made in atlantis - filmmakers biographies

Directors, producers, editors, composers, executive producers, writer/co-producers, directors of photography, production designers, costume designers, screenwriters, cnematographers, animal trainers, visual effects supervisors, special effects supervisors and more.

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STEPHEN HILLENBURG (Creator / Director / Producer / Writer / Storyboard) is the creator and executive producer of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” one of Nickelodeon's most popular animated series. Hillenburg graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a master's degree in experimental animation in 1992. His undergraduate degree, from Humboldt State University was in natural science with an emphasis in marine biology. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Hillenburg worked as an exhibit preparator and science educator for kids where he says he had the chance to see how enamored kids are with undersea life, especially tide pool creatures. By combining this knowledge with his love for animation, he came up with “SpongeBob SquarePants.” As a graduate student, Hillenburg made several independent animated films, including “The Green Beret” and “Wormholes,” which have been exhibited internationally in such festivals as Annecy, Hiroshima, Ottawa, Oberhausen and the Los Angeles Animation Celebration.   He also served as creative director on the Nickelodeon animated series “Rocko's Modern Life,” in that show's last season. This year (2004) “SpongeBob SquarePants” garnered an Emmy nod for Outstanding Animated Program Under One Hour, as it did last year for Outstanding Animated Program and in 2002 for Best Children's Program. That same year, the series won the Television Critic's Award for Best Children's Program. In 2003, Comedy Central nominated the show for its “Commie Awards” in the category of Funniest Animated TV Series. Also in 2002, Hillenburg was the recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation's Statue Award in film. In 2001, Hillenburg was honored by Heal the Bay (Southern California's premiere environmental public interest group) with the organization's highest honor, the Walk the Talk Award. He received this award for elevating marine life awareness through “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Hillenburg enjoys surfing, fish watching and playing music badly with his friends.  He and his family live in Southern California.

Michael N. Knue Michele Weisler Mike Macari Mike Stenson Neil Machlis Nick Barton & Suzanne Mackie Nick Jennings Paul Tibbitt Peter Chesney Peter Ettedgui Randall Poster Rick Baker Roger Deakins Roy Lee Sammy Sheldon Sherm Cohen Stephen Hillenburg Thomas Newman Tim Firth Tim Hill Trefor Proud Walter F. Parkes Walter Murch Wendy Chuck William Goldenberg More Filmmakers