Scanlan became one of the founding members of the Jim Henson Creature Shop with whom he enjoyed a successful 8-year relationship, first as an Animatronics Supervisor, then as Creative Supervisor. Some of the projects that Neal was directly involved with include, "The Storyteller" (1987), THE WITCHES (1988), "Greek Myths" (1989) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 1 & 2 (1988 & 90) and DINOSAURS (1991).
Scanlan's achievements and the success of Kennedy Miller's BABE (1993) resulted in Neal and his Henson Creature Shop team, producing the animatronic effects for Walt Disney's 101 DAMATIANS (1995), the Special Make-Up Effects for Anthony Minghella's Academy Award® winner, THE ENGLISH PATIENT (1994) and numerous television commercials.
In 1996, Scanlan left the Jim Henson Organisation to form the Neal Scanlan Studio. The Studio is presently comprised of many of the industry's most experienced professionals, in all areas of animatronic design & construction. The Neal Scanlan Studio offers its expertise as a combined group of technical, creative and ingenious film makers. To its credit, the Neal Scanlan Studio has developed what can only be described as the most sophisticated animatronic control system available today -- the PAC. This technology, combined with photo-realistic animatronic characters, was used on the set of Kennedy Miller's production of the sequel to BABE, BABE: PIG IN THE CITY, during 1997 and 1998.
Scanlan has creatied animatronic characters for KANGAROO JACK (2003), ELLA ENCHANTED (2004) and MILLIONS (also 2004). His special effects makeup was used in CHARLIE AND THE CHOCLATE FACTORY and MUNICH (both 2005), and FRED CLAUS and SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (both 2007).
Best Achievement in Visual Effects 1995: BABE (w. Scott E. Anderson, Charles Gibson & John Cox)
1 nomination, 1 Award