Kelly Asbury is the Director of Sony Pictures Animation's upcoming all-new CG-animated feature film reboot of the popular Smurfs franchise, _Smurfs: The Lost Village Kelly Asbury resides in Southern California.
Though not himself a ventriloquist, harbors a lifelong passion for that offbeat art form, even going so far as to write a 128 page non-fiction book on the subject called "Dummy Days - Americas Favorite Ventriloquists from Radio and Early TV" (Angel City Press 2003).
Both of the Asbury-directed animated films Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Shrek 2 opened the Cannes Film Festival and both were nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
Art school classmates with other Cal Arts alumni and future animated feature directors Rob Minkoff (The Lion King), Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale (Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Bruce Smith (BeBes Kids) and Chris Sanders (Lilo and Stitch). Several other of Asburys peers went on the win multiple Emmy awards and direct successful TV shows, The Simpsons among them.
At age 17 wrote a letter to The Walt Disney Studios asking how one becomes and artist on their staff. The Production Manager from that time was a Mr. Don Duckwall (actual name), who encouraged Asbury to submit drawing samples. Asbury did so and was then advised to gain training at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) near LA, which offers a degree in Character Animation. Asbury followed that advice and started at CalArts in 1980.
(May 2009) Living in Toronto, Canada for the production/animation phase of the CG-animated feature "Gnomeo and Juliet" (Disney/Miramax - coming spring 2011)
Living and working in London, England while directing a new animated epic called Gnomeo and Juliet.
(March 2010) Currently in Toronto, Canada directing the final months of animation, lighting and effects on "Gnomeo and Juliet" (now a Touchstone film), which, in late summer, will relocate back to London, England for 3-4 months of scoring and post-production. The movies release date has been set for February 11, 2011.
Currently residing in London, England until late December 2010 for the post-production phase of his new 3D/CG animated movie "Gnomeo and Juliet" (coming from Disney/Touchstone Feb. 11, 2011)
(February 2011) Living in Southern California
