Associate Professor at Laguna College of Art and Design
Greater Los Angeles Area
- Current
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- Associate Professor at Laguna College of Art and Design
- Co-Owner, Writer, Director at Kitsch-In-Sync
- Past
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- Freelance Illustrator at Paul Frank Industries
- Writer, Storyboard Artist, Director at Renegade Animation
- Supervising Animator at Walt Disney Feature Animation
- Supervising Animator at Walt Disney Animation and Walt Disney Studios
- Sequence Director / Lead Animator at Bagdasarian Productions
- Education
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- California Institute of the Arts
- Pratt Institute
- Recommended
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15 people have recommended Dave - Connections
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198
connections
- Industry
- Animation
- Websites
Dave Pruiksma’s Summary
I successfully performed the duties of an Animator and Supervising Animator with Walt Disney Feature Animation for 20 years, bringing to life characters like Mrs. Potts and Chip from Beauty and the Beast, The Sultan from Aladdin, Flit from Pocahontas, Victor and Hugo the gargoyles from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and many others, (please click on the My Bio web page link above for more details).
I am now working independently on numerous projects, my own and others, as well as consulting, teaching and lecturing, nationally and internationally, on the subject of full character animation as it was taught to me by several of Walt Disney's legendary, hand-picked "Nine Old Men." I am always interested in offers for quality work or teaching and lecturing; also consulting and directing animation. I have a vast knowledge of the animation medium and it's history from the ground up and enjoy plying my craft and sharing my knowledge and experience with others. In fact, I have been very involved in the development and institution of more than one training program within the Walt Disney Animation Studio, one of which I developed and ran single handedly.
Perhaps I can help you or your company. Let me know!
Dave Pruiksma’s Specialties:
I am well versed in supervising other artists, guiding their animation, yet giving them room for personal expression and growth as an artist and an individual. I can design and easily adapt to different styles and art direction. I take and give direction well. I am a team player. I am a good communicator with very good writing skills, a fertile imagination, a good sense of humor, organizational and administrative skills.
Dave Pruiksma’s Experience
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Associate Professor
Laguna College of Art and Design
(Educational Institution; Animation industry)
January 2009 — Present (7 months)
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Co-Owner, Writer, Director
Kitsch-In-Sync
(Partnership; 1-10 employees; Entertainment industry)
June 2004 — Present (5 years 2 months)
Small content producing company for Film, Web and Television.
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Freelance Illustrator
Paul Frank Industries
(Animation industry)
2002 — 2006 (4 years)
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Writer, Storyboard Artist, Director
Renegade Animation
(Partnership; 11-50 employees; Animation industry)
January 2004 — July 2004 (7 months)
Finished first season of a series for Cartoon Network.
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Supervising Animator
Walt Disney Feature Animation
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; DIS; Animation industry)
August 1981 — June 2001 (19 years 11 months)
Worked on virtually every animated feature and short to come out of that studio during those years including, Mickey's Christmas Carol, The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and many others. Nominated for an Annie Award Outstanding Achievement in Character Animation for my work on Flit the Hummingbird in Pocahontas 1995. Left Disney in 2001 after twenty years of service because of creative differences with the then management.
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Supervising Animator
Walt Disney Animation and Walt Disney Studios
(Animation industry)
1981 — 2001 (20 years)
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Sequence Director / Lead Animator
Bagdasarian Productions
(Animation industry)
1986 — 1987 (1 year)
Lead animator on Alvin, Simon and Theodore as well as handling work on their female counterparts The Chipettes. Sequence Director on the My Mother song sequence. Received purple heart for courage in the line of duty. Met wonderful colleagues and life long friends.
Dave Pruiksma’s Education
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California Institute of the Arts
None , Character Animation , 1979 — 1981
Did not finish the 4 year program. Was selected for employment at Walt Disney Productions in the Animation Department at the end of my second year at CalArts.
- Activities and Societies:
- Studied the foundation principles of art and design (with an emphasis on the skills used to create classic Disney quality animation) under the instruction of many of the artists who helped to create the legendary Disney animated shorts and features. Instructors included Ken O'Conner (General Drawing and Perspective), Elmer Plumber (Life Drawing), Jack Hannah and Bob McCrea (Animation and Production), T. Hee (Caricature, Character & Production Design), Bill Moore (Color & Design).
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Pratt Institute
None , Fine Art, Film, Photography and Animation , 1976 — 1978
Additional Information
Dave Pruiksma’s Websites:
Dave Pruiksma’s Interests:
Writing, drawing, film production, photography, world travel, hiking, reading, watching and studying old & classic movies, dining out with friends, having folks over to the house for BBQs, old records, developing small independent projects.
Dave Pruiksma’s Groups:
Those who are interested in becoming one of my Friends and Faves on Netflix can let me know. It's fun to share thoughts about movies back and forth with others. Ask me how to become a friend if you are a member of Netflix.
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CalArts Alumni Association -
The Walt Disney Company Alumni Group
Dave Pruiksma’s Honors:
Nominated for an Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character Animation for my work on Flit the Hummingbird in Pocahontas, 1995.
Dave Pruiksma’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
