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Kelly Macdonald

Merida (voice)

Kelly Macdonald (Merida) portrays Margaret Schroeder on “Boardwalk Empire.” She’s also known for pivotal roles in work by some of the most influential filmmakers of our time: “No Country for Old Men” by the Coen brothers; “Gosford Park,” directed by Robert Altman; and “Trainspotting” by Danny Boyle.

For each of the past two seasons of “Boardwalk Empire,” Macdonald garnered an Emmy® nomination, plus two consecutive Golden Globe® Award nominations and successive Screen Actors Guild Awards® with the ensemble cast of the hit HBO series from creator Terence Winter and executive producer Martin Scorsese. Macdonald stars as an Irish widow and mother who captures the attention of Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), the undisputed ruler of Atlantic City during Prohibition. “Boardwalk Empire” returns to HBO for a third season in September.

The native of Glasgow, Scotland, made her acting debut as Diane, Renton’s (Ewan McGregor) one-night stand in “Trainspotting” (1996). In 2001, she played Mary, the visiting servant who works for Maggie Smith’s countess in “Gosford Park” (SAG, Critics’ Choice Awards for the ensemble). Macdonald garnered the London Critics’ Circle Award for British Supporting Actress, a BAFTA nomination and a SAG Award (ensemble) for her performance as the wife of Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) in “No Country for Old Men.” Macdonald is next seen opposite Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Aaron Johnson in Joe Wright’s adaptation of Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina,” which opens September 7 in the U.K. and November 9 in U.S. theaters.

Macdonald’s screen credits include “The Decoy Bride” opposite David Tennant, “Choke” with Sam Rockwell and Anjelica Huston (Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for the ensemble), “Nanny McPhee” with Emma Thompson, “Lassie” with Peter O’Toole, “All the Invisible Children” for Mehdi Charef and Emir Kusturica, John Crowley’s “Intermission,” “Cousin Bette” with Jessica Lange, “Elizabeth” with Cate Blanchett, “Strictly Sinatra,” Gregg Araki’s “Splendor,” Phil Joanou’s “Entropy,” Mike Figgis’ “The Loss of Sexual Innocence,” Hugh Hudson’s “My Life So Far,” “Stella Does Tricks” and “Some Voices” opposite Daniel Craig. For “Two Family House,” Macdonald received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead. She made cameo appearances as The Grey Lady in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” as Peter Pan in Marc Forster’s “Finding Neverland,” in Michael Winterbottom’s “Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story,” and in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

For television, Macdonald garnered an Emmy® Award for her performance as the title character opposite Bill Nighy in the HBO original film “The Girl in the Café,” directed by David Yates from a screenplay by Richard Curtis. She also co-starred with Tim Roth and John Simm in “Skellig” for SKY and portrayed journalist Della Smith in the groundbreaking BBC miniseries “State of Play.”

Billy Connolly

King Fergus (voice)

Best known to U.S. audiences for his comedic work, Billy Connolly (King Fergus) gave a moving performance as the loyal servant John Brown in the highly acclaimed “Mrs. Brown.” A stand-up comedian who has toured the world, Connolly’s recent film credits include “Gulliver’s Travels,” “The X-Files: I Want to Believe,” “Fido,” “Garfield 2,” “Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events,“ “The Last Samurai” and “Timeline.” His previous film credits include Peter Kosminsky’s “White Oleander,” Troy Duffy’s “The Boondock Saints” and the sequel “All Saint’s Day,” Stephen Metcalfe’s “Beautiful Joe” and Barry Levinson’s “An Everlasting Piece,” Stanley Tucci’s “The Impostors,” “Absolution” with Richard Burton, “Bullshot and Water” with Michael Caine, “Crossing the Line” with Liam Neeson, the Muppets’ “Treasure Island,” “Gabriel and Me,” “Gentleman’s Relish” and “The Man Who Sued God,” as well as the acclaimed BBC productions “Down Among the Big Bad Boys” and “The Life and Crimes of Deacon Brodie.” His voice is also featured on the animated films “Pocahontas” and “Open Season.” He is featured in “Quartet,” directed by Dustin Hoffman and co-starring Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Tom Courtenay.

Connolly is most recognizable from his hit television series “Head of the Class,” which was later spun off into his own series, “Billy.” His other television work includes appearances on the sitcom “Pearl” with Rhea Pearlman and Malcolm MacDowell, comedy specials for HBO and BBC, as well as “Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Scotland,” a six-part series documenting a tour of his beloved homeland, and “The Bigger Picture,” a series on Scottish art. Connolly has also released numerous home videos, including “25 BC,” “Billy and Albert,” “An Audience With Billy Connolly,” “Billy Connolly Live” and “Live ‘94.”

Connolly’s eclectic career also includes performances in the BBC’s “Androcles and the Lion,” the Scottish Opera production of “Die Fleidermaus” and his own play “The Red Runner,” which performed to packed houses at the Edinburgh Festival. He began his career as a musician, touring with Gerry Rafferty and the folk band The Humblebums. Connolly’s humorous introduction soon became an audience favorite, and in 1971, he played his first solo concert. This led to “The Great Northern Welly Boot Show,” a mixture of music and talk that established his talent as a popular entertainer. He went on to release a double album and a No. 1 hit single, “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.” Since then, he has released numerous hit comedy records and published several comedic books.

Emma Thompson

Queen Elinor (voice)

Emma Thompson (Queen Elinor) is one of the world’s most respected talents for her versatility in acting as well as screenwriting. She appears in “Men in Black 3” and co-stars with Dakota Fanning and Greg Wise in the upcoming “Effie,” which features a screenplay by Thompson. She will shoot “Beautiful Creatures” this summer on location in Louisiana.

In 1992, Thompson caused a sensation with her portrayal of Margaret Schlegel in the Merchant-Ivory adaptation of E.M. Forster’s “Howards End.” Sweeping the Best Actress category wherever it was considered, the performance netted her a BAFTA Award, Los Angeles Film Critics Award, New York Film Critics Award, Golden Globe® and Academy Award®. She earned two Oscar® nominations the following year for her work in “The Remains of the Day” and “In the Name of the Father.” In 1995, Thompson’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility,” directed by Ang Lee, won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay as well as the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay and Best Screenplay awards from the Writers Guild of America and the Writers Guild of Great Britain, among others. For her performance in the film, she was honored with a Best Actress award from BAFTA and nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

In 2010, Thompson reprised the title role of the magical nanny in “Nanny McPhee Returns,” for which she also wrote the screenplay and acted as an executive producer. Thompson created the character for the screen originally in 2004, in her own adaptation of “Nanny McPhee,” directed by Kirk Jones.

In 2008, Thompson starred with Dustin Hoffman in director Joel Hopkins’ charming romance “Last Chance Harvey” and was nominated for a Golden Globe® as Best Actress for her performance. In 2006, she co-starred, to critical acclaim, with Dustin Hoffman, Will Ferrell and Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Stranger Than Fiction,” directed by Marc Forster and produced by Thompson’s frequent collaborator Lindsay Doran. In 2004, Thompson brought JK Rowling’s character of Sybil Trelawney to the screen in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” which was directed by Alfonso Cuaron. In 2007, she reprised the role in “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” directed by David Yates.

Thompson was born in London to Eric Thompson, a theater director and writer, and Phyllida Law, an actress. She read English at Cambridge and was invited to join the university’s long-standing Footlights comedy troupe, which elected her vice president (Hugh Laurie was president). While still a student, Thompson co-directed Cambridge’s first all-women revue “Women’s Hour,” made her television debut on BBC-TV’s “Friday Night, Saturday Morning” as well as her radio debut on BBC Radio’s “Injury Time.”

Throughout the 1980s Thompson frequently appeared on British TV, including widely acclaimed recurring roles on the Granada TV series “Alfresco,” BBC’s “Election Night Special” and “The Crystal Cube,” the latter written by fellow Cambridge alums Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. She also had a hilarious one-off role as upper-class twit Miss Money Sterling on “The Young Ones.” In 1985, Channel 4 offered Thompson her own TV special, “Up for Grabs,” and in 1988, she wrote and starred in her own BBC series called “Thompson.” She worked as a stand-up comic when the opportunity arose and earned £60 in cash on her 25th birthday in a stand-up double bill with Ben Elton at the Croydon Warehouse. She says it’s the best money she’s ever earned.

Thompson continued to pursue an active stage career concurrently with her TV and radio work, appearing in “A Sense of Nonsense,” which toured England in 1982, as well as the self-penned “Short Vehicle” at the Edinburgh Festival in 1983, “Me and My Girl” first at Leicester and then London’s West End in 1985, and “Look Back in Anger” at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, in 1989.

Thompson’s feature-film debut came in 1988, starring opposite Jeff Goldblum in the comedy “The Tall Guy.” She then played Katherine in Kenneth Branagh’s film-directing debut, “Henry V,” and went on to star opposite Branagh in three of his subsequent directorial efforts, including “Dead Again” (1991), “Peter’s Friends” (1992) and “Much Ado About Nothing” (1993).

Thompson’s other film credits include “Junior” (1994), “Carrington” (1995) and “The Winter Guest” (1997). She has starred in three projects directed by Mike Nichols, including “Primary Colors” (1998) and the HBO telefilms “Wit” (2001, in a Golden Globe®-nominated performance) and “Angels in America” (2002, Screen Actors Guild Award® nomination and Emmy® Award nomination). Also in 2002, Thompson starred in “Imagining Argentina” for director Christopher Hampton and “Love Actually” for director Richard Curtis. The latter film netted Thompson a number of accolades, including Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2004 Evening Standard Film Awards, a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 2004 BAFTA Awards, Best Supporting Actress at the 2004 London Film Critics Circle Awards and Best British Actress at the 2004 Empire Film Awards.

Thompson is chair of the Helen Bamber Foundation, a U.K.-based human rights organization formed in April 2005 to help rebuild the lives of survivors of gross human rights violations. On behalf of the foundation, Thompson co-curated “Journey,” an interactive art installation which uses seven transport containers to illustrate the brutal and harrowing experiences of women sold into the sex trade. Thompson and “Journey” have traveled to London, Vienna, Madrid and New York, among other locales, for exhibitions and interviews.
Thompson is also an ambassador for the international development agency ActionAid and has spoken publicly about her support for the work the NGO is doing, in particular about the HIV/AIDS epidemic that continues to sweep Africa. She has been affiliated with the organization since 2000 and thus far has visited ActionAid projects in Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Liberia, Burma and South Africa.

Thompson has served as president of the Teaching Awards. Founded in 1998, these awards are open to every education establishment in England, Wales and Northern Ireland teaching pupils between the ages of 3 and 18, to nominate and celebrate teachers (and schools) who transform lives and help young people realize their potential.

Julie Walters

Witch (voice)

Julie Walters (voice of the Witch) has portrayed the maternal Mrs. Weasley in all of the “Harry Potter” films. She served as the voice of Miss Montague in 2011’s “Gnomeo & Juliet.”

A two-time Academy Award® nominee, Walters gained her first nomination in 1984 for her feature-film debut in the title role of “Educating Rita,” also winning BAFTA and Golden Globe® Awards for her performance. She earned her second Oscar® nod for her work in Stephen Daldry’s “Billy Elliot.” Her portrayal of Billy’s ballet teacher in that film also brought her BAFTA, Empire, Evening Standard Film and London Film Critics’ Circle Awards, in addition to Golden Globe® and European Film Award nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Award® nominations, one for Supporting Actress and a second, shared with her castmates, for Outstanding Cast Performance. Walters has also earned BAFTA Award nominations for her roles in “Personal Services” and “Stepping Out,” winning a Variety Club Award for the latter.

Walters more recently co-starred with Meryl Streep in the worldwide musical smash hit “Mamma Mia!” She includes among her other film credits Julian Jarrold’s “Becoming Jane,” “Driving Lessons,” “Wah-Wah,” “Calendar Girls,” “Before You Go,” Roger Michell’s “Titanic Town,” “Girls’ Night,” “Intimate Relations,” “Sister My Sister,” “Just Like a Woman,” “Buster” and Stephen Frears’ “Prick Up Your Ears.”

Walters is also well known to British television audiences. In 2010, she earned dual BAFTA TV Award nominations, both in the category of Best Leading Actress, for her work in the telefilms “A Short Stay in Switzerland” and “Mo,” winning the award for the latter. She previously won three consecutive BAFTA TV Awards in 2002, 2003 and 2004 for her roles in “Strange Relations,” “Murder” (for which she also won a Royal Television Society Award) and the series “The Canterbury Tales” (which also won a Broadcasting Press Guild Award). She has earned four more BAFTA TV Award nominations: in 1983 for the miniseries “Boys From the Blackstuff,” in 1987 for the series “Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV,” in 1994 for the telefilm “The Wedding Gift” and in 1999 for the series “Dinnerladies.” Her many other television credits include “Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story,” “The Ruby in the Smoke,” “Ahead of the Class,” “The Return,” “Oliver Twist,” “Jake’s Progress,” “Pat and Margaret,” “The Summer House,” “Julie Walters and Friends,” “Talking Heads” and “The Birthday Party.”

An accomplished stage actress, Walters won an Olivier Award in 2001 for her performance in Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” and she was earlier nominated for an Olivier for her work in Sam Shepard’s “Fool for Love.” She had made her London stage debut in “Educating Rita,” creating the role that she would later bring to the big screen. Her theater credits also include productions of such plays as “Jumpers,” “Having a Ball,” “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” “When I Was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout,” Tennessee Williams’ “The Rose Tattoo” and the musical “Acorn Antiques.”

In addition to her acting work, Walters’ first novel, “Maggie’s Tree,” was published in 2006.

Robbie Coltrane

Lord Dingwall (voice)

One of the U.K.’s most prolific and respected film and television actors, ROBBIE COLTRANE (voice of Lord Dingwall) earned BAFTA and Los Angeles Film Critics Circle Award nominations for his performance as Hagrid in “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” He reprised his role in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” He appears in “Great Expectations” for Mike Newell and, in November 2011, received the British Academy Scotland Award for Outstanding Contribution to Film.

Coltrane first appeared on the circuit in 1973 with “Young Mental Health,” a 50-minute documentary which he both directed and produced; it won the Scottish Education Council Film of the Year Award. He then enjoyed five successful years in live theater, before making a huge impact on fast-developing alternative comedy television shows in the early ‘80s. Appearances included “Alfresco,” “Kick Up the Eighties,” “Laugh??? I Nearly Paid My Licence Fee” and “Saturday Night Live.” He’s made star appearances in 14 Comic Strip productions, including “The Hunt for Tony Blair,” and was awarded the Peter Sellers Award for Comedy at the 1991 Evening Standard British Film Awards for his contribution to film comedy and for “Nuns on the Run.”

Coltrane is remembered fondly for his role in John Byrne’s drama “Tutti Frutti,” in which his performance earned him his first BAFTA Best Actor nomination. His towering performance in the phenomenally successful Granada series “Cracker” was central to the program’s success. Nine films over three years earned the series awards galore, most notably two BAFTA Best Drama Series Awards in 1995 and 1996, Royal Television Society Award for Best Drama, Broadcasting Press Guilds 1993 Award for Best Series; USA CableACE Awards for Best Movie or Mini Series.

Coltrane’s portrayal of Fitz has been recognized with BAFTA Awards as Best Television Actor in 1994, 1995 and 1996; a Silver Nymph Award for Best Actor from the 1994 Monte Carlo Television Festival; Best Television Actor at the 1993 Broadcasting Press Guilds Awards; Royal Television Society’s 1994 Award for Best Male Performer; FIPA’s Best Actor Award; and a CableACE Award in the U.S. for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries.

Among Coltrane’s TV credits are “The Planman,” which he also executive-produced; the final episode of “Frasier”; a one-off TV film of “Cracker,” written by Jimmy McGovern and directed by Antonia Bird; “Robbie Coltrane’s B Road Britain,” a documentary series for ITV; and “Murderland,” the critically acclaimed three-part British television series created by David Pirie and directed by Catherine Morshead.

Coltrane has written three books, including “Coltrane in a Cadillac,” “Coltrane’s Planes and Automobiles” and “B-Road Britain.”

Coltrane’s career also involves some 55 films, including “Mona Lisa,” “Danny Champion of the World, “Henry V,” “Nuns on the Run,” “Perfectly Normal,” “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “Buddy,” “Montana,” “Frogs for Snakes,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Golden Eye,” “The World Is Not Enough,” “From Hell,” “Stormbreaker,” “Ocean’s Twelve,” “The Brothers Bloom,” “Tales of Despereaux,” “The Gruffalo” and “Arthur Christmas.”

Coltrane was awarded the OBE in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List for his Services to Drama.

Kevin Mckidd

Lord MacGuffin/Young MacGuffin (voice)

An established star of film, television and theater, Scottish actor Kevin Mckidd (voice of Lord MacGuffin/Young MacGuffin) made his feature-film debut in 1996, starring in Gillies MacKinnon’s “Small Faces,” which was quickly followed by a starring role alongside Ewan McGregor in the film “Trainspotting.”

Presently, McKidd is gracing the small screen in his fourth season on the hit ABC show “Grey’s Anatomy.” He stars as the psychotic armed robber Cameron in director Simon Aboud’s romantic thriller “Comes a Bright Day.” Imogen Poots, Craig Roberts and Timothy Spall co-star.

Demonstrating how easily he can transition from television to film, as well as from one genre to the next, McKidd co-starred in the 2008 romantic comedy “Made of Honor,” in which he captured the heart of Michelle Monaghan’s character as she embarked on a trip to Scotland and was swept away by his charm. The film was a box-office success and further solidified McKidd’s female fan base.

In 2010, McKidd was seen alongside Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman and Pierce Brosnan in Chris Columbus’ film “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” based on the book by Rick Riordan. He also played Poseidon in the tale of a young boy who discovers he’s the descendant of a Greek god and sets out on an adventure to settle an on-going battle between the gods.

McKidd recently starred alongside Josh Harnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson and Ron Perlman in “Bunraku.” In this action-packed drama, McKidd played an outrageous and virulent criminal who terrorizes the town. “Bunraku” was written and directed by Guy Moshe and was released in September 2011.

Taking on a different facet of the entertainment industry, McKidd voiced the lead role of Captain Soap MacTavish in one of the highest-selling video games of all time, Activision’s “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.” Breaking the first- and five-day sales records since its release in November 2009, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” lets gamers play as MacTavish. McKidd reprised the role in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3,” released in November 2011.

In 2007, McKidd made his debut on American network television in NBC’s drama “Journeyman” as a San Francisco newspaper reporter and family man who inexplicably begins to travel through time and change people’s lives. Prior to “Journeyman,” McKidd starred in HBO’s Golden Globe® and Emmy®-nominated historical drama series “Rome.”

McKidd’s film credits include “Hannibal Rising,” Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven,” the musical by Irwin Winkler called “De-Lovely" with Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd, and “Sixteen Years of Alcohol,” for which he was nominated for Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards. Credits also include “Nicholas Nickleby,” “Hideous Kinky" with Kate Winslet and “Max” with John Cusack.

McKidd’s television credits include “The Virgin Queen,” “Gunpowder, Treason and Plot,” “North Square,” “The Key,” “Anna Karenina,” “Richard II” and “Looking After Jo Jo.” His theater credits include “Richard III,” “Britannicus,” for which he won an Ian Charleston Award, and “Far Away.”

Born and raised in Scotland, McKidd was a member of the Moray Youth Theatre. He became involved in the Bedlam Theatre Company while he was a student at the University of Edinburgh. He landed his first role in the Wild Cat Theatre Company-produced stage play “The Silver Darlings,” for which he won the Gulliver Award. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

Craig Ferguson

Lord Macintosh (voice)

Craig Ferguson (voice of Lord Macintosh) entered the world of late-night comedy following a diverse and eclectic career that encompasses film, television and the stage. Since taking the helm of the “Late, Late Show” on January 3, 2005, the show has set all-time viewer records in the seven years that it has been on the air.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Ferguson got his start in the entertainment industry as a drummer for some of the worst punk bands in the U.K., a profession he held for several years. Following his musical stint, he began bartending in a local pub in Glasgow where he was introduced to Michael Boyd, the artistic director of The Tron Theatre in Glasgow, who persuaded Ferguson to give acting a go. After several low- paying acting gigs, Ferguson discovered he had a knack for comedy and was soon the star of his own BBC television show, “The Ferguson Theory.”

After several stints on the English comedy circuit, Ferguson brought his act to America in 1995 to star with Betty White and Marie Osmond in the short-lived ABC comedy “Maybe This Time.” After the show ended, ABC decided to add the talented Scotsman to “The Drew Carey Show,” playing Drew Carey’s boss, Nigel Wick, from 1996-2003.

Ferguson has also become a huge success on the North American comedy circuit. He has performed to sold-out theaters all over the country and sold out Carnegie Hall in October 2010. Additionally, Ferguson has two widely acclaimed stand-up comedy specials, “A Wee Bit o’ Revolution,” which premiered on Comedy Central and was released on Home Video in 2009, and “Does This Need to Be Said,” which premiered on Epix in February 2011, aired on Comedy Central and was released on home video in fall 2011.

Ferguson wrote the feature films “The Big Tease” and “Saving Grace.” In 2003, he made his directorial debut with “I’ll Be There,” which he also wrote and starred in. “I’ll Be There” went on to receive the Audience Award for Best Film at the Aspen, Dallas and Valencia film festivals. Ferguson was also named Best New Director at the Napa Valley Film Festival. Ferguson’s other film credits include “Niagra Motel,” “Lenny the Wonder Dog,” “Prendimi l’anima,” “Life Without Dick,” “Chain of Fools,” “Born Romantic” and “The Big Tease.” In March 2010, Ferguson’s voice was featured in the animated feature “How to Train Your Dragon” as the Viking Gobber, and in 2011, he gave voice to Owl in Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh.” In October, Ferguson will be performing for the first time his highly praised stand-up at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.

In April 2006, Ferguson released his first novel “Between the Bridge and the River,” a best-seller about two childhood friends from Scotland and two illegitimate half-brothers from the Deep South who suffer and enjoy bizarre adventures that are interconnected and, even more surprisingly, meaningful. The eclectic cast of characters features Socrates, Carl Jung and Tony Randall, while love, greed, hope, revenge, organized religion and Hollywood also make special appearances.

Ferguson came into his own on the “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson,” winning his first Emmy® nomination in 2006 as well as receiving the 2009 Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In February 2008, he succeeded in becoming a U.S. citizen. Soon after, he hosted the White House Correspondent’s Dinner attended by President George W. Bush. Critics raved about his witty and comical speech to the 3,000 attendees, which included political journalists, celebrities and Washington’s power players. In 2009, HarperCollins published Ferguson’s memoir “America on Purpose,” a book about why and how he became an American. The book was listed on the New York Times best-seller list.

Ferguson also serves on the board of the Lollipop Theater Network. The mission of the Lollipop Theater Network is to bring movies that are currently in theatrical release to hospitalized children facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses nationwide.

Mark Andrews

Director/Screenplay

Mark Andrews the director of Disney•Pixar’s next feature film, “Brave,” which opens in theaters nationwide June 22, 2012.

Andrews joined Pixar Animation Studios in December 2000 and has worked on four of the studio’s feature films. He served as story supervisor on the Academy Award®-winning feature films “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille” and as a storyboard artist for the Golden Globe®-winning “Cars.” Andrews also contributed to the story of the critically acclaimed, award-winning “Toy Story 3.” In addition to his work on Pixar’s feature films, Andrews co-wrote and co-directed the Academy Award®-nominated short film “One Man Band.”

Andrews also provided his talents to Walt Disney Pictures’ “John Carter” as second-unit director and co-writer alongside the film’s director and Pixar colleague Andrew Stanton.

Prior to coming to Pixar, Andrews lived in Los Angeles and was a storyboard artist on several animated films. For his work on “The Iron Giant,” he received an Annie Award from ASIFA-Hollywood for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production. He was also a storyboard artist on several animated television shows such as “The New Adventures of Jonny Quest” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” for which he was awarded an Emmy®, and the award-winning “Samurai Jack.” Besides his work in the animation world, Andrews was a storyboard artist on Sony’s blockbuster live-action feature film “Spider-Man.”

Andrews earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in 1993. He currently lives in the Bay Area with his wife and their children.

Brenda Chapman

Director/Screenplay

Brenda Chapman joined Pixar Animation Studios in September 2003 as a senior story artist on the Academy Award®-nominated feature film “Cars.” Upon completing her work on “Cars,” Chapman stepped into the position of director after conceiving the unique story, characters and world for Disney•Pixar’s upcoming feature “Brave.” An epic adventure set in the mythical Highlands of Scotland “Brave” hits theaters on June 22, 2012.

Born and raised in Illinois, Chapman earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). She went on to start her story and directing career at Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios where she worked as a story artist on a number of Disney’s most beloved animated films including “The Little Mermaid,” “The Rescuers Down Under,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Fantasia/2000.” Chapman was the story supervisor on “The Lion King,” which ultimately became the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time.

After nearly eight years at Disney, Chapman left to help launch a new animation studio – DreamWorks Animation Studios. At DreamWorks she directed the studio’s 1998 release “The Prince of Egypt,” which marked the first time a woman directed an animated feature film for a major Hollywood studio.

Prior to joining Pixar, Chapman worked as a directing and story consultant on various projects in development at DreamWorks, Universal Studios and Sony Animation.

Katherine Sarafian

Producer

Katherine Sarafian has been an integral part of the success and growth of Pixar Animation Studios, holding a variety of key leadership positions that have culminated in her role as producer on Disney•Pixar’s next feature film “Brave,” scheduled for release on June 22, 2012.

Sarafian joined Pixar in 1994 as a production coordinator on the studio’s first full-length feature film, “Toy Story.” From there, she continued to develop her film production experience as production manager in Pixar’s short film department, and as art department manager on the studio’s second feature film, “A Bug’s Life.”

After completing her work on “A Bug’s Life,” Sarafian shifted gears and moved on to positions in the creative services and consumer products departments. She eventually became director of marketing for the studio.

In 2000, Sarafian transitioned back into production at Pixar, first as production supervisor on “Monsters, Inc.” and then as production manager on the Academy Award®-winning feature “The Incredibles.” She next took on the role of producer for the Academy Award®-nominated short film “Lifted,” which screened in theaters worldwide with Oscar®-winner “Ratatouille” in 2007.

Prior to Pixar, Sarafian worked in development at Castle Rock Entertainment and in digital entertainment at Sanctuary Woods Multimedia.

Sarafian holds a Master of Arts degree in Film and Television Critical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies, both from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has taught undergraduate film and television courses and has represented Pixar at a variety of film festivals throughout Japan, Europe and the United States. A native of Oakland, Calif., Sarafian is active in the San Francisco Bay Area theater, music and arts communities.

Mark Andrews

Lyricist

Best Original Song - "Touch The Sky"

Mark Andrews the director of Disney•Pixar’s next feature film, “Brave,” which opens in theaters nationwide June 22, 2012.

Andrews joined Pixar Animation Studios in December 2000 and has worked on four of the studio’s feature films. He served as story supervisor on the Academy Award®-winning feature films “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille” and as a storyboard artist for the Golden Globe®-winning “Cars.” Andrews also contributed to the story of the critically acclaimed, award-winning “Toy Story 3.” In addition to his work on Pixar’s feature films, Andrews co-wrote and co-directed the Academy Award®-nominated short film “One Man Band.”

Andrews also provided his talents to Walt Disney Pictures’ “John Carter” as second-unit director and co-writer alongside the film’s director and Pixar colleague Andrew Stanton.

Prior to coming to Pixar, Andrews lived in Los Angeles and was a storyboard artist on several animated films. For his work on “The Iron Giant,” he received an Annie Award from ASIFA-Hollywood for Outstanding Individual Achievement for Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production. He was also a storyboard artist on several animated television shows such as “The New Adventures of Jonny Quest” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” for which he was awarded an Emmy®, and the award-winning “Samurai Jack.” Besides his work in the animation world, Andrews was a storyboard artist on Sony’s blockbuster live-action feature film “Spider-Man.”

Andrews earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in 1993. He currently lives in the Bay Area with his wife and their children.

Patrick Doyle

Composer

Best Original Score

Oscar®-nominated composer Patrick Doyle, a native of Scotland, brought a passion and excitement for his homeland to the project that is reflected in his bold and evocative score. Doyle is only the fourth composer to write a score for a Pixar film, joining an elite group of distinguished composers that includes Randy Newman, Thomas Newman and Michael Giacchino.

“I’ve always loved animation,” says Doyle. “The first film I went to see on my own in the big city of Glasgow was Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ at the famous Cosma cinema. I’ve never missed a Pixar movie. Not only was it a privilege to be involved in ‘Brave,’ but being a Scottish composer meant I had a very special connection to this extraordinary picture.”

Doyle, for one, was transported home. “What makes ‘Brave’ so special,” he says, “is the love, care and attention to detail that has gone into the creation of Scotland. They have completely captured the look of its topography, its ancient architecture and unique climate. The story has all the mythical qualities of the great Celtic legends.”

In creating his score for the film, the composer used a variety of native Scottish instruments such as bagpipes, solo fiddle, Celtic harps, flutes and the bodhran. To give the score a contemporary and fresh feel, he included original bespoke electronic sounds and electronically treated dulcimer and cimbalom. Says Andrews, “We didn’t want to do it overly Scottish and have bagpipes everywhere. The score has this great contrast of grandeur and this sublime intimacy that really feels of this fantasy Celtic time period.”

“I employed many classic Scottish dance rhythms such as reels, jigs and strathspeys, which not only serve the action but keep it authentic,” says Doyle. “I particularly loved composing the Gaelic lament ‘Noble Maiden Fair’ with my son Patrick Neil, sung so beautifully by Emma [Thompson] and Peigi [Barker].”

Doyle insisted that the ethnic instruments were played by Scottish musicians. “I knew only they would bring a deep-rooted Celtic understanding of the Scottish musical heritage. They indeed rose to the occasion, and their superb playing came from their very souls.”

As for the score itself, Doyle was inspired by the film’s performances, direction, story and visual beauty. “It was vital that the strength of Merida and Elinor were reflected in the score and that their characters were in no way sentimentalized,” he says. “The ancient history of the country, through its legends and myths, conjured up haunting, ethereal and dark colors coupled with evocative harmonies throughout the score.”

Doyle adds, “Working with Mark and Katherine gave me so much scope and artistic freedom as a composer to bring both my musical experience in film and my Scottish background. There is an atmosphere of openness, which allows an artist to experiment and be bold; there was the luxury of time to experiment and to throw around ideas in a relaxed and satisfying manner, and as a result I believe the very best was brought out in me. It is this atmosphere, which comes straight down from John Lasseter, that allows Pixar movies to be unique.”

Mumford & Sons

Songwriter/Composer

Best Original Song - "Learn Me Right"

“Learn Me Right” is an original song performed by Birdy, whose self-titled album has been awarded Gold and Platinum status in UK and Europe respectively, and the Grammy®-nominated British folk rock group Mumford & Sons, who also wrote, arranged and produced the track.

Andrews says he liked the energy Mumford & Sons brought to the film. “They wanted to maintain the spirit of our heroine, so they approached the young singer Birdy. The result is this dynamic, poetic song that sums up the moral of the story: ‘We’re going to be who we’re going to be and that’s okay’—it’s done in a very beautiful and energetic way.”

Adds Sarafian, “‘Learn Me Right’ is an amazing song. I feel something every time I hear it. Mumford & Sons sketched out a piece that would do justice to the culminating moment of the movie, underscoring the emotion, heart and the lessons learned between mother and daughter. They really found that moment of truth in the story we were trying to tell, and it takes the movie to a new level at the end.”

Alex Mandel

Songwriter/Composer

Best Original Song - "Touch The Sky"

Two new songs performed by acclaimed Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis also add to the film’s musical highlights. “Touch the Sky,” with music by Pixar’s own Alex Mandel and lyrics by director Mark Andrews and Mandel, accompanies Merida’s liberating and exhilarating ride through the forest when she is able to escape the confines of castle life. The song “Into the Open Air,” with music and lyrics by Mandel, is heard later in the film during a special moment between mother and daughter.

Both songs were written in-house at Pixar and were originally intended to be temporary music. “We love working with in-house artists,” says producer Katharine Sarafian. “They work right alongside our story team and know the goal of the story point and can really collaborate with the director along the way to get the meaning behind a song in a wonderful way. We were delighted that Alex Mandel’s songs were ultimately exactly what we needed for the movie.”

Sarafian adds, “Julie Fowlis performed both songs. If ever we imagined a singing voice for Merida—the beauty, the clarity, the directness and honesty—Julie embodies that and she’s fantastic.”

“It was great to be invited to record and perform on the soundtrack to ‘Brave’ and, particularly, to sing the songs which represent the feisty female lead, Merida,” says Fowlis. “I so enjoyed the challenge of adding a dimension of acting to my singing in order to bring Merida’s character and inner feelings to life through song.”

 

 

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Best Animated Feature

  • Mark Andrews
  • Brenda Chapman

Best Director

  • Mark Andrews
  • Brenda Chapman

Best Original Screenplay

  • Mark Andrews
  • Steve Purcell
  • Brenda Chapman
  • Irene Mecchi
  • Story by Brenda Chapman

Best Film Editing

  • Nicholas C. Smith, A.C.E.
  • Robert Grahamjones, A.C.E.

Best Production Design

  • Production Designer:
  • Steve Pilcher

Best Cinematography

  • Director of Photography - Camera:
  • Robert Anderson
  • Director of Photography - Lighting:
  • Danielle Feinberg

Best Visual Effects

  • Supervising Technical Director:
  • Bill Wise
  • Supervising Technical Director:
  • Steve May
  • Effects Supervisor:
  • David MacCarthy
  • Effects Technical Lead:
  • Michael K. O’Brien

Best Sound Mixing

  • Re-Recording Mixers:
  • Gary Rydstrom
  • Tom Johnson
  • Original Dialogue Mixer:
  • Bobby Johansen

Best Sound Editing

  • Sound Designer:
  • Gary Rydstrom
  • Supervising Sound Editor:
  • Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

Best Original Score

  • Patrick Doyle

Best Original Song

  • “Touch The Sky”
  • Music by Alex Mandel
  • Lyrics by Mark Andrews & Alex Mandel
  • Performed by Julie Fowlis

Best Original Song

  • “Learn Me Right”
  • Music & Lyrics by Mumford & Sons
  • Performed by Birdy (with Mumford & Sons)
Play Close
Frankenweenie

Catherine O’Hara

Mrs. Frankenstein / Weird Girl /
Gym Teacher (voice)

Catherine O’Hara (Mrs. Frankenstein, Weird Girl, Gym Teacher) won the 2007 National Board of Review Award for Supporting Actress for her work in Christopher Guest’s comedy, “For Your Consideration.”  She and Guest also collaborated on “A Mighty Wind,” “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman.”

Other film credits include “After Hours,” “Heartburn,” “Beetlejuice,” “Home Alone,” “Home Fries,” “Orange County,” “Last of the High Kings,” “The Life Before This,” “Penelope,” “Away We Go,” “Where the Wild Things Are” and for HBO, “Temple Grandin.”

O’Hara first acted with Toronto’s Second City Theatre, then, with fellow alumni, created the comedy show “SCTV,” which is currently enjoying success on DVD. O’Hara won an Emmy® Award and earned four Emmy nominations for her writing on the show.

She provided voices for “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Over the Hedge,” “Monster House” and “Glenn Martin, DDS.”

Martin Short

Mr. Frankenstein / Nassor /
Mr. Burgemeister (voice)

Martin Short (Mr. Frankenstein, Nassor, Mr. Burgemeister), a celebrated comedian and actor, has won fans and accolades in television, film and theater since his breakout season on “Saturday Night Live” almost 30 years ago.

Short won his first Emmy® in 1982 while working on Canada’s “SCTV Comedy Network,” which brought him to the attention of the producers of “Saturday Night Live.” He became a fan-favorite for his portrayal of characters such as Ed Grimley, lawyer Nathan Thurm and “legendary songwriter” Irving Cohen.

His popularity and exposure on “Saturday Night Live” led Short to cross over quickly into feature films. He made his debut in “Three Amigos” and followed with “Inner Space,” “Three Fugitives,” “Clifford,” “Pure Luck” and Tim Burton’s “Mars Attacks!”. One of Short’s most memorable roles was in the remake of “Father of the Bride,” as Franck the wedding planner, a role he reprised a few years later in “Father of the Bride Part II.” Most recently, Short was featured in the animated film “Madagascar 3.”

An accomplished stage actor, Short won a Tony® and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his role in the revival of “Little Me.” He was also nominated for a Tony and took home an Outer Critics Circle Award for the musical version of Neil Simon’s “The Goodbye Girl.” Short also co-wrote and starred in “Fame Becomes Me.”
Short returned to television in an Emmy®-nominated role for the miniseries “Merlin” and host of “The Martin Short Show,” which garnered him seven Emmy nominations. Short also wrote, produced and starred in three comedy specials, winning two Cable ACE awards and an Emmy. In 2001, he launched the critically acclaimed “Primetime Glick,” garnering another five Emmy nominations. Short was nominated for his nineteenth Emmy award in 2010 for his work as the lawyer Leonard Winstone on the critically acclaimed FX series “Damages.”

Currently, Short can be seen on the CBS hit comedy series “How I Met Your Mother” in the recurring role of Garrison Cootes. His voice can be heard as the Cat in the critically acclaimed PBS series “Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That.”
In 1994, Short was awarded the Order of Canada, the Canadian equivalent to British Knighthood. He was also inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame in June 2000.

Martin Landau

Mr. Rzykruski (voice)

For revered actor Martin Landau (Mr. Rzykruski) there has been a rich continuity of great roles and great performances across six decades.

Landau, winner of the 1994 Best Supporting Oscar® for his portrayal of Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood,” had also been nominated for an Academy Award® twice before, first in 1988 for his performance as Abe Karatz in Francis Ford Coppola’s “Tucker” and again for his role as Judah Rosenthal in Woody Allen’s “Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

In addition to his Academy Award® nominations, Landau’s list of honors for “Ed Wood” was unprecedented. He received The Hollywood Foreign Press Golden Globe® Award, The Screen Actors Guild’s® first annual award, The Actor, The American Comedy Award, The New York Film Critics Award, The National Society of Film Critics Award, The Chicago Film Critics Award, The Los Angeles Film Critics Award, The Boston Film Critics Award and the Texas Film Critics Award.

One of the most active of film and television performers, he is also one of the most acknowledged and sought-after acting teachers.  A proud member of The Actors Studio, he has continued that great teaching institution as Artistic Director of Actors Studio West, a post he has for many years shared with director Mark Rydell. He has been personal instructor for many of Hollywood’s greatest stars.

Landau made his Hollywood debut in the Gregory Peck-starring war film, “Pork Chop Hill” and went on to star in such films as Alfred Hitchcock’s “North By Northwest,” Allen’s “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” Tim Burton’s “Ed Wood,” Francis Ford Coppola’s “Tucker” and Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s “Cleopatra.”  

In television, Landau has graced the small screen in scores of notable performances. He has received six Emmy® nominations, including two for guest-starring appearances on “Without A Trace,” playing Anthony LaPaglia’s father, a man in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s, and thereafter for his three-episode arc on “Entourage.” In addition to dozens of made-for-TV and cable movies and hundreds of guest-starring appearances in episodic shows, television viewers around the world are familiar with the two hit series in which Landau starred, “Mission: Impossible” and “Space: 1999.”

Landau’s distinctive voice and vocal character creation have made him a leading voice actor of animated films. He teamed with such other esteemed actors as Laurence Fishburne in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of the beloved Mitch Albom novel, “Have A Little Faith” and with Ellen Burstyn in the festival-honored feature, “Lovely, Still.” 

Landau starred in “The Aryan Couple,” with Judy Parfitt, a festival-honored theatrical film written and directed by Landau’s longtime friend, partner and fellow Oscar® winner, the late John Daly. For this performance, set against the terrors of Nazi persecutions, Landau was honored with the following awards: Milano International Film Festival (Best Actor) and Jewish Image Awards (Best Male Role).

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he studied art at the prestigious Pratt Institute, regarded as one of America’s finest art schools. Then at 17, he worked as an artist for the New York Daily News, the newspaper with the country’s largest circulation, illustrating Billy Rose’s column, “Pitching Horseshoes,” as well as other comic strips, including the renowned “The Gumps.” Needing a new challenge, he resigned from the newspaper and began studying theater in his early twenties. When he auditioned for the Actor’s Studio, he was one of 2000 applicants. That year only Martin Landau and Steve McQueen were accepted.

Gaining experience under the tutelage of some of the theater’s greatest directors at the Actor’s Studio (Strasberg, Elia Kazan, Harold Clurman, Bobby Lewis and Curt Conway), Landau soon moved into professional theater. He played Juvan in Franz Werfel’s “Goat Song,” a role originated by Alfred Lunt, as well as other stage successes, including “Stalag 17,” “First Love the Penguin” and Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons.” Having created the role with great success on Broadway, he arrived in Hollywood with the national company of Paddy Chayefsky’s “Middle of the Night,” which starred Edward G. Robinson.  Alfred Hitchcock’s viewing of that play resulted in his casting the young Landau opposite Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason in “North By Northwest.”  

Charlie Tahan

Victor (voice)

Charlie Tahan (Victor) has been a fan of Tim Burton’s work for as long as he can remember, so he was honored to be cast as the voice of Victor in Burton’s “Frankenweenie.”

Tahan made his major feature film debut at age nine, sharing the screen with Will Smith in the Warner Bros. blockbuster “I Am Legend.” Now 14 years old, Tahan has since gone on to work on numerous projects, ranging from short films and independent features to major studio releases. Notable roles include that of an autistic child in the Lionsgate thriller “Burning Bright”; Diane Lane’s son in Warner Bros.’ “Nights In Rodanthe”; and a co-starring turn alongside Natalie Portman in the IFC drama “The Other Woman.” Tahan’s starring performance as Zac Efron’s younger brother in Universal’s “Charlie St. Cloud” earned him strong reviews and a Saturn Award nomination.

On the small screen, Tahan has had a recurring role on the NBC hit series “Law and Order: SVU” and guest-starring roles on the CBS drama “Blue Bloods” and the FOX sci-fi series “Fringe.”

When he is not busy filming, Tahan enjoys skateboarding, drawing, playing the guitar, and spending time with his brother, sister and friends. He has a dog named Sam, and he loves her as much as Victor loves Sparky.

Atticus Shaffer

Edgar “E” Gore (voice)

Atticus Shaffer (Edgar “E” Gore) lives in California with his mother, Debbie, and father, Ron, as well as a small menagerie of pets (all rescues).

Atticus currently plays the role of Brick on ABC’s half-hour comedy, “The Middle.” He began his professional acting career in late 2006 with a guest-starring role in the comedy series “The Class.” Other television appearances followed, including “Human Giant,” “Days of Our Lives,” “Out of Jimmy’s Head,” “Carpoolers,” “My Name is Earl” and the Disney Channel’s “Shake it Up.”

On film, Atticus is perhaps best known for the bus stop scene he shared with Will Smith in “Hancock.” Other feature films include “The Unborn,” “An American Carol,” “Leaving Barstow” and “Opposite Day.”

Atticus has given a voice to numerous characters in the world of animation, both on film and TV. He appeared in “Year One” and “Subject: I Love You.” On television, he is a regular voice on The Disney Channel’s animated series, “Fish Hooks” and previously voiced a recurring part on “The Penguins of Madagascar” as well as a guest role on the animated series “Thundercats.” Atticus is also very talented with voice impersonations and has been incorporating that into some of his recent work.

Atticus continues to excel in his education and is a major history buff, which he incorporates into directing stop-motion animated movies using Legos. He is an avid “gamer” and especially enjoys video games that include history, Legos or “Star Wars.”

Atticus has made numerous talk show appearances, including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Conan,” “The View,” “Good Morning America” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”—a fan favorite. He was selected to be a presenter for the 2011 Genesis Awards for his recognition to public awareness of humane treatment of animals and was invited to be the Grand Marshal of Washington, D.C.’s 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival. He was also invited to an internship with Lego Master Builders of Florida, who honored him for spending time learning more about one of his most passionate hobbies.

In addition to all of this are his love for acting and his true passion for comedy. Atticus gives much love and credit to his mom and dad for enabling him to “be himself” and have the time of his life.

Robert Capron

Bob (voice)

Robert Capron (Bob) began his acting career when he was eight years old by enrolling in an after-school drama program sponsored by Trinity Repertory Company. Later that year he landed a role as Turkey Boy in Trinity’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” Since that time Robert has performed a variety of roles on stage. Recently, Robert has turned his efforts to film. Robert’s first principal role was in “Bride Wars,” where he played Robert. Shortly thereafter, he earned a role as young Dave’s pal in the movie “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”

Robert’s role as Rowley in Fox’s three-movie franchise “Diary of A Wimpy Kid” (2010, 2011) is perhaps his most recognized role to date. The third installment of the franchise, “Dog Days,” was released on August 3, 2012.

In April 2012, Robert played Young Curly in the movie “The Three Stooges.” Looking ahead, Robert will be playing Derek in the 3D CGI motion-capture version of “Tarzan,” which is set for release in 2013.

In addition to theater and film, Robert has also appeared on television as a guest star on ABC’s “The Middle” and as the lead on two episodes of The Hub Network’s “The Haunting Hour.”

Robert is passionate about reading, acting, watching movies and writing his own screenplays. He loves riding his Razor scooter, swimming, riding his bike and playing in “improvised” rugby matches. He also enjoys playing video games and following all his favorite superheroes, and playing his percussion instruments.

In May 2012, Robert was elected into the National Junior Honor Society and enters his first year of high school in September 2012. His favorite subjects are Social Studies and English.

Conchata Ferrell

Bob’s Mom (voice)

Conchata Ferrell’s (Bob’s Mom) first Hollywood break was in Sidney Lumet’s “Network.” Following came many films, including “Heartland” with Rip Torn, “Where the River Runs Black,” “For Keeps,” “Mystic Pizza” alongside Julia Roberts, Tim Burton’s “Edward Scissorhands,” starring Johnny Depp, “True Romance,” starring Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper, Oliver Stone’s “Heaven and Earth,” “Touch,” “Erin Brockovich,” “K-Pax,” “Mr. Deeds” and “Surviving Eden.” On television, Ferrell has appeared as a guest star on over 100 different shows. She was seen as a series regular on “E/R” (the sitcom), “L.A. Law,” for which she received an Emmy® nomination, “Townies” and “Teen Angel.” Ferrell can currently be seen in her Emmy-nominated role of Berta on the CBS hit comedy series “Two and a Half Men,” which is starting its tenth season.

Winona Ryder

Elsa Van Helsing (voice)

With two Oscar® nominations and a Golden Globe® award to her credit, Winona Ryder (Elsa Van Helsing) hails as one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents and classic beauties.

Ryder was recently seen in Darren Aronofsky's critically acclaimed supernatural thriller “Black Swan” opposite Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. The film went on to receive Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and Screen Actors Guild Award® nominations.

Ryder will next been seen in the drama “The Iceman” opposite Oscar® nominees Michael Shannon and James Franco. The film is based on the true story of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious contract killer and family man.

Ryder also appeared in the Universal comedy “The Dilemma,” from director Ron Howard, which co-starred Vince Vaughn, Kevin James and Jennifer Connelly. Previously, she was seen in Rebecca Miller’s “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee” opposite Robin Wright Penn, Alan Arkin, Keanu Reeves and Julianne Moore, and in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek,” starring Chris Pine, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban and Eric Bana.

As Jo in Gillian Armstrong’s highly acclaimed version of the Louisa May Alcott classic, “Little Women,” Ryder received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Actress. The previous year she was Oscar®-nominated, and won the Golden Globe® and National Board of Review Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s “The Age of Innocence.” Ryder also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Richard Benjamin’s “Mermaids.”

In 1999, Ryder starred in and served as executive producer on the critically acclaimed “Girl, Interrupted,” based on the best-selling memoir and directed by James Mangold. While the film marked Ryder’s first feature as executive producer, she previously produced the documentary “The Day My God Died,” which depicted the human story behind the modern tragedy of child sex trafficking in India.

Noted for constantly challenging herself with each project, Ryder has worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in film today, including Jean-Pierre Jeunet (“Alien: Resurrection”), Woody Allen (“Celebrity”), Nicholas Hytner (“The Crucible”), Billie August (“The House of the Spirits”), Francis Ford Coppola (“Bram Stoker’s Dracula”), Jim Jarmusch (“Night on Earth”), Tim Burton (“Edward Scissorhands” and “Beetlejuice”), Michael Lehman (“Heathers”), Ben Stiller (“Reality Bites”), Al Pacino (“Looking For Richard”), Joan Chen (“Autumn in New York”), Janusz Kaminski (“Lost Souls”), Jocelyn Moorehouse (“How To Make an American Quilt”), David Wain (“The Ten”), and Richard Linklater (“A Scanner Darkly”).

On television, Ryder lent her voice to both “The Simpsons” and “Dr. Katz.” She also narrated a GRAMMY®-nominated album, “Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl.” Additionally, Ryder appeared in the season finale episode of “Strangers With Candy” and on an episode of “Friends.”

In 1997, Ryder was honored with ShoWest’s Female Star of the Year, the Motion Picture Club’s Female Star of the Year, as well as receiving an honorary degree from San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater. She served as a juror for the 51st Annual Cannes International Film Festival under Martin Scorsese and received the Peter J. Owens Award for “brilliance, independence and integrity” at the 2000 San Francisco Film Festival. Ryder was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ryder served on the Board of Trustees to the American Indian College Fund, which helps Native Americans preserve and protect their culture through education. She has been very involved with the KlaasKids Foundation since the organization’s inception in 1994.

Tim Burton

Director/Producer

Widely regarded as one of the cinema’s most imaginative filmmakers, has enjoyed great success in both the live-action and animation arenas. Most recently he directed Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter and Eva Green in the gothic comedy “Dark Shadows,” based on the cult favorite television show.

Burton also produced the fantasy horror thriller “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” which was directed by Timur Bekmambetov. In 2010, he directed “Alice in Wonderland,” an epic fantasy based on the classic story by Lewis Carroll, and starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway and Mia Wasikowska in the title role. The film earned more than a billion dollars at the worldwide box office, making it the second-highest-grossing release of 2010. “Alice in Wonderland” also received a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Picture—Musical or Comedy, and won two Academy Awards®, for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.

Burton was previously honored with an Academy Award® nomination for Best Animated Feature for the 2005 stop-motion film “Corpse Bride,” which he directed and produced. He earlier received BAFTA Award and Critics’ Choice Award nominations for Best Director for the acclaimed fantasy drama “Big Fish.” More recently, Burton won a National Board of Review Award and garnered Golden Globe® and Critics’ Choice Award nominations for his directing work on “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” which also won the Golden Globe for Best Film—Musical or Comedy. Depp earned an Oscar® nomination for his performance in the title role of Burton’s 2007 film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical thriller, also starring Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman.

Burton began his film career in animation, and, in 1982, directed the stop-motion animated short “Vincent,” narrated by Vincent Price, which was an award winner on the film festival circuit. He made his feature film directorial debut in 1985 with the hit comedy “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.”

In 1988, Burton helmed the inventive comedy hit “Beetlejuice,” starring Michael Keaton as the title character. He then reteamed with Keaton on the action blockbusters “Batman,” which became the top-grossing film of 1989 and also starred Jack Nicholson as the Joker, and “Batman Returns,” also starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny DeVito.

In 1990, Burton directed, co-wrote and produced the romantic fantasy “Edward Scissorhands,” which was acclaimed by both critics and audiences. The film also marked the start of his successful cinematic partnership with Johnny Depp, who delivered a poignant performance in the title role. Their subsequent collaborations include the Burton-directed films “Ed Wood,” also starring Martin Landau in an Oscar®-winning portrayal of Bela Lugosi; “Sleepy Hollow,” adapted from the classic tale by Washington Irving; and the 2005 worldwide smash “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” which was based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book and grossed more than $470 million worldwide.

Burton’s additional directing credits include the all-star sci-fi comedy “Mars Attacks!,” which he also produced, and the 2001 remake of “Planet of the Apes,” which marked his first collaboration with producer Richard Zanuck.

Burton also conceived and produced the stop-motion animated feature “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which remains an enduring holiday favorite. In addition, he has produced such films as “Cabin Boy,” “Batman Forever” and the animated features “James and the Giant Peach” and “9.”

In 2010, the filmmaker released “The Art of Tim Burton,” a 430-page book comprising more than 40 years of his personal and project artwork. In November of that year, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) opened an extensive exhibit of his work, which went on to tour in Melbourne, Australia, and Toronto, Canada. It opened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in May 2011 and continued its tour in Paris, France this year.

Allison Abbate

Producer

Allison Abbate is the BAFTA award-winning producer of “The Iron Giant” and Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride.” She has made a career of working on some of the most innovative animated features in the business. A native of New York, Abbate relocated to Hollywood in 1989 where she started at Disney and served as an artistic coordinator on Tim Burton’s cult classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

Abbate then moved to Paris for The Walt Disney Company to set up their satellite animation studio and co-produce the Academy Award®–nominated Mickey Mouse short “Runaway Brain.” In 1996, Abbate joined Warner Bros. where she co-produced the international hit feature “Space Jam,” which combined classic animated Warner Bros. characters with live-action sequences. This film, headlined by Bugs Bunny, Michael Jordan and Bill Murray, broke new ground in animated features.

She then went on to earn a BAFTA award in 1999, as producer of Brad Bird’s internationally acclaimed “The Iron Giant,” an adaptation of British Poet Laureate Ted Hughes’ acclaimed children’s book, “The Iron Man.”

Abbate followed up her success on “The Iron Giant” by producing “Looney Tunes: Back in Action,” another family comedy, which teamed Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck with Brendan Fraser and Steve Martin.

Abbate then moved to London in 2004 to produce the haunting musical feature, “Corpse Bride,” starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, with director Tim Burton. “Corpse Bride” was also nominated for an Oscar® in 2005.

In 2006, she joined forces with acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson to produce another Oscar®-nominated feature, “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” a stop-motion adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s story, featuring the voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep.

Danny Elfman

Composer

Best Original Score

The music for “Frankenweenie” was composed by Academy Award®–nominated Danny Elfman, whose working relationship with Tim Burton goes back to 1985 when Elfman composed the score for “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” Elfman has composed the scores for all of Burton’s films thus far, with the exception of two.

Elfman admits that he is still excited when he signs on to score a new Tim Burton film. He comments, “Before I even really know what it is, I know it’s going to be interesting and strange and fun. ‘Frankenweenie’ is very sweet but then there’s this monster movie side of it that I really got to tap into my own roots as a life-long fan of that genre.”

Like Burton, Elfman grew up on a steady diet of monster films. He went every weekend to a local movie theater that played science fiction, horror and fantasy films.  He is calling upon all of those early experiences to create the perfect score for “Frankenweenie.” “We did some strings that reminded me of Dimitri Tiomkin,” says Elfman. “I’m also using a little bit of Theremin and touching on some Japanese horror.”

Elfman describes his score for “Frankenweenie” as a “weird combination of very simple and sweet and a dose of fun horror.” He explains, “There’s a theme for Victor and his relationship with his dog and then there’s actually a theme for Sparky himself. Sparky’s theme is more playful, as dogs are. Victor’s theme is a little sadder because it’s more about how much he loves and misses Sparky. It is ultimately a story about a boy and his dog and there’s almost nothing purer than that.”

In scoring the film, Elfman is employing a traditional orchestra that is smaller than the one he usually uses on films like “Alice in Wonderland.” “I’m getting a big sound out of a smaller group, which makes it just a bit more authentic to the period because they didn’t really use big orchestras back in those days,” he says.

Working with Tim Burton is a unique experience because Burton approaches the collaboration with the composer quite differently than most directors. As Elfman explains: “We just don’t talk about the movie a lot or spend time analyzing the characters. With Tim everything with the music is really visceral.”

Elfman is a fan of “the simplicity and the sweetness” of the film. “It’s something that takes me back to ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ which also had a very simple story,” says Elfman. “It’s very pure Tim and very uniquely Tim in that regard—the look and the feel of it and it’s great to be able to frolic in that realm.”

Karen O

Singer/Songwriter/Composer

Best Original Song - "Strange Love"

Karen O is a singer/songwriter/composer, and the lead singer for the rock band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Her psycho-opera, Stop the Virgens, co-created with KK Barrett was produced by The Creators Project and presented by St. Ann’s Warehouse in Fall 2011. She has collaborated with artists in music and film over the past ten years, including Tim Burton, Spike Jonze, Trent Reznor, David Lynch, Johnny Knoxville, Flaming Lips, Barnaby Clay, Carter Burwell and many others. Karen composed the score for the acclaimed 2009 film Where The Wild Things Are (with Carter Burwell,) and she co-wrote the song All is Love (with Nick Zinner) which was nominated for a Grammy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture. As frontwoman for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs her recordings include Fever To Tell (Grammy nomination); Show Your Bones (Grammy nomination) It’s Blitz (Grammy nomination); and the EP’s Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Machine and Is Is. Karen's original song "Strange Love" appears both on the soundtrack and end credits of Tim Burton's animated feature Frankenweenie.

 

 

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Best Animated Feature

  • Tim Burton

Best Director

  • Tim Burton

Best Original Screenplay

  • John August
  • Based on a screenplay by Lenny Ripps
  • Based on an original idea by Tim Burton

Best Production Design

  • Production Designer:
  • Rick Heinrichs

Best Film Editing

  • Chris Lebenzon, A.C.E.
  • Mark Solomon

Best Cinematography

  • Peter Sorg

Best Visual Effects

  • Visual Effects Supervisor:
  • Tim Ledbury

Best Sound Editing

  • Supervising Sound Editor:
  • Oliver Tarney

Best Sound Mixing

  • Re-Recording Mixers:
  • Michael Semanick
  • Tom Johnson
  • Christopher Boyes

Best Original Song

  • “Strange Love”
  • Written by Karen Orzolek
  • Performed by Karen O

Best Original Score

  • Danny Elfman
Paperman
Paperman

John Kahrs

Director

John Kahrs grew up in the Hudson Valley of New York State where he showed an early interest in animation. He began experimenting with Super-8 cameras and flipbooks when he probably should have been doing his homework. After graduating from art school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Kahrs landed a job as the first animator under director Chris Wedge at Blue Sky Studios in New York.

Kahrs relocated to the San Francisco Bay area in 1997 when he was hired by Pixar Animation Studios to work as an animator. Over the next 10 years, he lent his animation skills to nearly every Pixar feature film—from “A Bug's Life” to “Ratatouille”—and also served as lead animator for the character Sully in “Monsters, Inc.”

In 2007, Kahrs relocated to Los Angeles to take on the role of supervising animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Alongside Glen Keane and Clay Kaytis, Kahrs supervised the animation on the 2010 hit film “Tangled.”

He resides in Torrance, Calif., and holds a keen interest in aviation and photography.

Kristina Reed

Producer

Kristina Reed has been a key player at Walt Disney Animation Studios since 2008, with overlapping roles as vice president, production, and development producer. She is currently producing Disney’s upcoming (and soon-to-be-announced) 2014 animated feature.

For “Paperman,” Reed worked closely with director John Kahrs and a team of technical wizards to create an experimental film that combines the best of the CG and hand-drawn worlds. Starting with a CG animation pass, a small group of top 2D artists used a proprietary program called Meander to add another level of grace and expressiveness employing a technique known as final line.  The minimalist black-and-white style short pushes the animation medium in an exciting new direction.

Born in Anaheim, Calif., Reed grew up in Pasadena, and also spent four years living with her family in the Philippines. At Brown University, she studied computer graphics for a few years, before switching to an intensive creative writing program, and graduating with honors in 1987. It was here that her technical, creative and fiscal skills began to develop, and she “first learned to be comfortable embarking on a journey with a very loosely drawn map.”

Reed began her career in effects/computer graphics with a six-year stint at the innovative production company Rhythm & Hues Studios in 1992. “It was an exciting time where it was clear that CGI could do more than flying logos but whole frontiers like water, fire and fur were yet to be conquered.” Starting as a production assistant and rising to producer, she worked on a variety of projects including the elaborate themed attraction, “Star Trek: The Experience,” at the Las Vegas Hilton, which debuted in 1998. For the next five years, Reed worked in visual effects on such projects as “Armageddon,” “Mighty Joe Young” and “Peter Pan.”

In 2003, she joined DreamWorks Animation as a production executive, a new role created to help the company’s transition to digital animation. Three years later, Reed transitioned to the associate producer role on “Kung Fu Panda,” the studio’s 2008 theatrical release.

Reed and her family—one husband, two kids and two turtles (Death and Taxes)—live in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. They are avid travelers and explorers, and regular attendees of Burning Man, held annually in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Reed’s professional affiliations include ASIFA and VES.

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Best Animated Short

  • John Kahrs
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Wreck-It-Ralph

John C. Reilly

Wreck-It Ralph (voice)

Acclaimed actor John C. Reilly (voice of Wreck-It Ralph) has made an impact with both comedic and dramatic roles in film and theater.

His films include “God of Carnage,” “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Cyrus,” “Stepbrothers,” “Walk Hard,” “Talladega Nights,” “The Aviator,” “Chicago,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Perfect Storm,” “Magnolia” and “Boogie Nights.” His theater appearances include “True West” and “A Streetcar Named Desire on Broadway.”

He is a native of Chicago and a graduate of the Theater School at DePaul University.

Sarah Silverman

Vanellope von Schweetz (voice)

Emmy® winner Sarah Silverman (voice of Vanellope von Schweetz) is a versatile performer with a repertoire that includes everything from film, television and stand-up comedy to iconic online videos. She added author to the list when she released her first book last spring. Silverman was most recently seen starring in the third season of “The Sarah Silverman Program” on Comedy Central. Her New York Times bestselling book, “The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption and Pee,” was recently released in paperback.

Silverman was nominated for a 2009 Primetime Emmy® in the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series category for her portrayal of a fictionalized version of herself in “The Sarah Silverman Program.” This marked Comedy Central’s first-ever Emmy nomination in a scripted acting category. She also received a WGA nomination last year for her work on the show. Silverman won a Primetime Emmy in 2008 in the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics category for her musical collaboration with Matt Damon. In addition, she was honored with a Best Actress Webby Award for her online video “The Great Schlep,” in which she persuaded young Jewish kids to encourage their grandparents in Florida to vote for President Obama prior to the 2008 election.

On the film side, Silverman will next be seen in the dramedy, “Take This Waltz,” opposite of Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Sarah Polley wrote the script and is directing; Silverman will play the sister of Rogen’s character. She also appears in the comedy “Peep World” opposite Michael C. Hall and Rainn Wilson about a group of dysfunctional adult siblings who are fighting over a novel that one of them is writing about the family. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and was released in theaters earlier this year.

In 2004 Silverman made an impressive splash with her concert film “Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic.” Directed by Liam Lynch, the film garnered major attention at the Toronto Film Festival and created huge national buzz. Silverman also garnered critical praise in the documentary feature “The Aristocrats,” in which 100 of the industry’s most prominent comedians tell a version of the same joke. Her other film credits include “Saint John of Las Vegas,” “I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With,” “School for Scoundrels,” “The School of Rock,” “There’s Something About Mary,” “The Way of the Gun,” “The Bachelor” and “Say It Isn’t So.”

Silverman co-starred on the Fox comedy “Greg the Bunny” and has guest-starred in a slew of acclaimed and notable television shows, including the Emmy®-nominated drama “The Good Wife” and “Monk,” which earned her an Emmy nomination in 2008 in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series category. Credits also include “The Larry Sanders Show,” “Seinfeld” and “Mr. Show with Bob and David.” Silverman also lent her voice to the Comedy Central show “Crank Yankers.”

In 2007, Silverman hosted the MTV Movie Awards and she has also twice hosted the Independent Spirit Awards.

Silverman grew up in New Hampshire and attended New York University. In 1993 she joined “Saturday Night Live” as a writer and feature performer and has not stopped working since. She resides in Los Angeles with her dog Duck.

Jack Mcbrayer

Fix-It Felix Jr. (voice)

Jack Mcbrayer (voice of Fix-It Felix Jr.) is an Emmy® nominee for portraying Kenneth Parcell on the multi-award winning and critically acclaimed series “30 Rock” for NBC. He starred in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” opposite Jason Segel, directed by Nicholas Stoller and produced by Judd Apatow for Universal. McBrayer also appeared opposite Will Ferrell in “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” directed and written by Adam McKay and produced by Judd Apatow for Columbia Pictures. He can next be seen opposite Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis in “The Campaign,” directed by Jay Roach for Warner Bros.; opposite Bill Hader in “The To Do List” for CBS Films; and “They Came Together,” with Paul Rudd, directed by David Wain for Lionsgate.

McBrayer’s animated film voice credits include “Despicable Me” for Universal, “The Simpsons” on Fox and “Archer” on FX.

Jane Lynch

Sergeant Calhoun (voice)

Jane Lynch (voice of Sergeant Calhoun) cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre, and in many church basements all over the greater Chicagoland area, helping her become the comedic talent she is today. She can be seen in the Golden Globe®- and SAG Award®-winning Ryan Murphy television series “Glee” on FOX as the one-liner powerhouse coach Sue Sylvester. With her magnificent comedic timing, Lynch has earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and a SAG Award nomination for her role. With her wit and luminous stage presence, Lynch served as the host for the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Some of her other television credits include the STARZ series “Party Down,” Lifetime’s “Lovespring,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Weeds,” as well as the last season of “The L Word” opposite Cybill Shepherd. Lynch has recurring roles on “Two and a Half Men,” for which she was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress, “Criminal Minds” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”

Lynch has a long list of film credits, including the upcoming film “The Three Stooges and A.C.O.D.,” “Paul,” “Julie & Julia,” “The Post Grad Survival Guide,” “Brownie Masters,” Christopher Guest's “For Your Consideration,” “A Mighty Wind” and “Best in Show,” as well as “Role Models,” “The Rocker,” “Spring Breakdown,” “Walk Hard,” “Talladega Nights,” “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” Margaret Cho's “Celeste and Bam Bam,” Alan Cumming's “Suffering Man's Charity,” “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events,” “Sleepover,” “Surviving Eden,” and many more. Lynch has lent her voice to “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” “Space Chimps,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “The Cleveland Show,” “The Simpsons” and “Shrek Forever After.”

Lynch recently added author to her repertoire. Her memoir, “Happy Accidents,” was released in September 2011 and includes a foreword written by the legendary Carol Burnett. Lynch’s play “Oh Sister, My Sister!” had runs at the Tamarind Theatre and Bang Theater garnering the LA Weekly Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award.

Alan Tudyk

King Candy (voice)

Alan Tudyk (voice of King Candy) recently completed work with Harrison Ford on “42,” a film about Jackie Robinson.

Tudyk's first film role was that of a hyper-paranoid mental patient with Robin Williams in “Patch Adams.” He has gone on to play a rainbow of hyper-paranoid mental patients in other films such as ”Knocked Up,” “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story,” ”Death at a Funeral” (original British version), “A Knight's Tale,” and “Tucker and Dale Versus Evil.”  Additional film credits include “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter,” “3:10 to Yuma,”  ”I, Robot,” “Serenity,” “Wonder Boys,” “Rx” “Beautiful Boy,” “Ice Age,” “Ice Age: The Meltdown” and “ Ice Age: Continental Drift.”

On Broadway, Tudyk appeared opposite Kristin Chenoweth in “Epic Proportions,” played Lancelot with the original cast in Monty Python’s “Spamalot” and had the lead role of Peter in “Prelude to a Kiss,” opposite John Mahoney. Television credits include “Firefly” and “Dollhouse” for creator Joss Whedon, “Arrested Development” and “Strangers with Candy.”

Tudyk is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard Conservatory and grew up in Plano, Texas.

Mindy Kaling

Taffyta Muttonfudge (voice)

Emmy® nominated Mindy Kaling (voice of Taffyta Muttonfudge) is a quadruple threat to be reckoned with. Kaling is an actor, writer, producer and director. She wore all these hats on the critically acclaimed and Emmy® Award-winning NBC show “The Office.” Additionally, she is a New York Times bestselling author and can currently be seen on Fox’s “The Mindy Project,” which she created, stars in, writes and executive produces.

Kaling played the memorable role of Kelly Kapoor on “The Office.” She’s wrote more than 18 episodes, including “Niagara,” which earned her an Emmy® nod. She debuted as a director with the episode “Subtle Sexuality” in 2009, and also became an executive producer of the hit television show. “The Office” has been nominated and won multiple awards, including Writers Guild of America Awards, Television Critics Association Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Golden Globe® Awards and Emmy Awards. Kaling was nominated for a 2008 Image Award in the Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series category for episode “Branch Wars.” The show was nominated for a 2012 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. The writing team, including Kaling, was nominated for a 2010 Writers Guild Award for outstanding achievement in television in the comedy series.

Kaling penned her first book in 2011, titled “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns).” The book was featured on the New York Times Best-Sellers list as well as USA Today’s Best-Sellers list. The book is a collection of comic essays detailing moments from a woman’s life, including everything from relationships to fashion.

Rich Moore

Director

Rich Moore makes his feature directing debut for Walt Disney Animation Studios, following a phenomenally successful career in television animation with directing efforts on such groundbreaking shows as “The Simpsons” and “Futurama.” He has directed numerous episodes of “The Simpsons” and served as a sequence director on “The Simpsons Movie.” Among his professional achievements are two Emmy® Awards, as well as an Annie Award, a Hugo Award and a Reuben Award.

A graduate of California Institute of the Arts’ (CalArts) renowned Character Animation Program, Moore launched his career as a designer and writer for Ralph Bakshi’s “Mighty Mouse – The New Adventures.” He then became one of the original three directors on “The Simpsons,” directing numerous episodes over the series’ first five seasons, including the Emmy® Award-winning “Homer vs. Lisa and the Eighth Commandment.” From there, he moved onto Gracie Films’ second animated series, “The Critic,” and served as the show’s supervising director.

Moore reteamed with CalArts alum Gregg Vanzo and Claudia Katz at Rough Draft Studios, Inc., where he oversaw the creative development and production of Matt Groening’s “Futurama.” While supervising and directing on “Futurama,” Moore was awarded the 1999 Reuben Award (from the National Cartoonists Society) for Best in Television Animation, the 2001 Hugo Gold Plaque (from the World Science Fiction Society) for Special Achievement in Animation, and the 2002 Emmy® for Outstanding Animated Program (the “Roswell That Ends Well” episode).

Moore’s credits include director or supervising director on the Warner Bros.’ theatrical short “Duck Dodgers -- Attack the Drones,” the CBS prime time pilot “Vinyl Café,” “Drawn Together” for Comedy Central, “Spy vs. Spy” for Mad TV, and “Sit Down, Shut Up” for Fox.

Clark Spencer

Producer

Clark Spencer has served in a variety of top executive capacities for Walt Disney Animation Studios over the past two decades. He joined Disney in July 1990 as a senior business planner in the finance and planning department, earning subsequent promotions to manager of studio planning in August 1991 and director of studio planning and finance in September 1992. During this time, he was involved in the launch of the Disney Channel in Asia, the acquisition of Miramax Films and the creation of the business plan for Disney’s Paris-based animation studio.



In October 1993, Spencer joined Walt Disney Animation Studios as the division’s director of planning and was quickly promoted to the role of vice president of planning and finance. The Hollywood Reporter ranked Spencer in its class of 1995 among the Next Generation of emerging young executives under the age of 35. In October 1996, he was elevated to the role of senior vice president of finance and operations for Walt Disney Animation Studios and Theatrical Productions, a post he held until his move to Disney’s Florida-based animation studio in September of 1998.



Spencer served as senior vice president and general manager of the Florida Studio, where he oversaw all aspects of operations and production at the studio. Six months later, the Company approached Spencer to produce the second animated feature to be made at the Florida Studio, “Lilo & Stitch.” The hit movie proved to be a franchise for the Walt Disney Company, spawning three DVD sequels, an animated TV series and characters which are still popular today. In 2002, Spencer returned to the animation studio in Burbank as executive producer of “Meet The Robinsons,” overseeing the story development of the project. he then went on to serve as producer on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Bolt.” Spencer was an executive producer on Disney’s 2011 release, “Winnie the Pooh.”



A native of Seattle, Washington, Spencer is a 1985 graduate of Harvard University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history. He spent three years on Wall Street as a financial associate with Bankers Trust Company before returning to Harvard Business School, where he earned his M.B.A. in 1990.

Henry Jackman

Composer

Best Original Score

When it came time to record The Midsummer Station, Adam Young’s third album as Owl City, the Minnesota native set himself the following challenge: “Over the past several years I'd become fascinated with trying to capture magic in a jar through simple, concise pop songs,” he says. “I saw it as a great challenge to try to come up with catchy, unique, and memorable songs because it was a new method of songwriting I'd never approached before. I believe artists should never look back or repeat themselves and this was a new frontier for me.”

To create the instantly memorable, feel-good moments he envisioned, Young sought out co-writers and outside producers for the first time, enlisting his friend Matt Thiessen (Relient K), Stargate (Rihanna, Wiz Khalifa), and the team of Josh Crosby, Nate Campany, and Emily Wright (the latter known for her work with Dr. Luke). “I made my first two records on my own without any outside help and learned that it’s easy to overthink what you do by allowing yourself to become too emotionally invested in what you're doing,” Young says. “Initially, I was anxious about letting other people co-pilot the solo endeavor I’d always played close to the chest, but it was exhilarating not having 100 percent control over what happened. In the end for me, it's all about trying new things as an artist. Working with other writers taught me to care about a song as a piece of art created to reach people versus worrying about getting the final say or having my own way. Collaborating kills off a lot of ego and pride issues and that’s a really healthy thing.” 

The process enabled Young to tap into collective human experiences in his lyrics and connect on a larger scale. “I’m known for creating music based on whimsical ideas and concepts from my own headspace, and another set of parameters I set for myself was to write about things people might relate to better,” he says. Young is particularly proud of “Embers” in which he acknowledges that everyone goes through dark days, but the trick is to stay focused on the light up ahead. “Dementia” documents the “crazy, schizophrenic thoughts and feelings” Young dealt with in the wake of the success of his chart-topping 2009 platinum debut album Ocean Eyes, while “Gold” serves as a reminder to never forget your roots (in his case, Owatonna, MN, where he still lives). Then there’s “Dreams and Disasters,” which Young says sums up the core theme of the album. “Life is full of dreams and disasters,” he says. “When things go right, you feel like you're on top of the world and when things go bad, you're heartbroken, but you've got to figure out how to press on regardless of your situation because life is all about the journey.”

“The Midsummer Station is still a whimsically lyrical record but perhaps not as over-the-top in its quirky depth of imagery as my previous work,” Young continues. “On this album I wanted to write songs that felt a bit more accessible in a way that would allow listeners to enjoy the songs for what they are rather than parse the meaning of every little phrase or metaphor. I wanted to paint with bigger, broader brush-strokes so people might better understand and relate to the kinds of things I'm singing about.” 

Young’s willingness to collaborate on The Midsummer Station also opened new sonic avenues. The album retains Young’s synth-driven melodic pop sensibility but majorly ups the rhythmic ante. Songs like “Shooting Star,” “Dreams and Disasters,” and “I’m Coming After You” pulsate with euphoric dance beats that will appeal to fans of house, trance, dub-step, and other styles of EDM. “I grew up listening to dance music and I've always wanted to make a dance record,” Young says. “European dance music has so much influence over pop right now, so it made sense to me. I admire a lot of the great trance DJs of the past ten years, guys like Armin van Buuren, ATB, Above & Beyond, Tiësto, and Ferry Corsten.” Other tracks, like “Embers” and “Dementia,” follow on the more rock-inspired sounds that Young began to explore on his second album, 2011’s All Things Bright and Beautiful. “Dementia” even features guest vocals by one of Young’s heroes, blink-182’s Mark Hoppus.

On the album’s first single, the incredibly infectious pop gem “Good Time,” Young is joined in a duet by “Call Me Maybe” star Carly Rae Jepsen. Young being a fan of Jepsen, reached out to her about collaborating on a song upon learning that she was also a fan of his. This mutual admiration and excitement to work together can be heard on “Good Time” – an undeniable summer anthem.

Though the songs were written during various sessions in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville, Young recorded The Midsummer Station at his own Sky Harbor Studios in Owatonna, as he has all of his albums. “I've learned a few tricks over the past few years as a producer that have allowed me to better capture the sounds I envision in my head, and I think this album sounds a lot more polished than my previous records and it's been great to see the evolution of Owl City as a project with an aesthetic change over time and evolve from one thing into another,” he says.

Indeed Young has come a long way since his days posting his musical experiments on MySpace and YouTube, launching both an online savvy and radio-friendly career that the New York Times called “a textbook illustration of how the music business needs new and old forms of media to make an artist a star.” Before becoming an Internet sensation, Young, the only child of a mechanic and a schoolteacher, attended community college and worked dead-end jobs, including one in a warehouse loading Coca-Cola trucks. He began creating melodies and beats on his laptop as a way to combat insomnia and eventually self-released an EP, 2007’s Of June and an album, 2008’s Maybe I’m Dreaming, both of which reached the Top 20 on Billboard’s Electronic Albums chart. 

Impressed by Young’s connection to his grassroots audience, Universal Republic signed Owl City in early 2008 and the following year released Ocean Eyes, which spawned the quadruple-platinum first single “Fireflies,” — a No. 1 smash hit in 24 countries including the U.S., where it hit the top spot twice, and sold more than 12 million downloads worldwide. “I don’t think of ‘Fireflies’ as something I have to beat because that isn’t really the point,” Young says. “The point is to inspire people. I want my music to be the first thing people reach for when they get home after a good or bad day. I want it to be a refuge or a "way out" in the same way my favorite albums have been for me over the years. If I catch myself trying to write songs just to break records, I realize I’m doing it for the wrong reasons.”

Adam Young

Singer/Songwriter/Instrumentalist

Best Original Song - "When Can I See You Again?"

Owl City (“Fireflies,” “Good Time”) provides the upbeat and story-driven cap to the film with “When Can I See You Again?” According to singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Adam Young, the song offers a bit of an emotional tug-of-war. “It’s a very bouncy, happy, uplifting song, but there’s a bittersweet part of it, leaving a key relationship in the film open-ended.” 

When it came time to record The Midsummer Station, Adam Young’s third album as Owl City, the Minnesota native set himself the following challenge: “Over the past several years I'd become fascinated with trying to capture magic in a jar through simple, concise pop songs,” he says. “I saw it as a great challenge to try to come up with catchy, unique, and memorable songs because it was a new method of songwriting I'd never approached before. I believe artists should never look back or repeat themselves and this was a new frontier for me.”

Impressed by Young’s connection to his grassroots audience, Universal Republic signed Owl City in early 2008 and the following year released Ocean Eyes, which spawned the quadruple-platinum first single “Fireflies,” — a No. 1 smash hit in 24 countries including the U.S., where it hit the top spot twice, and sold more than 12 million downloads worldwide. “I don’t think of ‘Fireflies’ as something I have to beat because that isn’t really the point,” Young says. “The point is to inspire people. I want my music to be the first thing people reach for when they get home after a good or bad day. I want it to be a refuge or a "way out" in the same way my favorite albums have been for me over the years. If I catch myself trying to write songs just to break records, I realize I’m doing it for the wrong reasons.”

Matt Thiessen

Songwriter

Best Original Song - "When Can I See You Again?"

Matt Thiessen is the lead singer, guitarist, pianist, and primary songwriter for the pop punk band Relient K.  In the decade since forming, they’ve released five full-length albums (three are certified Gold), five EPs and a Christmas record, toured the globe, and racked up several hit singles, a Grammy nomination, two Dove Awards and performances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’ Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live. The Los Angeles Times has praised Relient K for “its smart blend of punk pop and power pop, weaving together influences as diverse as the Beach Boys, Blink-182 and Fountains of Wayne” while Spin noted, “Few bands play punk-influenced modern rock as proficiently.” 

 

 

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Best Animated Feature

  • Rich Moore

Best Director

  • Rich Moore

Best Original Screenplay

  • Screenplay by:
  • Phil Johnston
  • Jennifer Lee
  • Original Story by:
  • Rich Moore
  • Phil Johnston
  • Jim Reardon

Best Production Design

  • Art Director:
  • Mike Gabriel
  • Co-Art Director:
  • Ian Gooding

Best Film Editing

  • Tim Mertens

Best Cinematography

  • Director of Photography - Lighting:
  • Adolph Lusinsky
  • Director of Photography - Camera:
  • Rob Dressel

Best Visual Effects

  • Supervising Technical Director:
  • Scott Kersavage (Visual Effects Supervisor)
  • Effects Supervisors:
  • David Hutchins
  • Cesar Velazquez

Best Sound Editing

  • Sound Designer:
  • Gary Rydstrom
  • Supervising Sound Editor:
  • Frank Eulner

Best Sound Mixing

  • Re-Recording Mixers:
  • David E. Fluhr
  • C.A.S.
  • Gary Rizzo
  • Original Dialogue Mixer:
  • Doc Kane

Best Original Song

  • “When Can I See You Again”
  • Written by:
  • Adam Young
  • Matthew Thiessen
  • Performed by Owl City

Best Original Score

  • Henry Jackman
Coming Soon