Jerry Rees
Encyclopedia
Jerry W. Rees is an animator and director best known for the 1987 Emmy-nominated animated film The Brave Little Toaster
. He supervised and helped create many of the visual effects
for the cult classic Tron
, and is also a sculptor and fine artist.
Rees was mentored as an animator from the age of 16 at Disney Studios
by one of Walt Disney's Nine Old Men
, trained and taught at California Institute of the Arts
, and began work in 1978 as animator for the Christian children's film The Small One
. He also worked on the 1981 Disney film The Fox and the Hound
, and the following year served as one of the visual effects supervisors for the cutting-edge science fiction film Tron.
In 1987, Rees and science fiction writer Thomas M. Disch
collaborated on adapting Disch's short story The Brave Little Toaster
into an animated film. The resulting film was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival
and nominated for Best Animated Program at the 1988 Emmys. He also teamed up with fellow CalArts alum Tim Burton
to co-write and co-direct the cult classic featurettes Doctor of Doom and Luau.
Rees directed the 1991 Neil Simon
-penned The Marrying Man
and served as an animation producer on the 1996 film Space Jam
. He directed the award-winning "Back to Neverland" documentary starring Robin Williams
and Walter Cronkite
, shown as part of the animation studio tours at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. He also directed the educational films Tourist from Hell and The Editing Story, which screened as part of the backstage tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios
.
In 1993, Rees wrote and produced (with Steven Paul Leiva) a new Betty Boop feature film for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
. Seventy-five percent of the film was storyboarded, but two weeks before voice recording was to begin, MGM switched studio chiefs and the project, tentatively called The Betty Boop Feature Script, was abandoned.
In addition to his film credits, Rees helped produce and direct a record-setting 13 multimedia features at the various Disney theme parks, including Sounds Dangerous
at Disney-MGM Studios
, the live-action sequences of Cranium Command
at EPCOT
, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
at Disney-MGM Studios
, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
at Disney-MGM Studios
and Walt Disney Studios Paris, Extra-Terrorestrial Alien Encounter at Magic Kingdom
, Michael & Mickey at Disney-MGM Studios
, and the new Cinemagique
show at Walt Disney Studios Paris. Rees also directed the pre-ride film at Disney's Animal Kingdom
ride DINOSAUR
.
For some time, Rees was attached as director to a project called Rand Robinson, Robot Repairman, financed by Interscope and Philips
. The film was set in a futuristic Los Angeles, and Philips expected to use the film to showcase their emerging technology. Rees directed the casting and storyboarding, but eventually several key players left the project and it was shelved.
In 2010, Rees and voice actress/writer Deanna Oliver
made an appearance at California State University, Northridge
to discuss the making of their film The Brave Little Toaster.
Currently, Rees is a full time creative consultant at the San Francisco film studio Wild Brain, Inc., where he is developing CGI Features. Rees is also attached to direct a Casey Silver Productions CGI feature.
The Brave Little Toaster (film)
The Brave Little Toaster is a 1987 animated adventure film adapted from the 1980 novel of the same name by Thomas Disch. The film was directed by Jerry Rees and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The film is set in a world where household appliances and other electronics have the ability to speak...
. He supervised and helped create many of the visual effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
for the cult classic Tron
Tron
-Film:*Tron , a franchise that began in 1982 with the Walt Disney Pictures film Tron** Tron , a 1982 science fiction film by Disney, starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan, Dan Shor and David Warner...
, and is also a sculptor and fine artist.
Rees was mentored as an animator from the age of 16 at Disney Studios
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
by one of Walt Disney's Nine Old Men
Disney's Nine Old Men
Disney's Nine Old Men were the core animators at The Walt Disney Company who created some of Disney's most famous works, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs onward to The Rescuers. Walt Disney jokingly called this group of animators his "Nine Old Men," referring to Robert S...
, trained and taught at California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
, and began work in 1978 as animator for the Christian children's film The Small One
The Small One
The Small One is a Christmas animated short film created by Walt Disney Productions and was originally released to theaters in the United States by Buena Vista Distribution Company on December 15, 1978, before the 1978 re-release of Pinocchio. It started off as a children's book, by Charles...
. He also worked on the 1981 Disney film The Fox and the Hound
The Fox and the Hound (film)
The Fox and the Hound is a 1981 animated feature loosely based on the Daniel P. Mannix novel of the same name, produced by Walt Disney Productions and released in the United States on July 10, 1981...
, and the following year served as one of the visual effects supervisors for the cutting-edge science fiction film Tron.
In 1987, Rees and science fiction writer Thomas M. Disch
Thomas M. Disch
Thomas Michael Disch was an American science fiction author and poet. He won the Hugo Award for Best Related Book – previously called "Best Non-Fiction Book" – in 1999, and he had two other Hugo nominations and nine Nebula Award nominations to his credit, plus one win of the John W...
collaborated on adapting Disch's short story The Brave Little Toaster
The Brave Little Toaster
The Brave Little Toaster is a novel by Thomas M. Disch intended for children or as put by Disch, A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances...
into an animated film. The resulting film was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
and nominated for Best Animated Program at the 1988 Emmys. He also teamed up with fellow CalArts alum Tim Burton
Tim Burton
Timothy William "Tim" Burton is an American film director, film producer, writer and artist. He is famous for dark, quirky-themed movies such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet...
to co-write and co-direct the cult classic featurettes Doctor of Doom and Luau.
Rees directed the 1991 Neil Simon
Neil Simon
Neil Simon is an American playwright and screenwriter. He has written numerous Broadway plays, including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and The Odd Couple. He won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Lost In Yonkers. He has written the screenplays for several of his plays that...
-penned The Marrying Man
The Marrying Man
The Marrying Man is a 1991 romantic comedy film starring Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. The script is by Neil Simon. Basinger's performance in the film earned her a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actress.-Plot:Charley Pearl is the heir to a toothpaste empire's fortune...
and served as an animation producer on the 1996 film Space Jam
Space Jam
Aside from Jordan, a number of NBA players and coaches appeared in the film. Larry Bird portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, causing the Knicks' Patrick...
. He directed the award-winning "Back to Neverland" documentary starring Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
and Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite
Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was an American broadcast journalist, best known as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years . During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll...
, shown as part of the animation studio tours at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. He also directed the educational films Tourist from Hell and The Editing Story, which screened as part of the backstage tour at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
.
In 1993, Rees wrote and produced (with Steven Paul Leiva) a new Betty Boop feature film for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
. Seventy-five percent of the film was storyboarded, but two weeks before voice recording was to begin, MGM switched studio chiefs and the project, tentatively called The Betty Boop Feature Script, was abandoned.
In addition to his film credits, Rees helped produce and direct a record-setting 13 multimedia features at the various Disney theme parks, including Sounds Dangerous
Sounds Dangerous
Sounds Dangerous! is an audio show at Echo Lake inside Disney's Hollywood Studios starring comedian Drew Carey. The presentation takes place inside an ABC soundstage with theater-style seating. Guests are told that the show is an ABC test pilot called Undercover Live...
at Disney-MGM Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
, the live-action sequences of Cranium Command
Cranium Command
Cranium Command was an attraction at the Wonders of Life pavilion at Walt Disney World Resort's Epcot theme park. The show was a humorous presentation on the importance of the human brain....
at EPCOT
Epcot
Epcot is a theme park in the Walt Disney World Resort, located near Orlando, Florida. The park is dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. The second park built at the resort, it opened on October 1, 1982 and was initially named...
, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular is a live amusement show at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Based on the popular and successful Indiana Jones film franchise, it includes various stunts and live reenacted scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark...
at Disney-MGM Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is an enclosed steel roller coaster ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort and at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris...
at Disney-MGM Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
and Walt Disney Studios Paris, Extra-Terrorestrial Alien Encounter at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort located near Orlando, Florida. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by WED Enterprises, the park's layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in Anaheim, California...
, Michael & Mickey at Disney-MGM Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. Spanning 135 acres in size, its theme is show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s...
, and the new Cinemagique
CinéMagique
CinéMagique is a theatre show at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris mixing the live performance of an actor with synchronized movie scenes on a big screen...
show at Walt Disney Studios Paris. Rees also directed the pre-ride film at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom is an animal theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort. The fourth park built at the resort, it opened on April 22, 1998, and it is the largest single Disney theme park in the world, covering more than . It is also the first Disney theme park to be themed entirely...
ride DINOSAUR
DINOSAUR
DINOSAUR is a dark ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida....
.
For some time, Rees was attached as director to a project called Rand Robinson, Robot Repairman, financed by Interscope and Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
. The film was set in a futuristic Los Angeles, and Philips expected to use the film to showcase their emerging technology. Rees directed the casting and storyboarding, but eventually several key players left the project and it was shelved.
In 2010, Rees and voice actress/writer Deanna Oliver
Deanna Oliver
Deanna Oliver is an American actress who did the voice of Toaster in the 1987 film, The Brave Little Toaster and its sequels. She also is the producer of My Favorite Martian & other films. In addition, she was a writer of the 1993 television show, Animaniacs and the 1990 show Tiny Toon Adventures....
made an appearance at California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
to discuss the making of their film The Brave Little Toaster.
Currently, Rees is a full time creative consultant at the San Francisco film studio Wild Brain, Inc., where he is developing CGI Features. Rees is also attached to direct a Casey Silver Productions CGI feature.
External links
- Jerry Rees' Rand Robinson pitch video, undated, 12 minutes. (Adobe FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
)