DUCK Studios
Encyclopedia
DUCK Studios is a production studio based in Los Angeles, California, USA. It focuses primarily on producing television advertisements, mainly animated ones. It also produces music videos, short films and web content. DUCK offers a wide range of services, including live action and integration, character design, film title design, 2D and 3D animation, digital compositing
, digital/traditional ink & paint. The studio was co-founded by Roger Chouinard.
Digital compositing
Digital compositing is the process of digitally assembling multiple images to make a final image, typically for print, motion pictures or screen display...
, digital/traditional ink & paint. The studio was co-founded by Roger Chouinard.
Notable works
- McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
- TV commercial for Leo BurnettLeo BurnettLeo Burnett was an advertising executive who created the Jolly Green Giant, the Marlboro Man, Toucan Sam, Charlie the Tuna, Morris the Cat, the Pillsbury Doughboy, the 7up "Spot", and Tony the Tiger....
. In September 2010, DUCK produced a new, stylized fantasy campaign for the fast food restaurant chain. The spot was directed by Screen NoveltiesScreen NoveltiesScreen Novelties is a collective of film directors, specializing in stop motion animation. It was formed in 2003 by Mark Caballero, Seamus Walsh, and Chris Finnegan....
and Kompost.
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Flake - In November 2009, DUCK Co-Founder Roger Chouinard illustrated a children's Christmas book written by Mike Weiss and published by Harper Collins. New York-based department store Saks Fifth AvenueSaks Fifth AvenueSaks Fifth Avenue is a luxury American specialty store owned and operated by Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises , a subsidiary of Saks Incorporated. It competes in the high-end specialty store market in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, i.e. 'the 3 B's' Bergdorf, Barneys, Bloomingdale's and Lord & Taylor...
used Chouinard's illustrations as part of the store's annual Christmas window displays.
- SpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
10th Anniversary Special on NickelodeonNickelodeon (TV channel)Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
- Opening Sequence. In November 2009, DUCK directors Screen NoveltiesScreen NoveltiesScreen Novelties is a collective of film directors, specializing in stop motion animation. It was formed in 2003 by Mark Caballero, Seamus Walsh, and Chris Finnegan....
created a 45-second intro to the Nickelodeon special.
- Rubbuds - original short film. This is a short animated comedy film created by Jan Chen in 2009 about animated condoms.
- Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - Main Title Designs. In 2008, DUCK director Jamie CaliriJamie CaliriJamie Caliri is a director, known primarily for music videos and television commercials. He was born on February 22, 1970 in Buffalo, New York. He is associated with DUCK Studios, an animation/design studio that produces commercials, live action, film/t.v...
created the main titles for DreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. is an American animation studio based in Glendale, California that creates animated feature films, television program and online virtual worlds...
's feature film.
- Wild About Safety with Timon and Pumbaa - An ongoing series of original, animated direct-to-video specials produced by DUCK in conjunction with Disney Educational Productions (part of The Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney CompanyThe Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
). The specials showcase Disney heritage characters Timon and PumbaaTimon and PumbaaTimon and Pumbaa are an animated meerkat and warthog duo introduced in Disney's popular 1994 animated film The Lion King. Timon was portrayed through his many appearances by Nathan Lane , Max Casella , Kevin Schon , Quinton Flynn Timon and Pumbaa are an animated meerkat and warthog duo introduced...
from The Lion KingThe Lion KingThe Lion King is a 1994 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series...
teaching kids about safety and environmentality. Four DVDs have been produced to date.
- The United States of Tara Main Title Designs. In 2008, DUCK director Jamie CaliriJamie CaliriJamie Caliri is a director, known primarily for music videos and television commercials. He was born on February 22, 1970 in Buffalo, New York. He is associated with DUCK Studios, an animation/design studio that produces commercials, live action, film/t.v...
created the main titles for Showtime's The United States of Tara. Caliri used stop-motion animation for the main titles.
- Kiss a GirlKiss a Girl"Kiss a Girl" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by Australian country music singer Keith Urban. The song is the second single from his fifth studio album, Defying Gravity. It was released digitally on 10 March 2009, and it made its debut on the Hot Country Songs charts at #29...
performed by Keith UrbanKeith UrbanKeith Lionel Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian, country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Urban was born in New Zealand and began his career in Australia at an early age...
- In 2008, DUCK director Richard Borge produced the animation and mixed media in this music video for Australian country singer Keith Urban. Another pair of DUCK directors named Yellowshed provided art direction for the music video's opening.
Awards
- Won the 36th Annual Annie AwardAnnie AwardThe Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972...
for Best Animated Television Commercial for United AirlinesUnited AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
Heart directed by Jamie CaliriJamie CaliriJamie Caliri is a director, known primarily for music videos and television commercials. He was born on February 22, 1970 in Buffalo, New York. He is associated with DUCK Studios, an animation/design studio that produces commercials, live action, film/t.v...
.
- Won the 34th Annual Annie AwardAnnie AwardThe Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972...
for Best Animated Television Commercial for United AirlinesUnited AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
Dragon directed by Jamie CaliriJamie CaliriJamie Caliri is a director, known primarily for music videos and television commercials. He was born on February 22, 1970 in Buffalo, New York. He is associated with DUCK Studios, an animation/design studio that produces commercials, live action, film/t.v...
.
- Won the 2010 Rising Star Award at the Canada International Film Festival for Rubbuds, directed by Jan Chen.
- Won the 2009 Emmy for Best Main Title Design for The United States of Tara
- Won the 2009 Clio AwardClio AwardsThe Clio Awards are annual awards bestowed to reward innovation and creative excellence in advertising, design and communication. The categories include work in nearly all types of media, and the judges are advertising professionals from around the world....
(Silver) for Television Animation for United AirlinesUnited AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
"Sea Orchestra" directed by The Blackheart Gang.
- Won the 2009 Best Animated short film at the Naperville Independent Film Festivel for Rubbuds, directed by Jan Chen.
- Won the 2010 Best Animation at Las Vegas International Film Festival for Rubbuds, directed by Jan Chen.
- Won the 22nd Annual Annie AwardAnnie AwardThe Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972...
(1994) for Best Animated Television Commercial for Sax Man.
Roster of Directors
- Jamie CaliriJamie CaliriJamie Caliri is a director, known primarily for music videos and television commercials. He was born on February 22, 1970 in Buffalo, New York. He is associated with DUCK Studios, an animation/design studio that produces commercials, live action, film/t.v...
- Lane Nakamura
- Jan Chen
- Screen NoveltiesScreen NoveltiesScreen Novelties is a collective of film directors, specializing in stop motion animation. It was formed in 2003 by Mark Caballero, Seamus Walsh, and Chris Finnegan....
- Kompost
- Nina PaleyNina PaleyNina Paley is an Americancartoonist, animator and free culture activist.She directed the animated feature film Sita Sings the Blues. She was the artist and often the writer of comic strips Nina's Adventures and Fluff, but most of her recent work has been in animation...
- Golden Lucky
- Brooke Keesling
- Docter Twins
- Monkmus
- Richard Borge
- Yellowshed
- Ben & Julia Studio
- The Blackheart Gang aka Shy the Sun