Stephen Michael Martino[2] (born July 21, 1959)[2] is an American designer and film director. He is best known for directing the Blue Sky Studios films Horton Hears a Who! (2008), Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), and The Peanuts Movie (2015).
Steve Martino | |
---|---|
Martino at the 2015 Annecy International Animated Film Festival | |
Born | Stephen Michael Martino July 21, 1959 Dayton, Ohio, U.S.[1] |
Alma mater | Ohio State University |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1990–present |
Employer | Blue Sky Studios (2001–2021) |
Signature | |
Early life
editMartino went to Ohio State University where he studied design.[3] After graduation, he heard computer animation pioneer Chuck Csuri speak. "I was absolutely blown away. No one was doing what he was showing us. I hadn't seen images like that anywhere before," Martino said. He returned to the university and earned in 1989 a master's degree,[1] studying at the Computer Graphics Research Group (later renamed to Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design), founded by Csuri.[3]
Career
editAfter graduation, Martino went to Los Angeles, where he worked in animation and visual effects.[3] In 2001, he joined Connecticut-based Blue Sky Studios.[1] There he co-directed the animated films Horton Hears a Who! (2008) and Ice Age: Continental Drift.[3] He also directed The Peanuts Movie (2015), an animated feature film adaptation of Charles M. Schulz's US comic strip Peanuts.[4]
In February 2018, it was reported that Martino and Karen Disher would direct two animated fantasy musical, under the working title Foster, for Blue Sky Studios. The film was originally scheduled for release on March 5, 2021.[5][6] However, following Disney's acquisition of Fox, it was removed from the release schedule.[7] The production studio was closed in 2021.[8]
In November 2023, WildBrain Studios announced that Martino will direct an animated Peanuts film for Apple TV+.[9]
Filmography
editDirector
editFilm
- Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
- Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
- The Peanuts Movie (2015)
- Untitled Peanuts film (TBA)[9]
Short film
- Scrat's Continental Crack-up (2010)
- Scrat's Continental Crack-up - Part 2 (2011)
Art director
editFilm
- Robots (2005)
Short Films
- Gone Nutty (2002)
Television
- World of Discovery (1990) (Main title designer)
Other roles
edit- Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) (Pre-Production Consultant)
- Spies in Disguise (2019) (Senior Creative Team)
- Nimona (2023) (Special Thanks)
Critical reception
editFilm | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic |
---|---|---|
Horton Hears a Who! (2008) | 76%[10] | 71%[11] |
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) | 37%[12] | 49%[13] |
The Peanuts Movie (2015) | 87%[14] | 67%[15] |
Awards and nominations
editYear | Award | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences | World of Discovery Shared with Jeff Doud, Jon Townley and Thomas Barham |
Won |
2006 | Annie Award | Best Production Design in an Animated Feature Production | Robots Shared with William Joyce |
Nominated |
2016 | Outstanding Achievement in Directing in an Animated Feature Production | The Peanuts Movie | Nominated | |
African-American Film Critics Association | Best Animated Feature | Won | ||
Golden Globe Awards | Best Animated Feature | Nominated | ||
Seattle Film Critics Award | Best Animated Feature | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b c Grossberg, Michael (September 16, 2012). "Hollywood studios brimming with talent honed in Columbus". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ a b "Martino, Steve, 1959-". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Steve Martino, alumni, ACCAD". The Ohio State University. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
- ^ "Charles Schulz's 'Peanuts' Gang to Hit Theaters". ComingSoon.net. October 9, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
- ^ Amidi, Amid (February 13, 2018). "Karen Disher Set To Be First Woman Director At Blue Sky Studios". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ Lang, Brent (February 12, 2018). "Pasek and Paul to Write Songs for Blue Sky's First Animated Musical". Variety Magazine. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ Lang, Brent; Rubin, Rebecca (May 7, 2019). "Disney Announces New 'Star Wars' Films, Moves 'Avatar' Sequels". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 9, 2021). "Disney Closing Blue Sky Studios, Fox's Once-Dominant Animation House Behind 'Ice Age' Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ a b Brew, Caroline (2023-11-06). "Peanuts Head to the Big City in First Apple TV+ Movie". Variety. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
- ^ "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! (2008) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "Horton Hears a Who! Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "Ice Age: Continental Drift Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "The Peanuts Movie (2015) - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ^ "The Peanuts Movie Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
External links
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