Craig Bartlett
Craig Bartlett is an American animator, writer, producer, and voice actor, best known for creating the animated television series Hey Arnold! and Dinosaur Train. Here's a detailed overview:
Early Life and Education
Born in Seattle, Washington, Bartlett grew up with a passion for animation and storytelling. He attended Portland State University and later moved to California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where he studied animation under the mentorship of well-known animators like Eric Goldberg and Julio Soto Gurpide.
Career Beginnings
After graduating, Bartlett worked on various projects at Klasky-Csupo, an animation studio. His early work included contributing to shows like Rugrats, where he also met future collaborators.
Hey Arnold!
- Creation: In the early 1990s, Bartlett developed the character of Arnold Shortman for a series of clay-animated shorts. These shorts eventually led to the creation of the full series Hey Arnold!, which premiered in 1996.
- Content: The show followed the life of Arnold, a kind-hearted fourth-grader living in an inner-city boarding house with his grandparents, dealing with everyday childhood issues with a mix of humor and heartfelt storytelling.
- Impact: Hey Arnold! was praised for its realistic portrayal of urban life, complex characters, and tackling subjects like divorce, homelessness, and bullying.
- Revival: In 2017, Netflix released Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie, a feature-length continuation of the series, which Bartlett had been working on for years.
Dinosaur Train
After the conclusion of Hey Arnold!, Bartlett created Dinosaur Train, a preschool educational series. Launched in 2009, the show combines animation with live-action segments to teach children about dinosaurs, science, and natural history:
- Concept: The series follows a young Tyrannosaurus Rex named Buddy, who is adopted by a family of Pteranodons. They travel through time on a train to learn about different dinosaurs.
- Educational Value: It emphasizes scientific inquiry, historical accuracy, and promotes an understanding of evolution and geology.
Other Works
Bartlett has contributed to other projects, including:
- Storyboarding and directing for The Simpsons.
- Developing concepts for Nicktoons.
- Voice acting in various shows, often providing voices for minor characters in Hey Arnold!.
Recognition and Awards
Over his career, Craig Bartlett has received numerous awards and nominations:
- Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Children's Animated Program for Dinosaur Train.
- Humanitas Prize for Hey Arnold! for addressing social issues in children's programming.
- Annie Awards nominations for his work in animation.
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