Eric Darnell

ERIC DARNELL wrote and directed the worldwide box- office hit, "Madagascar" and its sequel, "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa." Prior to his involvement with the "Madagascar" franchise, Darnell directed the studio's first computer-animated feature film, "Antz."

Darnell joined PDI/DreamWorks, the studio's northern California campus, in 1991, where he helmed numerous commercial and film projects, drawing upon his multi-faceted talents in animation, visual effects and art direction. His in-house animated short entitled "Gas Planet" garnered international recognition, including the Ottawa Animation Festival Special Jury Prize.

Also for DreamWorks, Darnell assisted with computer animation research and development for the studio's first traditionally animated feature, "The Prince of Egypt."

Darnell earned a B.A. in broadcast journalism from the University of Colorado and an M.F.A. in experimental animation from CalArts. While completing his M.F.A., he was awarded filmmaking grants from both the Ahmanson Foundation and the Princess Grace Foundation.

Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Darnell worked as a freelance animator. His credits include directing the animated music video "Get Up" for the rock band R.E.M.

© 2012 DreamWorks Animation