Jay Shindell
Jay was born in Hollywood, and received his education at the USC film school, but his film career actually began in Florida, where Jay joined Disney's newly opened animation studio. He began as a training assistant, and then as a digital painter. Jay continued to hone his drawing skills, and was soon moved to the effects department, where his drawings helped shape the look of such films as The Lion King, Pocahontas, The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Hercules and Mulan.
Jay the returned to Los Angeles, and became an animator on Brad Bird’s modern classic The Iron Giant. Jay then left for New York, spending time at MTV as a storyboard artist and writer. Back in California, Jay transitioned from hand drawn effects to digital effects. He joined George Lucas’ ILM, and worked on such films as Star Wars Episode 2, and Steven Spielberg’s films A.I. and Minority Report.
Returning to Hollywood, Jay continued his effects work on the blockbusters Spiderman 2 and 3, I Robot, The Day After Tomorrow, Superman Returns, Monster House, Open Season, and many others. Jay then joined the team at Melwood Pictures, serving as a Development Executive on Silverwing, Associate Producer on Natural Hazard, and Digital Production Executive on the animated feature The Spirit Bear.
These days Jay is keeping a very busy schedule. He served as associate producer on several live action feature films, and is producing an animated science fiction feature currently in pre-production. Jay is also getting ready to direct his first feature film, Pastoral, a live action romantic musical fantasy, from his own screenplay.
