DisneyExaminer

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

Exclusive Zootopia art from Thai Disney story artist shows Nick and Judy in Southeast Asian landmarks

  • by Michelle Pagaran
  • in Walt Disney Studios
  • — 17 May, 2016

In celebration of Asian Pacific American heritage month, we are highlighting one of the artists from Southeast Asia who was behind Disney’s hit Zootopia! Her name is Fawn Veerasunthorn.

Walt Disney Animation Studios story artist, Fawn Veerasunthorn, at her desk (c) The Nation

As a story artist whose role was to visualize scripts into panels of drawings, Veerasunthorn relates to protagonist Judy Hopps in trying to pursue her dream.

“She has to leave her family for the first time to go for her big job in the city. Coming to the states, I wasn’t really sure if I can actually follow my dream. So, I kind of understand what she was going through. It took me a couple of tries before I got to Disney,” said Veerasunthorn.

Veerasunthorn, a graduate from Columbus College of Art and Design, began her career at Walt Disney Animation Studios four years ago working on Frozen. She had dropped out of med school in Thailand to pursue her dream as a Disney animator.

“People here are very talented and they let us learn something new all the time. We need to learn far more than just animation techniques. We also need knowledge about all sorts of different things to be able to create a good story. For ‘Zootopia’ we had to learn about animals, for ‘Frozen’ we had to study the science of ice and now we’re looking at the culture and life of the South Pacific islands for the upcoming project ‘Moana,’ Veerasunthorn said in an interview to The Nation.

Veerasunthorn was assigned to the project by Josie Trinidad, Head of Story, to storyboard the exposition of the movie, particularly Judy Hopps’ childhood as she grows up in Bunny Borrows, and develops her aspirations to become a cop in Zootopia. Indeed, Veerasunthorn was the story artist behind the scene where Judy says goodbye to her parents and siblings.

“Josie told me to think of my feelings when I said goodbye to my parents at the airport on my way to study animation,” said Veerasunthorn.

When Zootopia had its global release, a special line of artwork created by Veerasunthorn was released showing Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps in famous Southeast Asian landmarks including Malaysia, Philippines, and her very own Thailand. What a great way to reimagine the bustling Zootopian urban landscape into different cities!

Check them out below:

Zootopia’ characters pose in front of Malaysia’s Petronas Towers. (Art by Fawn Veerasunthorn/Disney)

Zootopia’ characters riding a Philippine jeepney. (Art by Fawn Veerasunthorn/Disney)

Zootopia’ characters ride a Thai tuktuk. (Art by Fawn Veerasunthorn/Disney)

Like what you see here on DisneyExaminer? Help support us grow and be rewarded with even more content and experiences by becoming a DisneyExaminer Patron!

print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Share

— Michelle Pagaran

Writer at DisneyExaminer. Seeking adventure in the great wide somewhere and lover of all things sweet. Reach me at michelle@disneyexaminer.com Find me on Instagram at @mintvalue and Twitter at @mint_value.

You may also like...

  • Disney Animation HQ in Burbank undergoing renovations to make it look more like Pixar HQ 8 Feb, 2015
  • Wondrous Journeys Disneyland Fireworks Behind The Scenes Roger Gould Interview DisneyExaminer Disney Animation How Wondrous Journeys fireworks spectacular came to be at Disneyland for Disney100 7 Feb, 2023
  • Blank: A Vinylmation Love Story. 12 Aug, 2013
  • Disney Theatrical’s Frozen musical will debut on Broadway in spring 2018. 9 Feb, 2016
  • Previous story Add some magic to your grad cap with these Disney-inspired decorations!
  • Next story Here are the new ABC shows coming for the 2016-2017 season
  • Today is

  • What’s Trending

    animation behind the scenes buena vista street business california adventure cars land christmas D23 expo DCA disney disney animation disney california adventure disney channel disney consumer products disneyexaminer disney interactive disneyland disneyland resort disney movie disney parks disney parks and resorts downtown disney exclusive food frozen FYI lucasfilm main street USA marvel marvel studios movie review new pixar review spoiler free star wars technology the force awakens walt disney walt disney animation studios walt disney company walt disney imagineering walt disney parks and resorts walt disney studios walt disney world
  • News Archive

  • Home
  • Walt Disney Studios
  • Exclusive Zootopia art from Thai Disney story artist shows Nick and Judy in Southeast Asian landmarks
  • Hiya, Pal

    DisneyExaminer is a premier independent online magazine that takes a closer look at all things Disney.

    Founded and lovingly made in Orange County, California.

  • Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

  • Search

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

© 2008 - 2022 DisneyExaminer. All rights reserved.