Utah Artist Helps Movie Characters Come to Life

Carole Mikita ReportingYou may have seen a preview in movie theatres recently of 'The Barnyard". A Utah artist played a big role in making the animated feature come to the big screen.

His name is Toph Gorham and growing up in Salt Lake City, he fell in love with animation. While he was attending the University of Utah, he got a dream job; now, another dream has come true.

Artist Toph Gorham talks of what he created in the new animated feature, 'The Barnyard'. His texture work helped bring to life the character, Mr. Beedy.

Toph Gorham: "His wrinkles and his five o'clock shadow and the little reddish glow to his skin were not there and I had to put it in there."

Toph Gorham: "If they're made out of metal or they're made out of wood, the texture artist is able to make anything look like it's made out of these materials or make a person really look like he has a glow of skin and life."

After just one year at the U, he worked as an artist for Disney. Next came his first feature film. Gorham now does his creating at a company named 'Smart Bomb Interactive'.

Toph Gorham: "I just love this place and that's why I wanted to come back here. And there are several video game companies, some very excellent video game companies actually, here in Salt Lake City."

With the premiere of 'The Barnyard' approaching, Gorham joins fellow artists, hoping for a hit. He still remembers how magical he felt those early animated films were and how he wanted to be able to do that.

Toph Gorham: "It seemed amazing to me that somebody could put pen to paper and make something come to life. Now, I feel a little bit satisfied that I've gotten a chance to be part of something like that."

'The Barnyard' premieres in theatres around the country, August 4th. It has a PG rating.

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