Jeff Gipson

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT JEFF GIPSON

Currently Creative Director at Operative Games, a studio at the forefront of AI-native storytelling and emotionally intelligent characters. I lead the creative vision across narrative, design, and visual development; directing the art, animation, tone, and emotional nuance of our ai characters & worlds. I collaborate with actors to shape the voice and personality of our AI performances, ensuring each character feels authentic, grounded, and emotionally resonant. From story and character design to conversational flow, my focus is on crafting AI-driven experiences that feel as believable and compelling as film or television.I made my directing debut with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ first virtual reality short film, “Cycles,” earning a Lumiere™ Award in 2019. My second short film, “Myth: A Frozen Tale,” claimed the 2020 AIXR VR Film of the Year title, premiering alongside “Frozen 2” at the Dolby Theater. My journey in filmmaking spans acclaimed titles like “Frozen,” “Big Hero 6,” “Zootopia,” “Moana,” “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” \"Raya and the Last Dragon,\"\"Encanto,\"and \"Wish.\"I frequently serve as a supervising director or creative advisor for AI-driven entertainment studios developing animated and short-form series. In these roles, I oversee visual clarity in storytelling, character design, editing, sound, pacing, and action, while balancing the constraints and opportunities of AI technologies with traditional filmmaking and animation craft. I help guide production strategy, ensure timelines are met efficiently, and work directly with clients to align creative vision with execution.Born in Raton, NM and raised in Trinidad, CO, I cultivated a strong sense of adventure through drawing and BMX riding. At the age of 14, I spearheaded efforts to build my hometown\'s first skatepark. Fuelled by a passion for collaboration and creativity, I pursued architecture, earning a bachelor\'s from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Despite contributing to over 70 skateparks globally, my passion for drawing and storytelling ultimately led me to Pixar Animation Studios, Laika Studios, and Walt Disney Animation Studios.Previously, I was a Creative Director at Universal Pictures, where I led innovation across immersive formats (including mixed reality, AR, VR, spatial audio, and AI films & characters); reimagining entertainment across some of the studio’s most iconic IPsAlongside filmmaking, I actively shape the future of storytelling through my involvement with the Television Academy\'s Animation & Emerging Media Programming Peer Group.