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I'm an adaptive Producer and Project Manager with 15+ years delivering high-quality digital media brands and animated products. I excel at guiding complex projects from concept through delivery, aligning creative vision with stakeholder needs and budgets. I thrive on streamlining workflows, fostering collaborative teams, and delivering on-time results while keeping costs in check. My background spans feature animation, VFX, and immersive interactive projects, and I'm pursuing an Assistant Director role in feature filmmaking.…I'm an adaptive Producer and Project Manager with 15+ years delivering high-quality digital media brands and animated products. I excel at guiding complex projects from concept through delivery, aligning creative vision with stakeholder needs and budgets. I thrive on streamlining workflows, fostering collaborative teams, and delivering on-time results while keeping costs in check. My background spans feature animation, VFX, and immersive interactive projects, and I'm pursuing an Assistant Director role in feature filmmaking.

Derek Manzella

Film Producer, Film Director, Production Manager, +2

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I'm an adaptive Producer and Project Manager with 15+ years delivering high-quality digital media brands and animated products. I excel at guiding complex projects from concept through delivery, aligning creative vision with stakeholder needs and budgets. I thrive on streamlining workflows, fostering collaborative teams, and delivering on-time results while keeping costs in check. My background spans feature animation, VFX, and immersive interactive projects, and I'm pursuing an Assistant Director role in feature filmmaking.…I'm an adaptive Producer and Project Manager with 15+ years delivering high-quality digital media brands and animated products. I excel at guiding complex projects from concept through delivery, aligning creative vision with stakeholder needs and budgets. I thrive on streamlining workflows, fostering collaborative teams, and delivering on-time results while keeping costs in check. My background spans feature animation, VFX, and immersive interactive projects, and I'm pursuing an Assistant Director role in feature filmmaking.

Available to hire

I’m an adaptive Producer and Project Manager with 15+ years delivering high-quality digital media brands and animated products. I excel at guiding complex projects from concept through delivery, aligning creative vision with stakeholder needs and budgets.

I thrive on streamlining workflows, fostering collaborative teams, and delivering on-time results while keeping costs in check. My background spans feature animation, VFX, and immersive interactive projects, and I’m pursuing an Assistant Director role in feature filmmaking.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Contract Project Manager at Chewy

January 1, 2025 - Present

Partner with Chewy’s in-house Media Content Services to drive technical project oversight and optimize processes for Creative Services. Primary owner of projects and workflows, driving data tracking, asset management, scheduling, and utilization reporting; leading new/existing system frameworks and AI initiatives to improve operational efficiency.

Senior Interactive Producer at Dimensional Innovations

January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025

Oversaw interactive elements on industrial design projects, managed technology scope, timelines from UI/UX through CMS delivery, and collaborated on contracts, budgets, and SOWs; coordinated cross-functional teams and hardware procurement.

Contract Producer at EDGLRD

January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024

Managed creative team timelines, reviewed briefs, and coordinated workflow across digital projects. Served as liaison between departments to ensure smooth project execution. Defined scope and executed a project plan for a 90-minute animated feature using Unreal Engine, aiming for under $1M.

Game Producer, VFX at Blizzard Entertainment

January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Partnered with Development Leads to coordinate project goals, ensuring high-quality results. Managed tools/workflows (Jira), addressed roadblocks and project risks. Acted as information hub, promoting a diverse work environment and mentoring other producers. Streamlined project velocity for a 25-person VFX team, reducing costs through efficient sprint scheduling. Key projects include Diablo IV.

Senior Producer at Perception

January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023

Developed scopes, budgets, schedules, and contracts for new business proposals. Assembled cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality project outcomes. Facilitated creative leadership interactions to meet client objectives. Led development of film effects, interactive projects, and new tech integrations for high-profile clients. Efficiently managed client communications and produced high-quality work by developing After Effects templates and leading creative reviews.

Art Department Producer at Technicolor Creative Studios

January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022

Managed creative team scope and project schedules with the Art Director. Hired and onboarded freelancers for project bidding. Oversaw art department functions, including timecards, billing, and NDAs. Increased project revenue by 20% while managing 10-12 projects with a team of 8 artists.

Story/Editorial Production Supervisor at Nickelodeon Animation Studio

January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021

Created and implemented schedules for the story and editorial departments. Executed all departmental check-ins, reviews, casting, and launches. Ensured timely delivery of story fixes, scratch records, and editorial content for screenings. Collaborated with director Jeff Rowe to ensure creative vision alignment and production efficiency. Enhanced editorial processes for high-quality output on projects like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

Art Production Supervisor at DreamWorks Animation

January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020

Managed department schedule and budget with the Production Designer and Producer. Established legal clearance workflow for approvals. Handled marketing materials, ensuring secure and timely transfer to vendors and internal partners. Managed labor weeks and budgets for major movie projects, ensuring on-time and within-budget delivery.

Production Supervisor at Walt Disney Animation Studios/Disney TV Animation

January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2020

Partnered with creative leadership to manage production schedules, resources, and budgets. Supervised production management teams and artists, providing feedback and collaborating with union representatives. Coordinated CG and Stereo pipelines, managed asset databases, and oversaw overseas studio shipments. Worked on annual animated features with budgets typically around $300M, contributing to revenue milestones.