Thursday, May 26, 2011

My role in Kung Fu Panda 2

Photo credit: Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation
Po (Jack Black) is joined by a group on bunnies during a wild rickshaw chase in
DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 to be released by Paramount on Thursday,
May 26, 2011.

Ok so I'm not in the movie... but a part of my personality is!!  How did that happen you ask??
Well my amazing brother Brad works for Dreamworks and he has been working on Kung Fu Panda 2 for over 2 years!

Brad & Julie


See this adorable face Aliyah is making??  Well Brad & I also happen to make that face.  I don't know how young we started doing it... but we did.  Even now as an adult you can sometimes find me making this face when I'm deep in thought without even realizing it!

© Karin Herman

There are a pair of bunnies in this restaurant scene that make our face!!  Brad tells me it's right before the image you see below.  This image shows off a section of the film that my brother worked on for quite some time at the beginning of the film.
Photo credit: Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation
(Center, left to right) Po (Jack Black) hugs his father, Mr. Ping (James Hong) in
DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 to be released by Paramount on Thursday,
May 26, 2011.
This image shows one of the new characters.  It amazes me how much work goes into character development & then the animation of all those feathers. Also wouldn't this make a beautiful quilt!!
Photo credit: Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation

The robes & clothing on the characters are amazing.  The effects artists studied actual textiles to make the animated ones appear as real as possible.  Brad & I often compare what it's like to design for Dreamworks with my quilt design process.
Photo credit: Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation

Over the years my brother has worked on many movies, music videos, commercials & more.  Sometimes he gets us t-shirts & other assorted items from the movies.  Here is Elijah last year rocking his Monsters vs. Aliens shirt with his How to train your dragon cape.
© Brad Herman

Thank you to DreamWorks Animation for allowing me to share some of these images with you!


Remember when I posted about when I grow up?  Well Brad & I both knew at young ages that we were creative.  He took a leap and moved to California at 17 to follow his dreams.  I was only 14 at the time and didn't see the big picture.  Looking back I know that many times I've had the courage to take big leaps because my brother did first & showed me it could work.  We are both very lucky to have incredibly supportive parents that have always supported us in following our dreams with creative careers.  It isn't always easy to make a living creatively, but with passion and hard work amazing things are possible.

My brother has always been my #1 cheerleader.
I love you Brad!

Brad & Elijah at the Long Beach Quilt Festival 2010


I'm seeing the movie tomorrow in 3D!!

I hope you enjoyed this peek at the movie & into my family life.



© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

39 comments:

Beth said...

That's really cool!

Sandy said...

What a great relationship you have with your brother! Wow is all I can say about his job...we really don't know what goes into making movies...let alone animation! When I see the movie with my grandkids I will look for those bunnies and their face!

Sunnybec said...

Hi Julie what a lovely story, thank you for sharing it with us. Linda :)

Joelle said...

Tres cool! Does he know my nephew, Eric Lees?

Sandy said...

Julie, a beautiful post to honor Brad's work & the passion you both have for your art! I am proud to be your Mom! Always so proud of both of you!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

there is no charge for awesomeness in your family! (deliberate movie reference - we loved Kung Fu Panda 1). That's so cool to come from a creative family and have all that support! Thanks for sharing all those images, I'll be looking for the pouty faces when the movie is out.

Deborah said...

A very heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing!
Deborah

Unknown said...

That really is awesome!
My 7 year old is so excited for the movie, she wrote it on our kitchen calender and has been counting down the days for over a month!
Can't wait to see "your" face this weekend!

Shayla Sharp said...

Too fun! I'll keep an eye out for "the face"!

DianeY said...

Really cool story! Your brother would be my grandson's hero! He told his teacher that they wouldn't be coming to Parent's nite because it was the day KungFu Panda II was opening! And he kicked his sister in the face practicing his moves! He is so connected to that movie!

WandaFish said...

Thanks for sharing this story, Julie. Wishing you and yours continuing success and satisfaction in your creative endeavours x

Anonymous said...

How is Elijah doing? No family post is complete without an update on him! I think of him every time I read one of your posts, so he is in my thoughts daily. Lots of love going his way.(and being in the San Diego area it doesn't have far to go 8-)

Shannon said...

I make that face too! (my dad and daughter as well) Always when in thought! Sometimes without a though in my skull.! (and when swimming underwater cause it keeps my nose plugged!) lol, Funny! I will look for the movie :)

Eric Lees said...

Hey Joelle!
Yup, Brad and I know each other now:)
Small world!
Love,
Eric

BendingPins.com said...

I worked painting cells in a traditional animation studio in the 80's in Toronto, Canada. So much has changed since then! It was a wonderful environment with so many creative people in one place. The animators would often put each other into crowd scenes so I know what you're talking about, how fun!

Anne said...

I enjoyed reading about you and your brother, Julie. Congratulations to both of you!

Amanda Murphy said...

Now you are famous both inside the quilting world and out of it! Maybe if you are extra-nice to Elijah he will let you borrow his dragon cape sometime. Congrats on the movie debut - this post makes me smile!

Joelle said...

Yup- way small world. But I don't know Brad or Julie- I just follow her blog and love my nephew, Eric (cash that birthday check). Get Kim into this blog. Thanks for being the facilitator, Julie.

The Village Quilter said...

What a great story! Your pride & admiration for your big brother is wonderful! Hope to get out this weekend to see the movie myself!

Beth said...

I have a couple of former students who work at Dreamworks! Small world (or probably more like, small industry). I know they are all excited about the movie!

mascanlon said...

Such a lovely post on so many levels julie. There is nothing like family. I do love the last photo at the quilt festival...I remember those big grins, colorful shirts and especially the boots in July!

rachel griffith said...

a freaking viking dragon cape.
jealous.

{and ummm brad - you're my hero - it's because of YOU that my kids are occupied while i quilt & talk to your sister on the phone. my kids LOVE dreamworks!!! <--this is not a suck up statement btw. HA.}

Mapa said...

I would LOVE to make a quilt like the robe on that bird! Beautiful. Thanks for sharing your photos, fabric, and funny faces.

Brakmack said...

:-)

Lara said...

That is just too cool Julie. My boys love Kung Fu Panda. Can't wait for number 2 to be released here in NZ.

Kimberly said...

I do love Dreamworks movies and so did all my 4 kids! That is great! I know you are proud of him and you should be proud of yourself..(love the creative you guys have) I know my 4 kids even the 6thgrader can"t wait to see the movie..Only thing they know they have to wait alittle longer cuz we tried to go see the open closed caption or wait until come dvd..I am deaf...But I did took them to see How to train a Dragon without OC..but it was worth it!!! Thanks for sharing..I feel so exciting for you guys!!

Nicole Morris said...

You both landed in a great place, where you get to play all day. LOL, I know its a lot of hard work but in the end you do what you love. Pics of the kids are adorable by the way.

Nicole Morris said...

By the way - Great job on the videos for Robert Kaufman and your jaybird tutorials as well. Love it!

Patricia Lessell said...

This is the first post I think I have read of yours. It is truly wonderful. I loved all the pictures and especially the story of your and your brother and your children who are both absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing so much of you wish us, your reading public.
Love
Patti xxx

Kelly said...

We watched it today, I think it is the third time my boys have been to the theater in their entire lives (ages 7 and 4 yo). It was GREAT! DH laughed out loud about twenty times, and for him that is the highest praise. Your brother and all the folks at dreamworks did a fantastic job on the film!

Angela {fussycut} said...

this made me so happy to see! i took my 3yo and 5yo boys to watch the movie yesterday, and it was wonderful. I liked it more than the first! Kudos to your brother. :)

Kim said...

Who knew! that is so cool......:0)
Tell us all about the movie.....loved the 1st one its so cute.

Happy Sewing

VickiT said...

How awesome. I can't wait to see that movie myself. I guess I'm just a big kid at heart because I love Kung Fu Panda!

So? How was the movie? Did you see yourself in there?

Handmade aJ said...

Saw it, loved it, totally remember the face!

Everyday Quilter said...

Saw it, loved it! Now I love it even more!

KarrieLyne said...

First, I think you should have taken a picture of you making that face and posted that along with the little one..heehee!

Second, I totally missed that part in the movie! Bummer. Congrats though! :)

Vesuviusmama said...

How exciting! You two certainly are creative superstars!

Marci Girl said...

We went to see this movie this past weekend and took our 3 year old son. We loved it, and for the last 1/4 of the movie, he stood up and did as he calls it "karate" for the whole theater to see!

Amanda said...

Julie,
Saw this movie about a week ago with the fam & I wish I had read this first so I could've looked for the faces! We all loved the movie. I actually forced the kids to sit through the credits because I was enjoying the artwork so much (silly, I know!) I tried convincing them that there might be something after the credits, but they didn't buy it. Great job Brad & Dreamworks!