John's journey began with a stint in the British Army during World War II, where he was wounded while serving in the "DesertRats" in North Africa. This experience would later influence his artistic endeavors. As a graphic artist, John returned to England and started as an assistant art director at Pinewood Studio, working alongside the renowned director David Lean.
While at Pinewood, John noticed a notice on the studio's bulletin board seeking cartoonists and artists to apply for animator positions at GBA, Cookham. Intrigued, John applied and was accepted, where he worked under the guidance of David Hand, a former Disney director, for four years. During this time, John honed his skills as an animator and director, becoming a first-rate professional in his field.
GBA ultimately closed its doors, and John made the move to the United States, where he joined Disney. He worked on several notable projects, including Peter Pan and Lady & the Tramp, under the direction of Les Clark. In 1954, John left Disney to start Fine Arts Films, producing the critically acclaimed Petroushka in 1956, which won five international awards and marked a new direction in the use of animation.
John's next major project was Journey to the Stars, which premiered at the Seattle World's Fair in 1961 and was seen by over 7 million visitors. He also animated the trailer for Billy Wilder's Irma La Douce, showcasing the artistic merits of Parisian courtesans. In 1963, John started John Wilson Prods. in Melbourne, Australia, before returning to Fine Arts Films in 1964.
During this period, John received the Peabody Award for NBC's Exploring, which was recognized as the Best Kid's Show. This led to a decade-long stint working on children's and primetime entertainment for major US television networks, including CBS, ABC, and NBC.
In 1971, John produced and directed the animated feature Shinbone Alley, a literary and musical success based on the works of poet Don Marquis. The film received the Golden Phoenix Award at the Atlanta Film Festival, solidifying its status as one of the best animated features of the year.
For the next ten years, John produced numerous award-winning TV series, including Madeline-DIC, Bucky O'Hare, and Peter Pan for FOX-TV, as well as Stanley the Ugly Duckling, a 30-minute musical for ABC-TV.
John eventually returned to Australia in 1983 and founded Ferngully, an animated feature that successfully raised awareness about the importance of protecting the world's rainforests. The film was released by Warner Bros. and has since become a beloved classic.
Currently, John is working on the musical adaptation of Peer Gynt, a testament to his enduring passion for storytelling and his continued commitment to the world of animation.
