Don Spencer

Don Spencer

Owner at Grace Lake Productions

Supervisor series director / 24 yrs

Ontario, Canada

Hire Me

Animation Supervisor

The Nut Job 2 (2017)

Storyboard Artist

PINY Institute of New York (2016)

Storyboard Artist

Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir (2015)

Sheet Timer

VeggieTales: Abe and the Amazing Promise (2009)

Timing Director

LittleBigPlanet (2008)

Storyboard Artist

The Mr. Men Show (2008)

Storyboard Artist

Yo Gabba Gabba! (2007)

Sheet Timer

VeggieTales (2006)

Supervising Producer

Robotboy (2005)

Storyboard Artist

Casa Foster pentru prieteni imaginari (2004)

Storyboard Artist

Ami Jones (2004)

Storyboard Artist

The Suite Life of Hudson and James (2002)

Storyboard Artist

Cyberchase (2002)

Storyboard Artist

The Backyardigans (2001)

Character Clean-Up

The Fairly OddParents (2001)

Sheet Timer

Spongebob SquarePants (1999)

Design Supervisor

Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1993)

Storyboard Artist

Rugrats (1991)

Overseas Animation Director

The Simpsons TV Series (1989)

Directing Animator

The Chipmunk Adventure (1987)

Animator

Highlander (1986)

I have been engaged in the Animation/Entertainment Industry for over 37 years, working with some of the most prestigious corporations worldwide (living/working in Canada, U.S.A., U.K., Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, China, Spain, S. Korea, New Zealand and Jordan) in positions that range from Supervising Producer, Producer, Director, Creative Director, Storyboard Artist, Designer and Animation Artist etc. for companies such as Nickelodeon, HiT Entertainment, Toonbox Entertainment, Film Roman etc. on shows such as “The Simpson’s”, “Rocco’s Modern Life”, “Thomas and Friends”, “The Nut Job 2” and more.
Also, I founded and operated my own well-known animation company, Funbag Animation Studios, as President, Producer, Director and Creative Lead for several successful years. The credentials above, plus my many years of international experience, gives me a unique, balanced perspective and a pragmatic, yet creative, point of view of the relationship between artists, management, clients and the business needs of the company while exceeding industry standards.
Work History

  • Owner

    Grace Lake Productions

    January 1992 - Present
    Wilberforce, ON

  • Business Owner

    Grace Lake Productions

    January 1992 - Present
    worldwide

  • Lead Animator

    Little Blackstone Studios, Toronto, Canada

    January 2020 - March 2020

    “Grand Army” TV Series

  • Lead Animator

    Yowza Animation Studios Inc., Toronto, Canada

    October 2019 - March 2020

    “Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham”

  • Production/Direction Consultant

    Morpho Animation Studio, San Jose, Costa Rica.

    January 2015 - January 2020

    “Felix the Robot”

  • Senior Storyboard Artist

    Snowball Studios, Entertainment One Toronto, Canada and Pop Family Entertainment

    April 2019 - July 2019

    “Alien TV” CGI Series

  • Senior Storyboard Artist

    Storyberry Inc. Toronto, Canada.

    September 2018 - February 2019

    “Marmaduke” CGI theatrical feature

  • Senior Character Animator

    Yowza! Animation

    November 2017 - February 2018
    Toronto, Canada Area

    Animated on the Netflix/Warner Bros. production of Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham".

  • Senior Animation Supervisor/Creative and Development Lead

    Suning Universal Media, Shanghai, China and Toonbox Entertainment, Toronto, Cana

    May 2016 - May 2017
    Toronto Ontario Canada and Shanghai China

    “The Nut Job 2” and “Mega Racer” CGI theatrical features

  • Series Director

    Arc Productions

    May 2013 - May 2015
    Toronto, Canada Area

    Joined up with the Arc team and enjoying the ride.

  • Animation consultant/director/instructor

    various international companies

    February 2000 - May 2013

    Since the sale of my company, I have consulted/directed and acted as an instructor for companies worldwide including Europe, USA, Canada, Asia, Middle East and South Pacific.

  • director

    Rubicon Studios Jordan

    2010 - May 2011

    Director, Animation Director, IP Development for 2D flash and 3D.

  • designer, storyboard artist

    Nelvana

    1987 - 2006

    Character design and Storyboard artist.

  • Director, Animation Supervisor, Production Consultant

    Slightly Off Beat Productions

    March 2001 - April 2005
    Auckland, New Zealand

    Animation Director, Supervisor and Production Consultant with S.O.B Productions Ltd. Pty, Auckland, New Zealand on several domestic and foreign animated series and specials.
    -some titles include:
    “Second Star to the Left” - “War Games” - “Bounty Hamster” - “Pride Side” - “Lost Tribe” - “Haunted Pumpkin of Sleepy Hollow” - “Chronicles of the Monkey King” - “Switchblade”- “Dinosaurs of New Zealand” - “Small Miracle”

  • president

    Funbag Animation Studios Ltd

    July 1992 - February 2000

    I founded this Canadian company in 1992 with a small contract from within contacts in the industry and grew the company to over 125 employees/contractors. In 1998 I was instrumental in selling a majority share to Ploygram Filmed Entertainment/Universal Pictures. During my time with the company I acted in all relative management positions as well as taking an active role in the creative from Artist, Animator, Director and Producer.

  • founder, owner, operator

    Funbag Studios

    1991 - 1993
    Ottawa, Canada

    President, founder, Producer, Director, Creative director, VP of Human resources etc.

  • Co Director, additional writing, storyboard artist

    Nickelodeon Animation Studio

    February 1992 - May 1992
    Greater Los Angeles Area

    Acted as Co-Director, Storyboard Artist and supplied additional writing for Nickelodeon's Production of "Rocco's Modern Life".

  • Director/Producer, Supervising Producer, Animator, Storyboard Artist,

    Various International Animation Companies

    1980 - January 1992
    worldwide

    Director, Producer, Supervising Producer, Studio Owner, Animator, Character design and Storyboard artist etc.

  • Director/Producer/Supervising Producer

    DIC Entertainment

    1988 - 1991
    Greater Los Angeles Area

  • Overseas Animation Director/Supervisor

    Klasky Csupo

    March 1989 - September 1989
    Greater Los Angeles Area and Seoul South Korea

    Overseas Animation Supervisor/Director on the premier season of “The Simpson's” for Klasky-Csupo in Los Angeles, U.S.A. and Seoul, South Korea.

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Education

  • classical Animation in 2D animation

    Sheridan College

    1977 - 1980

  • Graphic Design in Graphic Design

    Niagara College

    1976 - 1978