More of my exclusive interview with Head of Character Animation for DreamWorks’ “How to Train Your Dragon” – Simon Otto.
LCJ: I know you had an internship out of college at the Disney Animation studio in Paris. That must have been a great way to start your career.
Simon: It was. Back then, of course, we were all doing hand-drawn animation. I was like a kid in a candy store, doing all of these great things. I grew-up in Switzerland and have been drawing all of my life. And to be able to come over here and work at a Hollywood studio such as DreamWorks and do what I loved to do as a little kid is truly unbelievable and a dream come true.
LCJ: Also, I understand you used to make snow sculptures back in Switzerland. Maybe you could make one of Toothless and the other dragons in the film.
Simon: It’s funny you should say that. When I was doing the snow sculptures at hotels in Switzerland it was around the time when the first “Jurassic Park” came out and we created these life-size dinosaurs, we lit them up at night. Maybe I should go back and make a Toothless. Wouldn’t that be cool?
LCJ: I know studio like to keep secrets about upcoming projects, but can you talk about what you’ll be working on next?
Simon: You know, I’ve worked so long on this film, and right now were doing a lot of secondary material, for the DVD. This will take me into the summer. and then I’m going to be taking a long break. I’m actually going to go back to Europe for 3 months to visit my family and then I’ll come back and see what’s next. But I haven’t really decided yet, but DreamWorks is doing so well as a studio and there are so many great projects being set up that I have some tremendous opportunities when I get back.
LCJ: If “Dragons” does as well at the box office as I think it will could there be a sequel?
Simon: That would be fantastic. For a film that you worked on for so long to become that successful and resonate with the audience so well that there would have to be a sequel, that would be fantastic.
LCJ: You’ve done all these great DreamWorks films, but you haven’t worked on any of the “Shrek” films. The new one, “Shrek Forever After” is supposed to be the last, but if it’s not, would you like to work with Shrek?
Simon: I would love to work on a “Shrek” movie, but I really think this is the last one. But there will be a “Puss ‘N Boots” movie, and I can really see myself working on that one. I’m a designer, as well, so I usually like to work on movies where the characters need to be designed and first placed into 3D. But DreamWorks is such a great collection of artists. The person sitting next to me right now is working on “Shrek Forever After”.
LCJ: Wow! You’ve already done so many great things in the movies and in animation. If there’s one thing that you want to do, and haven’t yet, what would that be?
Simon: I’ve always wanted to animate a cat. I grew up with cats all my life and so it would have to be animate a cat. Maybe, and I never thought this until you asked me, maybe “Puss ‘N Boots” is the next place for me.
LCJ: Thank you for taking the time to talk about “Dragons” and congratulations on a great film. I can’t wait to see it again.
Simon: Thanks, and please, do go back and take your friends!