A superb line up of amazing industry talents will gather again for two full-packed days at ICON MANILA 2018. This year’s line-up includes Wouter Tulp, Aaron Blaise, Jama Jurabaev, Joe Mateo and event co-organizer, Armand Serrano.
Wouter is a world renowned animation character designer, illustrator, painter, and design mentor currently working at Sony Pictures Animation. His film credits include THE STAR, THE SEVENTH DWARF, TRIPPEL TRAPPEL DIERENSINTERKLAAS, and HIGH IN THE CLOUDS. Wouter is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Aaron graduated from the Ringling College of Art & Design in 1989 from the Illustration program. He was then hired by Walt Disney Feature Animation where he spent 21 years helping to create some of the greatest animated films ever made. During that time, he worked as supervising animator on MULAN, POCAHONTAS, THE LION KING, ALADDIN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and RECUERS DOWN UNDER. In 2003 he was co-director of BROTHER BEAR for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. After Brother Bear, he helped to develop several projects but ultimately left Disney to pursue an opportunity back home in Florida. Aaron recently served as 2D Animation Supervisor and Character Designer for the THE BEAR AND THE HARE an advertisement loved by millions around the world. Currently, Aaron and his business partner, Nick Burch, are producing their first 2d animated short titled SNOW BEAR.
Jama is a professional concept artist, illustrator and matte painter currently working for movies and the game industry in London, UK. Originally from Tajikistan, Jama studied Aerospace Engineering but in his mid-twenties switched over to pursue his career in entertainment design. He is currently working at Lucasfilm, Ltd with film credits that include JURASSIC WORLD 2, READY PLAYER ONE,KONG: SKULL ISLAND, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE FINEST HOURS, PAN, AVENGERS – AGE OF ULTRON, X-MEN – DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.
Joe is a Filipino American animation artist based in California, USA. He is the Head of Story for Disney’s BIG HERO 6. He has been a seasoned animator and story artist with film credits that include Disney’s ZOOTOPIA, WRECK IT RALPH, TANGLED, BOLT, MEET THE ROBINSONS and POCAHONTAS.
Lastly, co-organizer Armand also studied Civil Engineering only to switch to a career in animation right after finishing college. He is a visual development artist and production designer for animated films and games. His film credits include RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, ZOOTOPIA, BIG HERO 6, THE ANIMAL CRACKERS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS, SURF’S UP, BROTHER BEAR, LILO AND STITCH, TARZAN, and MULAN. His game credits include works for Blizzard‘s World of Warcraft and Riot Games’ League Of Legends. Armand is based in California, USA.
Icon Manila 2018 will be held September 14 and 15 at the brand new, 900-seat Samsung Hall in Global City, right in the heart of beautiful Manila, Philippines. Tickets are available now at www.iconmanila.com.”
