In an ambitious move to expand animation, Paramount Pictures has tapped Lino DiSalvo — who served as head of animation for Disney‘s “Frozen” — as the new creative director for Paramount Animation.
The announcement was made Friday by Adam Goodman, who oversees animation as president of the Paramount Film Group. DiSalvo had disclosed the move in a Tweet three weeks ago.
After 16 amazing years at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Being so fortunate to be the Head of Animation on Disney’s Frozen. (1/3)
— Lino DiSalvo (@LinoD) June 5, 2014
DiSalvo is a 16-year veteran of Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he served as supervising animator on “Tangled” and “Bolt.” His other film credits include animating on “Meet the Robinsons” and “Chicken Little.”
Paramount said DiSalvo will be assisting Goodman and the Paramount Animation team to build a “world-class feature animation studio.”
“From its inception, we have aspired to work with the industry’s greatest artists and storytellers, and Lino’s addition to our little animation family is thrilling given his incredible talent,” Goodman said.
“CG animation is still in its earliest days and his extraordinary artistry, coupled with the endless potential of the medium, makes for an incredibly exciting time to be building our own animation business, and gives us a lot of continued inspiration for the future creatively,” he added.
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Paramount Animation is releasing “The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” in February and is currently in production on “Monster Trucks,” a hybrid of live action and CGI animation directed by Chris Wedge and set for release in May.
“I couldn’t pass up this amazing opportunity to work with the absolute all-star team of artists at Paramount Animation,” said DiSalvo. “The possibilities for reinventing and reimagining CG feature animation are virtually endless, and I am excited to be at Paramount helping to forge that incredible, new future.
DiSalvo, who begins immediately in his new role, is represented by UTA.
I'm here 😃👍 #PinchingMySelf pic.twitter.com/MxnSGjB4HZ
— Lino DiSalvo (@LinoD) June 5, 2014
Here we go !! pic.twitter.com/Qdg0UguJrv
— Lino DiSalvo (@LinoD) June 9, 2014
