Mo is a storyteller, a creative executive, award-winningdirector, and studio leader who operates at the intersection of storytelling,artistry, technology, and business strategy. He is known for transformingstudios into scalable, high-performing creative engines and building globalcontent pipelines that deliver both artistic excellence and measurable growth.
With over 20 years of experience, Mo has led innovation across animated seriesand film, advertising, gaming, and immersive media. His writing and directingportfolio spans AI stories, video game cinematics, trailers, asset creation,commercials, animated films, corporate events, and large-scale experientialproductions. He brings a rare combination of creative intuition and operationaldiscipline, allowing him to move seamlessly from big-picture vision toexecution at scale.
At the core of his leadership is a deep expertise in creative direction,operations and strategy. He is highly skilled in management, negotiations, andbuilding scalable production systems that support long-term growth. Mo overseesthe entire production lifecycle from visual development through final deliverywhile ensuring projects are thoughtfully scoped, properly resourced, andaligned with both creative and business objectives.
He is equally recognized for building strong teams and cultures rooted intrust, accountability, and emotional intelligence. His leadership styleemphasizes clarity, collaboration, and the ability to navigate complex creativeenvironments with confidence. His work in IP development, strategicpartnerships, and storytelling innovation continues to push the boundaries ofwhat modern content production can achieve.
Mo’s technical expertise bridges traditional and emerging pipelines. He worksextensively in real-time and 3D production using Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya,MotionBuilder, Substance 3D, ZBrush, and Arnold Renderer, alongside the AdobeCreative Suite and Microsoft 365. He is also at the forefront of AI-drivencreative workflows and storytelling, utilizing tools such as Seedance Ai, KlingAI, Flow, Midjourney, Luma AI, Vizcom, Weavy, Higgsfield AI, Fal.ai, andComfyUI ecosystem.
In addition to his industry work, Mo has contributed to the next generation ofartists as an adjunct professor at ArtCenter College of Design and LagunaCollege of Art + Design, where he taught Introduction to Maya and 3D Animation.He has serves on the Board of Advisors for the RealTime Conference and is afounding member of the Visual Effects Society.
Mo holds an MBA in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and aBachelor of Science in Industrial Design from ArtCenter College of Design.
EXPERIENCE:
President of Animation / Executive CreativeDirector| 2006 – 2026
Brain Zoo Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Built and scaled Brain Zoo Studios into anEmmy-winning powerhouse, servingglobal entertainment leaders in Film, TV, and Video Games.
· TeamManagement & Mentorship: Managed and mentored amultidisciplinary art team of 80+ artists across 3D, 2D, concept, and VFXdisciplines, fostering growth through structured one-on-ones and personalizeddevelopment plans. Fostered an inclusive studio culture centered on collaboration,feedback, and artistic empowerment. Actively mentored cross-functional teams toelevate both artistic and personalgrowth.
· PartneredCross-functional Teams: Working with producers, technicalleads, artists, and creative directors to align artistic goals with narrativeand IP integrity. Emphasized alignment between visual tone, client gameplay,and story, championing stylized and narrative-first worldbuilding.
· ProductionTools & Pipeline: Designed and implemented scalable artproduction pipelines and training initiatives that reduced onboarding time by40% and improved art delivery timelines. Shipped two full feature lengthanimated movies for Marvel in seven months.
· VendorManagement: Oversaw vendor selection, onboarding, and qualityreview processes for external teams and freelancers on AAA and indietitles.
· LedNegotiations, Strategy & Creative vision: Securinglong-term contracts with Marvel, Microsoft, Activision, EA, 2k Games, Amazon, Warner Bros.,Sony, Disney, Sony and others.
· OperationalEfficiency: Developed a proprietary real-time animationpipeline for TV, Film & Games, reducing production time and costs by30%.
· IndustryLeadership: Established Brain Zoo as a preferred vendor forhigh-profile clients, delivering $60M+ in animatedcontent.
· RevenueGrowth: Achieved consistent 15-20% annual revenue growth byoptimizingproduction workflows and diversifying service offerings.
CG Consultant | 2020 – 2021
Gaumont Animation, Los Angeles, CA
Led and mentored a traditional 2D animation team in managing and producingcutting-edge high-end 3D animation series for Netflix, Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles.
· TeamEducation & Mentorship: Educated and mentored amultidisciplinary art team of managers, artists across 2D,concept art, and VFXdisciplines, fostering growth through structured one-on-ones and personalizeddevelopment plans. Actively mentored cross-functional teams to elevate bothartistic and personal growth to be able to create an all-3Dseries.
· VendorManagement: Oversaw vendor work quality review processes forexternal teams and freelancers on the company’s first-ever CGIseries.
· AssetCreation & Management: Built an external team offreelancers to generate 3D assets and props.
VP of Animation | 1995 – 2001
Dream Theater Animation, Los Angeles, CA
Built and led Dream Theater Animation, a cutting-edge studio specializing inhigh-end 3D animation, cinematics, VFX, and digital media.
· AAACinematic Development: Led a team of 50 CGtrailers andpromotional campaigns for multiple best-selling gamefranchises.
· Cross-PlatformStrategy: Developed creative marketing campaigns, increasingbrand engagement by 50% for entertainment properties.
· Talent&Leadership: Built and managed elite 40+ creative teams,bridging artistry and technology to push storytelling innovation.
Professor of Animation | 2016 – 2023
Laguna College of Art & Design, LagunaBeach, CA.
· MFA3D Animation: Mentored and taught Maya 3D animation softwareand processes.
· MFA3D Modeling: Mentored and taught Maya 3D software and processes.
Professor of 3D Modeling | 1995 – 2001
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
· IndustrialDesign 3DModeling: Mentored and taught Alias Studio 3D softwareand processes.
EDUCATION:
· PepperdineUniversity– MBA, Business Administration
· ArtCenter Collegeof Design – B.S., Industrial Design
AWARDS:
· EmmyAward Winner – Best Graphics (Sport Science)
· AcademyAwardSelected – Pepe & Lucas, Best AnimatedShort
· NoorFilm FestivalWinner – Pepe & Lucas, Best AnimatedShort
· CloieAward Winner – Darkwatch: Curse of the West
· Golden TrailerAward Winner - Darkwatch Curseof the West, Won two Best Awards of Show: Animation and Entertainment
