New Zealand Animation/VFX Company Toybox Hires Bruce Carter & Leoni Willis
Bruce Carter, Creative Director and former Head of Film and TVC Visual Effects at Animal Logic, has joined Auckland based animation, VFX & post company Toybox.
Bruce has worked alongside a number of international award-winning directors, producers, film studios, production companies and advertising agencies throughout the world and led diverse, multi-disciplined teams producing work across a range of award winning projects. Film and television credits include 300 by Zack Snyder, Oliver Stone’s World Trade Centre, Verizon Mercy and Comcast Rabbit by Noam Murro.
Most recently Bruce has been focussed on the development of feature film, television and new media projects as part of Animal Logic’s development group.
In his new role Bruce will lead the Toybox team to build creative opportunities and strategic relationships across the television, film and entertainment industries.
“The media world is shape changing almost daily, with the lines between design, art, fashion, advertising, games and film being blurred and distorted in all kinds of exciting ways. New Zealand is known for innovative talent and TOYBOX is no exception. With an amazing core group of artists and advanced technical infrastructure, Toybox offers end to end creative solutions across all media. The opportunity to return to New Zealand and work with the Toybox team was too good to pass up”
Joining Bruce at Toybox is leading VFX Artist Leoni Willis. After 15 years as Senior VFX Supervisor and Lead Compositor in TVC at Animal Logic in Sydney, Australia, Leoni has returned home to Auckland.
Leoni has supervised and composited many high profile, award winning projects. With a background in design, she brings a wealth of ideas, creativity and knowledge, which are ever present in her speedy compositing skills. Her credits include work with directors Baz Lurhman, Alex Proyas, Noam Murro, Steve Rogers, Bruce Hunt, Graeme Burfoot, Steve Ayson – to name just a few.
Says Leoni, “I’m looking forward to working with Bruce and the team at Toybox. Colourist Pete Ritchie and Animation director Andrew Newland are leaders in their fields and I’m confident that through sharing ideas and expertise we’ll be able to create some great work together.”
Nanette Miles of Toybox says “We are really thrilled about Bruce and Leoni coming on board. Leoni’s strong ability to collaborate with directors throughout a project, from initial preproduction to on-set VFX supervision, and work closely with our 3D department, will further strengthen our team. Bruce has a terrific reputation and his experience and commitment to creative excellence will ensure a strong creative culture at Toybox.”
