Mark Dindal
Encyclopedia
Mark L. Dindal is an American effects animator and director, who created The Emperor's New Groove
as well as Cats Don't Dance
. He worked in many Disney classic projects as an effects animator, and also led the special effects for several classic movies such as The Little Mermaid
and The Rescuers Down Under
.
, Mickey's Christmas Carol
and The Great Mouse Detective
, following a very similar animation style in all movies. This style consisted mainly in paint-similar backgrounds with delicated animation and complex character effects, and had a good reception at the time.
After these jobs, he made a brief pause in Disney career to work in other projects outside. He returned to the studio in 1987 and got his first head role as an animator for Disney's The Little Mermaid
. Years later, he worked again as a head animator for the movie The Rescuers Down Under
. He later directed the animated effects for the live-action 1991 film The Rocketeer
, and got a job in the 1992 animated film Aladdin.
After a couple of years, Dindal got his first role as a movie director. In The Emperor's New Groove
, he came up with the original idea and worked there as a director, initially expecting the movie to be a classic Disney musical feature called Kingdom of the Sun. However, this first idea didn't work at the production and Dindal, along with Chris Williams and David Reynolds, drastically changed the script to the gagful comedy movie that is seen today. During the six-year production, he started to work on the Turner
(currently merged into Warner Bros.
) animated musical production Cats Don't Dance
, which was his actual debut as a director being released in 1997, three years before The Emperor's New Groove. In the movie, Dindal voiced a minor character debuting in this kind of role. Although the film didn't make public success, it won the Annie Award for Best Animated Film and Mark was then nominated for directing the movie.
Years later, Dindal went to work on Chicken Little
, another Disney production, which needed a huge animation team. This team had, of course, Mark Dindal. He made the character animation in the first 3D animated movie he worked in. The movie was a great public success, and received some positive critics even through it was made for young public. There, Dindal even made cameo voice roles as two small characters. The movie was nominated to several Annies, however, Dindal wasn't nominated as a director. During the movie's production, Kronk's New Groove
was produced by Disney as a direct-to-video feature, however, as Mark was working on Chicken Little, he didn't get a position in the staff. Later on, Dindal created The Emperor's New School
.
In March 2006, Mark left Disney to pursue his own projects, expressing an interest in a film combining live action with animation.
Dindal is currently directing at DreamWorks Animation
a 3D animated feature film titled Me and My Shadow, which will be a combination of computer and traditional animation techniques, and is scheduled for release in 2013.
The Emperor's New Groove
The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures through Buena Vista Distribution on December 15, 2000. It is the 40th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics...
as well as Cats Don't Dance
Cats Don't Dance
Cats Don't Dance is a 1997 animated musical comedy film, notable as the only fully animated feature produced by Turner Entertainment's feature animation unit . The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment...
. He worked in many Disney classic projects as an effects animator, and also led the special effects for several classic movies such as The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid (1989 film)
The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the film was originally released to theaters on November 14, 1989 and is the twenty-eighth film in...
and The Rescuers Down Under
The Rescuers Down Under
The Rescuers Down Under is a 1990 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Distribution on November 16, 1990...
.
Biography
Dindal studied his craft at CalArts, where he learned the art of animation. This led to the first step in his career, at Disney, in 1980. His first job at there was The Fox and the Hound, and after he made the animated effects for this movie, he went to work in The Black CauldronThe Black Cauldron (film)
The Black Cauldron is a 1985 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and originally released to theatres on July 24, 1985...
, Mickey's Christmas Carol
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Mickey's Christmas Carol is a 1983 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Company. It was directed and produced by Burny Mattinson...
and The Great Mouse Detective
The Great Mouse Detective
The Great Mouse Detective is a 1986 animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, originally released to movie theaters on July 2, 1986 by Walt Disney Pictures...
, following a very similar animation style in all movies. This style consisted mainly in paint-similar backgrounds with delicated animation and complex character effects, and had a good reception at the time.
After these jobs, he made a brief pause in Disney career to work in other projects outside. He returned to the studio in 1987 and got his first head role as an animator for Disney's The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid (1989 film)
The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the film was originally released to theaters on November 14, 1989 and is the twenty-eighth film in...
. Years later, he worked again as a head animator for the movie The Rescuers Down Under
The Rescuers Down Under
The Rescuers Down Under is a 1990 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Distribution on November 16, 1990...
. He later directed the animated effects for the live-action 1991 film The Rocketeer
The Rocketeer (film)
The Rocketeer is a 1991 period superhero adventure film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and based on the character of the same name created by comic book writer/artist Dave Stevens. Directed by Joe Johnston, the film stars Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino...
, and got a job in the 1992 animated film Aladdin.
After a couple of years, Dindal got his first role as a movie director. In The Emperor's New Groove
The Emperor's New Groove
The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures through Buena Vista Distribution on December 15, 2000. It is the 40th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics...
, he came up with the original idea and worked there as a director, initially expecting the movie to be a classic Disney musical feature called Kingdom of the Sun. However, this first idea didn't work at the production and Dindal, along with Chris Williams and David Reynolds, drastically changed the script to the gagful comedy movie that is seen today. During the six-year production, he started to work on the Turner
Turner
Turner is a common surname of English 12th Century origin, meaning "one who works with a lathe". Turner is the 28th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.-List of people with surname Turner:...
(currently merged into Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
) animated musical production Cats Don't Dance
Cats Don't Dance
Cats Don't Dance is a 1997 animated musical comedy film, notable as the only fully animated feature produced by Turner Entertainment's feature animation unit . The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment...
, which was his actual debut as a director being released in 1997, three years before The Emperor's New Groove. In the movie, Dindal voiced a minor character debuting in this kind of role. Although the film didn't make public success, it won the Annie Award for Best Animated Film and Mark was then nominated for directing the movie.
Years later, Dindal went to work on Chicken Little
Chicken Little (2005 film)
Chicken Little is a 2005 computer-animated science fiction family comedy film loosely based on the fable The Sky Is Falling. It was the 46th animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation...
, another Disney production, which needed a huge animation team. This team had, of course, Mark Dindal. He made the character animation in the first 3D animated movie he worked in. The movie was a great public success, and received some positive critics even through it was made for young public. There, Dindal even made cameo voice roles as two small characters. The movie was nominated to several Annies, however, Dindal wasn't nominated as a director. During the movie's production, Kronk's New Groove
Kronk's New Groove
Kronk's New Groove is a 2005 direct-to-video animated film released by The Walt Disney Company on December 13, 2005. The film is the sequel to the 2000 animated film The Emperor's New Groove, and features reprises of the roles of David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton and Wendie...
was produced by Disney as a direct-to-video feature, however, as Mark was working on Chicken Little, he didn't get a position in the staff. Later on, Dindal created The Emperor's New School
The Emperor's New School
The Emperor's New School is an American animated television series that airs on Disney Channel, ABC Kids, and Disney XD and is produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. The show is based on the characters from The Emperor's New Groove and its direct-to-video sequel Kronk's New Groove...
.
In March 2006, Mark left Disney to pursue his own projects, expressing an interest in a film combining live action with animation.
Dindal is currently directing at DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. is an American animation studio based in Glendale, California that creates animated feature films, television program and online virtual worlds...
a 3D animated feature film titled Me and My Shadow, which will be a combination of computer and traditional animation techniques, and is scheduled for release in 2013.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Fox and the Hound (uncredited) | Effects animator |
| 1983 | Mickey's Christmas Carol Mickey's Christmas Carol Mickey's Christmas Carol is a 1983 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Company. It was directed and produced by Burny Mattinson... |
Effects animator |
| 1985 | The Black Cauldron The Black Cauldron (film) The Black Cauldron is a 1985 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and originally released to theatres on July 24, 1985... |
Special effects animator |
| 1986 | The Great Mouse Detective The Great Mouse Detective The Great Mouse Detective is a 1986 animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, originally released to movie theaters on July 2, 1986 by Walt Disney Pictures... |
Effects animator |
| 1987 | Sport Goofy in Soccermania Sport Goofy in Soccermania Sport Goofy in Soccermania is a Disney cartoon. During its 1987 debut it was preceded by a mockumentary showing past Goofy cartoons of him always getting everything wrong, and leading into the cartoon special where the audience is finally shown a competent, athletic Goofy who is the hero.-Plot:In... |
Effects animator |
| The Brave Little Toaster 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... |
Effects animator consultant | |
| Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night Pinocchio and the Emperor of The Night is a 1987 animated film that was released on December 25, 1987 by New World Pictures. and is a unofficial sequel to Pinocchio . Created by the now defunct Filmation Studios, the movie underperformed at the box office, having a cost of $10 million but making... |
Special effects animator | |
| 1988 | BraveStarr Bravestarr BraveStarr is an American space Western animated television series. The original episodes aired from September 1987 to February 1988 in syndication. It was created simultaneously with a collection of action figures. BraveStarr was the last animated series produced by Filmation and Group W... (1 episode) |
Special effects animator |
| BraveStarr: The Legend BraveStarr: The Movie BraveStarr: The Movie is an animated space Western released on March 18, 1988 by Taurus Entertainment. The film was based on Filmation's television series and Mattel's action figure of the same name, and was also among the first animated features to use computer graphics... |
Special effects animator | |
| Oliver & Company Oliver & Company Oliver & Company is a 1988 American animated film in which a homeless kitten named Oliver joins a gang of dogs to survive on the 1980s New York City streets. The film was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and became the twenty-seventh animated feature released in the Walt Disney Animated... |
Effects animator | |
| 1989 | The Little Mermaid The Little Mermaid (1989 film) The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the film was originally released to theaters on November 14, 1989 and is the twenty-eighth film in... |
Visual effects supervisor |
| 1990 | The Rescuers Down Under The Rescuers Down Under The Rescuers Down Under is a 1990 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures and Buena Vista Distribution on November 16, 1990... |
Head effects animator |
| 1991 | The Rocketeer The Rocketeer (film) The Rocketeer is a 1991 period superhero adventure film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and based on the character of the same name created by comic book writer/artist Dave Stevens. Directed by Joe Johnston, the film stars Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino... |
Director: Nazi Invasion segment |
| 1992 | The Little Mermaid The Little Mermaid (TV series) The Little Mermaid is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation based on the 1989 Disney film of the same name. It features the adventures of Ariel as a mermaid prior to the events of the film. This series is the first Disney television series to be spun... |
Effects consultant |
| 1993 | Happily Ever After | Special Effects Animator |
| 1997 | Cats Don't Dance Cats Don't Dance Cats Don't Dance is a 1997 animated musical comedy film, notable as the only fully animated feature produced by Turner Entertainment's feature animation unit . The film was distributed by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment... |
Director, Writer, Character Designer Storyboard Supervisor, voice of Max |
| 2000 | The Emperor's New Groove The Emperor's New Groove The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures through Buena Vista Distribution on December 15, 2000. It is the 40th animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics... |
Director, Screenplay |
| 2005 | Chicken Little Chicken Little (2005 film) Chicken Little is a 2005 computer-animated science fiction family comedy film loosely based on the fable The Sky Is Falling. It was the 46th animated feature produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation... |
Director, Story, Character Designer, Additional voices |
| 2006–2008 | The Emperor's New School The Emperor's New School The Emperor's New School is an American animated television series that airs on Disney Channel, ABC Kids, and Disney XD and is produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. The show is based on the characters from The Emperor's New Groove and its direct-to-video sequel Kronk's New Groove... |
Creator |
| 2013 | Me and My Shadow | Director |
External links
- Mark Dindal at Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...