Bobby Pontillas went to see Disney’s animated film Tarzan in 1999 and was blown away by the groundbreaking visuals. Since then, Bobby has been determined to make an impact in the animation industry, and is committed to share his unlimited energy and infectiously positive perspective to every project. Bobby brings a wealth of artistic experience, having worked on a slew of productions at Blue Sky and Disney, he inspires the crew to expand their artistic horizons on a daily basis. Bobby hopes to steward an era of change to the visual styles of modern cinema.
Andrew Chesworth grew up passionate about drawing, reading, music, and movies. Disney’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit made a definitive impression on Andrew for its quintessential movie magic. Chesworth’s love for both the liberal arts and the visual arts defined his decision to pursue a career in animation. His diverse experiences directing short films and commercials in CG, 2D, and stopmotion, as well as many years animating for Disney, define his broad artistic taste. Chesworth believes that stories worth telling can inspire people of any culture or background.
“One Small Step is a thank you to my mother, Corazon Pontillas, who supported me in my pursuit of being an artist. All of us here at Taiko have worked hard to chase a dream, but none of that would’ve been possible without the support of our family and friends. My mother came to the United States from the Philippines to make her dreams happen, and that’s inspired me more than she knows to persist after mine, even if I wasn’t always the most grateful son. It was the honor of my life to get to work with the Taiko crew and tell our stories. I consider them both friends and family that supported me to live this dream.” -Bobby Pontillas
“One Small Step is our love letter to everyone who chased that impossible dream, and the family that supported them through it. Our story follows the relationship between Luna, a young Chinese American girl who aspires to be an astronaut, and her hardworking immigrant father. We wanted to reflect on the real and personal costs of Luna’s ambitions. Her relationships to her goals and her father change as life presents new realities. Dreams that seed in our hearts when we are young take on new meaning with experience and age. That core sentiment has defined my deep connection to this film. I’m so thankful to have been on this journey with such a sincere group of artists and dreamers. Luna’s story is filled with the rich life experiences of the talented, diverse team here at Taiko Studios. We are thrilled to share it with the world!” – Andrew Chesworth
FEEDBACK Animation Film & Screenplay Festival 