The Brothers Howard

Valley natives have action-packed careers with fairy-tale endings

October 28, 2008

Maybe it's in the genes. Or maybe these Lower Macungie Township-bred brothers just have a gift for creating. Whatever the source, Jeff and Todd Howard are at the top of their fields in the world of multimedia entertainment.

And today, their latest achievements hit stores after star-studded premieres.

Jeff is the writer of ''Tinker Bell,'' a highly publicized direct-to-video animated Disney production in which the famous fairy talks for the first time. Todd is executive producer of ''Fallout 3,'' Bethesda Software's highly anticipated sequel to the popular role-playing computer game.

The Oct. 19 premiere of ''Tinker Bell'' was a ''green carpet''affair at the historic El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard that drew Hollywood elite including voice cast members Raven Symone and Kristin Chenoweth. The Oct. 16 launch party for ''Fallout 3'' in downtown L.A. drew 2,000 people and featured a performance by rock group the Foo Fighters.

The fact that both products will be released on the same day is a ''happy accident,'' says Todd.

''I think it's really cool. Jeff works for Disney and I work for a video company. This week, someone could walk into Best Buy and buy 'Tinker Bells' for their daughter and 'Fallout 3' for themselves. And I'll be there to get the fliers, so I can frame them together.''

TODD HOWARD

Vital statistics: 38 years old; 1989 grad, Emmaus High School; 1993 grad, William & Mary College, business major.

Work history: Executive Producer and Game Director, Bethesda Softworks in Rockville, Md., the third-largest privately held personal computer entertainment software company in America. Hired in 1994 as a game producer.

About ''Fallout 3'': Third installment in the action role-playing game takes place in Washington, D.C., in the year 2277, 200 years after a devastating nuclear war. The M-rated game (Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs) is on the PC, XBox 360 and PS3 platforms. The original ''Fallout'' launched in 1997.

Previous projects: Several ''Elder Scrolls'' titles, including the hit ''Oblivion,'' ''Morrowind,'' ''Redguard.''

Next big project: Unannounced.

In 10 years ... : ''Hopefully, I'm doing the exact same thing; it's a dream job.''

Coolest thing about my job: ''I get to work with some amazing people and create games that I'd be playing if I didn't work here, so I'm incredibly lucky. My parents still don't think I have a real job.''

My brother: ''Actually, he's my core audience. He plays all my games and critiques them. I make the kind of games we played growing up, so we both have a fondness for big epic role-playing games. He's the first person I ask once the game is done as to what he likes and dislikes. Plus, he's a great writer, and I like to pick his brain on how video games can provide better narratives.''

Advice: ''Get a job doing what you like most; passion for something can take you really far.''

JEFF HOWARD

Vital statistics: 39 years old; 1987 grad, Emmaus High School; 1991 grad, Syracuse University; television and film major.

Work history: Started at Disney as junior creative executive; promoted to director of creative affairs 10 years ago, working in story development. Became a screenwriter 21/2 years ago.

About ''Tinker Bell'': The feisty fairy speaks for the first time in this full-length CG animated direct-to-DVD and Blu-ray movie from Disney Toon Studios. Tinker Bell is voiced by Mae Whitman; other stars include Lucy Liu (Silvermist), Kristin Chenoweth (Rosetta) and Raven-Symone (Iridessa). It tells the story of how Tinker Bell came to Neverland for the first time.

Previous projects: ''Bambi II,'' ''Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas.''

Next big project: A series of ''Tinker Bell'' movies.

In 10 years ... : ''I want to keep working for Disney. But I always want to get better as a writer, make good movies and have fun doing it.''

Coolest thing about your job: ''When you get to see your movie with an audience for the first time. It's not until you screen it for families that you get to see how the kids react.''

My brother: ''We're only 14 months apart, so we were very close growing up and we were into the same things. For school projects, we'd make movies. When we were in junior high, we made computer games. His kids now watch the movies I work on and I play his games. From him, I learned about following your passion. That is what the theme in 'Tinker Bell' turned out to be.''

Advice: ''A lot of people ask me how to break into the movie business, but there is no one path. The guiding principal for everyone is follow what you love and go with what drives you the most.''

marion.callahan@mcall.com

610-820-6780

E-mail

Reprint

	News My News RSS/Atom Viewer iPod/iPhone/Mobile

Back to Articles Listing from 2008-10-28
Below is a cache of the news article requested. Sofomo is not affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible for its content.

The Brothers Howard

Valley natives have action-packed careers with fairy-tale endings

Related topic galleries: Foo Fighters, Best Buy Company Incorporated

Search Classifieds

Popular stories

Be An Angel 2008

Lehigh Valley Pet Photos

Blog: TV Watchers

EXTRAS: Shopping, Family & More

Games: Test Your Minds...

Your 'Scene' -- Photos & Video