Lindsey Olivares Claims Two Annie Awards for Netflix’s “The Mitchells vs. The Machines”

Posted on March 13, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Lindsey Olivares is celebrating a big night…

The Latina production designer, character designer and caricature artist claimed two awards at the 49th annual Annie Awards, which honor the year’s best in animated fare across movies, television and video games.

Olivares, the production designer and lead character designer on Netflix’s The Mitchells vs. The Machines, took home the award for Character Design, Feature for her work on the acclaimed animated film, which was named Best Feature.

Olivares also was along the design team winning the Production Design, Feature award for The Mitchells vs. The Machines.

The Annies are presented by ASIFA-Hollywood.

The The Mitchells vs. The Machines victory in the Best Feature race gives it front-runner status leading up to the Oscars next month. Last year, eventual Animated Feature Oscar winner Soul from Pixar won the top Annie Awards prize, the 14th time in 20 years the society and the Academy have matched their top picks.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Germaine Franco won in the Music, Feature category for their score/soundtrack work on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto.

Evan Monteiro won the award for Character Design, TV for his work on Arcane, while Sebastian Trujillo among the animation team on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings that claimed the Character Animation, Live Action prize.

Gustavo Santaolalla won alongside Tim Davies in the Music, TV category for their work on Netflix’s Maya and the Three.

Hugo Covarrubias won in the Short Subject category for Bestia, which he co-wrote with Martín Erazo.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix

Independent Feature
Flee
Neon, Final Cut For Real, Sun Creature, Vivement Lundi !, MostFilm, Mer Film, VICE, Left Hand Films, Participant

Directing, Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix
Directors: Mike Rianda, Jeff Rowe

Directing, TV
Arcane
Episode: The Monster You Created
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
Directors: Pascal Charue, Arnaud Delord, Barthelemy Maunoury

Storyboarding, Feature
Encanto
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Storyboard Artist: Jason Hand

Storyboarding, TV
Arcane
Episode: When These Walls Come Tumbling Down
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
Storyboard Artist: Simon Andriveau

General TV Production
Arcane
Episode: When These Walls Come Tumbling Down
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix

Children’s TV Production
Maya and the Three
Episode: The Sun and the Moon
A Netflix Series

Preschool TV Production
Ada Twist, Scientist
Episode: Twelve Angry Birds
Laughing Wild, Higher Ground Productions, Wonder Worldwide, Netflix

Writing, Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix
Writers: Mike Rianda, Jeff Rowe

Writing, TV
Arcane
Episode: The Monster You Created
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
Writers: Christian Linke, Alex Yee

Voice Acting, Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix
As ‘Katie Mitchell’: Abbi Jacobson

Voice Acting, TV
Arcane
Episode: When These Walls Come Tumbling Down
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
As ‘Jinx’: Ella Purnell

Editing, Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix
Editorial Team: Greg Levitan, Collin Wightman, T.J. Young, Tony Ferdinand, Bret Allen

Editing, TV
What If…?
Episode: What If…Ultron Won?
Marvel Studios
Editorial Team: Joel Fisher, Graham Fisher, Sharia Davis, Basuki Juwono, Adam Spieckermann

Animated Effects, Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix
FX Team: Christopher Logan, Man-Louk Chin, Devdatta Nerurkar, Pav Grochola, Filippo Maccari

Animated Effects, TV
Arcane
Episode: Oil and Water
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
FX Team: Guillaume Degroote, Aurélien Ressencourt, Martin Touzé, Frédéric Macé, Jérôme Dupré

Character Animation, Feature
Encanto
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Animator: Dave Hardin

Character Animation, TV
Arcane
Episode: The Monster You Created
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
Animator: Léa Chervet

Character Animation, Live Action
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Marvel Entertainment, Weta Digital
Animation Team: Karl Rapley, Sebastian Trujillo, Richard John Moore, Merlin Bela Wassilij Maertz, Pascal Raimbault

Character Animation, Video Game
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Insomniac Games
Animation Team: Insomniac Games Animation Team

Character Design, Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix
Designer: Lindsey Olivares

Character Design, TV
Arcane
Episode: Some Mysteries Better Left Unsolved
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
Designer: Evan Monteiro

Music, Feature
Encanto
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Score: Germaine Franco, Lin-Manuel Miranda

Music, TV
Maya and the Three
Episode: The Sun and the Moon
A Netflix Series
Score: Tim Davies, Gustavo Santaolalla

Sponsored Production
A Future Begins
Nexus Studios

Special Production
Namoo
Baobab Studios

Production Design, Feature
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix
Design Team: Lindsey Olivares, Toby Wilson, Dave Bleich

Production Design, TV
Arcane
Episode: Happy Progress Day!
A Riot Games and Fortiche Production for Netflix
Design Team: Julien Georgel, Aymeric Kevin, Arnaud Baudry

Short Subject
Bestia
by Hugo Covarrubias and co-written with Martín Erazo.
Trebol 3 Producciones, MALEZA Estudio

Student Film
Night of the Living Dread
Student director: Ida Melum
Student producer: Danielle Goff
School: National Film and Television School, UK

Winsor McCay Award
Ruben Aquino
Lillian Schwartz
Toshio Suzuki

Special Achievement Award
Glen Vilppu

Ub Iwerks Award
Python Foundation

June Foray Award
Renzo & Sayoko Kinoshita

Disney Branded Television Gives Green Light to Auli’i Cravalho’s Animated Series “Hailey’s On It!”

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Auli’i Cravalho’s on it…

Disney Branded Television has given a series green light to Hailey’s On It!, an original animated comedy-adventure with the 20-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress/singer leading the voice cast.

The project hails from longtime writing and producing partners Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton and Disney Television Animation.

Cravalho, who rose to acclaim in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, voices the title character, Hailey; along with Manny Jacinto as Scott, Hailey’s best friend; and Gary Anthony Williams as Beta, an artificially intelligent operating system from the future.

Hailey’s On It! is slated to debut in 2023.

Created and executive produced by Bunje and Stanton, Hailey’s On It! follows Hailey Banks (Cravalho), a risk-averse but resourceful teenager on a mission to complete every item on her long list of challenging (and sometimes impractical) tasks in order to save the world. Hailey will be pushed outside her comfort zone to discover the greatness within as she systematically conquers her fears, whether she is winning a sand-building competition, wrestling a honey badger, eating a raw onion, or facing her ever-growing and complicated feelings toward her best friend, Scott (Jacinto).

“Nick and Devin began their writing careers at TVA nearly 15 years ago and have now come full circle returning to their TVA roots to launch their first animated series,” said Meredith Roberts, SVP and general manager, Television Animation, Disney Branded Television. “The series’ fast-paced comedy, heart and grounded stories about two best friends, who happen to get caught up in extraordinary circumstances, made it a perfect fit for Disney.”

Cravalho’s previous credits include the NBC drama series Rise and the Netflix drama film All Together Now.

Walt Disney Releases First Trailer for “Encanto,” with Stephanie Beatriz Leading the Voice Cast

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Stephanie Beatriz is enchanted with her latest project…

Walt Disney Animation Studios has released the first trailer, poster and images from its forthcoming film Encanto, featuring the 40-year-old Colombian- and Bolivian-Argentine actress as part of the voice cast.

The film will be out in theaters November 24, 2021. It features new music from Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Encanto is the story of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.

The film features the voice of Beatriz as Mirabel, an ordinary 15-year-old who’s struggling to find her place in her family.

“Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more,” says Beatriz. “She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.

“I’m Colombian on my father’s side, and playing this role fills me with immense pride,” Beatriz adds. “As a Disney kid, I’d burn through my VHS tapes and adored every single magical story that the world of Disney introduced me to. I learned in those that stories that anything is possible, especially if you believe in magic and the goodness rooted deep inside us all.”

In the film, the magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift, from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope.

The voice cast also includes María Cecilia Botero, Wilmer Valderrama, Adassa, Diane Guerrero, Mauro Castillo, Angie Cepeda, Jessica Darrow, Rhenzy Feliz and Carolina Gaitan.

The new trailer includes an original song from the film, Colombia, Mi Encanto, performed by 17-time Grammy and Latin Grammy winner Carlos Vives, a native of Santa Marta, Colombia.

The film features all-new songs by Miranda and is directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush, co-directed by Charise Castro Smith and produced by Clark Spencer and Yvett Merino.

Bush and Castro Smith are screenwriters on the film.

Carlos López Estrada Co-Directing Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Feature “Raya and the Last Dragon”

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a bright raya of light for Carlos López Estrada.

The 31-year-old Mexican-American music video, commercial and film director will co-direct Walt Disney Animation Studios’ animated feature Raya and the Last Dragon, starring Kelly Marie Tran as titular heroine.

Raya and the Last Dragon is set in the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra and follows a warrior who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the Last Dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. Tran is part of the voice cast that includes Awkawafina, who plays a dragon in human form named Sisu.

Lopez Estrada will co-direct the film with Don Hall, Paul Briggs and John Ripa.

Playwright Qui Nguyen serves as a co-writer with Adele Lim on the project.

“As filmmakers, Don and Carlos bring a combination of animation know-how and emotional storytelling to Raya and the Last Dragon, bringing our fantasy adventure to surprising, original, and dynamic heights,” said Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee. “They both saw the potential for this film and had a strong vision for the story, especially for our lead character, played by the wonderfully talented Kelly Marie Tran. And no small feat, directors Don and Carlos, writers Qui and Adele, and the entire crew of 400 Disney Animation artists are making this film together, while separated and working from home.”

Raya and the Last Dragon is set to debut on March 12, 2021.

Lopez Estrada, who earned a Latin Grammy in the Best Short Form Music Video category for directing Jesse & Joy’s “Me Voy” music video, previously directed Blindspotting.

Miranda to Write Music for Walt Disney Animation’s “Moana”

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is has the write stuff for Walt Disney…

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican composer, rapper, lyricist, and actor has signed on to write music for Moana, an upcoming project from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The announcement was made at The Official Disney Fan Club‘s D23 EXPO 2015 in Anaheim with Dwayne Johnson, who will be starring in the film as the mighty demi-god Maui, on hand.

Miranda, who has been teasing the announcement on social media, also shared the news via a video Tweet.

Moana follows “a spirited teenager who sets out to prove herself a master wayfinder,” according to press materials.

The film will also feature the talents of Grammy-winning composer Mark Mancina (The Lion King) and Opetaia Foa’i (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka).

According to Miranda, the trio have been collaborating for over a year and a half.

Moana is set to open in theaters on November 23, 2016.

Directors John Musker and Ron Clements will helm the film with Osnat Shurer producing.

Miranda, a Tony and Grammy award winner, recently received Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Critics Circle Awards for Hamilton, which is currently running at the Richard Rodgers Theatre after an engagement at the Public Theater.

He’s a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his musical In the Heights, and is also the coauthor of Bring it On: The Musical.

Miranda received a Primetime Emmy Award for his opening number for the 67th Annual Tony Awards, written with Tom Kitt.

Rodriguez Joins Voice Cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Big Hero 6”

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Genesis Rodriguez is a big hero in training…

The 26-year-old Venezuelan- and Cuban-American actress has been added to the voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ fall feature Big Hero 6.

The film centers on a young robotics prodigy named Hiro Hamada and his robot companion Baymax, who pull together a team of crime fighters to save the city of San Fransokyo.

Rodriguez will voice the character of Honey Lemon, a chemistry whiz. Don’t let her glasses and funky fashion fool you: Honey may be as sweet as her namesake, but she has a fire in her belly and a can-do attitude that make her pretty much unstoppable. Her knowledge of alchemy proves powerful, too, when the effusive brainiac becomes part of the “Big Hero 6” and creates clever concoctions that when thrown, can get her team out of nearly any jam.

In addition to Rodriguez, the voice cast includes Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Damon Wayans Jr., T.J. Miller, Alan Tudyk, Jamie Chung and Daniel Henney.

Big Hero 6 is the first Disney film to feature Marvel Comics characters and is adapted by Don Hall and Jordan Roberts from the Marvel comic mini-series of the same name, whose team and characters were created by Man of Action’s Duncan Rouleau and Steven T. Seagle.

Hall and Bolt‘s Chris Williams co-directed the film, which hits theaters in 3D on November 7.

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