Carlos Saldanha facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carlos Saldanha
Saldanha in 2017
Born	(1965-01-24) 24 January 1965 (age 60) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Alma mater	School of Visual Arts
Occupation	Film director film producer animator voice actor
Employer	Blue Sky Studios (1993–2021) Sony Pictures Entertainment (2021–2024) 20th Century Animation (2024–present)
Notable work	Ice Age: The Meltdown Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Rio Rio 2 Ferdinand Harold and the Purple Crayon
Spouse(s)	Isabella Scarpa
Children	4
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Carlos Saldanha (born January 24, 1965) is a talented Brazilian animator, director, producer, and voice actor. He is famous for creating many popular animated movies. He worked with Blue Sky Studios for a long time until it closed in 2021.

Carlos Saldanha directed movies like Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009), Rio (2011), Rio 2 (2014), and Ferdinand (2017). He also co-directed Ice Age (2002) and Robots (2005). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2003 for Gone Nutty. In 2018, he was nominated for Best Animated Feature for his movie Ferdinand. His latest film, Harold and the Purple Crayon, was released in 2024.

Early Life and Education

Carlos Saldanha grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From a young age, he loved cartoons and drawing. When he was older, he first thought about studying computer science. He didn't think he could have a job in art.

However, he soon learned how computer-generated imaging was changing animation. This made him realize that art could be a career. He then joined the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City. He studied computer animation there. He knew right away that this was what he wanted to do.

One of his teachers saw his talent and encouraged him to get a master's degree. Carlos and his wife, Isabella Scarpa, decided to stay in New York for this. While at SVA, he made two short films that won awards. He also met his future directing partner, Chris Wedge, at SVA. Chris Wedge invited him to join his company, Blue Sky Studios. Carlos Saldanha earned his master's degree in Computer Art in 1993.

Carlos Saldanha's Career in Animation

When Blue Sky Studios was new, it made special effects and animated TV commercials. In 2002, Carlos Saldanha and Chris Wedge directed their first animated movie, Ice Age. The movie was a big hit.

After co-directing Robots in 2005, Carlos Saldanha directed Ice Age: The Meltdown by himself. This movie broke records for its opening weekend. He then directed Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs in 2009.

After directing three movies set in icy places, Carlos Saldanha wanted a change. His next project was the 2011 film Rio. This movie was set in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro. He felt it was important to show Rio accurately. He traveled to the city with other animators to capture its unique look. Rio earned a lot of money worldwide.

In 2012, Carlos Saldanha made a deal with 20th Century Fox. He would develop and produce animated and live-action movies for them. He started his own production company called BottleCap Productions in 2013. In 2014, he directed and co-wrote Rio 2.

For 2017, he directed Ferdinand, an animated movie based on a book. He also directed Harold and the Purple Crayon, which came out in 2024.

Personal Life

Carlos Saldanha and his wife, Isabella Scarpa, live in Hoboken, New Jersey. They have four children: Manoela, Sofia, Julia, and Rafael. Carlos, Isabella, and their oldest daughter enjoy running races together.

His daughters, Manoela and Sofia, have even done voice acting in his movies. They voiced a character called "Molehog" in Ice Age: The Meltdown. Sofia also voiced young Linda Gunderson in Rio.

Filmography

Feature films

Short films

Television

Awards and Nominations

Carlos Saldanha has received many awards and nominations for his work in animation. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Carlos Saldanha para niños