Lorne Lanning
Co-Founder and President
Oddworld Inhabitants
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LORNE LANNING has 15 years
experience in computer graphics and digital media and is the co-founder
and president of video game development company Oddworld Inhabitants.
Lorne is on the board of directors for The Academy of Interactive
Arts and Sciences and also on the "advisory board to the president"
for the San Francisco Academy of Art College. He has a BFA from the
California Institute of the Arts and was also awarded an Honorary
Doctorate Degree from the San Francisco Academy of Art College.
Lorne's professional training and career began in the early 1980's
at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Here he studied photo-realism
and commercial illustration but ultimately felt his visions were being
constrained by the limitations of the still image. Lorne helped to
support himself through school by working as studio manager and assistant
painter to international fine artist, Jack Goldstein. The intellectual
depth of Goldstein's paintings and philosophy sparked Lorne to further
pursue his interests in technology, film, visual effects, storytelling,
and traditional and computer animation, by attending the California
Institute of the Arts in Valencia CA.
Lorne's fascination with high technology and its implications to future
mass media applications led him to pursue work with the TRW Visualization
Center in Redondo Beach, California. Here he worked as technical director
of computer animation on projects that visualized aerospace concepts
and applications such as the SDI (Star Wars) program.
Forever fascinated by the trail of high-end militaristic technology
as it trickled into the commercial entertainment sector, Lorne pursued
his interest by taking a position with Rhythm & Hues Studios in
Hollywood, CA. Lorne chose Rhythm & Hues because of the cutting
edge computer animated work they were doing in commercials, films,
station ID's, and with aerospace simulators for motion based ride
attractions. While at Rhythm & Hues he worked through several
career moves, which included roles of technical director, lead technical
director, art director, creative director, and visual effects supervisor.
Projects included network Station ID's and feature films, as well
as award winning commercials and motion based attractions for Euro-Disney,
MCA/Universal, the Worlds Fair, Universal-Japan, Mazda, and Reebok.
In 1994 he convinced long time computer graphics veteran Sherry McKenna
(winner of over 40 Clio awards and numerous international film and
television awards) to be the cofounder of a new video game development
company; Oddworld Inhabitants. Inspired by the nature of property
universes created by the likes of Tolkien, George Lucas, Jim Henson
and Walt Disney... Oddworld has since been dedicated to creating the
next generation of digital content by marrying traditional storytelling
and animation sensibilities within its uniquely odd interactive universe.
Their facility in San Luis Obispo, California has attracted top video
game and computer animation talent from around the world. Oddworld
is a consistent developer of hit games that have garnered over 4 million
units sold and over 80 industry awards including honors from illustration
fantasy annuals, international film festivals, and the music industry.
Oddworld has also co-produced two music video singles; both based
upon the Oddworld universe. The first single went on to attain platinum
record sales in Europe, while the second will be releasing in 2002.
Oddworld's current publishing partner is Microsoft.
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