James Ward Byrkit

James Ward Byrkit is an American film director and storyboard artist. He worked alongside with Gore Verbinski in the making of the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films and directed Tales of the Code: Wedlocked.

Early life and career
A CalArts theater grad turned storyboard artist, Jim Byrkit had been involved in many film projects. His film projects include Mousehunt, in which he would work with director Gore Verbinski.

Pirates of the Caribbean
To help conceptualize the original Disneyland ride as a sprawling film of curses and cutlasses, wenches and wit, director Gore Verbinski hired Jim Byrkit as a consultant in the making of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Byrkit continued to work on the Pirates films in the sequels, Dead Man's Chest and At World's End, as the storyboard concept artist. It was during the making of these films that Jim Byrkit created the then-unnamed Sao Feng's map.

Byrkit would take the director's chair in the Pirates short film Wedlocked, featuring Scarlett and Giselle in center spotlight as a saucy, comically gifted duo&mdash;in what Byrkit calls "a chance for the wenches to have their own wacky moment". Wedlocked also allowed Byrkit to display his directorial gifts, as a cast and costumes and sets were speedily assembled on the California Pirates soundstage for this passion project.

After Pirates
And when Verbinski decided to attempt his first feature animation film, Rango, it was Byrkit the artist right there behind the literal drawing board.

PotC Films

 * Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Consultant
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Storyboard artist
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - Storyboard artist
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Tales of the Code: Wedlocked - Director