The  40^th Annual Annie Awards were held last night at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA.  After some years of voting controversy (do you remember when Kung-Fu Panda sweeped while WALL-E was left empty handed), the voting seems more balanced with many studios winning awards.  The event host was Leonard Maltin who remained professional during an event riddled with technical problems and a few off-color moments.  But the teleprompter problems, miscued video packages, and wrong envelopes could not dampen this celebration of animation.  For those wondering, the best teleprompter joke went to A.N.T. Farm’s Mindy Sterling.

 

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Howard Green, Vice President Animation Communication, won the June Foray award for his commitment and support for animation.  Howard Green developed relationships with Disney Legends, such as the Nine Old Men, and helped spread their story to the public.  He brought Disney fans, and the public at large, stories about the history of Disney Animation.  As a Disney fan, you have read or seen his work, even if you had not realized it.

 

Ming-Na (Mulan, S.H.I.E.L.D.,) presented Mark Henn with one of the Windsor McKay Awards.  Mark Henn was Mulan’s supervising animator as well as many others including Jasmine, Young Simba, and Tiana.  He was also the director of the award-winning John Henry short.  Ming-Na mentioned how Mark including her own mannerisms into Mulan, so when her mother saw the film she recognized her daughter. 

 

Here is a complete list of The Walt Disney Company’s Annie Award Winners:

 

Editing in a Feature Production Nicholas C. Smith, A.C.E., Robert Grahamjones, A.C.E., David Suther Brave – Pixar Animation Studios

These editors for Brave are really aces.  Do you see what  I did there?

 

Character Design in a TV/Broadcast Production Robert Valley, Disney Tron: Uprising: The Renegade, Part 1 – Disney TV Animation

Tron: Uprising got a huge response from the assembled.  Despite its cancelation, it appears the show has many fans in the animation community. 

 

Music in a Feature Production Henry Jackman, Skrillex, Adam Young, Matthew Thiessen, Jamie Houston, Yasushi Akimoto, Wreck-It Ralph – Walt Disney Animation Studios

The Annie’s probably went over budget on award sculptures due to 6 individuals contributed to the music of Wreck-It Ralph. 

 

Animated Effects in a Live Action Production Jerome Platteaux, John Sigurdson, Ryan Hopkins, Raul Essig, Mark Chataway The Avengers – Industrial Light & Magic

This award is a twofer for Disney.  It is a Marvel movie with special effects by Disney’s new effects house. 

 

Production Design in a TV/Broadcast Production Alberto Mielgo, Tron: Uprising: The Stranger – Disney TV Animation

Alberto had a lot to say.  I guess you have to get it all in when you know there won’t be a Season 2.

 

Production Design in a Feature Production Steve Pilcher, Brave – Pixar Animation Studios

At this point of the awards, I thought Brave might go all the way following its Golden Globes  win…

 

Best Animated Short Subject Paperman – Walt Disney Animation Studios

Was there any doubt that Paperman was going to win?  The crowd definitely supported this short.

 

Writing in a Feature Production Phil Johnson, Jennifer Lee, Wreck-It Ralph – Walt Disney Animation Studios

This is when I started to realize the crowd was very supportive of Wreck-It Ralph

 

Voice Acting in a Television/Broadcast Production Kristen Schaal as Mabel Pines Gravity Falls: Tourist Trapped – Disney TV Animation

Gravity Falls got some huge applause in Royce Hall.  Kristen Schaal was very energetic and supportive of the show and its ability to find an audience.  I think Gravity Falls might be the next Phineas and Ferb and crossover to a main stream audience. 

 

Voice Acting in a Feature Production Alan Tudyk as King Candy Wreck-It Ralph – Walt Disney Animation Studio

Alan Tudyk, who also appears on ABC’s Suburgatory, was also very emphatic with praise for Wreck-It Ralph. 

 

Directing in a Feature Production Rich Moore, Wreck-It Ralph – Walt Disney Animation Studios

Rich Moore thanked the Annies, which he has been attending for years.  This was Rich’s first Disney film.  I venture to guess that it will not be his last. 

 

Animated Feature Wreck-It Ralph – Walt Disney Animation Studios

And Wreck-It Ralph has the upset!  This sets the stage for the Oscars.  Will the Golden Globes winner win?  Or will the Annie Awards winner win?  Both have had their own set of legitimacy concerns.  Perhaps the Oscars can answer the question which award show is more legit; at least as far as the animated feature award goes.  It is Pixar vs. Disney in a battle royale!  Enjoy the final battle on ABC, February 24.