Admissions: Alumni Profiles

Chris

Undergraduate Degree in Communication Arts

After stints with DreamWorks Animation and DisneyToon Studios, I'm helping launch a new independent studio's first animated feature film.

I graduated in 2003 and immediately moved to Los Angeles with my wife to break into the movie business (she's an MU graduate as well).  I found my way to DreamWorks Animation.  For nine great years, I worked with amazing teams of artists crafting entertainment enjoyed by people the world over.  I worked on everything from The Croods to Kung Fu Panda.  After finishing The Croods, I left DreamWorks and joined DisneyToon Studios where I currently handle stereoscopic-camera-finaling on Planes: Fire and Rescue.  I go through every single shot of the movie and not only fine tune the camera work to make sure it's perfect, I also help creatively drive the 3D version of the movie. Now I'm helping to launch a new independent studio's first animated feature scheduled for release in 2017.

You may be wondering how my time at Marywood helped me get into the field of animation.  With its liberal arts core, Marywood better prepares you for your career than you might have imagined.  It's the foundation that you build upon.  You use the smaller class sizes to your advantage by creating bonds with your professors, who are working professionals in most cases.  For me, it was really exploring the technology and art of filmmaking.  This was a natural introduction into the world of computer-generated animation; an art form I have always loved.