I'm Kelly Baigent, a film and animation professional with 30+ years of experience across Australia and the USA. I started as a 2D animator and have since specialized in story work, directing, and on-set 2nd unit directing on hybrid animated/VFX features. I’ve led creative teams in large studios, run my own company, and contributed to award-winning productions while also sharing knowledge through lecturing on storyboarding at UTS. I've directed and supervised across multiple projects, built and managed creative teams, and developed narratives from concept through delivery. I love collaborating to craft strong characters and compelling stories, and I’m driven by a passion for storytelling, teamwork, and mentorship in both educational and professional settings.

Kelly Baigent

I'm Kelly Baigent, a film and animation professional with 30+ years of experience across Australia and the USA. I started as a 2D animator and have since specialized in story work, directing, and on-set 2nd unit directing on hybrid animated/VFX features. I’ve led creative teams in large studios, run my own company, and contributed to award-winning productions while also sharing knowledge through lecturing on storyboarding at UTS. I've directed and supervised across multiple projects, built and managed creative teams, and developed narratives from concept through delivery. I love collaborating to craft strong characters and compelling stories, and I’m driven by a passion for storytelling, teamwork, and mentorship in both educational and professional settings.

Available to hire

I’m Kelly Baigent, a film and animation professional with 30+ years of experience across Australia and the USA. I started as a 2D animator and have since specialized in story work, directing, and on-set 2nd unit directing on hybrid animated/VFX features. I’ve led creative teams in large studios, run my own company, and contributed to award-winning productions while also sharing knowledge through lecturing on storyboarding at UTS.

I’ve directed and supervised across multiple projects, built and managed creative teams, and developed narratives from concept through delivery. I love collaborating to craft strong characters and compelling stories, and I’m driven by a passion for storytelling, teamwork, and mentorship in both educational and professional settings.

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Work Experience

Story Artist at Flying Bark
January 1, 2025 - March 1, 2025
Storyboarding for an unreleased TV animated production.
Story Artist at Cosmic Dino
October 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024
Story artist on Bluey movie.
Story Artist at Flying Bark
July 1, 2024 - August 1, 2024
Story artist on Tales from outer suburbia.
Character Designer at Sony
May 1, 2024 - June 1, 2024
Character designer for an unnamed upcoming film.
Writer/Developer at Self-Directed
April 1, 2023 - April 1, 2024
Writing and developing personal projects.
Story Supervisor at Million Volt
October 1, 2022 - March 1, 2023
Story supervisor on an unnamed pilot episode.
Episode Director at DreamWorks
February 1, 2022 - September 1, 2022
Episode director on Fright Krewe.
2D Animator at Three Thousand Years of Longing
September 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021
2D animation on the film.
2D Artist at Elvis (Warner Bros.)
October 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
2D art on Elvis.
Episode Director at DreamWorks
August 1, 2020 - May 1, 2021
Episode director on Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight.
2nd Unit Director/Head of Story/Co-Producer at Peter Rabbit 2 (Sony)
June 1, 2017 - February 1, 2019
2nd Unit Director, Head of Story and Co-Producer on Peter Rabbit 2.
2nd Unit Director/Head of Story at Peter Rabbit
February 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Oversaw storyboarding and shooting of VFX/Animation sequences; supervised the running time.
Company Director/Artistic Director/Director/Producer at Tui Studios
March 1, 2006 - May 1, 2016
Led company operations; pre-production design and story development; contracted work.
Unit Director/Department manager/Character Lead/Animator at Walt Disney Toon Studios, Australia
February 1, 2001 - March 1, 2006
Senior management: directed teams of up to 250, supervised training and development.
Animator at Anvil Entertainment/DreamWorks, USA
October 1, 2000 - January 1, 2001
Animator on DreamWorks projects.
Animator at 20th Century Fox, USA
September 1, 1998 - September 1, 2000
Animator on film projects.
Character Lead/Animator at Walt Disney Toon Studios, Australia
March 1, 1998 - August 1, 1998
Character lead and animator on Australian projects.
Animator at 20th Century Fox, USA
December 1, 1995 - February 1, 1998
Animator on various titles.
Layout Artist/Animator at Walt Disney Australia
February 1, 1992 - November 1, 1995
Layout and animation on Disney projects.

Education

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