Hoytyboy Pictures Signs Daniel Jeannette for Spot Work

Hoytyboy Pictures Goes Wild for Jeannette

Daniel Jeannette, Animation Director and Visual Effects Supervisor on the currently running Spike Jonze feature “Where the Wild Things Are,” has signed with Mill Valley-based Hoytyboy Pictures for exclusive commercial representation.  The announcement was made by Hoytyboy Executive Producer Clint Goldman. 

Jeannette, who also served as Animation Director on the Oscar-winning hit animated feature “Happy Feet,” is looking to bring to his commercials work the same unique viewpoint evidenced in his work on “Wild Things,” where he oversaw the creative direction and management of all the visual effects and animation as well as the performances of all animated characters.

“Daniel knows how to get to the elements of a script that make for the most engaging story,” says Goldman.  “He’s also got the design chops to go along with his skills in animation, effects and storytelling.  My job is to marry his talent with some very creative agency creatives.”

A graduate of the Gobelins Animation School in Paris, Jeanette started his career with a ten-year stint at Industrial Light & Magic. Working with the animation team there, he saw his interests shift over the years. “I always wanted to do commercials, but at ILM I was busy doing visual effects on features,” he says. “But as I got better I became more selective. Working with Director George Miller on ‘Happy Feet’ made me very aware how much I cared for telling the story.”

In regards to directing spots, Jeannette says, “There’s an efficiency to spot work, to keep someone’s attention. There’s an emotional impact and a visual impact to a commercial. Whether it's for a spot or a film, you have to believe in the story, you have to care for it and bring something unique to it. Directing out of Hoytyboy looks like a good fit for me.”

Jeannette's credits as Animation Director at ILM include “Van Helsing” (2004), “Gangs of New York” (2002), “The Mummy” (1999) and “The Mummy Returns” (2001).  He joins a directorial roster at Hoytyboy that includes Steve “Spaz” Williams, Richard Kizu-Blair, John Kricfalusi, Rob Schneider, Robert Maya and the animation house Little Fluffy Clouds.


Published November 17,2009