Norton Virgien
Birth Name:
Norton Virgien
Profession
Director, Animation department, Producer, Art department, Assistant director, Writer, Visual effects
Fast Facts
- Was chosen as an adjudicator for the Kerry Film Festival in 2011
- Won an award for Best Director of Animation or Daytime Series at the 1997 World Animation Celebration for the "Rugrats" episode "Naked Tommy․"
- Started his career in family entertainment as an animator, eventually moving into directing and producing
- Quote: "The richest way to enjoy family entertainment is with the whole family․ We want to make a movie that has a lot for parents and kids to laugh at together․"
- Quote: "What inspires me about doing family entertainment is the thought that each of these films we are doing will be the first movie someone falls in love with․"
- Has worked with voice actor Tim Curry on several projects, including "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!" and admires his high energy performances
- Known for his involvement as a director and producer with children's animated cartoons and movies, notably those in the "Rugrats" franchise
- Worked for the Brown Bag Films production company
- Grew up listening to the Beach Boys, so he was excited when band member Brian Wilson agreed to perform a song for his movie "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!"
- Tried to keep both the characters and animation style of "Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey" close to the spirit of the original books
Awards
- 1981Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
- 1992Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Winner
- 1993Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program:Nominated
- 1994Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Children's Program:Winner
- 1997Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less):Nominated
- 1997WAC Winner - Best Director of Animation for a Daytime Series:Winner
- 2007Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Special Class Animated Program:Winner
- 2013BAFTA British Academy Children's Award - Children's International in 2013:Nominated
- 2014BAFTA Children's Award - Best International:Nominated
- 2016Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Pre-School Children's Animated Program:Nominated
- 2020Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series:Nominated
- 2020Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Series:Nominated