Ottawa animator makes mark on latest Disney film Zootopia

Disney's latest animated feature Zootopia features the work of an Ottawa artist who says he always dreamed of working for the Magic Kingdom. 

Trent Correy's mother was also an artist, so he began practicing his craft at an early age, attending summer art camps and participating in an animation course. 

A graduate of Algonquin College, Correy has won two Oscars, most recently for his work on the movie Big Hero 6. 

Set sights on Disney 

Correy told Ottawa Morning working for Walt Disney Animation Studios was a goal he set for himself early in life — a goal he finally fulfilled in 2012. 

"I really just wanted to work in the industry and get paid for drawing. That was kind of my original goal," he said. "As I started working, I just set my mind to Disney and I can't believe it actually happened. I still kind of pinch myself every time I walk in the door."

Top movie companies such as Pixar, Sony and Dreamworks also attract top artistic talent. But Correy says Disney was the only place he ever wanted to be.

"It was just always Disney for me. It has something to do with growing on great Disney films of the 90s," he said. "I grew up on Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid. These were all big parts of my childhood."

Canadian content

Correy wasn't the only Canadian whose work is featured in Zootopia. 

The film also includes the voice of CBC-TV's The National host Peter Mansbridge, cast as animal anchor "Peter Moosebridge" in the film. 

Correy said he would have loved to animate Mansbridge's character, "just to say that two Canadians contributed in the same scene." 

The next film to feature Correy's animation will be Moana, set to be released in November.