DreamWorks and Disney animation vets have joined the rapidly expanding U.S. creative team at Imagi Studios.
The appointments, which come on the eve of the worldwide release of Imagi Studios first major motion picture, TMNT, further enhance the position of the Hong Kong-headquartered company as a major global animation studio.
Cecil Kramer joins Imagi Studios as evp of production, responsible for developing and producing a slate of high-end CG-animated feature films. Concurrently joining Imagi Studios are Maryann Garger and Lynne Southerland as producers, and Mark Tarbox as line producer, all reporting to Kramer at the studio based in Sherman Oaks, California.
In keeping with Imagis focus on superhero-themed action movies, the next two pictures are GATCHAMAN and ASTRO BOY, slated for release in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
Francis Kao, founder/co-ceo/cco, Imagi Studios, said, TMNT marks a new breed of CG animation -- big action films for people who love videogames and superheroes. As we expand the capacity of our production pipeline in Hong Kong to make more of these movies, were expanding our world- class creative team in Los Angeles.
Starting with the release of GATCHAMAN, well be delivering about one movie every eight months, said Douglas E. Glen, Imagi Studios co-ceo. Cecil has the talent, experience, and management skills to guide us through this exciting growth period.
A 20-year entertainment industry vet, Kramer most recently produced the animated feature film, FLUSHED AWAY, winner of five Annie Awards. She also was an exec producer on WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT, which won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film. Previously co-head of production for DreamWorks Animation, Kramer was integrally involved in the development and production of animated motion pictures, such as ANTZ, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, THE ROAD TO EL DORADO, CHICKEN RUN and the Oscar-winning SHREK.
Garger was a co-producer on FLUSHED AWAY. Starting at DreamWorks shortly after it was established in 1994, she worked on such titles as SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON, MADAGASCAR and THE PRINCE OF EGYPT during her 12 years with the studio.
Southerland, who co-directed MULAN 2, produced the feature film, AN EXTREMELY GOOFY MOVIE and the HBO series, HAPPILY EVER AFTER: FAIRY TALES FOR EVERY CHILD.
Tarbox was the production manager on FLUSHED AWAY. In his 10 years at DreamWorks, he also served as production supervisor on SHARK TALE, SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS and SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON, among other titles.
Southerland will produce GATCHAMAN with Tarbox serving as line producer. Garger will produce ASTRO BOY.
Kevin Munroe, who wrote and directed TMNT, is directing GATCHAMAN. Colin Brady (EVERYONES HERO and TOY STORY 2, co-director), is the director of ASTRO BOY.
Imagi International Holdings Ltd. (www.imagi.com.hk) listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, entered the animation business in 2000 when it established Imagi Studios in Hong Kong, and, subsequently, in 2004 a creative development and production facility in Los Angeles and a satellite office in Tokyo. The company produces major CG-animated theatrical movies for global audiences, including the March 23 release, TMNT (TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES), distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Co. Imagi combines Hollywood storytelling with Hong Kong high-tech animation. Its production pipeline in Hong Kong employs 450 animators. A staff of 50 is involved in story development and production management at its U.S. facility.
