People Behind the Pixels

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Kroyer Films

  • All
  • co-founder
  • pioneer
  • Tron
  • Kroyer Films was founded by Bill and Sue Kroyer in 1986, just before DOA went out of business. The company specialized in the use of 3D computer graphics, plotted out on paper as hidden surface line art to be colored and used along with traditionally created cel animation. Output was on an HP plotter, hooked up to an SGI 3130.

  • Output was on an HP plotter, hooked up to an SGI 3130. (A machine with only 4 megs of ram that cost $42,000 US!) The unique hybrid 3D/cel technique was used for the first time with futuristic motorcycles in the short-lived TV series UltraCross. (The show was canceled when the toy deal fell through.)

  • Pen plotter output

    Output was on an HP plotter, hooked up to an SGI 3130. (A machine with only 4 megs of ram that cost $42,000 US!) The unique hybrid 3D/cel technique was used for the first time with futuristic motorcycles in the short-lived TV series UltraCross. (The show was canceled when the toy deal fell through.)

  • With the method proven, and the time to spare, Kroyer and his team next produced the short film Technological Threat in 1988. The film realized the conflict and resolution of a traditionally animated character with that of a computer generated one. Great story telling, design and execution added up for an Academy Award-nomination for the film that year.

  • Technological Threat

    With the method proven, and the time to spare, Kroyer and his team next produced the short film Technological Threat in 1988. The film realized the conflict and resolution of a traditionally animated character with that of a computer generated one. Great story telling, design and execution added up for an Academy Award-nomination for the film that year.

  • The full length animated feature film FernGully: The Last Rainforest was completed on February 10th, 1990. Besides being a very enjoyable film for both kids and adults, the project was notable for several reasons. Backed by the Australian team that had made 'Crocodile Dundee', the entire production was accomplished in just two years from storyboards to premier. Kroyer ramped up from 15 to 200 people and in addition created 40,000 computer plotted cel frames to augment the bulk of the …

  • FernGully: The Last Rainforest

    The full length animated feature film FernGully: The Last Rainforest was completed on February 10th, 1990. Besides being a very enjoyable film for both kids and adults, the project was notable for several reasons. Backed by the Australian team that had made 'Crocodile Dundee', the entire production was accomplished in just two years from storyboards to premier. Kroyer ramped up from 15 to 200 people and in addition created 40,000 computer plotted cel frames to augment the bulk of the traditional animation.

  • Finally in 1994, studios began jumping on the feature animation bandwagon, but Kroyer by now had downsized considerably. Bill and Sue both decided to shut down their company and join the fledgling Feature Animation department at Warner Brothers for 'Quest For Camelot'. While that partnership would not last because of creative differences, the Kroyers were able to freelance and develop their own film project.

  • The End

    Finally in 1994, studios began jumping on the feature animation bandwagon, but Kroyer by now had downsized considerably. Bill and Sue both decided to shut down their company and join the fledgling Feature Animation department at Warner Brothers for 'Quest For Camelot'. While that partnership would not last because of creative differences, the Kroyers were able to freelance and develop their own film project.