Christopher DeFaria
Christopher DeFaria (born May 20, 1959) is an American film producer.[1] He served as president of animation and innovative technology at Warner Bros. Pictures for four years. In January 2017, he joined DreamWorks Animation in the newly-created position of president of the DreamWorks Feature Animation Group.[2] As president, DeFaria oversaw all aspects of DWA's feature animation business, including slate strategy, development, production; innovation and technology; and business affairs[2] prior to his departure in early 2019.[3]
Chris deFaria | |
|---|---|
 DeFaria in 2018 | |
| Born | May 20, 1959 San Francisco, California, US |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Years active | 1969–1973 (voice actor) 1989–present (producer) |
| Children | 3 |
He is a graduate of UCLA, a member of the AMPAS and WGA and a founding member of FilmAid International. He serves on the board of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Early life
DeFaria was born on May 20, 1959 at San Francisco, California, United States. DeFaria began his Hollywood career in 1969 as a voice actor playing the part of Peppermint Patty in Peanuts TV specials from the same year until 1973.
Career
DeFaria produced the film Tom & Jerry.
Prior to establishing Keylight, Chris served as President of DreamWorks Animation where he led the studio’s creative development and technological advancement. Before that he was president of Digital Production and Innovative Technology at Warner Bros. where he founded Warner Animation Group, the studio’s animation division, developed VFX strategies for films like Harry Potter and the Matrix and oversaw initiatives in AI and VR.
Filmography
Film production
| Year | Film | Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Amityville: It's About Time | Direct-to-video | |
| 1993 | Amityville: A New Generation | Direct-to-video | |
| 1995 | Live Nude Girls | Co-producer | |
| 1996 | Tremors 2: Aftershocks | Direct-to-video | |
| 2001 | Cats & Dogs | ||
| 2003 | Looney Tunes: Back in Action | Executive producer | |
| 2010 | Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole | ||
| 2011 | Sucker Punch | ||
| Happy Feet Two | |||
| 2013 | Gravity | ||
| 2015 | Mad Max: Fury Road | ||
| 2018 | Ready Player One | ||
| 2019 | The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part | Production executive | |
| 2021 | Tom & Jerry | ||
| 2023 | Coyote vs. Acme | Filming |
- As writer
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Amityville: It's About Time | Direct-to-video |
| 1993 | Amityville: A New Generation |
- Thanks
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | One Small Hero | Special thanks |
| 2020 | Trolls World Tour | |
| The Croods: A New Age |
Television
| Year | Title | Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Double Your Pleasure | Associate producer | Television film |
| 1990 | She Said No | ||
| A Mom for Christmas | |||
| 1991 | What Ever Happened to... | ||
| ...And Then She Was Gone | |||
| Locked Up: A Mother's Rage | Associate producer | ||
| 1992 | Day-O | ||
| A Murderous Affair: The Carolyn Warmus Story | |||
| 1993 | Miracle Child | ||
| 2020 | The Young Witchfinder |
References
- "Christopher DeFaria Filmography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-03-27.
- "DreamWorks Animation Finds New Chief in Warner Bros. Veteran (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-01-12.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 9, 2019). "Chris deFaria Exiting DreamWorks Animation As President; DWA TV Boss Margie Cohn Takes Over". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
