Preston Stutzmanis a film producer and actor. He produced the 1999 independent filmChillicothe,which was screened at theSundance Film Festivaland the 2005 independent animated filmHoodwinked!,which was one of the first computer-animated films to be completely independently funded. He also performed the minor role of Timmy inHoodwinked!
Preston Stutzman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Preston Stutzman |
| Alma mater | Anderson University |
| Occupation(s) | Film producer, actor |
| Spouse | Ela Stutzman |
| Children | Jacob Tyler Stutzman |
Early life
editStutzman grew up in Ohio and graduated fromAnderson Universityin 1992 with degrees inComputer ScienceandMarketing.While at Anderson University, he befriended fellow studentsCory EdwardsandTodd Edwardsthrough involvement in the on-campus comedy show "Cheap Thrills".[1]
Career
editAfter graduation, Stutzman got a job at bookpublishingcompany Warner Press, but left to be in charge of marketing forBlue Yonder Films,a filmproduction companyfounded by the Edwards brothers. Though the company started out by producingcommercials,it produced the short filmSwanky Nightsin 1996, and then the 1999independent filmChillicothe,on which Stutzman served as a producer. The film was directed by Todd Edwards, and premiered at theSundance Film Festival.The three then moved to Los Angeles, where Stutzman took on aneditingjob for theGame Show Network,while they looked for funding for new projects[1]Sue Bea Montgomery,who had served as anassociate produceronChillicothe,introduced the three toentrepreneurand inventorMaurice Kanbar,who had invested in their film. Though Kanbar expressed disinterest in the live-action projects that they pitched to him, he grew excited after seeingWobots,an animated short film that Cory had made, and proposed the idea of making an animated feature that put a twist on a familiarfairy tale.The brothers came up with the idea of tellingLittle Red Riding Hoodas a police investigation, and Kanbar agreed to fully finance the film, before they had even shown him a finished script.[2][3] The film, titledHoodwinked!,was directed by Cory Edwards, Todd Edwards, andTony Leech,and Stutzman and Montgomery both served as producers on the film. Stutzman also took on a minor role, playing the part of Timmy. It was one of the first computer-animated films to be fully independently funded,[4][5] and due to its small budget, its animation was produced inManila, Philippines.[6] The film was released in 2005, receiving mixed reviews,[7]and earning over $110 million worldwide.[8]
Personal life
editStutzman met his wife Ela in 2003, while working onHoodwinked!in Manila, and married her in 2007. They moved toVancouver,where their child Jacob Tyler was born.[9] They then moved toFort Myers, Floridain 2010 to be near Preston's sister Trinda and brother-in-law Mike. While there, Preston worked as a director of production and video producer/editor atNext Level Churchand Ela worked as a nurse. In early 2012 they moved with Trinda and Mike to Tennessee to help plant Story Church.[9]
References
edit- ^abDeborah Lilly (2006)."Alumni Rendition of Red Riding Hood hits the big screens".anderson.edu.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2012.RetrievedJuly 2,2012.
- ^J. Paul Peszko (May 11, 2004)."Hoodwinked: Anatomy of an Independent Animated Feature".Animation World Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 21,2013.
- ^J. Paul Peszko (May 11, 2004)."Hoodwinked: Anatomy of an Independent Animated Feature Page 2".Animation World Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2012.RetrievedMarch 24,2012.
- ^Jason Anders (January 26, 2009)."A Conversation with Cory Edwards".fullecirclestuff.blogspot.RetrievedJune 29,2012.
- ^Cory Edwards (January 29, 2009)."Interview with Fulle Circle".coryedwards.RetrievedJune 29,2012.
- ^J. Paul Peszko (May 11, 2004)."Hoodwinked: Anatomy of an Independent Animated Feature Page 3".Animation World Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2012.RetrievedJune 29,2012.
- ^HoodwinkedatRotten Tomatoes
- ^"Hoodwinked Box Office Mojo".boxofficemojo.RetrievedJune 2,2012.
- ^ab"Our Story".storychurchtn.RetrievedJanuary 21,2013.