Jamy Wheless

Jamy Wheless

I'm passionate about bringing characters & stories to life!

Supervisor Animation Director / Supervisor Producer / 22 yrs

Petaluma, CA, United States

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Animation Director

Andy: A Dog's Tale (2022)

Animation Supervisor

The King's Daughter (2022)

Executive Producer

The Pig on the Hill (2018)

animation supervisor/animator

Iron Man (2008)

Character Animator

Transformers (2007)

Character Animator

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Animator

Eragon (2006)

animation supervisor/animator

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)

animation supervisor/animator

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

Lead Animator

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Animator

Peter Pan (2003)

Animation Sequence Supervisor / Animator

Hulk (2003)

animation supervisor/animator

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Video Documentary / Animator

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: 20th Anniversary Celebration (2002)

Animator

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Animation Supervisor
Lightstream Animation Studios
posed characters
Dream Big Poster
Jamy Demo
In 1996, I was hired by ILM to work on commercials as a technical director and character animator. In 2000, I became a member of ILM’s feature production team, where I was a lead animator responsible for the character development and performances of the first digital Yoda for the Star Wars prequels as well as Davy Jones for the Pirates of the Caribbean films amongst many others.

Later I co-founded Lightstream Animation Studios and currently manage a new company, IGNITE Animation Studios. As CEO and Animation Director, I lead remote teams as we bring captivating stories and inspiring characters to life for feature films, television, and augmented reality projects.

I co-directed the Oscar-nominated short film The Pig on the Hill and recently partnered with Jean Schulz to produce and direct our latest short film ANDY "A Dog's Tale".
Work History

  • CEO / Animation Director

    IGNITE Animation Studios

    January 2020 - Present
    California, United States

    IGNITE is an agile and experienced full-service animation studio located in northern California. As a key to ongoing success, we specialize in building remote relationships between artists, IP holders, and distributors to cultivate teams of highly experienced and motivated creative thinkers. Delivering from script to story reel, character design to full animation production, we create captivating stories of inspiration and hope for audiences of all ages. Skills: Editing · Art

  • Adjunct Professor in Character Animation

    Auburn University

    September 2018 - Present
    Auburn, Alabama Area

    Skills: Editing · Art

  • CEO & Animation Director

    IGNITE Animation Studios

    April 2007 - Present

  • Animation Director

    Ignite Animation

    January 2020 - January 2023
    Petaluma, CA

    Producer/Director for award-winning short film ANDY "A dog's tale"

  • Animation Mentor

    Animation Mentor

    April 2007 - December 2014
    Berkley, California

    Provided students with critical detail instructions, insights into the industry, studio best-practices, and technology tips.

  • Animation Lead

    Industrial Light & Magic

    October 1996 - April 2007

    Skills: Art
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Education

  • Auburn University

    1982 - 1987