Computer Animation Festival

Speaker(s):
Taylor Meacham, DreamWorks Animation, United States of America
Jeffrey Hermann, DreamWorks Animation, United States of America

Speaker:

Abstract: Director Taylor Meacham and Producer Jeff Hermann share insights into the making of their CG animated short film, the latest entry in the DreamWorks Shorts program launched in November 2017. To: Gerard is a love letter from Meacham to his father - one that unifies his love for animation and the art of illusion. In the film, we meet Gerard, who despite working in a post office his entire life, dreams of one day finding his audience as a famous magician, just like his childhood hero. With effortless dexterity that accompanies mastery, this delightfully overgrown kid practices magic every day with a special coin…a gift from The Great Vivonti. When an inquisitive young girl named Jules wanders upon his practiced routine, she’s dazzled by his talents. With the help of his cherished coin, Gerard charms his first-ever audience member with an impromptu magic show. In this moment, two artists—separated by decades—unknowingly set off a chain reaction that will change both of their lives forever.

Speaker(s) Bio:
Meacham makes his directorial debut on the short. He started at the studio as a production coordinator on Trolls, and most recently, worked as a storyboard artist on the DreamWorks Animation comedy adventure, The Croods: A New Age, which opened November 25.

Hermann, who has been at DreamWorks for over 20 years, most recently produced the animated shorts Bird Karma, Bilby and Marooned that also came out of the DreamWorks Shorts program. He was a co-producer on Kung Fu Panda 3 as well as production manager on the first two Kung Fu Panda films. He is currently producing the studio’s upcoming animated comedy, The Boss Baby: Family Business, directed by Tom McGrath, scheduled for a 2021 release.

Speaker: