The Passion Of Saschka Unseld

In the world of animation, there are few better training-grounds than the hallowed halls of Pixar. Not only the outputter of endless CGI classics, the studio also has a reputation of cultivating the talents of its progeny – giving experienced animators a chance to direct their own shorts and hone their storytelling skills. From this pedigree comes Saschka Unseld, the newly appointed Creative Director of Passion NY and helmer of Pixar joy 'The Blue Umbrella'.

Joining Passion after six years of working at Pixar (being a founding member and partner at Studio Soi before that), the move sees Saschka take up the Creative Director mantel, expanding on the company's real-time puppeteering and helping to develop new styles and techniques in all three Passion studios. Adept at bridging technical and creative conversations, the role also allows him to continue to direct shorts, commercials and features.

We were big fans of Saschka's Pixar work and fascinated by the Creative Director role within a production house, so sat down with him to chat about the appointment.


You've just moved from Pixar to take up the role of Creative Director at Passion NY. How did that come about? When did you start talking to Passion?

I missed the seasons of the East Coast (The Blue Umbrella was a love declaration to the Hamburg rain I missed so dearly while living in California) and I missed the fast paced environment of commercials. I think I started talking with Passion in the beginning of Summer and we instantly clicked in what we want to achieve creatively.

The Creative Director role is one we're more used to seeing in agencies. What will the role entail?

It's about collaborating with the agency to help our studio and our directors achieve their creative vision for a given project. Often there is a phase in a project where we just help the agency on their initial pitch, even before a specific director is attached and it is of enormous use if there is someone on our side who leads that creative endeavor.


We're keeping our fingers crossed that your role overseeing the creative direction of the company won't prohibit you from directing yourself. Have you got any projects in the pipeline?

One of the great things at Passion, not unlike it was at Pixar, is that they encourage and support everyone's personal projects. I just wrapped principal photography on my new short and am writing a feature script. So yes, there are quite a few things in the pipe.

What was it about Passion that attracted you to the company?

I think it is the mutual understanding that creative vision and story should be king in any kind of filmic endeavor. There is a uniquely collaborative vibe at Passion that I want to make sure I foster there and that I think is key to everyone's growth as an artist.



How does the prospect of working on numerous short-form productions excite you? Is this a good time for the advertising industry?

I think advertising has always been, and currently is, a great place to be. Yes there are often struggled, competing visions and short production schedules, but if you have a strong idea and vision there are very few other places where you can create something amazing with such a large amount of resources in such a short amount of time.

We couldn't let you go without talking about your incredible animated short 'The Blue Umbrella' through Pixar. What was the process in getting that to screen?

The first part was just me by myself writing out tons of ideas that I had for shorts. I cut that list down to three that I pitched to the directors at Pixar and ultimately to John Lasseter (at Pixar you have to pitch three ideas). John and everyone else loved my pitch and so we started putting it into production.



The film takes photo-real animation to the next level. How did you achieve the effect? Is it something to do with textures/depth of field? It's seems like witchcraft to us!

A lot of it was observation of the world around us (how thick is metal, how can it be bend, how do objects age, what stories does their aging tell us) and then a focus and love for detail.

Is it a thrill to see your short play before a feature film? Were you pleased with the responses?

For a while when I saw a movie at the theatre, before the movie I went there to see started, I would sneak into the screening that showed Monsters University which my short played in front of - just to watch it with an audience. It never ceased to give me goose bumps and the thing I still remember most fondly was what a humbling feeling it is that people give your their time to listen to the story you tell them. And how beautiful it is to make people smile.



What does the future hold for you and Passion?

Lots of greatness and adventure.

Final question – did you swipe anything from Pixar as you left? Is there a Hamm or Jessie doll on your new desk?

Possibly.