Melanie Cordan

Melanie Cordan

Animation and Illustration

Supervisor Animator / Mid-level Illustrator

Boulder Creek, CA

Hire Me

Animator

Sonic Prime (2022)

Animator

Spanner (2020)

CG Animator

Entropy (2019)

Animator

Crow: The Legend (2018)

Animator

Coin Operated (2017)

Animator

Disrupted (2017)

Animator

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Animator

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Animator

The Croods (2013)

Animator

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Animator

Puss in Boots (2011)

Animator

Shrek 4-D (2009)

Animator

Monsters vs Aliens (2009)

Character Animator

Turbo (2009)

Animator

Flushed Away (2006)

Animator

Over The Hedge (2006)

Animator

The Madagascar Penguins in a Christmas Caper (2005)

Animator

Far Far Away Idol (2004)

Animator

Shrek 2 (2004)

CG Animator

Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)

Senior Animator

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Animator

Parasite Eve (1998)

Freelance Animator

Google Daydream

Character Animator

Kung Fu Panda 2: The Video Game (2011)

Character Animator

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

Director and Animator

"Undisclosed PSA"

Character Animator

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Animator

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Character Animator

Megamind (2010)

Character Animator

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Character Animator

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

Animator

Bee Movie (2007)

Animator

Shrek The Third (2007)

Animator

Madagascar (2005)

Animator

Shrek 2 (2004)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Character Animator

Toy Story 2 (1999)

Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

Universal Soldier (1992)

I am a 2-d trained animator who worked in the 3-d feature film world for 18 years. My professional career includes: Feature Film Character Animation, Live Action Creature Work, Commercials, Video Game cut scenes, and 2-d animation for Educational Programs. I am passionate about animation and believe that character development and story are the key to creating great content. Currently working on vis dev and illustration portfolio and looking for freelance.
Work History

  • Animator

    Epic Games

    October 2023 - Present
    remote

  • Animation Director

    MetaLVX

    August 2022 - March 2023
    Remote

  • 3D Animator

    Evil Eye Pictures

    April 2021 - December 2021
    San Francisco, California, US

  • Lead Animator

    Sunrise Productions

    October 2020 - December 2020
    Cape Town, ZA

  • Animator

    AWS

    August 2020 - October 2020
    remote

  • animator

    Cryptic Studios

    August 2019 - October 2019
    Remote

  • Character Animator

    Fable Studio

    February 2019 - May 2019
    San Francisco, California, US

  • Senior Animator

    Baobab Studios

    February 2018 - April 2018

  • Character Animator

    Tactic Studios

    December 2017 - February 2018

  • BLOCKED

    November 2017 - January 2018

  • Freelance Animator

    Google

    August 2017 - November 2017

  • Nimble Collective

    June 2017 - June 2017

  • Character Animator

    Nimble Collective

    June 2017 - June 2017
    Boulder Creek, CA

    Contracted out to animate on 5 shots on Brian Newlin's web series, www.disruptedliving.com

  • Character Animator

    Nimble Collective

    April 2016 - June 2016
    Boulder Creek, CA

    Hired to lead animate on short that is currently winning awards on indie film circuit. The short is called "Coin Operated."

  • Mentor

    Animation Mentor

    January 2006 - March 2015

    I was an on again/off again mentor at Animation Mentor from the time they started up to spring of last year. I have taught almost every class they offer except the creature classes and the very first fundamental class. I may teach there again someday but right now I am focusing my time on my new endeavor.

  • Animation Lead

    DreamWorks Animation

    August 2014 - January 2015

    I was leading up Dragon 2 animation for a Dreamworks IP in their iGo (tech) division. My responsibilities include animating, approving all animation and managing small crew of animators.This project was launched for HP's Sprout project.

  • Adjunct Lecturer

    UC Santa Cruz

    December 2013 - March 2014

    Teaching an Introduction to Animation in the DANM program. This class is deigned to introduce students to the fundamentals and diverse techniques of Animation. Students will experiment with basic animation exercises, as well as basic sound and editing techniques for creating their own shorts films.

  • Character Animator

    DreamWorks Animation

    March 2003 - November 2013

    Credits Include:

    -Peabody and Sherman (release date 2014)
    -Turbo (2013)
    - Rocky and Bullwinkle (short release date 2013)
    -Madagascar 3 (2012) *Gloria Lead*
    -Kung Fu Panda 2 (2010) *additional animation*
    -Megamind (2010)
    -How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
    - Madagascar 2 (2008)
    - The Bee Movie (2007)
    - Shrek the Halls (made for TV special. 2007)
    - Shrek3 (2007)
    - Over the Hedge (2006)
    - A Christmas Caper (Penguins short. 2005)
    - Madagascar (2005)
    - Far Far Away Idol (DVD extra. 2004)
    - Shrek2 (2004)

  • Senior Animator

    Wētā FX

    October 2000 - October 2002

    Credits Include:

    - Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
    - Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

  • Character Animator

    Pixar

    April 1999 - October 1999

    -Hired to work on Toy Story 2 for the duration of the project.
    Asked to return one month later to work on ABC interstitials and
    TS2 outtakes.

  • Character Animator

    Rhythm & Hues Studios

    1996 - 1999

    -animated on Babe2
    -worked on various commercials and video games
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Education

  • Oatley Academy

    April 2016 - August 2017

  • Oatley Academy

    ? - ?