On Wednesday, Aug. 27, the Television Academy announced the recipients of the juried categories for the 73rd Emmy Awards: Animation, Costume Design, Interactive Programming, and Motion Design. Scott Ulrich (Art BFA 94) is among the team recognized in the latter category for the Apple TV series Calls, and David Krentz (Film/Video BFA 93) was recognized for his work on Genndy Tartakovsky‘s (Film/Video 92) Primal (Adult Swim) in the Outstanding Animation category.
Juried category entrants were screened by professional panels for each group. Due to a one-step evaluation and voting procedure, there is a possibility of one, more than one, or no entries being awarded per category.
Ulrich is credited as an animator on Calls, alongside creative director Alexei Tylevich and designer/animator Ethan Stickley. The dramatic short-form sci-fi series, directed by Fede Álvarez, uses “audio and minimal abstract visuals” to connect a series of seemingly mundane phone calls that gradually grow more surreal and throw the characters’ lives in disarray. The show is an English-language adaptation of the original French series by Timothée Hochet, and co-produced by Apple TV and French network Canal+. Calls was the sole recipient of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Motion Design.
“The work of this motion design team was innovative and original and truly carried the narrative like nothing we had ever seen,” Greg Kupiec, motion and title design governor, was quoted in the Television Academy’s official release. Television Academy Governor Lauraine Gibbons added, “This Emmy-winning work encourages others to continue raising the standard of motion design and to bring awareness of the art and significance of motion design in creating television excellence.”
In the animation category, Krentz is credited as the storyboard artist on the Primal episode “Plague of Madness.” Earlier this year, the episode garnered an award for Best TV/Media, General Audience category at the 48th annual Annie Awards. The multigenre action adventure series follows a Neanderthal caveman and a Tyrannosaurus, who forge a bond as they fight to survive a fantastical and dangerous prehistoric world.
Krentz’s Emmy is shared with five other recipients, four of whom were recognized for their work on Netflix’s Love, Death + Robots and another on FOX’s The Simpsons. Per the official release:
The juried awards bestowed for Individual Achievement in Animation reflect the variety of artistic achievements that contribute to the creation of 2D- and 3D-animated content and the talented artists who drive animation excellence.
The awards will be presented during the 2021 Creative Arts ceremony, which takes place live in LA on Saturday, Sept. 11 (5 pm PST) and Sunday, Sept. 12 (1 pm and 5 pm PST). An edited presentation will be broadcast the following Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8 pm ET/PT on FXX.