Summary
David Soren (born April 19, 1973)[1][2] is a Canadian director, writer, voice actor, and storyboard artist at DreamWorks Animation. His most notable work are TV specials based on the Madagascar film franchise: Merry Madagascar and Madly Madagascar. He directed the 2013 animated feature film Turbo, which is based on his own original concept, as well as the 2017 animated film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie based on Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants book series.[3]
David Soren | |
|---|---|
 Soren at the 2017 Annecy International Animated Film Festival | |
| Born | April 19, 1973 |
| Alma mater | Sheridan College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Employer | DreamWorks Animation |
| Notable work | Turbo Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie Under the Boardwalk |
Early life and career edit
Soren was born in Toronto, Canada, was raised in Hamilton,[4] and graduated from Sheridan College. His final student project, an animated short film, Mr. Lucky, received many accolades, and was accepted into competition for the 1997 Academy Award. Before joining DreamWorks Animation, he worked at Toronto-based Nelvana as an animator and storyboard artist.
At DreamWorks, he worked as a story artist on Chicken Run, Shrek and Over the Hedge, and as head of story on Shark Tale.[5] In 2009, he directed and wrote his first film, a TV Christmas special, Merry Madagascar, followed by a 2013 TV Valentine's Day special, Madly Madagascar, also written and directed by Soren.[6]
Soren made his feature directorial debut in 2013, directing Turbo. It received mixed-to-positive reviews which won him an Annie Award for Directing in a Feature Production. He was also the creative consultant on its television series, Turbo Fast.
He voiced the muscle-sized baby Jimbo in The Boss Baby and directed his second feature film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie and voiced Tommy which is based on Dav Pilkey's comic books Captain Underpants, which the movie and books would later get adapted into an Netflix television series titled The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants. However, Soren was not involved with the show. He reprised his role as Jimbo in The Boss Baby's sequel, The Boss Baby: Family Business.
Soren directed a full-length feature film for Paramount Animation titled Under the Boardwalk.[7][8]
In February 2023, Radar Pictures acquired the rights to make a feature film based on Geronimo Stilton. The film is a co-production between Radar and Italian company Atlantyca Entertainment, which also produced the television series, with DreamWorks Animation veteran David Soren attached to write and direct and Anthony Tringali, Michael Napoliello and Maria Frisk set to produce under Radar Pictures.[9]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Road to El Dorado | Storyboard artist | |
| Chicken Run | Additional storyboard artist | ||
| 2001 | Shrek | Story artist | |
| 2004 | Shark Tale | Shrimp/Worm/Starfish #1/Killer Whale #2 | Head of story/actor |
| 2006 | Over the Hedge | Story artist | |
| 2008 | Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa | Lemur | Actor |
| 2010 | How to Train Your Dragon | Special thanks | |
| 2013 | Turbo | Worker Snail #1, Can't Tuck Snail, Gagné Crew Chief, Indy Network Executive, Newspaper Boy, Autotune Kid | Director/writer/actor |
| 2014 | Penguins of Madagascar | Special thanks | |
| 2017 | The Boss Baby | Jimbo | Actor/special thanks |
| Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie | Tommy | Director/additional screenplay material/actor | |
| 2019 | How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World | Special thanks (uncredited) | |
| 2021 | The Boss Baby: Family Business | Jimbo | Actor |
| 2023 | Under the Boardwalk | Yoga Crab | Director/writer |
| TBD | Geronimo Stilton | Director/writer |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Merry Madagascar | Lookout lemur/additional lemurs | Director/writer |
| 2010 | Neighbors from Hell | Josh Hellman | Actor |
| 2013 | Madly Madagascar[6] | Director/writer | |
| 2013–2016 | Turbo FAST | Creative consultant |
References edit
- ^ D. Allan, Marc (May 17, 2013). "TURBO: Can This Little Guy Save IndyCar?". Indianapolis Monthly. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ "David Soren Biography and Filmography". Tribute. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
- ^ "Dreamworks Animation is Off to the Races with High-Octane Cast for Turbo In 2013". DreamWorks Animation. February 24, 2012. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ^ "David Soren bio: Turbo Director". Tribute. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
- ^ "David Soren: Voice of Josh Hellman". TBS. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
- ^ a b Hough, Matt (January 22, 2013). "Madly Madagascar DVD Review". Home Theater Forum. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 23, 2020). "'A Quiet Place II' & 'Top Gun: Maverick' Moving To 2021". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
- ^ "Under the Boardwalk and the Tiger's Apprentice Get Dated". Paramount Animation. July 23, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (13 February 2023). "Geronimo Stilton Set For Feature Adaptation As Radar Pictures Secures Rights & Taps 'Captain Underpants' Animator David Soren To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 February 2023.