Visual effects and feature animation studio DNEG has appointed former Skydance SVP David Prescott to lead the expansion of its feature animation team into Los Angeles.
As SVP of creative production for feature animation at DNEG, Prescott will work closely with managing director of feature animation Tom Jacomb to build a client-facing team designed to support filmmakers around the world. Based in LA, the team will comprise of senior creative and production staff and will provide a range of services at various stages of the feature animation process, including pitching and development support, creative supervision and production management.
One of Prescott’s early areas of focus will be the implementation of a distributed production model for feature animation, leveraging DNEG’s facilities in Montreal and Mumbai, as well as London and LA, and pulling in creative talent from across the DNEG group to support the needs of feature animation clients.
Prescott has almost 30 years of experience working as a creative director and VFX supervisor on live-action and feature animation projects, at companies such as DreamWorks Animation, Technicolor and Digital Domain. In his most recent role at Skydance, Prescott was responsible for the management of everything from technology development to the creative collaboration between filmmakers, artists and producers.
Prescott said: “Feature animation is in an incredible position in the entertainment industry, with strong market growth and animated features regularly appearing in lists of the highest grossing films of the year. I was drawn to the opportunity at DNEG both because of the company’s creative credentials, and because of the wealth of talent across its global facilities. This gives us the ability to bring together creative talent from all aspects of DNEG’s global business to provide the very best service to filmmakers, specifically tailored to the requirements of their projects. I think this puts DNEG in a unique position in the industry.”
Jacomb said: “I am over the moon to be working with David again. He was my VFX supervisor on Rise of the Guardians during our time at DreamWorks, and he is one of a very select pool of senior creatives in our industry who understand the requirements of both visual effects and feature animation at the highest level.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More