Normand Roger and Eunice Macaulay will receive the Winsor McCay Award at the Annie Awards on February 8, in recognition of their outstanding careers in animation. Both artists were key figures at the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).
Normand Roger is a composer and sound designer
Normand Roger, a composer and sound designer from Montreal, began his career as a freelance composer for the NFB in 1971. Primarily recognized for his work in animation, he has composed for some of the most important names in Canadian animation, such as:
- Claude Cloutier
- Paul Driessen
- René Jodoin
- Caroline Leaf
The films Roger has worked on have won hundreds of awards and received 13 Oscar nominations, including 6 wins.
Eunice Macaulay is a pioneer in animation
Eunice Macaulay, born in England, had a 17-year career at the NFB, where she held nearly every position in animation. She joined the NFB full-time in 1973, and her most notable achievements include:
- Co-writing and co-directing the Oscar-winning short film Special Delivery (1978) with John Weldon.
- Co-writing the Oscar-nominated short Paradise (1984) by Ishu Patel.
- Oscar nomination as producer of the animated short George and Rosemary (1987) by Alison Snowden and David Fine.
- Development of the Just for Kids short film series for children.
Eunice Macaulay passed away in 2013 and will receive the award posthumously.
Impact of their legacy
This recognition highlights the invaluable contribution of both artists to the world of animation and their impact within the NFB. Throughout their careers, Normand Roger and Eunice Macaulay left an indelible mark on the industry, both through their individual talent and their ability to influence the development of new generations of animators.