DENIS MORELLA
RÉSUME
Hello, my name is Denis Morella, I’m an animation professional with over three decades in the industry. I co-created the series SHERIFF CALLIE’S WILD WEST and the award winning HIGGLYTOWN HEROES for Disney Jr. My experience includes developing and directing a wide variety of television series and commercials, utilizing 2D, 3D, and every style in between. Roles include creative director, animation director and art director.
CO-CREATOR
NEW PRE-SCHOOL ANIMATED SERIES / 2022–2024
Recently had a new animated series pitch optioned by a major production company in Los Angeles. Details to follow.
PROFESSIONAL ANIMATION EXPERIENCE
Development of animation projects for television 2022-present
PURE IMAGINATION STUDIOS
LEGO Pilot, Animation Director 2021–2022
Responsibilities include overseeing animation, draw-overs for storyboards, characters and set up shots, final color, lighting and comp, working with the PI production team and overseas studio.
TRILOGY ANIMATION GROUP / VEGGIETALES Animation Director
JAY JAY the JETPLANE, Supervising Director 2019-2021
Responsibilities include directing series episodes, developing the concept and look of a series pilot episode, character and story development, character design, working with studio executives, writers, composers and overseas studios.
NICKELODEON ANIMATION STUDIOS
Character designer for animation project in initial development
phase. 2019
Responsibilities involved designing and revising characters in collaboration with the creator of an animated project.
WALTON ISAACSON AGENCY
Development for an animation project based on characters from a Japanese clothing line. 2017-2018
Responsibilities included redesigning characters from an existing fashion line, character development, story development and pitch package materials.
DISNEY JR. / WILD CANARY ANIMATION
Co-creator, director, art director of CG series Sheriff Callie’s Wild West for Disney Jr. (22 half hour episodes) 2014-2016
Responsibilities included developing the initial concept and look of the show, character and story development, character design, storyboards, working with studio executives, writers, composers and overseas studios.
DISNEY JR. / WILDBRAIN ANIMATION STUDIOS
Co-creator, co-executive producer, director, art director of CG series Sheriff Callie’s Wild West for Disney Jr. (23 half hour episodes) 2008-2014
Responsibilities included developing the initial concept and look of the show, character and story development, character design, storyboards, working with studio executives, writers, composers and overseas studios.
Supervising Director for CG series Bubble Guppies for Nick Jr. 2007-2008
Responsibilities included working with the Nickelodeon co-creators and producers, overseeing an in-house crew of 16 people, visiting the overseas studios in Korea and China at the initial pre-pro phase and continuing to work with them and the episode director on a daily basis.
Co-creator, co-executive producer, director, art director for CG series Higglytown Heroes for Playhouse Disney (65 half hour episodes) 2003-2007
Responsibilities included everything from conception of the original idea to final series, character and story development, overall production design, overseeing voice records, composers and an in-house crew of 20 people.
Director of commercials and shorts 2000-2003
Clients included Ford Focus, Wrigley’s, Chili’s, CA State Fair, Mattel
HRSA - Stop Bullying Now – animated online series and live action commercials
Cartoonnetwork.com – Uncle Squirly in Squirrel Interrupted, A Meal of Two Cities, Hermann and Vermin, Yogi Bear in Lullabye-bye Bear
CURIOUS PICTURES
Director of commercials and shorts 1996-2000
Clients included CBS, GTE, Pringles, Best Buy
Cartoon Network – Prickles the Cactus, a 7-minute pilot for What A Cartoon! Bob Clampett Show Open, Animate Your World – Bob, Percolate
Cartoonnetwork.com – Uncle Squirly’s Treehouse
COLOSSAL PICTURES
Director of commercials and shorts 1984-1995
Clients included Squaresoft, California Lottery, Levi’s
MTV’s Liquid Television – Invisible Hands, The Adventures of Thomas and Nardo, Rico and Klein.
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
2016 Emmy Award Nomination for Best Writing in a Preschool Program – Sheriff Callie’s Wild West
2016 Annie Award Nominations for Best Animated Preschool Program and Best Music in an Animated TV Production – Sheriff Callie’s Wild West
2005 Genesis Award/Best Children’s Programming - Higglytown Heroes - Kip’s Shadow
2005 Media Access Award/Best Children’s Programming – Higglytown Heroes - Twinkle’s Masterpiece
1997 World Animation Celebration – Best Animated Campaign - Animate Your World
1994 Telly Award – Squaresoft - Monsters
EDUCATION
Philadelphia College of Art (University of the Arts) BFA in Animation.
RÉSUME
Hello, my name is Denis Morella, I’m an animation professional with over three decades in the industry. I co-created the series SHERIFF CALLIE’S WILD WEST and the award winning HIGGLYTOWN HEROES for Disney Jr. My experience includes developing and directing a wide variety of television series and commercials, utilizing 2D, 3D, and every style in between. Roles include creative director, animation director and art director.
CO-CREATOR
NEW PRE-SCHOOL ANIMATED SERIES / 2022–2024
Recently had a new animated series pitch optioned by a major production company in Los Angeles. Details to follow.
PROFESSIONAL ANIMATION EXPERIENCE
Development of animation projects for television 2022-present
PURE IMAGINATION STUDIOS
LEGO Pilot, Animation Director 2021–2022
Responsibilities include overseeing animation, draw-overs for storyboards, characters and set up shots, final color, lighting and comp, working with the PI production team and overseas studio.
TRILOGY ANIMATION GROUP / VEGGIETALES Animation Director
JAY JAY the JETPLANE, Supervising Director 2019-2021
Responsibilities include directing series episodes, developing the concept and look of a series pilot episode, character and story development, character design, working with studio executives, writers, composers and overseas studios.
NICKELODEON ANIMATION STUDIOS
Character designer for animation project in initial development
phase. 2019
Responsibilities involved designing and revising characters in collaboration with the creator of an animated project.
WALTON ISAACSON AGENCY
Development for an animation project based on characters from a Japanese clothing line. 2017-2018
Responsibilities included redesigning characters from an existing fashion line, character development, story development and pitch package materials.
DISNEY JR. / WILD CANARY ANIMATION
Co-creator, director, art director of CG series Sheriff Callie’s Wild West for Disney Jr. (22 half hour episodes) 2014-2016
Responsibilities included developing the initial concept and look of the show, character and story development, character design, storyboards, working with studio executives, writers, composers and overseas studios.
DISNEY JR. / WILDBRAIN ANIMATION STUDIOS
Co-creator, co-executive producer, director, art director of CG series Sheriff Callie’s Wild West for Disney Jr. (23 half hour episodes) 2008-2014
Responsibilities included developing the initial concept and look of the show, character and story development, character design, storyboards, working with studio executives, writers, composers and overseas studios.
Supervising Director for CG series Bubble Guppies for Nick Jr. 2007-2008
Responsibilities included working with the Nickelodeon co-creators and producers, overseeing an in-house crew of 16 people, visiting the overseas studios in Korea and China at the initial pre-pro phase and continuing to work with them and the episode director on a daily basis.
Co-creator, co-executive producer, director, art director for CG series Higglytown Heroes for Playhouse Disney (65 half hour episodes) 2003-2007
Responsibilities included everything from conception of the original idea to final series, character and story development, overall production design, overseeing voice records, composers and an in-house crew of 20 people.
Director of commercials and shorts 2000-2003
Clients included Ford Focus, Wrigley’s, Chili’s, CA State Fair, Mattel
HRSA - Stop Bullying Now – animated online series and live action commercials
Cartoonnetwork.com – Uncle Squirly in Squirrel Interrupted, A Meal of Two Cities, Hermann and Vermin, Yogi Bear in Lullabye-bye Bear
CURIOUS PICTURES
Director of commercials and shorts 1996-2000
Clients included CBS, GTE, Pringles, Best Buy
Cartoon Network – Prickles the Cactus, a 7-minute pilot for What A Cartoon! Bob Clampett Show Open, Animate Your World – Bob, Percolate
Cartoonnetwork.com – Uncle Squirly’s Treehouse
COLOSSAL PICTURES
Director of commercials and shorts 1984-1995
Clients included Squaresoft, California Lottery, Levi’s
MTV’s Liquid Television – Invisible Hands, The Adventures of Thomas and Nardo, Rico and Klein.
AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS
2016 Emmy Award Nomination for Best Writing in a Preschool Program – Sheriff Callie’s Wild West
2016 Annie Award Nominations for Best Animated Preschool Program and Best Music in an Animated TV Production – Sheriff Callie’s Wild West
2005 Genesis Award/Best Children’s Programming - Higglytown Heroes - Kip’s Shadow
2005 Media Access Award/Best Children’s Programming – Higglytown Heroes - Twinkle’s Masterpiece
1997 World Animation Celebration – Best Animated Campaign - Animate Your World
1994 Telly Award – Squaresoft - Monsters
EDUCATION
Philadelphia College of Art (University of the Arts) BFA in Animation.