DisneyToon Studios Promotes Snedeker & Ferguson
DisneyToon Studios has promoted two execs with Brian Snedeker, previously svp of creative affairs for DisneyToon Studios, assuming the title of svp of pre-production and Karen Ferguson taking on the role of vp of 3D production.
Snedeker will report directly to Sharon Morrill, president of DisneyToon Studios. In his new undertaking, Snedeker will oversee pre-production as well as take an active role in the production phase of all animated films made by the studio.
At DisneyToon Studios, we are stewards of some of the most iconic figures in animation history, Morrill said. We dont take that responsibility lightly, and with Brian overseeing all phases of pre-production we will have a slate of first-class family films in the pipeline for years to come.
After receiving a degree in Film and Theater from Wesleyan University, Snedeker began his entertainment career in 1989 as a creative exec in the live-action film division at Walt Disney Studios. He went on to serve as vp of feature film production at Jim Henson Prods. before returning to Disney in 1998 as director of creative affairs for DisneyToon Studios.
In her new post, Ferguson will be responsible for all aspects of production of the divisions 3D feature films. Ferguson will report directly to Morrill as well and work in conjunction with Snedeker.
Karens tenure with the studio has correlated with the tremendous technology shift in animation from film to digital media, and she has played an important part every step of the way, said Morrill. Her wealth of knowledge in all realms of animation makes her a treasure trove of experience.
Ferguson previously worked as vp of digital production for the past five years. Since joining the studio in 1997, she has worked on seven of the studios theatrical releases and 17 DVD/video releases. She also worked on more than a dozen TV series and six compilation DVD/videos for Walt Disney Television Animation.
Ferguson graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelors of Science in Physics. She found her way into animation as an account exec with USAnimation. By 1996, Ferguson found her calling as the visual effects supervisor on THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST at Hanna-Barbera, and a year later landed as digital production manager at Disney.
DisneyToon Studios is charged with extending the magic of Disneys animated franchises by creating new stories for the worlds most beloved and enduring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Bambi and Simba. DisneyToon Studios has produced such box office hits as THE JUNGLE BOOK 2 and THE TIGGER MOVIE. On the Home Entertainment side, it has produced nine of the top-10 best-selling direct-to-DVD/videos of all time, which include LION KING 2: SIMBAS PRIDE, LADY AND THE TRAMP 2, POOHS GRAND ADVENTURE and LION KING 1 1/2.