A number of top animators will be on hand to discuss their careers as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents the 12th Marc Davis Celebration of Animation on Friday, May 9. Titled ‘Drawing on the Future: Mentorship in Animation,’ the program will kick off at 7:30 p.m. in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
Moderated by animation critic and Animation Magazine contributor Charles Solomon, the panel discussion will feature James Baxter, Andreas Deja, Pete Docter and Eric Goldberg discussing the mentors who fostered their professional development. The distinguished panelists will also provide insights into their individual approaches to the art of animation, and introduce clips of their work and pieces that inspired them.
Baxter served as supervising animator for the character Belle in Beauty and the Beast (1991), Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996) and Spirit in Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002), as well as the animation sequences in Enchanted (2007).
Deja brought to life such diverse characters as Scar in The Lion King (1994), Gaston in Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Lilo in Lilo & Stitch (2002).
Docter earned Oscar nominations for Original Screenplay for Toy Story (1995), Best Animated Feature Film for Monsters, Inc. (2001), and Best Animated Short Film for Mike’s New Car (2002).
Goldberg served as the character designer and supervising animator for Genie in Aladdin (1992), He also co-directed Pocahontas (1995) with Mike Gabriel, and directed the ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ and ‘Carnival of the Animals’ segments in Fantasia 2000 (2000).
Admission for the Academy’s 12th Marc Davis Celebration of Animation are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Tickets may be purchased online at www.oscars.org, in person at the Academy box office or by mail. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and all seating is unreserved. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information call (310) 247-3600.
Pictured Top: Andreas Deja and Pete Docter
Pictured Bottom: Eric Goldberg and James Baxter
