Charles Ellison
Charles Ellison
Character Art Director | Character Designer - Warner Bros.
Los Angeles , United States

Summary

Charles has 20 years of experience in the Animation industry. Most notably during that time, Charles has served as a Head of Modeling for DreamWorks Animation where he supervised both Trolls and its sequel, Trolls World Tour. He also brings an extensive resume as a 3D artist for such franchises as “How To Train Your Dragon”, where he helped develop characters and environments for each installment of the beloved trilogy, and other DreamWorks films such as “Kung Fu Panda 2”, “Rise of the Guardians”, and “Abominable”. In more recent years, Charles has served mostly as a Character Visual Development artist where he has helped bring to life many franchise characters for upcoming projects from both DreamWorks Animation and Netflix Animation, and currently serves as Character Art Director for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation.

Charles has the unique combination of skill and collaborative spirit which empowers him to continue to usher into the world, vibrant animated characters that connect with audiences. His passion of the craft has also extended into the animation community where he’s dedicated many years to educate the next wave of talent as an Instructor for both the Art Center, College of Design in Pasadena, as well as AnimSchool’s highly acclaimed online program, teaching 3D character development.

Charles was born in Venezuela, but at an early age migrated to the United States, growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he later studied Fine Arts and 3D Animation at the Academy of Arts University. A dreamer since a boy, Charles continues his pursuit of telling great stories through the characters he brings to life. Charles is a member of the Animation Guild and ASIFA-Hollywood, and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two daughters and three dogs.

Skills

Visual DevelopmentCharacter ModelingDigital SculptingLook DevelopmentGroomingEnvironment ModelingTool Development

Software proficiency

Maya
Maya
Photoshop
Photoshop
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
ZBrush
ZBrush
Marvelous Designer
Marvelous Designer
Arnold
Arnold
Xgen
Xgen

Productions

    • Movie
      Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      3D Character Visdev Artist
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      Puss In Boots :: The Last Wish
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      3D Character Visual Development
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      The Sea Beast
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      3D Character Visdev Artist
    • Company
      Netflix Animation
    • Movie
      Trolls World Tour
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Modeling Supervisor
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      Abominable
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Character Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      How To Train Your Dragon :: The Hidden World
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Character Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      The Boss Baby
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Modeling
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      Trolls
    • Year
      2016
    • Role
      Modeling Supervisor
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      How To Train Your Dragon 2
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      Rise of the Guardians
    • Year
      2012
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      Kung Fu Panda 2
    • Year
      2011
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation
    • Movie
      How To Train Your Dragon
    • Year
      2010
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks Animation

Experience

  • 3D Character Designer at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation
    April 2021 - Present

  • Character Visual Development Artist at DreamWorks Animation
    February 2019 - April 2021

  • Head of Modeling at DreamWorks Animation
    Glendale, CA, United States of America
    February 2014 - February 2019

  • Modeler at DreamWorks Animation
    Glendale, CA, United States of America
    February 2008 - Present

  • Character Development Artist at Netflix Animation
    Los Angeles, United States of America
    May 2019 - October 2019