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What is the role of the Executive Producer?
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What is the difference between a Producer and an Executive Producer?
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What is the role of a Film Director?
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Can you explain the role of a Screenwriter
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Producing an animation is a very different process then producing a live-action film. In the following interviews you will learn the role of each member of the production team in producing an animated film. From writing the story to finding a way to put it on the big screen, this team will guide you through the process.
Fairy-tale purists, take note: this delightfully antic animated comedy is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's classic, rather than providing a new rendering of that much beloved story. What may seem initially to be a lack of reverence for the original is, in fact, an opportunity to expand on the universal themes embedded n this nineteenth-century story. Transposed into a modern-day context, the story becomes a lot funnier.
The "me" of the title is Ratso, a down-on-his-luck rodent con artist with show-business aspirations. While trapped on a duck farm (a long story!), Ratso becomes the caretaker of a large egg that soon hatches into - yes - an extremely ugly duckling, aptly named Ugly. Ratso becomes Ugly's de facto father, but he is no sweet paternal figure. When he discovers Ugly has an unusual talent, he schemes to make sideshow history and his own fortune by exploiting the young bird. It takes a long, adventure-filled journey and a host of fascinating characters, but ultimately Ratso realizes that relationships are more important than fame and fortune.
Some of the creators of The Ugly Duckling and Me were also involved in the 2004 animated cult hit Terkel in Trouble, and the lively pace of that Scandinavian sensation is very much evident in this film. The Ugly Duckling and Me is also nicely egalitarian in the styles of humour it employs, ranging from dry, almost literary witticisms to the broad physical humour you would expect when a scheming rat and a hapless bird go on a trip. The skilled use of 3-D animation makes for characters and visuals that are emotionally responsive and compelling to watch. Co-directors Michael Hegner (co-director of Danish animation blockbuster Help! I'm a Fish) and Karsten Kiilerich (nominated for an Academy Award® for his short film When Life Departs) have lengthy résumés that attest to their ability to marry story and image in a way that audiences in huge numbers will enjoy. The Ugly Duckling and Me is no exception - a delight for viewers of all ages.
- Jane Schoettle, Director Youth Education and Sprockets
Karsten Kiilerich – Co-Director
Karsten was born in Slagelse, Denmark. He is a founder of A. Film, the largest animation studio in Denmark, and has directed a number of animated TV series and film sequences in Denmark and abroad. He co-wrote the screenplay for Help! I'm a Fish (00). He was also nominated for an Academy Award® in 1998 for his animated short When Life Departs (co-director, 97). The Ugly Duckling and Me (co-director, 06) is his latest film.
Executive Producers: Ralph Christians, Anders Mastrup, Philippe Delarue, Daina Sacco
Producer: Moe Honan, Irene Sparre Hjorthøj, Gladys Morchoisne
Screenplay: Mark Hodkinson
Editor: Per Risager
Sound: Guido Zettier
Music: Jacob Groth
Principal Cast: Morgan Jones, Justin Gregg, Paul Tylak, Anna Olson, Kim Larney
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