The filmmaking trio responsible for guiding Disney's new animated feature,
BROTHER BEAR -- directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker, and producer Chuck Williams -- have signed an exclusive deal to make their next feature for Walt Disney Feature Animation. Under the terms of the arrangement, Williams will produce, and Blaise and Walker will direct an unspecified animated feature for the studio. All three of the filmmakers have been key contributors to Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida since its first day of operation in 1989. BROTHER BEAR marks the directing debut for Blaise and Walker.
Williams made his feature-producing debut on BROTHER BEAR following a distinguished 14-year career at Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida. He edited the studio's debut project, ROLLER COASTER RABBIT, and did second-unit work on THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING. Following THE LION KING, he shifted to Feature Animation's Special Projects unit, working as editor and eventually producer on projects such as VOYAGE OF THE LITTLE MERMAID attraction. In 1998, he took on the role of developing feature projects for Disney's Florida Animation Studio, which led to the development of BROTHER BEAR.
Blaise joined Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida in 1989 and went on to contribute to a variety of features. He served as supervising animator for the characters of Rajah the tiger on ALADDIN, Young Nala on THE LION KING and for Yao on MULAN.
Walker has been a key player at Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida since it began in 1989. He started there as a journeyman layout artist on the Roger Rabbit short, ROLLER COASTER RABBIT and subsequently moved up to head of layout for the Florida Studio, overseeing scenes for features, including THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN and THE LION KING. He went on to supervise the layout department on Florida's first feature effort, MULAN, and helped to guide the layout department for the 2002 hit animated feature, LILO & STITCH.
