ANDREW ADAMSON

A native of New Zealand, Andrew Adamson had been working in computer animation for an Auckland company called The Mouse That Roared since 1985, when he was recruited by Pacific Data Images in 1991 to work in the United States. They were opening an office in Los Angeles to get involved in feature films, and Adamson worked as a technical director on movies such as Toys (1992) starring Robin Williams and Angels in the Outfield (1994), starring Danny Glover. Andrew had previously worked mainly on commercials, but really loved the chance to tell a story using the longer format.

He was a visual effects supervisor on Batman Forever (1995), A Time to Kill (1996) and Batman and Robin (1997) before being approached to co-direct Shrek (2001). Shrek was a huge hit, earning US$470 million worldwide at the box office. It became the first to win the new Academy Awards category Best Animated Feature. Along with his co-director, Vicky Jenson, Adamson won an Annie award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production."

Because the film was so popular, audiences clamored for a sequel, and Shrek 2 (2004) was released in 2004. Adamson then signed on to direct the live action feature The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), and he campaigned successfully to have the fantasy film shot in New Zealand. It was also a hit, spawning two sequels.

Adamson and his wife currently divide their time between New Zealand and Los Angeles.

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