WHO WE ARE

ANIMATION DIRECTOR/PRODUCER      Jamy Wheless

Jamy is an animator, film director, producer, and chief operating officer of Ignite Animation Studios and co-founder of Lightstream Animation Studios.

With over 25 years of experience in film production, he began his career at George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic where he was a team leader on over a dozen films and commercials. He was an animation lead on the Academy Award VFX winner PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and Jamy was also responsible for the character development and animated performances for Yoda on the STAR WARS prequels as well as Ang Lee’s film, HULK. He was animation director on the fantasy film, The King’s Daughter, and co-director and producer of the Oscar-nominated and award-winning short film THE PIG ON THE HILL.

He recently directed and produced the award-winning short film, ANDY,
with Jean Schulz (chairman of the board of Charles M. Schultz Creative Associates, which brought us PEANUTS). Jamy and his wife live in Petaluma, CA and have four children.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1924367/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamy-whelas-07498319/
https://igniteanimationstudios.com/about

HEAD OF STORY    Mike Nawrocki

 As co-creator of Veggie Tales, co-founder of Big Idea and the voice of the beloved Larry The Cucumber, Mike has been part of the pulse of  the Veggie brand since its inception in 1993.  Mike has created, written and directed most of the extremely popular ”Silly Songs with Larry” segments, including fan favorites “His Cheeseburger” and “The Hairbrush Song.”  He has also lent his screenwriting and directing talents to dozens of Veggie Tales episodes such as Madame Blueberry and The League of Incredible Vegetables, as well as both of the properties’ theatrical release films, Jonah and The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.  In addition, Mike has authored a number of Veggie Tales books and CD projects as well as developing and writing for another Big Idea’s hit animated properties, 3-2-1 Penguins!

 For 30 years, Mike has been in a production environment, landing his first job in film and video production in 1987 in Chicago while in college.  Along with fellow co-worker and friend Phil Vischer, he turned an idea for telling stories, using the then new technology of 3D computer animation, into the phenomenon of Veggie Tales.  Establishing a homespun business dubbed Big Idea, the two launched the first ever CGI (computer-generated-imagery) video series to the consumer market.  Mike has gone on to be involved with every facet of Veggie Tales production including editing, animation, sound, story development, writing, directing and character voicing.

Mike is an Assistant Professor of Film and Animation at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN and makes his home in Franklin with his wife and two children.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1007740/

CHILD DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT      Stan Ferguson

Stan is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

He has experience working with children, teens, adults, and families and has counseled many parents through his private practice.

He consults for educational and community organizations, including Early Head Start, public, charter, and private schools, regarding the development and mental health of children. Stan’s book, What Parents Need To Know About Children, focuses on the most basic and important information all parents need to reach their overall goals of happiness and success for their children.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER      Ann Powell

After earning her MBA, Ann purchased a bankrupt printing company with unique technology, leveraged that competitive differentiation to obtain coveted league licenses, and began producing trading cards for Baseball, Football, and Hockey.

She founded Score and Playoff trading card companies, along with WrapIt Packaging to facilitate fulfillment, ultimately employing 1,500 people. Later she purchased DonRuss and Leaf brand trading card companies on her way to printing, marketing, and selling billions of cards. This extensive 28-year history of licensing, merchandising, and marketing experience enables Ann to prioritize opportunities, negotiate contracts with partner companies, and provide the best value and returns to shareholders.

Arising from her personal experience as a working mom and grandmother,
She understands that our culture pressures children to grow up too fast and that parents are searching for guidance to deal with today’s challenges.

Ann has a passion to create excellent family entertainment that makes a significant and meaningful contribution to the lives of children and parents.