Osher and Minghella Talk New Sony Digital Roadmap

VFXWorld talks exclusively with Bob Osher and Hannah Minghella, the new heads of Sony Pictures Digital Prods., about their artist-centric approach to vfx and animation.

By Bill Desowitz | Friday, November 14, 2008 at 12:00 am

Posted In | Magazines: VFXWorld

Columbia wants to let Aardman to be Aardman. © 2007 Aardman Animations. All rights reserved.

HM: The entire studio is excited about our partnership with Aardman. Their deal is with Columbia Pictures and so Bob and I were working with them before we came over here. Our work with them now is as representatives of Columbia Pictures.

BO: Aardman is a good example of what Hannah was talking about earlier. Columbia Pictures wants Aardman to be Aardman. We don't want them to expand to something that's not comfortable for them. We want them to focus on what they do best and what you realize with the history of Aardman is that two-thirds of the box office performance of their films is outside of the United States. Sony's philosophy is let's embrace who they are. Let's support them, let's give them whatever insight we have in terms of worldwide marketing and distribution.

BD: And I noticed two particularly interesting projects on the Aardman website: Arthur Christmas, a CG feature set on Christmas night about Santa and his army of combat elves, and the comedy adventure based on Gideon Defoe's first two Pirates! books.

HM: As Bob says, they are their own studio and they have many projects in development. I think it's best left for them to speak about those projects, but I will say that we are very excited about the two projects they are currently working on. One is a big holiday CG movie written by Peter Baynham and Sarah Smith (who will also direct ) and the other is a traditional stop-motion Aardman movie that will be directed by the incomparable Pete Lord.

BD: Looking ahead three to five years, how do you think Sony Pictures Animation will be regarded?

HM: Looking at our internal talent and the projects we're currently developing, I'm confident that five years from now Sony Pictures Animation will have cemented its place in the industry as a premier family entertainment company that is innovative, dynamic and a great place to work.

BO: Our grand scheme is to be a reliable and consistent supplier of animated fare, be it hybrid, all-CG, or otherwise -- movies with a distinctive voice, original characters and wonderful stories.

Bill Desowitz is senior editor of AWN and VFXWorld.