Kung Fu Bunny ?

UPDATE: High-Res. HD Quicktime videos of the opening Dream sequence and the End Credit sequence of KFP have been posted here: The Art of the Title: Kung Fu Panda ------

A quick rough sketch , but I really am just using that as an excuse to direct your attention to this :

http://www.shinestudioclients.com/ShinePress/ShineKungFuPandaMovie.html

"Michael Riley, Shine’s creative director, composed images of traditional Chinese landscapes, calligraphy and 2D character animation set in a 3D landscape all choreographed to the classic Carl Douglas song “Kung Fu Fighting”; remixed by Cee-Lo Green, accompanied by Jack Black.

Riley’s concept included reprising the film’s main characters in original cell animations by finding them hidden in a gigantic Chinese calligraphy character.

This mix of disciplines required a tremendous collaboration between Shine, James Baxter Animation and the DreamWorks Animation team of animators, production designers and directors. "

The hand-drawn character animation in the end-credits was animated at Dreamworks Animation by these animators:

Panda: Gabriele Pennacchioli
Shifu: William Salazar
Tigress: Rodolphe Guenoden
Tai Lung: Philippe Le Brun
Mantis: Ken Morrissey
Viper: Rodolphe Guenoden
Crane: Simon Otto
Oogway: Ken Morrissey
Dad (Duck): Alessandro Carloni
Messenger Goose and Rhino: Pierre Perifel
Monkey: Gabe Hordos

Animation drawing by Gabriele Pennacchioli - 

The movie Kung Fu Panda opens with a brilliant 2D animated sequence (animated by James Baxter Studio)  and is bookended by the end credit sequence (animated by DWA) which reprises the look of the opening 2D dream sequence.   Be sure to click the link above to view the end credit sequence as a high-quality Quicktime. 

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UPDATE:

Bonus !  Now MSN Movies has posted the complete Opening Dream Sequence animated by James Baxter Studios.

Kung Fu Panda Opening Dream Sequence




Dream Sequence Production -

Storyboard and Direction by Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Animation Director - James Baxter
Asst. Animation Director- Chris Sonnenburg

Producer - Hameed Shaukat
General Manager - Kendra Baxter

Key Clean-Up Artist - Helen Michael
Rough In-Betweener/Asst. Clean-Up - Raymond Flores Fabular

Compositors - Jason Brubaker , Erik Tillmans
Color Models - Claire Williams
Ink & Paint - Tina Staples
Line Art Scanner - Marisa Ledina

Accounting- Lauren Matthews-Hill

Comments

[Tim Hodge]

Brilliant, brilliant brilliant!

Thanx for posting, Dave!

Enough Talk! Now we fight!

[Shephard]

Dave, thanks for the comment. B says hi. :) Kellie was just out here last week and your name always comes up when they start talking about talented animators.

The studio is currently working on ideas for a 2nd 2D film (after Princess/Frog). So, there's hope for the return of hand-drawn. Everyone's crossing their fingers.

~Shephard

[Naré-Krel Lis]

Hello David,
I just found your fascinating blog. I'm currently an animation student(emphasis on drawing and 2d) at AAU.
I just saw Kung Fu Panda yesterday at the Metreon and I was very surprised by the ending credit animation. I was extremely happy when I was able to watch it again here.
I also went to the Powell building yesterday because I was curious about an educational discount for TVPaint. I was told to contact TVPaint but also you. Not so long ago I saw that AAU students could get a TVPaint student discount, but now it requires a code.
Is there still a discount for AAU students?
-Naré

[Douglas Ferreira]

This Kung Fu Panda dream sequence was indeed a dream!amazing animation!
I happen to know mr Rune Benicke,and he is always telling me about the Key Cl-up you did on brother bear,I am glad I found your blog,I will be adicted,that's for sure!
best wishes David!

[Robert Dress]

WOW!

[Thea]

Hi!
We are looking for a character designer/ animator who could help us on an animated character (a raccoon) that we use to make pre-school activities accessible to children with a hearing impairment. If you would be interested in helping us out, please e-mail us at: [email protected]
Thank you,
Thea Eaton

[buddy]

I can exist without animation but I cannot live without it.
I'm your big fan.

[Michael Andrews]

I cam to this page randomly..but i love the artwork, unfortunately the lin is down now but I am a year late.
all the best.

[Kung fu shoes]

Yeah, i see the link is down too..oh well, great artwork.