I was able to meet Wendell Riley from MoonBot Studios (Production Manager). I was relearning how to walk from my injury and being shot. My papa (Grandpa) knew him and scheduled a private tour with him of the entire MoonBot Studios. This secret tour, in Shreveport Louisiana, inspired my passion beyond my expectations. I remember walking into a room filled with creativity with my cane: and watching teams work together to create magic. Every room I walked in was filled of such passion and hard work. There was nothing but concept art and character ideas all over the wall. There was even a small movie room in the back of the studio. This is where they would watch their animated films and shorts.
MoonBot Studios, Louisiana (2014)
This experience not only fueled my passion for animation, but it reminded me of the importance of a team. Being out of the military for a few years now, I never realized how much I really missed that. Watching others grow and in turn growing with them as a unit. I can't wait until I am on my own animation team one day! Thank you, Mr. Riley, for this experience and re-lighting that fire of passion and my love for animation again!
TOM SITO
I was very fortunate to meet him at Industry Giants 2017 conference. He spread his love for animation and how he worked on Disney classic films such as; "Aladdin & The Lion King". He explained the hard work and efforts of his animation team. They created the Scene from "The Lion King", where Simba sings the song 'I just can’t wait to be King'.
I remember watching this movie over and over. I loved this animation as a child and how much fluidity each character had. Aladdin was no different and the magical genie made anything possible! I finally met the man that help create such great Disney magic!
AARON BLAISE
Aaron Blaise really left an impression on me at Industry Giants 2017. He was an animation and even a director. He worked on films such as; " The Lion King", "Aladdin", "Beauty and The Beast", and Directed "Brother Bear". Mr. Blaise had such passion for animation and it lit up the entire room. He described his early struggles and his successes in the animation industry. He describes his enjoyable moments working on Brother Bear with actor Michael Clarke Duncan.
I remember walking up to him and asking if he would sign my Lion King book. Mr. Blaise turned with a big grin and said, " If you got the marker and quit calling me sir". I laughed and then explained about my service in the military. He was a very inspiring individual and reminded me to keep fighting for my dreams! I will be an animator one day and it’s because of all these inspiring people I’ve met in my life!! Animation is my passion and they say if you find something you love, you will never work a day in your life!!!
PIXAR
Pixar came to my campus at the university of Texas at Dallas. Their speaker was very inspirational and motivating. They showed us a little bit about the making of their new upcoming movie "Coco". This animated film wasn't made over night and it took a lot of hard work. I was very impressed with their extensive research in Mexico and really understanding what the day of the dead means.
The Pixar representatives were very honest and motivated a lot of us. I am blessed to be a a university that helps fuel my passion for animation. Thank you, Pixar, for coming to UTD and reminding us the dream is always possible!!!
RON CLEMENTS
I recently met Ron Clements at Industry Giants 2018. It was a tremendous honor meeting Ron Clements and hearing about his animation career. Mr. Clements described his passion for animation at a very young age. He even showed us actual drawings from Pinocchio from when he was at least 10 years old. He talked about the magic of animation and how he watched Pinocchio, over and over in the theaters until they quit showing it. He would later begin making animations as a teenager using super-8 camera. He single-handedly created a 15-minute animation called “Shades of Sherlock Holmes”. He describes how shortly he was on Disney’s talent development program, basically a training ground for new animators. Mr. Clements would than become an apprentice to Frank Thomas (One of the nine old men). He describes how frank Thomas could read any character and could put magic into his animations. Frank Thomas was one of the first to show sadness in an animated film; for example, the sad scene in “Snow White” with all the seven dwarfs. Frank Thomas was also the animator, who created the iconic scene in “Lady and the Tramp” with them both sharing a plate of spaghetti and the same noodle.
The hard work and trips his team made to the Polynesian islands, to ensure the Moana story was accurate as can be and it reflected the people in an honorable way. Never would I have imagined I would meet the Disney legend, who brought some of the best animations to my Generation. If it wasn't for Ron, we wouldn't have had these Disney classic animated films, such as; The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Great Mouse Detective, Hercules, Treasure Planet, and his most recent Moana! I want to thank you Mr. Clements for taking time out of your life to inspire many!!
Phillip Hall was ironically one of my first Professors at The university of Texas at Dallas. I Had him for an intro course called Animation Processes. His charisma and passion for animation would light up a whole room with energy! I would later have Professor Hall for animation 1 and 2. This wasn't a smooth path for me and I was rejected from the animation pathway and animation 2.
Giving "JOT the Dot" 2D Animation Original Cells to Professor Hall for a Farewell gift!
I would never forget the words stated by Professor Hall," If you keep knocking at the door, one day it will open". He reminded me to never give up on my dreams, no matter what obstacles came into my path and stood in my way. I needed to hear these words and I didn't let rejection get me down. I would later work on body poses and various body mechanics with the rigs during my spare time. Animation is my passion and it will forever hold an unexplainable place of love in my heart. It helped me through hard times of defeat and even enlightening times as a child sparking my imagination.
Last Day of Animation Critiques with Phillip Hall & Sean McComber Together
Thank you Phillip Hall for never letting you passion for animation burn out. No matter what the weather or mood of the room was, you always brought a hundred percent to each day. Words can't truly express how grateful I am for your motivation and inspiration on my path to becoming an animator!
UTD ATEC STARGAZER ANIMATION PREMIERE
Spider-Man Into the Spider-verse Q&A with Phillip Hall
Signed by the man himself!
TO INFINITY & BEYOND!!!
I salute you Phillip Hall and I wish you nothing but happiness on your next new adventure!! Thank you Brother...I will never forget your words!!!
Born in North Carolina in 1978, Don Dixon grew up in a household with a 7-foot robot which looked after him and his sisters. Don’s father created robots for companies like Atari and Worlds of Wonder, eventually moving the family to California.
Don became interested in animation when he saw Michael Jackson’s music video, Thriller, fascinated by Michael’s transformation into a werewolf. When Don’s father explained it to him by creating a flip-book, Don’s enchantment with animation was fueled.
At the age of 15, Don received a full scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. It was here that he began to really take his art seriously and dive into learning more about fine art.
After majoring in Visual Arts at Interlochen Arts Academy in 1996, Don went on to Savannah College of Art and Design, completing his education at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and graduating with a BFA in Animation and Digital Media.
Don’s first job was at WMS Gaming in Chicago doing animation in both 2D and 3D. From there, he moved to Texas to work at Green Grass Studios, then on to Florida to work at Ignition Entertainment doing video game animation, followed by a stint in Hawaii working on the hit TV Show Veggie Tales.
Currently, Don works in Dallas, Texas, at Reel FX working on feature films such as, The Book of Life, Free Birds, Rock Dog, Sherlock Gnomes.
After losing his mother in 2015, Don became interested in writing and illustrating children's books. He wrote his first book, Dandelion, to help him deal with the painful loss of his mother, and then friends read his book and wanted a copy to help them cope with their loss. Seeing the positive response ignited a new passion and purpose in Don, so he self-published his first book.
The photos of families reading the book to their children, dressing up as dandelions, and drawings by the children, motivated Don to do even more.
His second book, Darwin the Dreamer, is a story about hope, joy, and the power of imagination when a blind boy overcomes the threat of bullying. The message is that although we cannot see something we can still make it a reality. Don believes his calling is to inspire others, especially children, and help them create a better world.
Showing Support to Don Dixon at Dallas, TX Comic Book Convention!
I first met Don Dixon at the Industry Giants 2018 in Dallas, TX. His passion for animation and love for art was infectious. Thank you for taking the time out of your day sir and for also coming to UTD to speak about animation. This picture here is a comic book conference, Don Dixon attended. I was fortunate enough to get my Darwin the Dreamer book signed and various artworks from him. Thank you again, Don, for being so down to earth and understanding!
Don Dixon at the University of Texas at Dallas! Thank you, Don, for listening to my questions and showing me a different perspective on how to look at animation!!
Don Dixon at the University of Texas at Dallas: Animation Guild Event!
DON DIXON: PAIN & PROCESS SOLO ART SHOW (2021)
Don Dixon showed me how to search for the "rhythm in animation"! For example, a song with a musical breaks down. We want to find that unique rhythm that gives the animation the illusion of life and flow. If everything was the same and had a steady flow it would appear boring and uneventful. Thank you, Don Dixon, for opening my eyes and most importantly your kindness & Time sir!!!
In 1973, John Pomeroy began working at the Walt Disney Company as a background artist, and after only a year earned the role of full animator to work on Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too—a beloved classic that went on to earn an Academy Award Nomination.
During Johns time at Disney, he met fellow animators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman and set to work on an independent short film entitled, Banjo the Woodpile Cat. That labor of love paved the way for John, Bluth, Goldman, and several other Disney animators to form Don Bluth Productions—which, later, became Bluth Group. Together, they went on to produce The Secret of NIMH (1982), as well as the animation for the laser-disc video games Space Ace and Dragon’s Lair—which was most recently highlighted in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
John Pomeroy and his wife Cam Pomeroy!
In 1986, John worked as the directing animator and producer on An American Tail and, shortly thereafter, The Land Before Time, before he moved back to America in 1989 to form a new U.S. wing of Bluth Group, which eventually became Sullivan Bluth Studios.
When Sullivan Bluth Studios closed in 1995, he returned to Disney to work as the supervising animator on Pocahontas, where he also designed and led a crew of fourteen animators to create the character of John Smith.
John Pomeroy drawing Charlie, from "All Dogs Go To Heaven" at the Industry Giants 2019.
He was also a supervising animator for Fantasia 2000, and an animator for Treasure Planet, Curious George, The Simpsons Movie. He was the lead character designer for Milo Thatch on Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
Industry Giants 2019, finished 'Charlie' from animator John Pomeroy!
Outside of illustration and animation, he’s a storyboard artist. He loves to sculpt, and has created busts that animated film artists use to visualize 3-D character models. He’s also a painter of historical events and a builder of historic weapons that are actually used as props in Hollywood movies. Additionally, he’s an oil painter, portrait artist by commission, lecturer, and college professor.
INDUSTRY GIANTS 2019
Pomeroy is also a talented sculptor, painter of historic events, and builder of historic weapons used in movies. He lives with his family just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
Signed book and "charlie" drawing from John Pomeroy!
Frank E. Abney III was born on November 7, 1986 in Alameda, California. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree from The Art Institute of California, San Francisco, then attended and graduated from Animation Mentor.
After college, Frank went on to become an Animator, and worked on award winning projects in games and feature film, for studios such as Crystal Dynamics, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, and Pixar Animation Studios. As well as various short films.
After college, Frank went on to become an Animator, and worked on award winning projects in games and feature film, for studios such as Crystal Dynamics, Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation, and Pixar Animation Studios. As well as various short films.
Frank Albny began working in the entertainment world in 2007. He’s been fortunate to have worked in Film, Games, and TV, on a variety of projects including: Tomb Raider (2013), Disney’s Frozen and Big Hero 6, DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 3 and The Boss Baby, and Pixar’s Coco, Incredibles 2, and Toy Story 4. He is currently Directing a short film titled, Canvas.
"I APPRECIATE YOUR ENERGY MAN!"-FRANK ALBNY His signature and great message! Thank you brother!!
While at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Frank contributed animation to "Frozen", which became the highest grossing Animated film worldwide. It also won the studio it's first Academy Award for Best Animated feature. Then following with "Big Hero 6", the 2nd consecutive Academy Award win for Best Animated feature.
Embracing the light and dark of life, to fuel a dream.
Some of Frank Abney’s Projects
Frank E. Abney III is an enormous inspiration & his animation is beyond magical!!
"THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT KYLE!"-FRANK ALBNY Thank you sir for taking the time out of your day to inspire many!
WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS is coming to UTD for this first time! Learn about current and upcoming projects, the film-making process and information about student programs.
Tuesday, Oct. 1
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
ATEC Auditorium
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
ATEC Auditorium
Technical Director: Kaileen Kraemer,
Character Technical Director: Mikey Navarro, &
Artist Manager: Heather Russell from Walt Disney Animation Studios!!!
As an ATEC animation student it was an honor to be apart of this event!
Sean Muriithi is a stand-up guy and his animation has been nothing but inspirational for future animators and the world to behold!!
This message means more thank you know Sean!! you are in Inspiration and an honorable man!! Thank you brother, I can't wait to be an animator one day!!!
Sean's art work is next level and is really breath taking with his artistic style!
Sean Muriithi's path was anything but easy and he has made his footprint in the animation Industry!! He has shown me how important kindness is and it truly does go a long way!! Thank you brother for everything you do and all of us you continue to inspire man!!
Sean McComber was my final animation Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. I really liked his honesty and he wouldn’t beat around the bush, if your animation was off or not feeling right.
Before joining the ATEC faculty, Sean McComber worked for the visual-effects studio Rhythm & Hues as a character animator, lead animator, and supervising animator on numerous feature films. He has also worked in the video game industry as a senior cinematics animator at Sucker Punch Productions.
Currently, McComber is an Associate Professor in the discipline of animation. His teaching interests encompass character animation, pre-production, and cinematography. McComber holds a BFA in Computer Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and an MFA from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Stargazer is a sci-fi action animated short about two sisters flying their father’s vehicle, the Stargazer, in an attempt to escape the rule of an oppressive robotic alien regime. The animated short is produced by students in the ATEC Animation Lab. The lab provides an opportunity for students to take part in a simulated animation studio experience, where a crew of 40 students work over the course of two semesters in assigned roles to write, design, and produced a two-minute CG animated short film.
Secret Service Status: Sean McComber & Phillip Hall at the ATEC UT DALLAS STARGAZER Premiere DEC 2019
"Monster Docs": McComber is targeting five medical issues that are common for children: tympanostomy tubes, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, appendicitis and treatment of a fracture.
Working with a physician, Sean McComber MFA’14 is developing 10 videos in a series called “Monster Docs” that will provide medical information to children in an easy-to-understand way.
“I wanted to develop an animated video that would explain common pediatric medical procedures in terms that a child would understand,” he said. “The thought was that it would make it a less-threatening experience.”
Before joining the School of Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication, McComber worked as a character animator in Los Angeles, bringing characters such as Alvin and the Chipmunks and Yogi Bear to life in films and videos.
Through his “Monster Docs” video series, Sean McComber MFA’14 hopes to share medical information with children in a fun and entertaining manner.
Thank you, Sean McComber, for not losing your passion for animation and continuing to spread it through all of us and the next generation of Character animators. Thank you, sir I am very grateful and honored!!
I was completely honored to have Tim Ingersoll as my first Professor at Animation Mentor. Immediately I knew this is where I needed to be, when Tim appeared in our first class wearing a mask!
I could do nothing but smile and it brought me back to my childhood and performing in multiple plays for a summer camp called “Morning Stars”. There we would get into character and practice our lines, little would I know this would help me down the line and, on my path, to becoming an Animator.
TIM INGERSOLL, 21 years old at Filmation Studio. Bad Ass Mustache!!!
Tim help break things down very simplistically, but also at the same time raising that level of thinking and thought process about animation. I’m grateful to have had such an amazing professor and Mentor, who truly wants to see you grow and become an animator one day! There were times in my past I felt like not all the information was being shared or displayed in the right manner. I didn’t feel that once in animation mentor with Tim and I cannot wait to become a character animator one day!
Thank you sir for the Dream Works book an inspiring message! I can't wait to be apart of the giant animation industry family spread all across the world. To be able to collaborate with people from all walks of life is nothing but amazing to me and I miss it dearly.
Thank you again sir for the amazing gift and for never losing your passion! It was truly an honor and I'm looking forward to meeting you in person one day sir!
{Go the Distance, It's A Leap of Faith, Dare to Dream, Believe and Achieve, To Infinity and Beyond...Strength and Honor!!!}
It was a complete honor learning from my second professor Mike Gasaway: legendary animator who had their had on lots of my childhood cartoons growing up!
I really like how Mike broke down the importance of blocking and locking down our body mechanics and movements before going into the splining process of animation and polish. I learned so much and I can't wait to learn more!
Mike Gasaway, a former animator for Disney who also worked as an animator/director on shows such as "Jimmy Neutron" and "Back at the Barnyard," is seen at his Hilliard residence Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.
Mike truly helped us slow down and really dive deep into what goes into each process of animation and how we can even embed overlap and anticipations and various other animation principles throughout the beginning stages of our blocking.
I'm truly grateful I was able to have the Legend Mike Gasaway as my professor, little does he know I would binge watching Jimmy Neutron as a kid and I loved the imagination it brought to me as a child! Thank you sir for everything!
Rich Fournier was my Advanced Body Mechanics professor in Animation Mentor. He really pushed my abilities to the limit and opened many new doors I didn't even think were possible!
Rich made us question where is the force coming from in the body really? What other body parts are affected down the chain, as a result? I won't forget what you have taught me Rich and I can't wait to become a character animator one day! I'm grateful!!
It was an extreme honor to learn from you Rich! You are a Legendary individual, who helped open my eyes to the true essence of animation!
I want to truly thank you for all your help, not just for me...but my future generation of family members that don't even exists yet.
You helped pave the road to strengthen my animation foundation and bringing me one step closer to being able to provide for my future wife and family! I can't really put into words how truly grateful I am and humbled to even been given the opportunity even be here.
I want to thank the Legend Rich Fournier again, for helping me get one step closer to being able to provide for my future wife and family! The foundational animation knowledge I learned this term has been very rewarding and challenging all in one. Always a student and always learning!
I can't thank you enough Rich and hopefully I can meet you in person one day and thank you myself! Beyond grateful!! Strength and Honor!!!
Ryan Vicik was my Intro To Acting professor in Animation Mentor. He really pushed my acting/animation abilities and brought out a part of my childhood, I thought I would never use again.
As a kid I was very introverted and shy, my grandmother placed me in "Morning Stars", an acting camp for kids, and I would perform in numerous plays and acting throughout my youth. Ryan reminded me in our class, how we need to tap into the character's thought process and even become the character to really get a good reference and performance for the animation process.
Ryan was very inspirational and I'll never forget the time when he told us to really dive deep into the lip-sync and rip that bandaid off! All of us are driving on the same road to one destination, we are all just on different parts of that same road.
Ryan really pushed us and then made us remember to live life on a knifes edge, always pushing for the next plateau of understanding, such inspiring and motiving words. I could hardly sleep this term and all I could think about was animation.
It was an extreme honor to learn from you Ryan! You are a Legendary individual, I remember you saying not to gush, but the fact of the matter is sir. I'm not supposed to be alive, after feeling a bullet rip through my flesh after being shot and then blown up with an IED by the Taliban in combat, I will never take another day for granted.
I can't thank you enough Ryan for helping me get one step closer to being able to provide for my future wife and family sir. You helped really show me how we must be humble with every step: living life on a knife's edge and always striving for a higher plateau of understanding.
You are a Legend Ryan Vicik and your understanding of animation is on another planet. Thank you for inspiring all of us and sharing a slice of your animation passion with us! I will forever be grateful and my future family who doesn't exist yet will be as well. I can't thank you enough for pushing me Ryan, for not giving up and really helping us understand the importance of our character's internal thought process & the jaw-dropping and lip corner working together as a unit for the audience's best clarity.
I hope one day Ryan I can thank you in person myself sir! I'm beyond grateful for all your teachings and most importantly your time! Strength and Honor!!
Greg Whittaker was my Advanced Acting professor in Animation Mentor. He really pushed me into trying to capture those organic head gestures and other subtleties a character has when acting for the audience.
I'm grateful for Greg's understanding of animation and even incorporating the old skillsets and application that was needed in the past for traditional animation s well.
Greg was very inspirational and I'll never forget the stories with Chuck Jones and his passion for animation! Thank you Greg for sharing your knowledge and helping guide all of us to our limits and then push us that much more!
Greg was very inspiring and motivated in each class. This really helped push my work ethic and look past all the critiques and notes so personally. There's a mission that must be executed for the audience and we must try to maintain simplicity and entertainment at the highest level of appeal for them.
It was an extreme honor to learn from you, Greg! You are a Legendary individual, thank you for noticing my hard work ethic.
I'm not supposed to be alive, after feeling a bullet rip through my flesh after being shot and then blown up with an IED by the Taliban in combat, I will never take another day for granted.
I can't thank you enough Greg for helping me get one step closer to being able to provide for my future wife and family sir. You helped really show me how we must be humble and have a hard work ethic in this industry.
You are a Legend Greg Whittaker and your understanding of animation is on another planet. Thank you for inspiring all of us and sharing a slice of your animation passion with all of us! I will forever be grateful and my future family who doesn't exist yet will be as well!
I can't thank you enough for pushing us Greg, for not giving up your passion and fuel for animation! I hope one day Greg I can thank you in person myself sir! I'm beyond grateful for all your teachings and most importantly your time! Strength and Honor!!
Sean Sexton was my Feature Animation Acting and Polish professor in Animation Mentor. Thank you, Sean, for showing us this amazing new workflow, I’m grateful I was a part of this team growing and learning with other artists.
Sean helped me grow and take leaps I never thought was ever possible. I really felt he pushed me to new heights really figuring out what I needed to focus on and then executing.
I’m grateful for Sean’s knowledge and hands on experience in this artform, how he was able to analyze the Teams Strength and weakness and then bring us all to a higher level by the end of the term!
Sean was very organized and thorough making sure each class, the Team got as much information as possible to digest in the small amount of time we had together.
Sean's personality and straight to the point leadership, made me feel right back at home in the military. I enjoyed it a lot, no beating around the bush: really dissecting my animation and workflow and giving the best course of action to push my animation that much further.
Thank you, Sean for never losing your passion and helping myself and the team grow so much in the short time period we had together. Your passion for animation is very inspiring and I thank you for taking the path of mentorship and helping younger artists gain their wings into the industry sir. I hope to be able to thank you in person one day!
It was an extreme honor to learn from you, Sean! You are a Legendary individual, Grateful for your straight-forward leadership and helping the team grow to heights we never thought was possible!
I'm not supposed to be alive, after feeling a bullet rip through my flesh after being shot and then blown up with an IED by the Taliban in combat, I will never take another day for granted.
I can't thank you enough Sean for helping me get one step closer to being able to provide for my future family sir. You helped really show me how we must have a hard work ethic in this industry and this artform, but also be able to be flexible and work with a Team.
I can't thank you enough for pushing us Sean, for not giving up your passion and fuel for animation! I hope one day Sean, I can thank you in person myself sir! I'm beyond grateful for all your teachings and most importantly your time!
You are a Legend Sean Sexton, and your understanding of animation is on another planet. Thank you for helping not only myself, but for helping the Team grow and sharing a slice of your animation passion with all of us! I will forever be grateful and my future family who doesn't exist yet will be as well! Strength and Honor!!
Dave and I first crossed paths years ago, during my animation pathway with Animation Mentor. Dave helped form many of my skills and analyze my animation on a level I never knew was possible. I still have much to learn, but I am enjoying the process and falling more in love with this beautiful art form each day!
Dave has also shown me a side of the industry that I never knew existed. The side I truly hope the entire industry was like, but sadly it's not. That straight military camaraderie bond between war brothers and sisters, doing what it takes to get the mission accomplished but also willing to give our fellow mates a food ration or water in need. I feel this animation industry there is enough pie and food for everyone to eat. Especially with the rise in streaming services and commercials diving deep into animation medium.
I'm not supposed to be alive, after feeling a bullet rip through my flesh after being shot and then blown up with an IED by the Taliban in combat, I will never take another day for granted: But the truth of the matter remains…many don’t care and that’s okay. We can’t let someone else opinion of ourselves dictate who we become. If we have strong dreams and passions, we should always fight for them and never give up!
Dave is truly an inspiration and a great friend! His humbleness and honor give me faith in our Industry that there are more! We must remember we are never too important to be kind. We must eradicate hate and show others the light! I have the utmost respect for you Dave and I hope I can thank you in person brother, for what you have done. Always learning and remaining humbled in each step.
You are a Freaking Legend David Nuttall, thank you for helping not only me but for helping my family as well! I hope to one day shake your hand and give you a salute brother. Strength and Honor, Dave!!!