Meet our speakers, who are active leaders in the T.I.M.E. (Technology, Information, Media, Entertainment) areas.
Chis Sanders & Kirk DeMicco
Co-Directors, <The Croods>, DreamWorks Animation
Chis Sanders (Director, Writer) grew up drawing and penning short stories and went on to work for Marvel Productions, and then, Disney Studios. He worked as a story artist on Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King, before he was made head of story on Mulan. Chris wrote and directed Lilo and Stitch with Dean DeBlois. In 2006, Chris left Disney Studios to join the filmmaking team at DreamWorks Animation. When he was given the opportunity to direct How to Train Your Dragon, he jumped at the chance.
Kirk DeMicco (Director, Writer) developed heroes at an early age through novels, comic books, and television. Throughout his career Kirk has been able to adapt some of his childhood favorites and work with some of his childhood heroes. This includes writing two scripts with John Cleese, including early drafts of The Croods; adapting the Roald Dahl book called The Twits into a live action film for Disney; working on a Hanna-Barbera cartoon and a Looney Tunes movie for Warner Bros.; adapting the Jack Kirby comic New Gods; and collaborating with filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld on an adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel. Kirk also teamed up with Sonnenfeld as a first time director for the animated film Space Chimps, which Sonnenfeld produced for Vanguard Animation and Twentieth Century Fox. Fox released the picture in July 2008. Among Kirk’s additional studio film credits are: writer and co-producer of the Warner Bros. family feature Racing Stripes, Sherlock Homeboy for Universal Family; Hong Kong Phooey for Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment; and Casper: Scare School for Classic Media. Kirk has also done production rewrites for feature films from Disney, DreamWorks, Spyglass Entertainment and Warner Bros.
Kirk DeMicco (Director, Writer) developed heroes at an early age through novels, comic books, and television. Throughout his career Kirk has been able to adapt some of his childhood favorites and work with some of his childhood heroes. This includes writing two scripts with John Cleese, including early drafts of The Croods; adapting the Roald Dahl book called The Twits into a live action film for Disney; working on a Hanna-Barbera cartoon and a Looney Tunes movie for Warner Bros.; adapting the Jack Kirby comic New Gods; and collaborating with filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld on an adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel. Kirk also teamed up with Sonnenfeld as a first time director for the animated film Space Chimps, which Sonnenfeld produced for Vanguard Animation and Twentieth Century Fox. Fox released the picture in July 2008. Among Kirk’s additional studio film credits are: writer and co-producer of the Warner Bros. family feature Racing Stripes, Sherlock Homeboy for Universal Family; Hong Kong Phooey for Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment; and Casper: Scare School for Classic Media. Kirk has also done production rewrites for feature films from Disney, DreamWorks, Spyglass Entertainment and Warner Bros.