Known as the “Father of Claymation,” Will Vinton revolutionized the animation business during the 1970s, 80s and 90s, with his first animated short film CLOSED MONDAYS, winning an Oscar in 1974. Many will still remember his highly popular characters such as the California Raisins, Domino’s The Noid, as well as the iconic digitally rendered mascots for M&Ms. 
 
But after thirty years of being the unheralded King of Clay, Vinton’s carefully sculpted
American dream came crumbling down once the Will Vinton Studios sought help from
the hands of an outside investor, Nike’s Phil Knight.
 
Structured around interviews with this charismatic pioneer and his close collaborators, along with a treasure trove of clips of their work together, CLAYDREAM charts the rise and fall of the Oscar and Emmy-winning Will Vinton Studios. Documentarian Marq Evans brings to life the battle between art and commerce in this affectionate, insightful portrait of an artist who put so much of himself into his craft.
 
Without the tireless work of the Will Vinton Studios, as well as the artist himself we
would not have blockbuster features such as CORALINE or KUBO AND THE TWO
STRINGS – both films are closer to Will Vinton than many might know.