Animation and directing leader with decades of experience across feature animation, episodic TV, and games, specializing in supervising large animator teams, delivering high-quality draw-overs, and providing hands-on Maya corrections. Experienced mentoring artists and scaling production pipelines across fast-paced schedules. Strong background spanning Toronto, Pune (India), and overseas teams, with roles ranging from animation supervisor and animation director to lead/feature animator and professor teaching animation methodology, lip sync, and production-ready workflows.

Kevin McDonagh

Animation and directing leader with decades of experience across feature animation, episodic TV, and games, specializing in supervising large animator teams, delivering high-quality draw-overs, and providing hands-on Maya corrections. Experienced mentoring artists and scaling production pipelines across fast-paced schedules. Strong background spanning Toronto, Pune (India), and overseas teams, with roles ranging from animation supervisor and animation director to lead/feature animator and professor teaching animation methodology, lip sync, and production-ready workflows.

Available to hire

Animation and directing leader with decades of experience across feature animation, episodic TV, and games, specializing in supervising large animator teams, delivering high-quality draw-overs, and providing hands-on Maya corrections. Experienced mentoring artists and scaling production pipelines across fast-paced schedules.

Strong background spanning Toronto, Pune (India), and overseas teams, with roles ranging from animation supervisor and animation director to lead/feature animator and professor teaching animation methodology, lip sync, and production-ready workflows.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Animation Director at Guru_Studio
March 1, 2023 - October 1, 2023
Mentored and directed approximately 20+ animators; provided draw-overs and Maya corrections on a fast-paced schedule while maintaining high quality.
3rd Year Animation Methodology Instructor (2D and 3D) at Sheridan College
September 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022
Part-time Professor (Animation Methodology 2D and 3D) at Sheridan College
September 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022
Taught animation methodology and supported student learning with instruction aligned to 2D and 3D animation workflows.
Part-Time Professor at Sheridan College
September 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022
3rd year Animation Methodology (2D & 3D); contributed to curriculum and student mentorship.
Part Time Professor at Sheridan College
September 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022
3rd year Animation methodology (2D and 3D).
3D Animation Supervisor (Two studios: Toronto & Pune) at 3 Entertainment
January 1, 2020 - March 1, 2023
Supervised the animation department(s) across Toronto and Pune, managing roughly 30 animators. Delivered daily draw-overs/video feedback and hands-on Maya corrections. Supported productions including Road of Vengeance and Disney+/Marvel’s What If, coordinating multi-studio quality and performance in a fast-paced environment.
3D Animation Supervisor at Company 3 Entertainment / Toronto
January 1, 2020 - March 1, 2023
Managed two animation departments (Toronto and Pune, India) with ~30 animators; provided daily feedback and Maya corrections.
Animation Supervisor / Animation Director at Snowball Studios
July 1, 2019 - December 1, 2019
Provided draw-overs for offsite animation team and hands-on animation draw-overs and fixes for the in-house team using Toon Boom Harmony, ensuring consistency and production-ready quality.
2D Feature Animation Supervisor at Yowza Animation
July 1, 2019 - December 1, 2019
Provided feature supervision with Toon Boom Harmony draw-overs for offsite animation teams and hands-on draw-over fixes for the in-house team. Coordinated quality and alignment to production demands.
Animation Supervisor at Yowza Animation
July 1, 2019 - December 1, 2019
Feature animation supervisor overseeing episodes and teams.
Animation Director at DVTV - Fancy Nancy
December 1, 2018 - March 1, 2019
Trained 15 junior animators in body mechanics and lip sync, and provided draw-overs/hands-on Maya corrections to prepare artists for animation quality and production requirements.
Animation Director at Snowball Studios
December 1, 2018 - March 1, 2019
Directed animation for Fancy Nancy for DVTV; trained junior animators and provided hands-on Maya corrections.
Part-time Professor / Instructor at Sheridan College
April 1, 2018 - Present
Taught Scaet program focused on lip sync and final film project mentoring, supporting student production outcomes.
Gameplay Animator at Ubisoft Toronto
May 1, 2017 - November 1, 2018
Gameplay animator for multiple titles; part-time Sheridan College professor during term.
Studio Owner / Operator at Art for Life 4 Kids
April 1, 2016 - Present
Owner and operator focusing on kid-friendly art programs and creative activities.
2D Animation Feature Supervisor at The Nut Job 2
June 1, 2015 - May 1, 2017
Supervised three teams totaling 25 animators from blocking through final animation. Worked with the Animation Supervisor and Director in Toronto, pushing Korean team quality to match Toronto standards. Assigned scenes using ShotGrid software and implemented acting/film/drawing class training for the Korean team.
Animation Supervisor (Overseas) at Toonbox entertainment and RRK (Red Rover Korea)
June 1, 2015 - May 1, 2017
Supervised overseas animation teams with a focus on lip sync and production quality. Coordinated mentoring and production support between teams.
Animation Supervisor (Overseas) at Toonbox Entertainment / RRK (Red Rover Korea)
June 1, 2015 - May 1, 2017
Overseas supervision; managed 3 studios and 25 animators; Nut Job 2 animation supervision; aligned overseas output with Toronto standards.
Lead Animator at Pipeline Studios
April 1, 2010 - September 1, 2014
Lead 2D/3D animation for multiple Nelvana projects; implemented Toon Boom Harmony workflows.
Lead Animator at Gallus Entertainment
September 1, 2008 - March 1, 2010
Led animation on Waybuloo and related projects; contributed to 2D/3D pipelines.
Freelance Game Animator at Animation Farm (Austin, Texas)
April 1, 2007 - January 1, 2008
Freelance game animation for various game moves and cut sequences.
Animator (2D / 3D) at Elliott Animation
April 1, 2007 - October 1, 2008
Animator working on 6Teen (Toon Boom Harmony) and 3D animation on Erky Perky and Rollbots; also produced animation in Maya.
Freelance Game Animator at Animation Farm
April 1, 2007 - January 1, 2008
Freelance game animation for various game moves and cut sequences.
Animator 2D at Elliott Animation
April 1, 2007 - October 1, 2008
Animator 2D; worked on 6Teen (Toon Boom Harmony) and Erky Perky with Maya 8.5.
Animator (Stop-motion feature animation) at Starz Animation
September 1, 2006 - April 1, 2007
Animator work on Chop Socky Chooks (Aardman) and Sheepish (feature animation).
Animator at Starz Animation
September 1, 2006 - April 1, 2007
Animator for Chop Soccky Chooks (Aardman) and Sheepish (feature animation).
Lead Animator at Electronic Arts
February 20, 2006 - September 1, 2006
FIFA Street 2 lead animator (and related lead animator duties for FIFA Street titles).
Animator at Nelvana Ltd.
February 1, 2006 - September 1, 2006
Backyardigans.
Lead Animator at MVP
January 1, 2004 - December 31, 2004
Lead animator (reference states MVP 2004).
Lead Animator at Electronic Arts
January 1, 2003 - December 1, 2004
FIFA Street lead animator; FIFA Street 2 lead; MVP 2004.
X-Sheet Director at Nelvana Ltd.
December 1, 2001 - December 1, 2002
X-Sheet Director on Rolie Polie Olie TV and straight-to-video features.
3D Animator at D.K.P. (Dan Krech Productions)
December 1, 2001 - December 1, 2002
3D animation for Big Idea Productions, including 321 Penguins.
X-sheet Director / Senior 3D Animator at Nelvana Ltd. / Elliott Digital
May 1, 2001 - December 1, 2002
Worked as X-sheet Director on Rolie Polie Olie, TV and straight-to-video features, and other projects. Also credited as Senior 3D Animator at Elliott Digital.
Senior 3D Animator at Elliott Digital
May 1, 2000 - December 1, 2001
Senior 3D animation work on Sitting Ducks.
Animator at Walt Disney Animation Canada
June 1, 1996 - May 1, 2001
Animated Peter & Jane, Little Mermaid #2, Mouseworks, Pocahontas #2, Beauty and the Beast #2.
Animator at Canuck Creations Toronto
February 1, 1996 - June 1, 1996
Animator on Space Jam.
Animator at Canuck Creations
February 1, 1996 - June 1, 1996
Animator on Space Jam project.
Animator (X-sheet Director / Storyboard Clean-up) at Jumbo Pictures (New York)
August 1, 1995 - January 1, 1996
X-sheet Director / Storyboard clean-up for ESPN/Sony’s Sportsbender and related animation work. Also includes Jumbo Pictures work on Doug-like projects per references.
Animator at Phoenix Animation Toronto
August 1, 1995 - January 1, 1996
Animator on All Dogs Go to Heaven #2.
Animator at Phoenix Animation
August 1, 1995 - January 1, 1996
Animator; All Dogs go to Heaven #2.
Freelance Animator at Wang Films
January 1, 1992 - February 1, 1992
Freelance animator; Shorts, Bonkers (Host Segment); Disney TV.
Overseas Director at Jumbo Pictures New York
January 1, 1992 - December 1, 1992
Overseas Director; Animation for Doug; Hanho Studio South Korea.
Overseas Director at Nelvana Ltd.
January 1, 1991 - January 1, 1992
Overseas Director, Beetlejuice; Taipei.
Assistant Animator at Crawleys/Atkinson Film Arts (Ottawa, Canada)
May 1, 1988 - June 1, 1988
Assistant animator work on YS le Magnifique.
Assistant Animator at Crawleys/Atkinson film arts
May 1, 1988 - June 1, 1988
Assistant animator; YS le Magnifique.

Education

Classical Animation (3-year program) at Sheridan College of Applied Arts & Technology
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1988
Anatomy, Life Drawing & Oil Painting at Ontario College of Art
January 11, 2030 - December 13, 2025
Classical Animation Diploma at Sheridan College of Applied Arts & Technology
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1988
Anatomy, Life Drawing & Oil Painting at Ontario College of Art
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2026
Classical Animation (3-year program) at Sheridan College of Applied Arts & Technology
January 1, 1985 - January 1, 1988
Anatomy, Life Drawing & Oil Painting at Ontario College of Art
January 11, 2030 - July 9, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Software & Internet, Gaming