Mike Rianda Explained

Michael Rianda
Birth Name:Michael Rianda
Birth Date:17 June 1984
Birth Place:Salinas, California, U.S.
Alma Mater:California Institute of the Arts (BFA)
Credits:The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Years Active:2008–present

Michael Rianda (born June 17, 1984) is an American cartoonist, director, screenwriter, and voice actor. He is known for his work on Gravity Falls as a creative director and writer for season 1, and creative consultant for season 2. He is also known for directing, co-writing, and co-starring his feature directorial debut The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Early life and education

Rianda was born on June 17, 1984, in Salinas, California. He attended the California Institute of the Arts after he "drew and said amusing things" in school, studying character animation. Rianda also started writing and directing two short films at the animation school titled Everybody Dies in 90 Seconds (2008) and Work (2010).[5]

Career

He became a creative director and writer on the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel animated television series Gravity Falls until his departure in 2013. Mike also voiced Lee, Thompson, Mr. Poolcheck, and additional voices. Rianda later returned and served as a creative consultant for its second season.

In 2021, he directed and co-wrote, along with Jeff Rowe, The Mitchells vs. the Machines,[6] in which he also voiced Aaron Mitchell. The film was released on Netflix on April 30, 2021.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleDirectorWriterOtherVoiceNotes
2021The Mitchells vs. the MachinesAaron Mitchell / Talking Dog / Furbies / Wi-Fi Enthusiast
2023Ezekiel Sims / Spider-Therapist
cameo
Production consultant[7]
Wants a Paycheck Goon / Chop Shop Boss / Ratatouille Guard

Television

YearTitleWriterOtherVoiceNotes
2012–2016Gravity FallsLee, Thompson, Mr. Poolcheck, Additional VoicesCreative director (season 1)
Creative consultant (season 2)
2021Inside JobConsultant (episode: "Unpresidented")
2022AmphibiaSpecial thanks (episode: "The Hardest Thing")

Awards and nominations

!Association!Year!Category!Work!Result!
Academy Awards2022Best Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the Machines[8]
Annie Awards2022Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the Machines[9]
2022Outstanding Achievement in Writing for an Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the Machines[10]
Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards2022Best FilmmakerThe Mitchells vs. the Machines
2022Best ScreenplayThe Mitchells vs. the Machines[11]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards2022Best Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the Machines[12]
British Academy Film Awards2022Best Animated FilmThe Mitchells vs. the Machines[13]
British Academy Children's Awards2022Best Feature FilmThe Mitchells vs. the Machines[14]

Notes and References

  1. Variety "Mike Rianda Drills Down on Sony’s ‘Connected’"
  2. Web site: Escandon. Rosa. Director Mike Rianda Talks New Movie 'The Mitchells Vs. The Machines'. Forbes. April 26, 2021. May 4, 2021.
  3. Animation Magazine "‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ Connects with Critics"
  4. Collider "‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ Director Reveals the Film Has a Secret Robot Language"
  5. Web site: MICHAEL RIANDA Sony Pictures Animation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506071926/https://stg.sonypicturesanimation.com/our-team/filmmakers/michael-rianda . May 6, 2023 . 2023-05-06 . stg.sonypicturesanimation.com.
  6. Web site: Mike Rianda On The Six-Year Journey Of The Mitchells Vs. The Machines. 2021-07-09. theplaylist.net.
  7. Web site: Sony Pictures Animation . April 4, 2023 . .@michaelrianda cinematic universe . April 5, 2023 . Twitter.
  8. Web site: Lewis . Kimberly Nordyke,Hilary . Nordyke . Kimberly . Lewis . Hilary . 2022-02-08 . Oscars: Full List of Nominations . 2023-01-18 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  9. Web site: Hipes . Patrick . 2022-03-13 . Annie Awards: 'The Mitchells Vs. The Machines', 'Arcane' Dominate; 'Flee' Takes Best Indie Film – Full Winners List . 2023-01-18 . Deadline . en-US.
  10. Web site: Hipes . Patrick . 2022-03-13 . Annie Awards: 'The Mitchells Vs. The Machines', 'Arcane' Dominate; 'Flee' Takes Best Indie Film – Full Winners List . 2023-01-18 . Deadline . en-US.
  11. 1410632485650636805. HCAcritics. The 2021 #HCAMidseasonAwards Winner for Best Screenplay is... The Mitchells vs. The Machines (Netflix / Sony Pictures Animation) - Michael Rianda & Jeff Rowe. July 1, 2021. January 18, 2023. https://twitter.com/hcacritics/status/1410632485650636805.
  12. Web site: Hammond . Pete . 2021-12-13 . Critics Choice Awards Film Nominations Led By 'Belfast' And 'West Side Story' . 2023-01-18 . Deadline . en-US.
  13. Web site: Ravindran . Manori . 2022-02-03 . BAFTA Awards Nominations Unveiled: 'Dune,' 'Power of the Dog' Lead Field, Will Smith Earns First BAFTA Nod . 2023-01-18 . Variety . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2022-11-27 . BAFTA's Children & Young People Awards 2022 - Winners . 2023-01-18 . www.bafta.org . en.