Michael Rianda (born December 25, 1984) is an American cartoonist, animator, 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.Variety "Mike Rianda Drills Down on Sony’s ‘Connected’"Animation Magazine "‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ Connects with Critics"Collider "‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ Director Reveals the Film Has a Secret Robot Language"
Early life and education Rianda was born on December 25, 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).
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, along with Jeff Rowe, he is the co-director of the Sony Pictures Animation film The Mitchells vs. the Machines, he also additionally provided the major voice role for Aaron Mitchell and the talking dog, Furbies, and the Wi-Fi enthusiast. The film was released on Netflix on April 30, 2021.
Filmography
Feature films YearTitleDirectorWriterOtherVoiceNotes2021The Mitchells vs. the MachinesAaron Mitchell / Talking Dog / Furbies / Wi-Fi EnthusiastDog Cop 7: The Final ChapterAaron Mitchell / Detective Aaron / Sarge / RickShort film2023Spider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseEzekiel Sims / Spider-Therapist, cameoProduction consultantTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant MayhemWants a Paycheck Goon / Chop Shop Boss / Ratatouille Guard
Television YearTitleWriterOtherVoiceNotes2012–2016Gravity 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 +AssociationYearCategoryWorkResultAcademy Awards2022Best Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the MachinesAnnie Awards2022Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the Machines2022Outstanding Achievement in Writing for an Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the MachinesHollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards2022Best FilmmakerThe Mitchells vs. the Machines2022Best ScreenplayThe Mitchells vs. the MachinesCritics' Choice Movie Awards2022Best Animated FeatureThe Mitchells vs. the MachinesBritish Academy Film Awards2022Best Animated FilmThe Mitchells vs. the MachinesBritish Academy Children's Awards2022Best Feature FilmThe Mitchells vs. the Machines
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