On 25 March, celebrated animator Michel Gagne lectured at the VFS campus to the current class of 2D animation students. Gagne is a filmmaker, children's book writer, sculptor, and artist. His success as an independent animator began with his short film Prelude To Eden, a visually stunning Creation Story set to a full symphony orchestra.
For those who are just being introduced to Gagne, his animation and devotion to self expression "without fear of being labeled an eccentric" are a revelation. For his longtime fans, including many in the current 2D class at VFS, Gagne's originality and independence are inspiring.
"For me, he's one of the top artists. His use of effects, his sense of timing, and his artwork are all brilliant," says one current 2D student.
As a young animator, Gagne left Quebec for the now defunct Don Bluth Studios in California, where he worked with 2D Department Head Joseph Gilland. During this period, Gagne developed an astonishing custom of matching his forty hour work week at Don Bluth with forty hours at home on his own artwork. He was so devoted to this practice that even when he would stop to dine with his future wife he would "log out" to ensure he made up the work time later in the evening.
"While I was at Don Bluth it hit me that I'm an artist.... and that I have to be an artist and have to gain my independence," Gagne said in his lecture.
In addition to Prelude To Eden, Gagne's animation appears in numerous films including The Iron Giant, Osmosis Jones, and the Star Wars: Clones Wars animated short films. Several years ago he started his own publishing house, Gagne International Press, where he produces children's books. His first book, The Search For Meaning: The Story of Rex earned critical acclaim, and he has followed this with several popular series including Insanely Twisted Rabbits, Frenzied Fauna: From A To Z and Freaky Flora: From A To Z.
Other than Don Bluth, Gagne has worked for Pixar, Warner Brothers, and the Cartoon Network. He recently completed a Batman series for Detective Comics, and is currently working on a project for Disney, as well preparing to release a new children's book.
