Simon J. Smith is an English director, animator, layout artist and occasional voice actor for DreamWorks Animation and PDI. Smith came to PDI/DreamWorks in 1997 as head of layout for the company's feature film division. A CG animation veteran with nearly 25 years of experience, Smith supervised the layout department on PDI/DreamWorks' first animated feature Antz, serving as the head of layout in Shrek. He then directed the Universal Studios Theatre experience Shrek 4-D, followed by the short Far Far Away Idol. His first feature film as a director was in 2007, with Bee Movie . He then directed another DVD short, Megamind: The Button of Doom, before co-helming, with Eric Darnell, the comedy/spy action spin-off from the Madagascar series, Penguins of Madagascar.
Simon J. Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Simon James Smith[1] |
| Occupation(s) | director, layout artist, animator, voice actor |
| Notable work | Antz, Shrek, Shrek 2, Bee Movie, Megamind: The Button of Doom, Penguins of Madagascar |
Career
Smith began his career in London, where he worked at SVC Television, the editing and effects house Framestore and post house VTR, where he established his own 3D department. Immediately prior to joining PDI/DreamWorks, Smith served at The Mill as the CG supervisor on commercial projects for Nike, Honda, Volvo and VW Polo. He was a pioneer in the field of pre-visualization, and used that skill set to create PDI's layout department, which became an integral part of PDI's filmmaking process. Smith was also instrumental in helping to set up CG layout department for Aardman Animation for the production of Chicken Run. Known for his work on the award-winning pop video Go West for the Pet Shop Boys, Smith also received the first ever Gold Leaf Award for his 3D directorial work on the commercial West Lites.
Film credits
Directing
- Far Far Away Idol (2004)
- Shrek 4-D (2005)
- Bee Movie (2007)
- Megamind: The Button of Doom (2011)
- Penguins of Madagascar (2014)[2][3]
Animation
- Antz (1998, Layout Supervisor)
- Chicken Run (2000, Special Thanks)
- Shrek (2001, Head of Layout)
- Shrek 2 (2004, Layout Consultant)
Acting
- Shrek (2001, Three Blind Mice)
- Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party (2001, Three Blind Mice)
- Shrek 4-D (2003, Three Blind Mice)
- Shrek 2 (2004, Three Blind Mice)
- Bee Movie (2007, Truck Driver/Chet)
References
- ^ "Bee movie (dvd)". WorldCat. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 11, 2011). "'Madagascar' Spin-Off to Be Helmed by 'Bee Movie' Co-Director (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
- ^ "DreamWorks Animation Moves Up 'Penguins Of Madagascar' Bow, Bumps 'Home' To 2015". Deadline. May 20, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2014.