This presentation follows animation artist Mike Owen's creative journey of DANGER & EGGS from the first sketch to a 26 episode animated series on Amazon Prime to winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Direction in an Animated Series.
"My story includes the memories of growing up in Johnstown PA that inspired the show’s main characters and the people that encouraged and supported me to pursue my dreams."
Danger & Eggs features voice talent of SNL actor Aidy Bryant and is known for being the first childrens' cartoon to be co-created by an openly transgender showrunner and include LGBTQ references.
Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session with Mike.
ABOUT MIKE OWENS
Born in the Appalachian mountains, schooled in Chicago, trained in the ancient arts of pencil and paper animation, MIKE OWENS, co-creator of Danger & Eggs, has manifested a Hollywood career while maintaining a Midwest lifestyle. As a Director, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist and Animator he has created character driven entertainment for screens of all sizes and audiences of all ages for more than 20 years.
While completing his degree in Film & Animation at Columbia College Chicago, Mike began his career as a lead animator on The Animaniacs under the direction of Hanna-Barara veteran Jon McClenahan. He then mastered his craft among the talented artist at Calabash Animation bringing life to the Pantheon of commercial cartoon icons: Lucky The Leprechaun, Toucan Sam, Tony the Tiger, The Keebler Elves, Charlie Tuna, Cap’n Crunch and the Trix Rabbit. He shared his skills globally as a teacher in Hyderabad to help set up one of India’s first animation schools. Mike maintains a relationship with his students who are now successful creatives, studio owners and Academy Award winners.
Before creating his own show, Mike collaborated on multiple pilots, pitches and shorts for Disney, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, an Cartoon Network as Animation Director at Puny. He has worked on original and unique animated content with influential creatives including Big Boi, Al Madrigal, Katie Crown and James Gunn.
In addition to his dual role as Executive Producer and Supervising Director on Danger & Eggs, Mike is currently developing independent shorts with the Midwest animation community and continues to share his experience with up and coming animators, artists and storytellers as a teacher and as a mentor.
Mike currently lives in a 102 year old house in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his wife Wendie and their two rescued cats. In between making cartoons he is learning carpentry, tending to a modest vegetable garden and playing the ukulele.