Nov 15, 2017

DreamWorks begins adding short films before theatrical films.

DreamWorks' theatrical releases will offer something a little special next year.

The program will kick off with William Salazar's "Bird Karma" before "Boss Baby," which will be released in Japan next March.

The short film program kicked off with an open pitch session for employees from across the studio, with DreamWorks Animation Film Group President Chris DeFaria and his creative team receiving over 25 pitches. From these pitches, the studio selected eight projects for active development, with the next three slated for release in the next 18 months: William Salazar's Bird Karma, Andy Erekson's Marooned, Pierre Perifel, Liron Topaz, and a currently untitled short film by JP Sans.

The studio outlines the various goals of the program, including improving artists' storytelling and creative skills, developing new technologies, creating unique collaborations, exploring new stories and characters for feature development, and identifying new talent within the company.

"The pitch process was incredible. DreamWorks is truly an artist enclave, and we were all blown away by the vast amount of talent at the studio." There were personal stories, comic book sketches, gorgeous concept art, simple pencil tests (some 2D, some 3D), and even a stop-motion pitch that, taken together, demonstrated a level of ingenuity, storytelling flair, and innovation that left us all surprised We were all surprised and delighted. The selection criteria were primarily artistic and entertaining, but we were also looking for ideas that challenged our technology and allowed us to explore innovative ways of storytelling."

"We were also looking for ideas that were not only entertaining, but that also challenged our technology and allowed us to explore innovative ways of storytelling.

DeFaria also distinguished the program from feature film production, emphasizing that the short film program allows production personnel from different departments of the studio to collaborate in an interdisciplinary way, in contrast to the compartmentalization of individual roles in feature film production.

"In many ways, the format and length are liberating, and our team is taking more personal risks in storytelling and design. Our top priorities are the six feature projects we have in production." But the pace at which the films are progressing is a testament to how passionate the filmmakers are about the program. It's a great opportunity to put complete creative control in the hands of the artists."

"The film is a great example of the kind of work that we are doing,"

said the director.

DreamWorks has previously released one theatrical short based on an original concept.