Hi, my name is Marlyn Spaaij. As a director, writer and storyboard artist I aim to tell stories that can move and transport audiences everywhere.
I play the guitar, write songs and I recently bought a banjo. Also: I have a cat, her name is Piep (or Squeek). I grew up with my sisters in the rural east of the Netherlands, in a region bordering on Germany called Twente.
Ever since I was little I've had a fascination with nature, folklore and music. Forests are my favourite places to be although I currently live in the medieval centre of Utrecht.
Would you like to collaborate on a project? Let's meet!
Resumé
Filmography
Trouble in Mind
in production
Wrote and directs the 2D short film Trouble in Mind. Got selected for European Short Pitch 2016 and won best pitch. Recieved development and production funding from the Netherlands Film Fund.
Sisters of the Mist
in development
Writes and directs 3D feature film Sisterhood of the Meadow. Got selected for Cartoon Movie 2019 and Cartoon Springboard 2017 and received treatment funding from the Netherlands Film Fund. A graphic novel of the film will be published through Nobrow mid 2022.
Benjamin Bat
in development
Storyboard artist on the 2D feature film Benjamin Bat. The project was selected for Cartoon Movie 2019.
Camouflage
in production
Animated on the 2D dystopic short thriller Camouflage.
Dr Panda
2017
Storyboard artist on the international 3D- series Dr Panda, based on the famous Chinese game IP.
Wellie Wishers
2016 - 2017
Storyboard supervisor on the American 2D- series Wellie Wichers. Commissioned by HIT entertainment, Mattel and American Girl.
Woozle and Pip, in Search of the Scallywagger
2015
Storyboard artist on the 2D feature film Woozle and Pip, in Search of the Scallywagger.
Cobain: Montage of Heck
2014
Animated on the documentary Cobain: Montage of Heck. The film premiered at Sundance 2015 and was nominated for "Best Animated Special Production" at the 43e edition of the Annie Awards.
Tripple Trouble
2013-2014
Animated on the 2D feature Tripple Trouble. The film premiered at the Dutch Film Festival in 2014.
Stupid Monkey
2012
Wrote, directed and animated the 2D short film Stupid Monkey. The short was screened at Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film, Klik! Amsterdam Animation Festival, Go Short and Shortcutz.
Side-activities
Exposition Futuropolis
2018
Participated in the art comic-project 'Futuropolis' at Wgkunst with comic artists Maaike Hartjes, Hein de Kort and Wasco.
Member of the board
2018 - 2020
Member of the board at DAMD, the Dutch guild for animators.
Member of the board
2019 – 2020
Member of the board at Kunstenbond, the Dutch art union.
Teaching
2014 – present
Guest teacher at St. Joost academy and HKU (Utrecht School of Arts).
Education
Trainings
2016 - present
Participated in European Short Pitch 2016, won best pitch, Participated in Cartoon Springboard 2017 and Cartoon Movie 2019.
St. Joost Academy Breda
2011 - 2012
Earned an MA in Animation, cum laude. Made the film ‘Stupid Monkey’ wrote thesis ‘Why Do I Laugh When You Get Hurt.’ Which was presented at the symposium 'There Will Be (animated) Blood' at Klik! Amsterdam 2012.
The Open University
2009 - 2010
Earned an MA in Animation, cum laude. Wrote thesis ‘Psychological Knowledge as a Motivational Base for Acting in Animation.'
HKU (Utrecht School of the Arts)
2006 - 2010
Earned an BA in Animation, cum laude. Curated the symposium ‘Animating Science, Visualizing Content ́ for Klik! Amsterdam Animation Festival 2010 wrote the publication 'Simply Communicating Complexity.’
Director, writer, storyboard artist & animator.
