Mark Dindal
Alma materCalArts
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • effects animator
  • character designer
  • storyboard artist
  • voice actor
Years active1979–present
Children2[1]

Mark Dindal is an American filmmaker, animator, and voice actor, who is famous for having directed three animated films, Cats Don't Dance (1997), The Emperor's New Groove (2000), and Chicken Little (2005).[2] He worked in many Disney projects as an effects animator, and also led the special effects for several films, such as The Little Mermaid (1989) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990).

Early life

Dindal was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1960.[3]

Growing up, Dindal was influenced by Disney films and Warner Bros. Saturday cartoons.[4] One of his earliest influence was Disney's The Sword in the Stone, which he remembers his grandmother taking him to see when he was three years old.[4] It also helped that his dad took art as a hobby and taught Dindal to draw while growing up in Syracuse, New York.[5]

During his teen years, Dindal attended Jamesville-DeWitt High School, where he attended most of the art classes that the school had to offer, along with making comic strips and short films.[6] Dindal learned animation at CalArts.[3] He began working at Disney in 1980.[3]

Career

Effects Animator at Disney (1980-1988)

His early work included The Fox and the Hound (1981), The Black Cauldron (1985), Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), The Great Mouse Detective (1986), and Oliver & Company (1988),[3] each following a very similar animation style in all the films. This style consisted of similar backgrounds with delicate animation and complex character effects, which was well received.

Leaving and Returning to Disney (1986–1992)

After these projects, Dindal briefly left Disney to work on several projects for varying studios, including BraveStarr and The Brave Little Toaster. He returned to the studio in 1987 and got his first head role as a visual effects supervisor for The Little Mermaid (1989).[3] He later worked as head animator for the film The Rescuers Down Under (1990) and worked as an effects animator on the animated film Aladdin (1992).[3]

Dindal as Director (1991–2000)

Dindal’s first time in the director’s chair was for a short, 1940s style wartime propaganda segment for the 1991 superhero film, The Rocketeer. Working with a crew of 3 other animators, Dindal took inspiration from Disney wartime cartoons like Victory Through Air Power and Frank Capra’s Why We Fight series.[7]

Dindal's feature-length debut was Cats Don't Dance, which was released in 1997, three years before The Emperor's New Groove was released in 2000.[3] In Cats Don't Dance Dindal voiced Max. The film won the Annie Award for Best Animated Film and Dindal was nominated for directing. The Emperor's New Groove was initially expected to be a Disney musical feature called Kingdom of the Sun. However, the idea did not work out, so Dindal, along with Chris Williams and David Reynolds changed the script to a comedy. During the six-year production, he started to work on Cats Don't Dance, a Turner Broadcasting (since merged into Warner Bros.) animated musical production.

Chicken Little (2005)

Dindal worked on Chicken Little (2005), another Disney production, which needed a large animation team. Dindal voiced Morkubine Porcupine and Coach in the film. The film was nominated to several Annies, though Dindal was not nominated as a director. During the film's production, DisneyToon Studios produced Kronk's New Groove as a direct-to-video feature. As Dindal was working on Chicken Little at the time, he did not have a position on the staff. Later, Dindal created the TV series The Emperor's New School (2006–2008).

Post-Disney (2006–present)

In March 2006, a day after the DVD release of Chicken Little, Dindal and producer Randy Fullmer left the company because they were reportedly tired of dealing with then-WDFA head David Stainton.[8] Over the span of three years, Dindal was attached to direct several live-action films, including Sherlock's Secretary[9] and Housebroken,[10] both for Walden Media, and a film adaptation of the children's book Kringle for Paramount Pictures.[11]

In December 2010, Dindal was directing at DreamWorks Animation the animated film Me and My Shadow, based on his own pitch that would've combined both computer and traditional animation.[12] In January 2012, he was no longer directing the film[13] and was replaced by story artist Alessandro Carloni as director, and the film has been in development limbo since 2013.[14]

In July 2014, he provided illustrations for the documentary film Restrung, centering on colleague Randy Fullmer on his career at Wyn Guitars from 2006. On November 12, 2018, it was announced that Dindal will direct an animated Garfield feature for Alcon Entertainment, with pre-production beginning the following month in Los Angeles.[15] In March 2019, Dindal was involved as a story artist and helped design the characters, Gus and Cooper,[16] for the 2019 Nickelodeon film, Wonder Park. That same year, it was announced that Dindal, along with Pixar veteran Teddy Newton, will develop a film based on the Funko pop figures for Warner Animation Group.[17]

In November 2021, it was announced that Garfield was picked up by Sony Pictures Releasing for a worldwide release (excluding China), and will star Chris Pratt as the titular role. The film will also reunite Dindal with New Groove screenwriter David Reynolds, who's writing the script.[18] In August 2022, the film was scheduled to be released on February 16, 2024.[19]

Unrealized projects

  • Original version of Cats Don't Dance - long before Dindal was attached as director, Cats Don't Dance was initially a live-action/CG-animated hybrid film that would have involved Michael Jackson as producer, star, and musical consultant. By 1994, Jackson left the project entirely (for Turner Feature Animation; 1993).
  • Kingdom of the Sun - an epic retelling of The Prince and the Pauper in the vein of The Lion King. The story was rewritten in 1998 as a smaller comedy titled The Emperor's New Groove (for Walt Disney Feature Animation; 1994).
  • Original version of Chicken Little - the original version of Chicken Little would have followed an overreacting, doom and gloomy female chicken, that went to summer camp to build confidence so she would not overreact, as well as to repair her relationship with her father. At the summer camp, she would uncover a nefarious plot that her camp counselor was planning against her hometown. The plot was completely reworked, when David Stainton became the new head of Walt Disney Feature Animation in 2003 (for Walt Disney Feature Animation; 2001).
  • Sherlock's Secretary - a live-action film about a man who resides at the infamous home of Sherlock Holmes, who receives a letter requesting the help of Holmes. The man's life changes when he decides to take on a case himself (for Walden Media; 2006).
  • Kringle - a film adaption based the book under the same name that tells the untold story of Santa Claus (for Paramount Pictures; 2007).
  • Housebroken - a live-action comedy film about a newly wed's talking pets, who must adjust to living together under one roof. Along with directing, Dindal would also polish the script, originally written by Made of Honor screenwriter Adam Sztykiel. The last update was in 2011 when the film would be rewritten by George Lopez executive producers Paul Kaplan and Mark Torgove (for Walden Media and 20th Century Fox; 2009).[20]
  • Me and My Shadow - (for DreamWorks Animation; 2010)

Personal life

Dindal is the father of two daughters, who were the inspiration for his original Chicken Little pitch.[1]

Filmography

Year Title Director Writer Animation Department Other Note
1981 The Fox and the Hound No No Yes No Effects inbetween artist (uncredited)
1982 Fun with Mr. Future No No Yes No
1983 Mickey's Christmas Carol No No Yes No Effects animator
1985 The Black Cauldron No No Yes No
1986 The Great Mouse Detective No No Yes No
1987 Sport Goofy in Soccermania No No Yes No
The Brave Little Toaster No No No Yes Effects animation consultant
Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night No No Yes No Special effects animator
1988 BraveStarr No No Yes No
BraveStarr: The Legend No No Yes No Effects animator
Oliver & Company No No Yes No
1989 The Little Mermaid No No Yes No Visual effects supervisor
1990 The Prince and the Pauper No No Yes No Storyboard artist
The Rescuers Down Under No No Yes No Head effects animator
1991 The Rocketeer No No Yes No Director: Nazi Invasion segment
1992 Frozen Assets No No No Yes Animation sequence producer
Tom and Jerry: The Movie No No Yes No Effects animator
Aladdin No No Yes No
The Little Mermaid No No Yes Yes Effects consultant (1 episode), effects animator (2 episodes), storyboard artist (1 episode)
1993 Happily Ever After No No Yes No Special effects animator, voice of Goons (uncredited)
1997 Cats Don't Dance Yes Yes Yes Yes Story, character designer, storyboard artist, storyboard supervisor, voice of Max
2000 The Emperor's New Groove Yes Yes No No
2002 The Sweatbox No No No Yes Himself, documentary
2005 Chicken Little Yes Yes Yes Yes Story, character designer, voice of Morkubine Porcupine & Coach
Kronk's New Groove No No No Yes Based on characters (uncredited)
2006–2008 The Emperor's New School No Yes No No Creator, writer
2014 Restrung No No No Yes Illustrator, documentary
2019 Wonder Park No No Yes No Story Artist
2024 The Garfield Movie Yes TBA No No In production

Internet

Year Title Role
2011 TAG Blog[21] Himself
2015 Lights, Camera, Austin[22]
2020 Happily Ever After Hours[7]
2021 Disney Movie Insider Presents[23]

Awards and nominations

Nominations

  • Best Individual Achievement: Directing in a Feature Production for Cats Don't Dance (Annie) (1997)
  • Outstanding Individual Achievement for Writing in an Animated Feature Production for The Emperor's New Groove (Annie) (2001)
  • Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production for The Emperor's New Groove (Annie) (2001)
  • Best Animated Feature for The Emperor's New Groove & Chicken Little (Annie) (2001; 2006)
  • Best Animated or Mixed Media Feature for The Emperor's New Groove & Chicken Little (Satellite Award) (2000; 2005)
  • Best Animated Feature for Chicken Little (Critics' Choice Movie Awards) (2005)

Won

  • Best Animated Feature for Cats Don't Dance (Annie) (1997)

Collaborators

Cats Don't Dance The Emperor's New Groove Chicken Little The Emperor's New School Restrung The Garfield Movie
Don Knotts
☒N
☒N
Patrick Warburton
☒N
☒N
☒N
John Goodman
☒N
☒N
Eartha Kitt
☒N
☒N
Wendie Malick
☒N
☒N
Frank Welker
☒N
☒N
☒N
Randy Fullmer
☒N
☒N
☒N
David Reynolds
☒N
☒N
☒N
Don Hall
☒N
☒N
John Debney
☒N
☒N
☒N
The Walt Disney Company
☒N
☒N
☒N

References

  1. 1 2 Joseph Andrew Taylor (November 9, 2020). "Disney's 'Chicken Little': Inside the Troubled History of the Studio's First CGI Feature". Collider. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020. Regarding the origins of Chicken Little, "I have two daughters, so I immediately went to a father/daughter story," Dindal said.
  2. ↑ Lanpher, Dorse A. (October 19, 2010). Flyin' Chunks and Other Things to Duck: Memoirs of a Life Spent Doodling for Dollars. iUniverse. pp. 176–. ISBN 978-1-4502-6099-2. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Chicken Little - Production Information". The Walt Disney Company Nordic. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Strike, Joe (November 1, 2000). "Mark Dindal's Place in the Sun". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Mark Dindal biography". tribute.ca. Archived from the original on July 5, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Happily Ever After Hours with Director and Filmmaker Mark Dindal". The Walt Disney Family Museum. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Alex Reif (December 18, 2020). "WDFM Event Recap: Mark Dindal Talks About Directing "The Emperor's New Groove" and "Chicken Little"". Laughing Place. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  8. ↑ Hill, Jim (October 5, 2006). "A special "No nudes is good news" edition of Why For". Jim Hill Media. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Mark Dindal to Direct 'Sherlock's Secretary'". MovieWeb. August 11, 2006. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ McNary, Dave (October 12, 2009). "Dindal draws 'Housebroken'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ LaPorte, Nicole (February 27, 2007). "Paramount gets tough with Santa myth". Variety. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2015.
  12. ↑ DreamWorks Animation (December 10, 2010). "DreamWorks Animation Pioneers Groundbreaking Combination of CG and Hand-Drawn Animation Techniques in Me and My Shadow for March 2013" (Press release). PR Newswire. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ Kit, Borys (January 31, 2012). "DreamWorks Animation Sets Voice Cast for 'Me & My Shadow' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
  14. ↑ "DreamWorks Animation Pushes Back Release for 'Mr. Peabody & Sherman'". The Hollywood Reporter. February 5, 2013. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Mark Dindal To Direct All-Animated 'Garfield' Feature For Alcon". Cartoon Brew. November 12, 2018. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  16. ↑ Keyframe Magazine (March 2019). "WILD AND WONDERFUL". The Animation Guild. Archived from the original on September 2, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  17. ↑ Fleming, Mike (September 16, 2019). "Warner Bros Animation Plans Funko Film Based On Collectible Figures". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  18. ↑ Grobar, Matt (November 1, 2021). "'Garfield': Chris Pratt To Voice Title Character In Alcon Entertainment's Animated Film". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 17, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  19. ↑ Keltie Duncan (August 4, 2022). "'Garfield' Gets 2024 Release Date, New Character". Cartoon Brew. Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Paul Kaplan and Mark Torgove are HOUSEBROKEN". The Tracking Board. February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  21. ↑ Hulett, Steve (June 13, 2011). "The Mark Dindal Interview -- Part I". TAG Blog. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Interview: Mark Dindal, director, "The Emperor's New Groove"". Lights, Camera, Austin. June 4, 2015. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  23. ↑ Disney Movie Insider (January 27, 2021). "Disney Movie Insiders Presents... The Emperor's New Groove". Megaphone. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
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