Director • Creator • Writer • Producer • Consulting

ABOUT Chad Van De Keere

I have been in the film industry since 1993, shifting my focus to animation in 1995.



I am known for my ability to lead large teams and deliver top-quality animated shows and films. My portfolio of well-known projects includes the award-winning "Madagascar: A Little Wild," the beloved feature film "Beauty and the Beast, the Enchanted Christmas," and the acclaimed animated series "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." I continue to work as a Showrunner, Writer, and Director for top film and network productions, collaborating with leading companies such as Rovio, DreamWorks SKG, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Mattel, and Walt Disney.

I began my animation journey at Delaney and Friends as a Layout artist. During my time there, I earned the trust to handle scenes featuring highly complex effects. This experience helped me to hone my skills, and I soon joined Walt Disney, where I specialized in hand-drawn special effects. During my time at Disney, I gained invaluable experience in timing and creative storytelling across various areas of development, including character animation, design, background painting, and storyboarding. I worked on a range of projects, including "Winnie the Pooh, a Valentine Special."

My leadership abilities led me to head a 70-artist team in Bardel Entertainment's Special Effects department for DreamWorks studios. During my time there, I managed the crew's workload while creating key visual shots integral to the show's style in “The Story of Joseph.”

In between projects, I always sought to expand my knowledge of styles, timing, humor, and storytelling nuances. I worked on high-profile shows such as “Ed, Ed n’ Eddy!” and “Ren and Stimpy ‘Adult Party Cartoon,’” continuously learning and honing my craft, which led me to Studio B Productions.

Throughout my tenure at Studio B Productions, I explored various creative avenues, including design, animation, and editing. As a team member, I had the privilege of working on several award-winning shows, including "The Amazing Adrenalinis," "The Legend of Frosty the Snowman," and "Being Ian."

During the early years of animatic editing, I revolutionized the animation industry's editing process. By spearheading the development of a highly efficient pipeline, I played a pivotal role in creating a new standard that most Vancouver studios continue to use today. This pipeline enabled us to deliver exceptional quality work within tight deadlines, setting a new benchmark for the industry.

Leveraging my intuitive grasp of clients' requirements and leveraging my strong storytelling skills, I pitched a winning concept to YTV for the final season of "Being Ian" and an Earth Day movie special called "An IanConvienient Truth." This successful pitch marked a turning point in my career as I transitioned to a role in Directing. The "Being Ian'' special I directed for Earth Day featured a noteworthy appearance by David Suzuki, making it a highly memorable and successful production.

I further refined my management skills by playing a pivotal role in establishing an animation studio, which boasted the largest Harmony team in North America at the time. I accomplished another significant feat by developing “1001 Nights” from initial concept to final delivery, incorporating a new animation tracking system adapted from “Battlestar Galactica.” By sharing my training techniques on this project, I have helped countless artists elevate their skills and achieve success in the industry, with some even advancing to become directors on hits such as "Teen Titans Go!" and "Rick and Morty."

Continuing my path of success, I developed and directed "Mack and Moxy." “Mack and Moxy” was a wonderful children’s show promoting charities, a project that recognized my contributions as a key creator of the series.

As both a developer and a showrunner, I oversaw a multitude of creative tasks while bringing to life the series "Being Ian: Season 5," "1001 Nights," and "Mack and Moxy," as well as the films “Being Ian: An Ian-Convenient Truth,” “Dear Dracula,” and “Abominable Christmas.” From the conceptual stages to the final delivery, I dedicated significant effort and attention to each project, ensuring their success in securing international distribution and achieving successful airings worldwide.

In addition to my extensive industry experience and accomplishments, I have been honored with several prestigious awards. Notably, I received nominations for the Children's & Family Emmy Awards for ‘Outstanding Main Title’ with “SuperKitties,” and I have garnered three nominations for the esteemed LEO Awards, recognizing my directorial excellence in animation programs on series such as “1001 Nights” and “Being Ian.” Furthermore, my work on the “Madagascar: A Little Wild Holiday Goose Chase” Christmas Special earned two Kidscreen Awards, including ‘Best Holiday or Special Episode’ and ‘Best in Class: Preschool.’ These accolades testify to my commitment to delivering exceptional quality and creativity in every project I undertake.

With my comprehensive understanding of the creative process, from concept to completion, I have trained junior crews to achieve senior results while tailoring my approach to different age groups and genres, from comedy to action. With my extensive knowledge and experience in the animation industry, I am a valuable asset to any production team.