Dan Philips joins LAIKA Ent. in Portland, Oregon, in the newly created post of vp/head of production.
Philips is an experienced animation production veteran, having served stints at DreamWorks, DKP Studios, Walt Disney Feature Animation and the Big Idea Co. He has amassed vast experience in all aspects of animation production, including project management, writing, design, music, animating, effects, lighting and compositing. He has worked on animated movies such, as THE LION KING, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, ALADDIN, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, THE ROAD TO EL DORADO and POCAHONTAS, among his many projects.
Were fortunate to land a person of Dans caliber for this key position, says Dale Wahl, LAIKA ceo. His enormous production and industry expertise will benefit all aspects of our studio, from day-to-day operations to strategic planning. We now move forward with a proven industry veteran at the helm of our two animated feature film productions.
LAIKA Ent. has enormous talent, solid business leadership, and an exciting development and production slate, said Philips. Im excited and grateful to be part of it and to experience the thriving artistic community that exists here in Portland.
Philips previously headed the Art Department at Toronto DKP Studios from 2003. Prior to that, he was vp/head of production at Chicagos Big Idea Co., where he exec produced its first full-length animated feature film, JONAH: A VEGGIE TALES MOVIE. From 1995 to 2000, he was initially artistic liaison, then co-head of effects and finally triage digital supervisor at DreamWorks. From 1990 to 1994, he was head of CG imagery for the Walt Disney Feature Animation.
LAIKA Ent. (www.laika.com) was a production entity on TIM BURTONS CORPSE BRIDE and has two animated feature films in production. CORALINE, based on the international bestselling childrens novel by Neil Gaiman, is being adapted for the screen and directed by Henry Selick and will star Dakota Fanning. JACK & BENS ANIMATED ADVENTURE, a heartwarming original story of brotherly love set in the animal kingdom, is being directed by Jorgen Klubien. LAIKAs CG short, MOONGIRL, also directed by Selick, was recently awarded the Short Film Special Jury Prize at the Ottawa International Film Festival and the Grand Owl Award, Best Animation at the FANTASY WORLDWIDE International Film Festival, Toronto. It also won the Best Animated Short Film at the Los Angeles International Childrens Festival.
LAIKA is owned by Phil Knight, co-founder and Chairman of Nike. The company was rebranded as LAIKA in summer 2005, when it absorbed Vinton Studios, an animation leader and innovator for more than 30 years. LAIKA/House produces animated commercials and shorts for global clients including Coca-Cola, Wrigleys, ESPN and Esure UK.
