Surfs Up at Sony Animation
Sony Pictures Animation has put its second CG-animated feature into production, SURFS UP, a documentary-style look at penguin surfing, co-directed by Ash Brannon (TOY STORY 2) and Chris Buck (TARZAN), slated for a 2007 release.
Unlike the buddy comedy, OPEN SEASON, directed by Jill Culton, which will have a very graphic and squash-and-stretch design, SURFS UP will contain a much more natural approach.
In fact, Penney Finkelman Cox and Sandra Rabins, exec vps of Sony Pictures Animation, told VFXWORLD that viewers would be privy to an up close and personal view of surfing never before captured in the world of CGI. “This will feel a little more realistic, with the crashing of the white waves and the clarity of the water,” Rabins explained. “This will not be hyper real like FINDING NEMO. Stylistically, I don’t think you’ve seen anything like this in CGI with water, waves and penguins. You’ll be able to experience what it’s like to crash and burn on a wave.”
In keeping with the aggressive R&D department at Sony Pictures Animation, there is a whole wave technology being developed to make them do whatever the animators require. “The waves will be rigged just like the other characters,” added Finkelman Cox. “And the camera technique will be very much like a documentary, putting us right on a surfboard, capturing the moment in real time. You can’t strap a camera to the back of a human surfer, but that won’t pose a problem with penguins.”
SURFS UP is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film, a documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive and dangerous display of surfing known to man, the Penguin World Surfing Championship.
Chris Jenkins, who was artistic coordinator on ATLANTIS, and head of effects animation on THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, among others, will produce.
“This project will change the way people look at surfing forever,” says Rabins. “The penguins literally come to life as memorable and lovable characters competing in an endless summer of surfing and penguin rivalry,” adds Finkelman Cox.
Added Yair Landau, vice-chairman of Sony Pictures Ent., “We want Sony Pictures Animation to be known as the kind of place where storytellers are empowered to do their best work…”
Working with the film’s creative team will be Quiksilver Ent., a division of Quiksilver, which is a world leader in brand marketing of the action sports industry, particularly in the boardriding lifestyle. Danny Kwock and Matt Jacobson will serve as creative consultants on SURFS UP.
Brannon is a seasoned animation veteran with 15 years of experience. After studying at CalArts’ Character Animation Program, he taught animation there for two years, before joining Warner Bros. Animation as an animator and story artist. He contributed to Nike’s HARE JORDAN Super Bowl spot. In 1993, Brannon joined Pixar Animation Studios as a story artist and directing animator on the blockbuster TOY STORY. He was a story artist on A BUG’S LIFE and co-developer and co-director on TOY STORY 2.
Buck studied character animation for two years at Cal Arts before launching his career at Disney as an animator on 1981’s THE FOX AND THE HOUND. After receiving an animation credit on the short FUN WITH MR. FUTURE, he did some experimental work on WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT. From the mid ‘80s, Buck worked on various projects. He co-storyboarded FRANKENWEENIE with Tim Burton, animated commercials (including the Keebler elves) and for such L.A. entities as Film Fair, Kurtz & Friends and Duck Soup.
Unlike the buddy comedy, OPEN SEASON, directed by Jill Culton, which will have a very graphic and squash-and-stretch design, SURFS UP will contain a much more natural approach.
In fact, Penney Finkelman Cox and Sandra Rabins, exec vps of Sony Pictures Animation, told VFXWORLD that viewers would be privy to an up close and personal view of surfing never before captured in the world of CGI. “This will feel a little more realistic, with the crashing of the white waves and the clarity of the water,” Rabins explained. “This will not be hyper real like FINDING NEMO. Stylistically, I don’t think you’ve seen anything like this in CGI with water, waves and penguins. You’ll be able to experience what it’s like to crash and burn on a wave.”
In keeping with the aggressive R&D department at Sony Pictures Animation, there is a whole wave technology being developed to make them do whatever the animators require. “The waves will be rigged just like the other characters,” added Finkelman Cox. “And the camera technique will be very much like a documentary, putting us right on a surfboard, capturing the moment in real time. You can’t strap a camera to the back of a human surfer, but that won’t pose a problem with penguins.”
SURFS UP is based on the groundbreaking revelation that surfing was actually invented by penguins. In the film, a documentary crew will take audiences behind the scenes and onto the waves during the most competitive and dangerous display of surfing known to man, the Penguin World Surfing Championship.
Chris Jenkins, who was artistic coordinator on ATLANTIS, and head of effects animation on THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, among others, will produce.
“This project will change the way people look at surfing forever,” says Rabins. “The penguins literally come to life as memorable and lovable characters competing in an endless summer of surfing and penguin rivalry,” adds Finkelman Cox.
Added Yair Landau, vice-chairman of Sony Pictures Ent., “We want Sony Pictures Animation to be known as the kind of place where storytellers are empowered to do their best work…”
Working with the film’s creative team will be Quiksilver Ent., a division of Quiksilver, which is a world leader in brand marketing of the action sports industry, particularly in the boardriding lifestyle. Danny Kwock and Matt Jacobson will serve as creative consultants on SURFS UP.
Brannon is a seasoned animation veteran with 15 years of experience. After studying at CalArts’ Character Animation Program, he taught animation there for two years, before joining Warner Bros. Animation as an animator and story artist. He contributed to Nike’s HARE JORDAN Super Bowl spot. In 1993, Brannon joined Pixar Animation Studios as a story artist and directing animator on the blockbuster TOY STORY. He was a story artist on A BUG’S LIFE and co-developer and co-director on TOY STORY 2.
Buck studied character animation for two years at Cal Arts before launching his career at Disney as an animator on 1981’s THE FOX AND THE HOUND. After receiving an animation credit on the short FUN WITH MR. FUTURE, he did some experimental work on WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT. From the mid ‘80s, Buck worked on various projects. He co-storyboarded FRANKENWEENIE with Tim Burton, animated commercials (including the Keebler elves) and for such L.A. entities as Film Fair, Kurtz & Friends and Duck Soup.
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