Howdy,
My name is Daniel Zettl and I’m an Animation Supervisor/ Lead Animator. I’ve worked on a boat load of animated and live action feature films, commercials and tv series in the UK and Germany. Six years ago I joined Weta for James Cameron’s Avatar. After The Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Hobbit Trilogy and multiple other VFX productions I became Animation Supervisor and have just wrapped up my first project, Steven Spielberg’s The Big Friendly Giant for Weta Digital.
My passion lies in creating new and original characters, with unforeseen fresh mannerisms and locomotion. I strive for good design and an emotionally honest and deep reaction from the audience. What excites me most is a chance to spin an idea further or explore alternative choices. Learning is a hobby of mine, a passion I would say.
In the past years I have had the great luck to be responsible for many key character shots throughout several productions. The process of establishing general acting choices and character traits, bouncing this back and forth with the physical design and laying down the ground work to ensure strong continuity of a character throughout the show has become my personal preference in every production.
I’m currently travelling with my wife and our two power girls through the US, Canada, Europe and the UK. If you want to meet up and/or discuss upcoming projects I’d be happy to catch up!
Or just add me in League of Legends as 1happymeal XD
Thanks for reading! With questions or inquiries please hit me up under sayhitodanzettl@gmail.com
Cheers,
Dan
Work experience
Feature Film
| 2016 | The BFG Weta Digital, directed by Steven Spielberg, animation supervisor |
| 2015 | Fantastic Four Weta Digital, directed by Josh Trank, lead animator |
| 2014 | The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Weta Digital, directed by Peter Jackson, senior animator |
| 2013 | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Weta Digital, directed by Peter Jackson, senior animator |
| 2012 | Iron Man 3 Weta Digital, directed by Shane Black, senior animator |
| 2012 | Man of Steel Weta Digital, directed by Zack Snyder, senior animator |
| 2012 | The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Weta Digital, directed by Peter Jackson, senior animator |
| 2011 | The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn Weta Digital, directed by Steven Spielberg & Peter Jackson, senior animator |
| 2010 | Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Weta Digital, directed by Rupert Wyatt, senior animator |
| 2009 | The Lovely Bones
Weta Digital, directed by Peter Jackson, animator |
| 2009 | Avatar Weta Digital, directed by James Cameron, animator |
| 2007 | Dragon Hunters Trixter, directed by Guillaume Ivernel & Arthur Qwak, animator |
| 2006 | Lissi und der wilde Kaiser Scanline VFX, directed by Michael Herbig, animator |
| 2005 | Hui Buh – Das Schlossgespenst Trixter, directed by Sebastian Niemann, animator |
Commercials and Other
| 2010 | King Kong 360 3D (theme park ride) Weta Digital, directed by Peter Jackson, animator |
| 2008 | Bridgestone “Taters” (superbowl commercial) Framestore CFC, lead animator |
| 2008 | Westfield “New Light” (commercial) Framestore CFC, lead animator |
| 2008 | The Abbey Bank “Golden Acorn” (commercial) Framestore CFC, lead animator |
| 2008 | The Prince’s Rainforest Project “Frog” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | Friskies “Bobo” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | British Airways “Aquarium” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | Nissan “City Living” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | The Abbey Bank “Superkick” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | The Abbey Bank “Super Squirrels” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | The Chemical Brothers “Midnight Madness” (music video) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | Neotel “No Restrictions” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | Evonik (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | Specsaver “Eerie” (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | Bulmers (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2008 | Buxtons (commercial) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2007 | Primeval (Complete Season 2 – tv series) Framestore CFC, animator |
| 2007 | Animation Instructor at HTW, Dresden
Workshop in animation principles |
| 2003 | Storyboard/ Background-/ Prop Design/ 2D Animation Internship at Trixter Assistant storyboard artist Assistant prop designer Background designer for pitches Assistant animator on the 2D animated series “Hexe Lilly” |
Personal Info
| Skills | 13 years of character/creature animation experience Previs / Destruction FX Character TD skills (Rigging/Modelling/nCloth/FACS facials) Mel scripting for animation tools Compositing for animation Camera tracking for animation Concept Design Storyboarding |
| Software | Maya Nuke Shake Boujou Mel Flash Photoshop Windows & Linux-based systems |
| Hobbies | gaming, painting, skateboarding, surfing |
| Languages | German (native) English |
Teaching / Tutorials / Publications
- Teaching Animation at the Technical University Dresden, Germany (Principles of Animation)
- 3D Creative Magazine (issue #35) (Tutorial: Pose-to-Pose vs. Straight-ahead)
- Interview at the online animation school Anim School
- Interview at Mike Milo’s Animation Insider
- Interview at the german tabloid Die Welt
Specialities
- Character / Creature animation
- Facial animation
- Previs / Destruction FX
- Character Rigging incl. FACS facial setup
