COLLEEN HOLUB DRAWS & MORE
Featured Work
What I Do Best
As a kid, I spent a lot of hours with paper and pencils, drawing, dreaming up characters and stories. One day, by chance I saw an ad for artists and landed a job as an Cel Painter on an animated feature film. Working in an animation studio was a ton of fun and so inspiring. I was hooked! Through study and elbow grease I succeeded in turning my love of drawing and storytelling into a career in animation. Take a look at some of my featured recent work below and contact me if you’d like to learn more about my work experience as a animated Series Director.
This 3D CG project was a ton of fun! Having played with Hot Wheels and attended a couple of demo derbies as a little kid, I was pumped to have the opportunity work on a family-friendly series that's at once aspirational, playful and optimistic while also totally destructive, clever and subversive. This fully animated series is very successful on YouTubeKids and client, Mattel Digital Entertainment Group, is thrilled about it. Director June 23 2022-June 2023 7x8 minute series + 2 music videos: Stronger Together and Here Come The Creatures
Experience
Check out below to read details of my responsibilities in each role
As Supervising Series Director I guided a talented team of artists in keeping to the style, vision and creative ambition of the project. I lead the creative process with a goal to empower my team to produce bold and innovative storytelling. In this client-facing role I had direct interaction and communication with the client, and worked collaboratively in all aspects of the pipeline, managing the series from pre-production through to post.
As Animatics Editor I was responsible for timing and pacing. In addition to timing/slugging each storyboard panel (and additional poses for animation), I would simulate camera moves, add visual effects, temporary music and sound effects to support the action and comedic or dramatic narrative, and work collaboratively with Episodic Directors to massage the storytelling, in order to achieve the desired emotional impact of a scene or sequence. Series include these Netflix originals: The Hollow (mystery adventure), Chip & Potato (Netflix Jr Preschool) and The Adventures of Puss In Boots (action adventure).
Mentor
As a colleague I provide regular scheduled one-on-one weekly, bi-weekly and/or informal on-the-fly meetings with a junior Series Director, mentoring as a peer and coach. I give encouragement, guidance, knowledge for key skills development and consistent, reliable support and advice for working in an animated series Director role. I help my mentees define goals and develop leadership skills. The goal is to advance the careers of cross-sectional women who are under-represented in leadership roles in the animation industry by providing mentorship and training so that they are set-up to succeed. I hope to create a sense of community where my mentee's skills are nurtured, their concerns are heard, and they feel supported and inspired to achieve growth and feel prepared to take on a leadership role. I have mentored a first-time Director at Kickstart Entertainment. I've sat on a Jury for Women In Animation Vancouver Chapter's ACE Program and presented a Day-In-The-Life of a Director workshop.
CV - from most recent work
Director
June 2022 - June 2023
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks at Mayhem Mountain I directed 7 x 8 minutes episodes and 2 music videos of this 3D CG animated series for Mattel Digital Entertainment Group on YouTubeKids in 2023. Working directly with the client, lead our in-house pre-production and production creative team and with overseas production partner.
Series Director
April 2020 - April 2022
Deepa & Anoop, a Netflix Original CG animated preschool series, as Series Director I was responsible for leading the creative vision on an original new series concept. I was liaison and creative link between the executive team, creators, production partners, and the overseas production studio. I oversaw all phases of production with our internal producer and inhouse production team, collaborated and communicated with the Line Producer, Art Director and Head of CG to set the overall tone and visual style for the show; then lead the creatives (storyboard supervisor, episodic directors, animation supervisor, lighting VFX supervisor, sound designer, and composer) to ensure the creative vision of the series, through to final mix playback.
Unit Director
September 2018 - January 2020
Rhyme Time Town, a Netflix Original 2D animated preschool series, I directed 17, 11-minute episodes by DreamWorks Animation TV airing on Netflix in 2020 and 2021. I was responsible for all liaison and creative link between the executive team, inhouse production team and the overseas production studio. I oversaw all phases of production, collaborated and communicated with the Producer, Story Editor, Executive Producers and Art Director to ensure my episodes maintain the overall tone and visual style within the series; lead and collaborated with the creatives (storyboard artists, animation supervisors, editors, sound designer, and composer.
Supervising Series Director
2001 - 2003
What About Mimi? 2D animated comedy series for kids 6 - 11, Seasons 1-3 by Studio B Productions Inc. I developed the original concept and lead the creative vision through delivery. I was liaison and creative link between the executive team, inhouse production team and the overseas production studio. I oversaw all phases of production, collaborated and communicated with the Producer, Story Editor, Executive Producers and acted as Art Director to set the overall tone and visual style for the show; then lead the creatives (storyboard artists, layout supervisors, animation supervisors, timing directors, sound designer, and composer) to ensure the creative vision of the series.
Co-Director
2007 - 2010
Martha Speaks, Educational for children 4 - 8, 2D animated series, Season 1, 2 & 3, by Studio B Productions Inc./DHX Media in co production with WGBH, Boston for PBS
Each 30 minute episode of Martha Speaks is made up of a 30 second Show Open, two 11 minute Stories, two 45 second Interstitials and a 30 second Show Close. I was responsible for all tasks related to preproduction, production and post production of 15 minutes content of each episode including a show open or close, one 11 minute story and one interstitial.
Animatics Editor
August 2017 - July 2018
Chip and Potato, Season 1, 40 episodes 11 minutes, 2D animated Netflix original series co-pro by Darrall Macqueen and Wildbrain Studios.
Animatics Editor
February - June 2017
Slap Happy Cartoon's, The Hollow, is a comedic/mystery adventure series for kids 8 to 12 Season 1 (10 x 22 minute stories) on Netflix Spring 2018. Using Avid Media Composer on a PC platform I was responsible for preliminary timing of each episode. In addition to timing/slugging each storyboard panel, I would simulate camera moves, add visual effects, temporary music and sound effects to support the action and enhance comedic or dramatic narrative; I worked collaboratively with the Storyboard Supervisor and Director to massage the storytelling, in order to achieve the desired cinematic and emotional impact in the story.
Animatics Editor
January 2014 - July 2016
As Animatics Editor at Bardel Entertainment Inc. I was responsible for preliminary timing/slugging on DreamWorks Animation's series for Netflix: All Hail King Julien (Season 1-4 episodes); The Adventures of Puss In Boots, Season 1-14 Episodes, Season 2-13 episodes; and Season 3, I worked directly with the in-house Unit Director and was responsible for the entire process of the 5 episodes animatics from preliminary timing and story pacing through to final delivery to DreamWorks' Lead Director and Executive Producers on Puss In Boots). To achieve the desired emotional impact of a scene or sequence, I would simulate camera moves, including many green screen layers and parallax effect camera moves, add or enhance visual effects with lighting, particle fx, temporary music and sound effects to support the action and comedic or dramatic narrative, and work collaboratively with the Unit Director to massage and enhance the storytelling for each episode. Animatics editor (5 episodes):
- Parrot Booty (2016)
- King Pickles (2016)
- Escape Goat (2016)
- Sullen Earth (2016)
- Bootless Cries (2016)
Layout Supervisor
May 2013 - November 2013
Working at SlapHappy Cartoons on Nerds & Monsters Season 1, my duties were to breakdown storyboard/animatic for Layout Leadsheet; Supervise overseas layout production crew from rough layout to colour backgrounds; Nerds & Monsters is a 2D animated TV series; layouts and backgrounds are created using Adobe Flash on a PC platform.
Layout Supervisor
September 2012 - May 2013
As Layout Supervisor on Packages from Planet X at DHX Media (Vancouver) my duties were to breakdown storyboard/animatic for Layout Leadsheet; supervise overseas layout production crew from rough layout to colour backgrounds; review background setup. Packages From Planet X is a 2D animated TV series; layouts and backgrounds are created using Adobe Flash on a PC platform.
Animatics Editor
January 2012 - August 2012
As Animatics Editor at Atomic Cartoons, I worked on a freelance basis from my home using Avid Media Composer software on a PC platform, and did preliminary timing/slugging on all Rocket Monkeys season 1 episodes.
Offline Editor
August 2011 - December 2011
Offline digital video editing on Martha Speaks Season 4 for Studio B Productions and PBS. Offline editing is part of the post-production process of TV series production. As Offline Editor, I compile all of the animated scenes footage, opening title credits and end credits, conduct editing sessions with the Director and Animation Supervisor and ultimately edit the programing content down to broadcast time. After all of these creative decisions are made and I have the "locked cut' completed, I export the final media to an Online Editor, and Sound Studio for foley and sound fx.
Art Director
February 2011 - August 2011
Credit: Art director on Martha Speaks, Season 4, for PBS Kids and Studio B Productions. As Art Director, I worked directly below the series creator Susan Meddaugh, in collaboration with the Director, and supervised the work of art department designers. I was responsible for every visual aspect of the series. A part of my duties included administrative aspects of the art dept. like breaking down scripts for design content, assigning tasks to the designers, and as overall quality control. I was also a liaison to other departments; especially the character builds, scene layout and storyboard departments.
Recommendations
From employers, and people who have managed or worked directly with me
“Aside from the obvious, that Colleen is an extremely talented artist, Colleen is without a doubt the most organized Art Director I've ever worked with. Colleen has an unmatched ability to juggle time/resources in keeping with the creative vision for the show. I could always rely on her to get through the mountain of work regardless of time available always within schedule and budget. I'd love to work with Colleen again!”
February 23, 2010, Ashley managed Colleen at Studio B Productions Inc.
Ashley Ramsay, Co-Founder & CEO, Yeti Farm & YetiLABS
“Colleen is one of the best directors I have ever worked with. She pays great attention and care to every directorial choice. She brings her artistic, editorial and musical knowledge to the table making her so well rounded. I wouldn't hesitate to work with her again on any project. She's a ton of fun and has a true appreciation for this industry. Go Colleen!”
October 22, 2009, Sarah managed Colleen at Studio B Productions Inc. and DHX Media.
Sarah Wall, VP, Animation Production for WildBrain Studios
“Colleen is a pleasure to work with. She has vast knowledge and experience throughout all phases in traditional and new media 2D animation. I would recommend her to anyone looking for an experienced series director.”
October 27, 2009, Kathy worked directly with Colleen at Studio B Productions Inc.
Kathy Antonsen Rocchio, Partner, Producer, Slap Happy Cartoons
If you have worked directly with me, please feel free to submit your own testimonial, or contact me directly with your feedback. I would absolutely love to hear from you!
Awards & Nominations
AWARDS
2001 Pulcinella Award for Best Animated Series for Children for What About Mimi?
2015 Wishing Shelf Award Silver Medal for illustration of Preschool Picture Books for How It Happened In Hotterly Hollow.
NOMINATIONS