Subculture Media

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Los Angeles-based studio, DreamWorks Animation, today announced an historic collaboration on the first large-scale, behind-the-scenes exhibition to celebrate 20 years of the studio’s much loved feature films, and the talented artists who created them.

DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition will have its world premiere at ACMI in Melbourne in April 2014 as part of the Victorian Government’s prestigious Melbourne Winter Masterpieces (MWM) series, before commencing an international tour.

Victorian Minister for the Arts, the Hon Heidi Victoria, said the groundbreaking exhibition will bring together Melbourne-based curators and creatives, and the animators, artists and producers of a major international studio for the first time in the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series.

“This world-first exhibition will focus on the significant creative contribution that DreamWorks Animation has made to the field of animation over the last 20 years,” Ms Victoria said. “Tracing DreamWorks Animation’s creative legacy from Antz to next year’s anticipated feature, How to Train Your Dragon 2, the exhibition draws on the studio’s incredible archive, and will include never-before-seen original artworks and models, behind-the-scenes interviews and new interactive experiences.”

In Australia for the announcement, DreamWorks Animation Chief Creative Officer, Bill Damaschke, said the exhibition will provide a unique insight into the creative process behind the company’s on-screen magic, and a rare glimpse into the organisation’s artistic and visionary approach to animation.

 “From the beginning, I’ve felt a kind of kindred spirit between DreamWorks Animation and ACMI which makes them feel like part of our family,” said Mr. Damaschke. “Both companies are creatively driven and extremely ambitious which consequently means this exhibition will truly be one-of-a-kind and certainly a whole lot of fun.”

 ACMI Director and CEO, Tony Sweeney, said visitors will be able to go beyond the screen and chart the creative journey of a DreamWorks Animation film from the first idea or concept sketched on a post-it-note, through to the final completed project.

 “Visitors will be able to fully explore the groundbreaking technologies that DreamWorks Animation has used to create its animated characters and worlds over 20 years, from the pioneering forms of computer animation and motion capture through to very latest in 3D technology,” Mr Sweeney said. “While the artist’s stories and the films they make are at the heart of the exhibition, it also showcases the creative integrity of the films and celebrates the people behind their creation.”

DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition will showcase the four major film series: Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda through concept artworks, illustrations, models and specially commissioned behind-the-scenes interviews. The exhibition will also explore the early hand-drawn films, such as The Prince of Egypt (1998) and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002), and a selection of recent releases including Rise of the Guardians (2012), TheCroods (2013), and Turbo (2013).

Ms Victoria said the exhibition will tour internationally following its exclusive Australian showing in Melbourne.

“As well as celebrating the creativity of DreamWorks Animation, much loved and admired around the world, this is an exciting opportunity to showcase ACMI on the international stage. It reflects ACMI’s growing reputation for presenting outstanding exhibitions, and for being an innovative champion of the moving image,” Ms Victoria said.

DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition will have its world premiere at ACMI on Thursday 10 April, 2014, and will run until Sunday 26 October, 2014, before touring the world. Ticket prices and information on related public, film and education programs will be announced in the coming months. For more information, please visit acmi.net.au

About DreamWorks Animation:

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation ranked #12 on the list.  All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 27 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots and The Croods.

About the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI):

A globally unique cultural institution, ACMI presents and champions the art and culture of the moving image. Through a vibrant annual calendar of award-winning exhibitions, screenings, film festivals, live events, creative workshops, education programs and Collection resources, ACMI provides a wide diversity of audiences with an unsurpassed range of ways to engage with the moving image. As one of Victoria’s major cultural, tourism and learning attractions, and a national centre of screen culture debate and innovation, ACMI has an international reputation as one of the world’s leading moving image centres.

About the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces Series:

Introduced by the Victorian Government in 2004 as a major driver of cultural tourism, the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces (MWM) series has since welcomed over 4 million people, including more than 340,000 interstate and international visitors to Melbourne. This series has generated more than $318 million in economic benefit for the state andcemented Melbourne’s position as Australia’s home of arts, culture and major events. The 2013 MWM exhibitions are Hollywood Costume at ACMI, and Monet’s Garden at the National Gallery of Victoria.