Chris Landreth received his MS degree in Theoretical and Applied
Mechanics from the University of Illinois in 1986. For three years,
he worked in experimental research in fluid mechanics at the
University of Illinois, undtil he made the transition into the
netherworlds of computer animation.
In 1994, Chris joined Alias Inc., where it was his job to define,
test and abuse animation software, in-house before it was released
to the public. In addition to well-mannered software (namely the
animation software Maya), this resulted in the production of
animated short films including Bingo and the end (which was
nominated for an Academy Award in 1996 for Best Animated Short
Film).
Chris's latest film, Ryan, looks at the life and career of
Canadian animator Ryan Larkin, a one-time Oscar nominee who today
panhandles for spare change in Montreal Canada. Ryan pushes the
boundaries of photo realism and the animation and documentary
genres into a world that Chris describes as "
psycho-realism".
Ryan has been embraced by the world of animation in an
unprecedented way. It has received the Academy Award for Best
Animated Short Film and over 60 other international awards,
including three prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, Special Jury
Prize at Siggraph 2004 and Grand Prize at the 2004 Ottawa
International Animation Festival.
Director:
Ryan, 2004
Bingo, 1998
the end, 1995
Franz K., 1993
The Listener, 1991