Jonathan DEL VAL
Director and Animation Director
Graduated from the Georges Méliès School in 2003, section Artisan of the Animated Image, Jonathan Del Val honed his skills by working notably on French Roast, nominated for the 2010 Oscar for Best Animated Short Film. In 2008, he joined Mac Guff, one of the leading studios for digital visual effects in Europe, and participated as an animator in several films produced by Illumination Entertainment for Universal Pictures: Despicable Me and its sequel, The Lorax, and Minions. Co-director at Illumination since 2016, he directed the animation for The Secret Life of Pets and The Grinch before transitioning to directing in 2019 alongside Chris Renaud on The Secret Life of Pets 2
For animation, it's essential to have an education in movement and the principles of body mechanics to understand how the body and physics work. But it's the human dimension that must be taken into account. In my opinion, one must give of oneself, be ready to immerse oneself in one's environment in order to be able to translate it through the digital medium. This human dimension is what differentiates one animator from another. His journey, curiosity, passion, hobbies, and the way he views the world around him will lead him to approach the challenges of his work in a personal and unique way. Thus, one needs openness, curiosity, and above all, a passion for the art of expression and movement. Let's not forget that our job is to communicate emotions, forces, feelings We must highlight the artistic and creative sensitivity that is unique to each of us.