Benjamin Gluck
Ben Gluck | |
|---|---|
| Born | Benjamin James Gluck May 25, 1980 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Alma mater | California Institute of the Arts |
| Occupation(s) | Director, Head of Story |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | 9 Peanuts Disney Feature Animation |
Benjamin James Gluck (also known as Ben Gluck) is an American director, screenwriter, and head of story.[1] Gluck worked for over a decade as storyboard artist, director and head of story at Disney Animation.[2]
Early life and background
Gluck was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Character Animation from the esteemed California Institute of the Arts and was awarded a full-tuition scholarship by Walt Disney Feature Animation studios. His student short film Man's Best Friend, which featured an openly gay dog, won the Walter Lantz Award.[3] That film premiered worldwide in heavy rotation on MTV's network,[1] and received many top awards in the United States and International film circuits and toured theatrically worldwide in Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Animation Festival.
Career
Gluck began his career at DreamWorks Feature Animation where he was recruited by Oscar-winning director Brenda Chapman, as the studios very first story trainee, on The Prince of Egypt.
Shortly after, Gluck was recruited by Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he was mentored by Tony Award winner Roger Allers, and worked for over a decade as a key member of the feature animation story team. Gluck was the first Head of Story at Disney-Toon Studios on the Annie Award-winning feature film's Bambi 2 and Piglet's Big Movie. He directed Brother Bear 2, which became Disney's second sequel to have a higher rating on Rotten Tomatoes than its predecessor.[4]
After a decade at Walt Disney Feature Animation Gluck was Head of Story on the Tim Burton animated feature film, 9 for Focus Features.
Gluck co-wrote the story and directed Alpha and Omega in 2010, which became the first film in the franchise of the same name, followed by seven follow-up films, it is Lionsgate's highest-grossing original CGI animated franchise and a cult following.
Later, Gluck collaborated with George Lucas, at Lucas Film on Strange Magic (film). Additionally, Gluck developed an animated theatrical version of Battle of the Planets with executive producer Charles Roven.
Gluck is Head of Story, working with the Schultz family, on the new Peanuts holiday specials for Apple TV +.
Awards and recognition
- Walter Lantz Student Academy Award:[1] best short animated film "Man's Best Friend."
- Annie Award for Best Home Entertainment Production: Bambi 2 at the 34th Annie Awards.
- Annie Award for Best Screenplay: Brother Bear 2 at the 35th Annie Awards.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Peanuts Mother's Day | Head of Story | |
| 2021 | Peanuts New Years’ | Head of Story | |
| 2015 | Madea's Tough Love | Screenwriter Consulting Director | |
| 2014 | Kahlil Gibran's, Salma Hayek presents: The Prophet |
Story artist | |
| 2013 | Battle of the Planets | Director (developed) | |
| 2010 | Yogi Bear (film) | Story Artist | |
| 2010 | Alpha and Omega | Director, story and characters created by- | |
| 2009 | 9 | Head of Story | |
| 2006 | Brother Bear 2 | (voice actor) Baby Raccoon | Director |
| 2006 | Bambi II (film) | (voice actor) Baby Opossum | Head of Story |
| 2004 | Home on the Range | Story Artist | |
| 2003 | Piglet's Big Movie (film) | Story artist | |
| 2000 | The Emperor's New Groove | Story artist | |
| 2000 | Dinosaur | Story artist | |
| 1996 | MTV's Cartoon Sushi forth episode: Man's Best Friend |
(voice actor) Snake | Director Creator Screenplay Animator |
Television
- Man's Best Friend (TV) (1996)
- Rugrats (TV) (2000)
- Clerks (TV) (2000)
- Skunk Fu (TV) (2007-2008)
See also
References
5. Apple TV+ New Peanuts Holiday Specials
