talented crew and we kind of found ourselves a new family if you will. I know that If I want to direct something else one day, I just have to call them and they will all jump on it again in a breeze. I’m considering calling them soon for a live action feature this time.

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
I am from France Originally. Champagne. Except for the Boom Spectrum episode that took me back to Lille (North of France) for seven months 4 years ago, I didn’t really go back there in the past 20 years.  My background is Continue reading

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Joe Apel

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Joe Apel, Flash Animator at Cartoon Network Studios

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I worked a variety of jobs before I finally got my break in animation. I worked at a Comic Book store at the age of 13 organizing comics. At the age of 15-17, I worked as a camera man for the school district’s cable access station. I washed dishes for a catering service. I worked at a movie theater for 10 years and worked my way up from usher, to projectionist, to Assistant Manager, to Promotions Manager.One job that I thought I would love but ended up hating was working at the Warner Bros. Studio Store in a local mall. I worked in the “gallery” area of the store mostly. I was there to inform people on what the artwork was and sell them cels, maquettes, and limited edition art. I made commission if I sold artwork and they even had a payment plan. I was terrible at the job, I loved the Warner Bros. cartoons so much and I felt it was morally wrong to persuade people into buying animation art when they only intended to come to the mall to buy a pair of jeans. I believe I only worked there for about a month.
What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
I storyboarded on the PBS series, WordGirl, which I find to be an educational and funny show. I created character designs for the pilot of Allen Gregory, which will premiere this fall on Fox. It was inspiring to…. Continue reading
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Michael Chase Walker

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What is your name and your current occupation?
Screenwriter Author Producer Actor Michael Chase Walker, I’m just finishing 2 children’s books with my collaborator UK artist illustrator Jason James and currently producing, writing, and/ or developing three feature films for a major animation studio.

What are some of the crazier jobs you had before getting into animation?
I studied Eastern philosophy and Sanskrit literature’s for 6 years in India and abroad. I also lived, studied and traveled with Dr. Timothy Leary for 3 years.

What are some of your favorite projects you’re proud to have been a part of?
The Last Unicorn, Pee Wee’s Playhouse, Galaxy High School ( movies and television) Teen Wolf, After Man, The Court Jester. 003 1/2 The Adventures of James Bond Jr. and CBS Entertainment.

 

Where are you from and how did you get into the animation business?
Manhattan born and raised. I got into the animation business after Continue reading

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News: THE JIM HENSON COMPANY’S DINOSAUR TRAIN ROARS ACROSS EUROPE AND RUSSIA!

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Dinosaur Train

Jim Henson Co logoTHE JIM HENSON COMPANY’S DINOSAUR TRAIN ROARS ACROSS EUROPE AND RUSSIA!

Los Angeles, CA (September 29, 2014) The Jim Henson Company’s critically acclaimed and Emmy® nominated animated children’s series Dinosaur Train continues to gain momentum across Europe, with the company signing new licensees in key European territories ahead of this year’s Brand Licensing Europe.

 

“We have an incredibly strong licensing program across Europe, where Dinosaur Train airs on major TV networks such as Nickelodeon UK, Disney Channel Germany, France TV, and RTVE Clan in Spain,” commented Richard Goldsmith, Executive VP, Global Distribution and International Consumer Products.  “We work with exceptional licensing agents in these countries who have done an great job delivering top quality products, and with over 35 licensees in Western Europe alone, and new toy products from TOMY and educational learning titles from VTech debuting in key markets for the holiday season, we anticipate a strong holiday season at retail for the brand.”

 

Newly signed agreements and new products to market for Dinosaur Train include:

 

In Russia, two Dinosaur Train licensees—C-Trade Ltd. (publishing and toys) and Gruppa Tovarischey LLC (back to school)—are set to debut over 200 new products in the market, including outdoor seasonal toys and plush, back-to-school items including backpacks and stationary, and a wide array of published goods. To cater to local interests, Dinosaur Train is to be featured on a YouTube branded channel, due to launch this year, with Russia being the first country that it will be available.

 

In Germany, the company has signed a new agreement with Kosmos for travel games, and new products launching this fall include magazines from Panini, partyware from Papstar, housewares from Herding and plush from Huenec.  Other key partners in the territory include Universal Music (audio books) and Nelson Verlag (sticker books).

 

In the UK, new agreements have been signed with Gemma International for greetings cards and party ware and with Play by Play for plush, joining other partners that include Aykroyds (nightwear), Character World (bedding), Smith & Brooks (outerwear) and Redan (publishing).

 

In Spain, new products are under development with Educa (puzzles), Montichelvo (back to school), Hot Shots (candy and cookies) and United Labels (apparel and accessories), joining other partners that include Panini (publishing), Saica Toys (outdoor), Musicales Reig (musical toys) and Play by Play (plush).

 

Representing The Jim Henson Company’s Dinosaur Train across the region are Nickelodeon UK for the UK market; Studio Canal for France; LizenzWerft for Germany; SelectaVision for Spain; Alicom for the Nordic Region; and Megalicense for Russia.

 

About Dinosaur Train

Dinosaur Train is produced by the Jim Henson Company and co-produced with Singapore animation company Sparky Animation with the participation and assistance of the Singapore Development Authority.  PBS handles distribution in all media in the domestic territory. The Jim Henson Company handles international distribution, licensing and merchandising other than in Asia and select other foreign territories, which are handled by Sparky Animation.

 

About The Jim Henson Company

The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals as well as the new series Doozers, a CG animated preschool series. Features include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask, and the upcoming Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, and television productions include Fraggle Rock the sci-fi cult series Farscape, and the reality competition Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge.

 

With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shopâ„¢, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring “Puppet-Up! – Uncensored,” a live puppet improvisational show. http://www.henson.com    www.facebook.com/hensoncompany   www.twitter.com/hensonparents

 

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