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Joseph Gilland

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Joseph Gilland

Joseph Gilland is an animation director, special effects animator, journalist, author and musician. His most recent book "Elemental Magic - The Art of Special Effects Animation," has quickly become a sensation in the global animation community, bringing to print for the first time the magic behind the visual effects animation that has dazzled animation audiences since the 1930’s.

In his long and storied animation career, Joseph has utilized his traditional and digital animation talents at such studios as Walt Disney Feature Animation, Don Bluth Animation and the National Film Board of Canada. At Walt Disney Feature Animation, Joseph served as Supervisor of Visual Effects for the Disney classics "Lilo & Stitch" and "Brother Bear." Joseph also served as Head of Florida Special Effects Unit for the features "Kingdom of the Sun" and "Tarzan," and was Special Effects Animator on such notable titles as "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "James and the Giant Peach," "Hercules" and "Mulan." His broad experience also includes animating on several short film projects at the National Film Board of Canada, and directing dozens of television commercials as an independent director. From 2003 to 2005, Joseph headed up the world renown animation program at the Vancouver Film School.

Joseph is currently at work on an independent short film and is writing a follow-up volume to "Elemental Magic" that will delve deeper into special effects and also include a DVD with real time step by step "how-to" footage, and clips from live workshops.

His blog, Elemental Alchemy – Animation Insights and Musings, reflects his unique and candid perspective on all things animated.