Raymond McGrath

 

 

raymond.mcgrath@yoobeecolleges.com

 

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About

Raymond McGrath is an award-winning, 25-year veteran of the film, television, advertising and children’s publishing industries. In addition, he lectures on the craft of animation, academic studies and professional practice at Cert. Dip. and BA + (hons) levels at Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, and has double Masters degrees in Media Arts and Creative Writing (Screenplay). As a film and television animation industry veteran, published children’s writer, illustrator, and musician, Raymond directs, designs, develops, produces and creates original content. Being closely involved in the business of producing and funding animation, (both in NZ and internationally through co-productions), as well as book publishing, he is skilled with finance, budgets, schedules, working to briefs, developing animation pipelines, directing, and overseeing large scale series. However, his focus remains storytelling. Working from the kernel of a concept, through to script and then finished production, in whichever medium is best suited to any particular narrative has been his passion since he began his professional creative journey.

His books have been published internationally, he is a New York Times best seller’s list illustrator, and the writer/director and creator of TVNZ children’s series ‘Puzzle Inc’ (42x5min Episodes). Raymond currently works as a storyboard/animatic artist on the international award winning, BAFTA nominated television series ‘Kiri and Lou’, and is particularly experienced in children’s media, entertainment and education.

His research interests are varied, but key topics include mythology, narrative studies, contemporary culture, the intersection of animation and education, identity, writing, screenwriting and illustration techniques and technology. Raymond is currently completing the first of three films in my research project We Are Oceania – a traditionally hand animated exploration of Oceanic cultural identity and mythology. He is also currently exploring the intersection between screenwriting, animation and the graphic novel in a search for new ways to apply, develop and improve output, practice and techniques in this popular and growing medium. He has two original graphic novel projects he is both writing and illustrating in production; a middle grade, 8 x 72 page fantasy series Fledge, and a 3 x 96 page junior graphic novel series Big Little Blue published by Scholastic NZ with international release mid-2023.

Raymond lives in the country with his wife, four children, a cat, a dog and a small but perfectly formed cluckery of chickens.

Research Outputs

Publications

Books (Fiction)

McGrath, R. (2024). Bird [Graphic novel series 1-4]. Lerner.

McGrath, R. (2024). Big little blue book #3: DoubleDippers. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-836-6

McGrath, R. (2024). Kenneth and Queenie [Graphic novel series 1-2]. Affirm Press.

McGrath, R. (2023). Big little blue book #2: RockyBottoms. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-835-9

McGrath, R. (2023). Big little blue book #1: SandyPants. Scholastic. ISBN: 978—77543-834-2

McGrath, R. (2021). That’s what dragons do. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-740-6

McGrath, R. (2019). Back home to you. Cure Kids.

Books (Illustration)

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2024). In E. Bickell, The little witch who lost her broom. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-0-59369-238-7

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2024). In S. Brocker, Tomboy the headstrong horse. Scholastic.

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2024). In R. McGrath, Big little blue book #3: DoubleDippers. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-836-6

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2024). In R. McGrath, Bird [Graphic novel series 1-4]. Lerner.

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2024). In R. McGrath, Kenneth and Queenie [Graphic novel series 1-2]. Affirm Press.

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2024). In P. Millet, Spotty the zebra. Scholastic.

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2023). In R. McGrath, Big little blue book #2: RockyBottoms. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-835-9

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2023). In R. McGrath, Big little blue book #1: SandyPants. Scholastic. ISBN: 978—77543-834-2

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2022). In S. Brocker, Pelorus Jack. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-747-5

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2021). In S. Brocker, Mrs Chippy the cat. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-708-6

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2021). In R. McGrath, That’s what dragons do. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-740-6

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2021). In S. Cato & A. Baysting, Going on a holiday. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-728-4

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2020). In S. Brocker, Friday the rebel dog. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-610-2

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2019). In R. McGrath, Back home to you. Cure Kids.

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2019). In E. Bickell, The little ghost who lost her boo. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-575-4

McGrath, R. (Illustrator). (2019). In S. Brocker, Bess the brave war horse. Scholastic. ISBN: 978-1-77543-556-3

Creative Works (Screen)

McGrath, R. (Senior Animator). (2025-2024). (Episode details TBA). [TV Series, 40 Episodes]. In H. Allison (Executive Producer), Tiny Wonders. CBeebies, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2024-2023). (Seasons 3-4, episode details TBA) [TV Series Episodes]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). Windy day (Season 3, Episode 25) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). The worst (Season 3, Episode 24) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). New Lou (Season 3, Episode 23) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). Birdsong (Season 3, Episode 22) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). Let’s go (Season 3, Episode 21) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). Important (Season 3, Episode 20) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). Snow (Season 3, Episode 19) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). Little Elsbeth (Season 3, Episode 18) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2022). Mysterious (Season 3, Episode 15) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Director). (2021, Nov 17). In K. Bee, The teddy bear team [Official Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvi4IBWiO2o&t=3s

McGrath, R. (Screenplay Writer). (2021). Liliath [Feature Film]. Raymond McGrath.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2021). Now and then (Season 3, Episode 17) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2021). Bodily functions (Season 3, Episode 10) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2021). Where’s Kiri? (Season 3, Episode 5) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2021). Lullaby (Season 3, Episode 2) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2021). Grow (Season 3, Episode 1) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Breakfast (Season 2, Episode 28) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Empathy (Season 2, Episode 26) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Body song (Season 2, Episode 25) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Rainy day (Season 2, Episode 24) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Super sniffer (Season 2, Episode 22) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Nonsense day (Season 2, Episode 21) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Who am I? (Season 2, Episode 20) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Afraid (Season 2, Episode 17) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Body song (Season 2, Episode 15) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Moa’s egg (Season 2, Episode 13) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Womp. Womp, womp (Season 2, Episode 10) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). The indescribable (Season 2, Episode 8) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2020). Mother earth (Season 2, Episode 7) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2019). Who is sleepy now? (Season 1, Episode 18) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2019). Stuck (Season 1, Episode 17) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2019). Flowery island (Season 1, Episode 15) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2019). The ickle monster (Season 1, Episode 13) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Storyboard and Animatic Artist). (2019). The Something something (Season 1, Episode 12) [TV Series Episode]. In D. Peeters (Executive Producer), Kiri and Lou. Filmwork; Stretchy, BBC Studios.

McGrath, R. (Director). (2018, March 23). In TreehutTV, Sprinkle a little sunshine – Suzy Cato and Kath Bee [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxD-CJfn7jU&t=1s

Conferences

McGrath, R. L. (2022, December 14-16). Graphic screenplays: The screenwriter and the graphic novelist [Conference paper presentation]. Media, Culture, and Society: The Inaugural International Academic Conference of UP Education (Australia and New Zealand), Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, Auckland, New Zealand.

McGrath, R. L. (2022, September 13–14). The Oceania Mythologies Project, ‘We Are Oceania’: An Experimental Creation Myth for Contemporary Culture [Conference paper presentation]. See and Be Seen: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Storytelling and Identity in Popular Culture, Popular Culture Research Centre, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand (Online).

McGrath, R. L. (2022, July 14–16). The Oceania Mythologies Project: An Experimental Creation Myth for Contemporary Culture (2021) [Conference paper presentation]. EUPOP 2022: The Ninth Annual International Conference of the EPCA (European Popular Culture Association), Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland/University of Turku, Finland (Online).