Pinocchio by Guillermo del Toro received an Oscar nomination today, the first Oscar nomination for animation studio ShadowMachine. Producers Corey Campodonico and Alex Bulkley spoke to Deadline about their reactions.
“It’s an absolutely surreal moment,” says Bulkley. “Celebrating something is exciting to say the least.”
BOUND TOGETHER: 2023 Oscar nominations: complete coverage by Deadline
Bulkley and Campodonico were involved in the production of Pinocchio for 10 years, and they say they learned so much from directors Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson. “We are so happy to see Guillermo and Mark leading,” said Campodonico.
“Following Guillermo del Toro through the blaze of 1,000 days of production just doesn’t get much better,” says Bulkley.
Campodonico and Bulkley attribute the film’s huge appeal to del Toro’s unique style and heartwarming story. “It’s unique for many reasons,” says Campodonico, “but stylistically because it’s in stop motion and the interpretation is so Guillermo… The authenticity in the film is very easy to connect with – the very real human aspects of why we “We are here and what we are all looking for.”
“There is a kind of universal appreciation of life and death [in the film], and the short time we have together,” says Bulkley. “I think that emotional basis of storytelling resonated with people. Love is truly palpable in almost every frame. Netflix’s foresight to truly embrace and support Guillermo’s unique vision is simply amazing. Having such a strong vision for this adaptation and executing it is a testament to Guillermo and Mark as filmmakers.
While they can’t provide details on any new lineup or features, Campodonico and Bulkley say they’re excited about everything they have in development. “In this industry, nothing happens overnight,” says Campodonico. “These are the moments to celebrate, but it takes a lot of groundwork to get to those moments.”
“Never a dull day at ShadowMachine,” says Bulkley.
Author: Ryan Fleming
Source: Deadline
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
