“Over the last 20+ years, I have experienced it all when it comes to animation. From initial training in traditional animation, through the prime evolution of 3D computer animation, I was always heavily involved in the pre-production development of the character rigs, early creative animation testing, and improving the animation software and animator workflow. I’ve always loved actively animating as well as helping others animate to the highest level possible. I was artistically trained, but always bounced between an artistic and technical mindset, culminating in overseeing the development of the next generation DWA animation software, for which I received an Academy Sci Tech Award. 2017 stretched my skill set again with my first co-directing role on the WB animated feature, “Smallfoot”. This year I started sharing my experiene with the next genera- tion as a Professor of Animation at USC.”

Jason Reisig is at much at home as Head of Character Animation for DreamWorks as he is here in Carmel Valley, where he grew up. Jason’s drive to become an animator came from this love of drawing. In his third year at ArtCenter, he secured a 3-month internship at Walt Disney Feature Animation in Florida, working on traditional 2D animation. He was hooked! After college and working at Alias/Wavefront—a company experimenting in 3D computer animation—his passion and skill reached new heights.

Jason began his career in 1996 at PDI/DreamWorks, where he animated their first animated feature, ANTZ and Academy-award-winning SHREK. For his notable efforts, Jason was nominated for an Annie Award in the category of “Outstanding Achievement by an Individual in Character Animation.”

Watch one of Jason’s latest accomplishments, “Bug Therapy”, an animation short.