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JamesCunningham

  • Animator
  • Director
  • Producer
James-Cunningham-Key-Profile.jpg

James Cunningham made a name for himself after creating a run of stylish CGI-animated shorts — from the Cannes-selected Infection, featuring massed syringes and walking hands, to acclaimed WWI tale Poppy. Cunningham continued stacking up awards during an eight year run teaching 3D animation at Auckland’s Media Design School.

 

Biography

James Cunningham believes that although animation is ultimately just a tool, it can be a very powerful tool — in allowing filmmakers the ability to craft exactly the images and angles they need to realise their vision.

Cunningham’s own career has seen him specialising in computer-generated imagery — be it full 3D animation, or visual effects added to live action. Since graduating from Auckland University's Elam School of Fine Arts in 1997, he has crossed back and forth between the stylised CGI images found in his own shorts, and the photorealistic kind used in live action commercials and movies.

Screenography

The Lord of the Rings - The Rings of Power
2022 - 2025 Visual Effects Art Designer Series
Prickly Jam
2019 Director, Writer, Editor Short film
As You Command
2018 Producer, Director, Writer Short film
The Dragon's Scale
2017 Director, Writer, Producer Short film
Kitten Witch
2016 Writer, Director, Producer Short film

Awards

2017 Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards (The Moas)
Nominated for Best Self-Funded Short Film: Accidents, Blunders and Calamities

2015 Show Me Shorts Film Festival (New Zealand)
Best Director: Accidents, Blunders and Calamities 

“Animation is all about distilling a subject down to its very essence. Great animation finds the heart of a subject and shows it clearly and simply for all to understand.”

— James Cunningham