
Helping You Navigate Your Creative Journey
Creative Strategist
Personal Highlights
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Hello!
My name is Allyssa [uh-LEE-suh] and I'm a Creative Strategist, Recruiter, Career Consultant, and prime-time television EMMY® winning Animator most noted for my animation on over 75 episodes and promos of FX's series "Archer". I also have created content for NBC's "30 Rock", Discovery Channel, Mtv, i am OTHER, Animation Domination, Apple, ComicCon San Diego, Georgia Public Broadcasting (PBS), and Captain Planet's Planeteer Movement.
In 2015, I founded Georgia's first and largest animation resource and staffing agency, My Animation Life (MAL). The team works to find creative strategies and solutions for both studios and independents. Creating Georgia's most inclusive animation map, calendar, and classified listing are just a few of the popular assets MAL provides to strengthen Georgia's animation industry.
I use my education in animation from Savannah College of Art Design and business from Harvard University Online towards advancing emerging artists in film and digital media in creative employment, business development, and animation production and pitching. In addition, I am on the Board of Directors for ASIFA South, one of the largest international animation societies in the southeastern United States, and a judge for The EMMY® Awards. Most recently, I performed high-volume recruiting on twelve animated feature films for Netflix Animation.
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As an animator, what inspires me the most is the ability to bring my ideas to life through the magic of animation. I find great joy in taking something that only exists in my imagination and turning it into a tangible creation that others can experience and enjoy.
I am constantly inspired by the possibilities of animation as a medium, and I love pushing the boundaries of what it can do through experimentation with new techniques and styles. Animation allows me to explore complex concepts and ideas in a way that no other medium can, and I am always excited to see how far I can take it.
Overall, my passion for animation comes from the belief that it is the most flexible and expressive medium out there, and I am constantly motivated to create new and exciting works that showcase its full potential.
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My mission is to provide people resources, and support so that animation is a more viable communication medium for all. Through the creation of a global infrastructure, I empower businesses and artists to have more seamless collaborate on animations. I value easier accessibility of the animation medium for all, industry practice transparency, industry inclusivity, and equity of opportunity availability.
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Learning
"I can have more than I've ever had, because I can be more than I've ever been" ~ Jim Rohn. I love this quote because it speaks to the core of why I am obsessive about continued learning. The more I learn and grow, the more potential I have to succeed. My only rule is to not consume new information without applying what I have already learned. Learning without action is just entertainment!
Traveling
As a military brat, my family has taken me to more places than I can remember. Each location broadening my understanding of this human experience. Countries I’ve lived in and visited include: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Guyana, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Languages
The stronger your communication skills, the more people you can connect with! I studied French in high school, college, and independently for eight years. In 2023, I spent 4 months in France getting my skills to a conversational level. It is my hope to become fluent. When I’m not practicing French, I like to dabble in Spanish.
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"Creative Convos With Allyssa A Lewis"
Interview by Cdeeq, Creative Convos
Panel by Georgia Game Developers Association
Panel by Diversity In Speculative Fiction & Literature
Skill Highlights
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2D Traditional and Digital Animation
Paper Cutout Stop-Motion Animation
Character Animation
Layout Design
Photo Editing, Restoration, and Reconstruction
Generative AI Image Manipulation
Social Media Management
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Team Leadership
Project Management
Producing
Event Planning and Coordination
Presentation Deck Creation
Public Speaking
Giving Presentations
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Cross-cultural communication
Empathy and emotional intelligence
Leadership and mentorship
Active listening and constructive feedback
Collaboration and teamwork
Adaptability and flexibility
Strategic relationship building
Conflict resolution
Inclusive communication
Professional integrity and discretion
Software Highlights
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Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Flash / Animate
Adobe Premiere
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Illustrator
Toon Boom Harmony
Autodesk Maya
Adobe ImageReady
Audacity
Digicel FlipBook
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Graphite
Charcoal
Chalk
Pen and Ink
Acrylic Paint
Watercolor Paint
Wax Crayon
Pastel Crayon
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Epic Shotgrid / Shotgun
Workday
GreenHouse
GreenSlate
Simplicity
Salesforce
Lever
Watson
Neo
AirTable
Slack
Trello
Dropbox
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Google Calendar
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Google Slides
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Work Highlights
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Animation creative solutions agency dedicated to the career advancement and placement of artists across the animation industry.
Conduct full-cycle recruitment globally across all stages of the animation pipeline for up to 20+ roles in a single week; lead talent sourcing, candidate outreach, interviews, onboarding, and job placement.
Source candidates using Boolean search logic, generative AI tools, Python-scripted social media bots, internal databases, international networking events, employee referral programs, and region-specific job platforms; map competitive talent, engage with online creative communities, and build relationships with emerging talent pipelines through universities, animation festivals, and incubators.
Manage MAL’s proprietary job board and animation industry classifieds system to support timely and strategic candidate-client alignment.
Serve international clients ranging from independent creators to large organizations including Apple, NBC, Discovery Channel, Mtv, Pharrell Williams’s “i am OTHER,” and Captain Planet's Planeteer Movement.
Oversee recruitment for end-to-end animation production needs including pitch deck creation, visual development, 2D and 3D animation, and post-production staffing.
Lead internal operations including business strategy, contract drafting, CRM system development, accounting, and communication workflows to support scalable service delivery.
Represent MAL at outreach events, press engagements, conference panels, and guest lectures to increase visibility and build industry trust.
Design and facilitate sourcing training and recruitment-focused workshops for emerging recruiters and production teams.
Maintain and continuously expand MAL’s inclusive global animation directory; featuring a searchable map, event calendar, and classified listings that support visibility and access to a wide range of creative talent.
Deliver personalized career support services to creatives at all levels, including resume and portfolio reviews, mentorship, brand audits, and job-readiness coaching.
Instruct and mentor over 1000 creatives through workshops, courses, and consultations focused on production roles and job market navigation.
Coordinate and sponsor MomoCon’s Career Expo, featuring 24 companies and nearly 600 attendees; manage volunteer staff, vendor relationships, and onsite logistics.
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Built strong and diverse pipelines of top global talent, and drove the end-to-end hiring needs of multi-million dollar animated feature films from Netflix Animation Studio in conjunction with partner studios by leveraging various sourcing, networking, and research methods. Hired up to 5 candidates per week across 12 concurrent productions while maintaining candidate quality and hiring momentum.
Conducted intake meetings, hiring syncs, and portfolio reviews; managed complex, global deal negotiations with a mindset that was both budget-conscious and competitive; and facilitated offer turnaround in as little as 2 hours post-interview; including wrap calls, offer drafting, term review, and offer rollout.
Partnered closely with Creators and Producers to understand their specific staffing needs and guided Researchers through solving for unique styles, aesthetics, and diversity goals; refined technical and behavioral expectations; translated those insights into actionable recruiting plans; and streamlined the hiring process to enhance the candidate experience.
Owned and juggled multiple requisitions simultaneously, maintaining high-quality engagement and maximum traction for Hiring Managers while supporting the rapid scaling of Netflix’s animation pipeline.
Collaborated cross-functionally with Business and Legal Affairs, Production Finance, Labor, Talent Operations, Employee Services, Tech, and Immigration teams to strategize and coordinate rate structures, scheduling, visa compliance, relocation, and deliverable terms for both international and domestic talent.
Maintained a working knowledge of Animation Union (Local 839) guidelines and their implications for candidate experience and offer structuring.
Ensured that candidates fully understood and aligned with Netflix’s unique and evolving studio culture and values.
Contributed to the development of an equitable compensation calculator for production talent, supporting the studio's commitment to transparent and competitive hiring.
Collaborated on department-wide initiatives to improve hiring processes, such as refining portfolio review standards and sharing best practices across teams.
Led broader recruiting initiatives across Netflix Animation, including inclusion-focused presentations and sourcing automation tutorials.
Represented Netflix Animation Studio at industry outreach engagements and professional events.
Contributed to Netflix’s internal Pitch Club by reviewing confidential early-stage pitches across the Series and Feature Animation departments prior to development consideration; provided strategic and creative feedback to enhance story clarity and pitch viability.
Advised early-stage development teams on their pitch materials, offering targeted insights on narrative structure, visual presentation, and audience alignment. Though not officially part of my job scope, this contribution reflected a trusted reputation within the studio and a strong commitment to elevating creative storytelling.
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ASIFA-South is the southeastern U.S. chapter of ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation), a global animation organization with over 40 chapters worldwide.
🔹 Board of Directors | January 2018 to Present
Help lead the organization’s long-term direction through strategic decision-making and legal fiduciary responsibility.
Vote on corporate matters including programming, partnerships, and organizational governance.
Advise on initiatives that align with ASIFA-South’s evolving goals in education, industry collaboration, and global visibility.
🔹 Advisory Board | January 2015 to December 2017
Provided non-binding strategic guidance to support the transition of a new executive board.
Assisted with high-level planning and coordination of events, communications, and internal operations.
🔹 Vice President | January 2007 to December 2014
Helped grow ASIFA-South from 17 members to one of the largest animation societies in the southeastern United States.
Secured member eligibility to vote in the Annie Awards, the animation industry’s highest honor.
Coordinated educational and artistic events; taught workshops and classes; provided portfolio and resume reviews.
Delivered public presentations; judged and screened films; produced animation, graphics, and marketing materials.
Maintained consistent community outreach, a monthly newsletter, and an active social media presence.
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Achieved a 99% employment rate of students securing roles in their field of study within 10 months of graduation by implementing targeted career strategies, personalized guidance, and employer-aligned advising practices.
Prepared undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni for professional employment and entrepreneurship by delivering resume development, portfolio critique and refinement, interview coaching, job search strategy, and long-term career planning through one-on-one advising sessions (in-person, phone, and virtual), workshops, and custom tutorials.
Engaged directly with multi-national creative companies such as Disney, Adobe, Home Depot, Spotify, Pixar, Google, Cartoon Network, and CNN; facilitated employer-student connections, provided industry-aligned feedback, and advised on candidate positioning to match recruiter expectations.
Assisted with new hire selection and onboarding processes for Career and Alumni Success (CAS) team expansion; sourced internal talent, reviewed applications, conducted interviews, and contributed to structured onboarding experiences.
Conceptualized, launched, and facilitated industry-relevant workshops, in-class programs, and recruitment events both on and off campus; authored career development materials and event training guides still in use today.
Collaborated cross-functionally with faculty, department chairs, and a team of 40+ Career Advisors and Industry Engagement professionals to strategize and implement multi-department recruiting initiatives, alumni engagement campaigns, and discipline-specific professional development opportunities.
Tracked, analyzed, and reported data related to student employment readiness, employer outreach, and placement outcomes using the Career Action Plan (CAP) benchmark system, Salesforce CRM, and Symplicity Job Portal.
Delivered in-class presentations, mock interview panels, portfolio feedback sessions, and career-readiness training in partnership with academic programs and employer representatives.
Represented SCAD and the CAS department at both virtual and in-person recruitment, orientation, and alumni events; led student tours, gave keynote presentations, and served as a university career resource.
Maintained day-to-day internal communication using SaaS tools including Slack, Zimbra, Google Hangouts, and Cisco Jabber to coordinate programming, student referrals, and employer correspondence.
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RE:IMAGINE (formerly re:imagine ATL) is a youth-centered media nonprofit that connects young creatives with mentorship, training, and production resources to amplify their voices through storytelling. Through in-school and mobile programming, students explore film, animation, music, podcasting, and other digital media disciplines; gaining access to industry tools, creative guidance, and real-world opportunities in the entertainment and creative tech industries.
Directed all animation-related initiatives for re:imagine ATL’s youth media programs, integrating 2D and digital animation into school-based and mobile curriculum offerings.
Designed and facilitated hands-on instruction in animation fundamentals, empowering students to develop storytelling skills through motion graphics, character design, and visual editing.
Curated and produced public exhibitions of student work, elevating youth voices and showcasing original content in professional and community-facing events.
Provided ongoing mentorship to emerging artists, offering creative guidance, career coaching, and portfolio feedback tailored to each student’s aspirations and strengths.
Recommended standout students for artistic opportunities including showcases and external mentorships, contributing to their exposure and development in creative fields.
Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to align animation efforts with broader media programming across film, music, and podcasting.
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Carvelight Productions is a visual media resource specializing in photography, video, and design services.
Directed visual development and digital execution for commercial, narrative, and branded content projects; led design decisions from concept through final post-production delivery.
Oversaw the creation and integration of 2D animation, VFX, motion graphics, lighting design, and video editing for multi-platform campaigns.
Developed storyboards, concept art, and animatics to shape visual tone, style guides, and client-aligned narrative structure.
Supervised creative pipelines and mentored junior artists, guiding layout, asset development, and shot assembly using Adobe Creative Suite and Autodesk tools.
Collaborated with writers, producers, and directors to refine narrative intent and optimize visual storytelling for clarity, appeal, and target audience.
Managed feedback loops, implemented revisions, and ensured consistency across visual assets, delivering cohesive storytelling across production phases.
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Animated over 75 episodes and promotional segments for FX’s Emmy®-winning animated series “Archer”, supporting consistent delivery in a fast-paced episodic production environment.
Executed character lip-sync, gesture animation, and visual effects using Adobe After Effects; ensured timing, fluidity, and visual consistency aligned with show specifications.
Coordinated across departments (layout artists, directors, and compositors) to maintain production standards, version control, and deadline integrity.
Interpreted and integrated storyboards, animatics, and voice recordings to finalize complex scenes with precision and speed.
Applied technical knowledge of animation and post-production workflows to meet tight weekly deliverables and contribute to an award-winning pipeline.
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Content coming soon!
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Content coming soon!
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Content coming soon!
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Instructor, Various Creative Courses, Quarterly School Program (2020 - 2021)
Inner-City Arts (Los Angeles, California)
As an instructor for Inner-City Arts, I teach Character Animation (Digital and Traditional), Digital Illustration, Digital Painting, Comic Book and Manga Creation, Character Design, and Storybook Creation for 8 different underserved schools in the surrounding area. Our primary focus is to create a preparation pipeline for students to jumpstart their creative careers.
Instructor, Character Animation, 12 Week Program (2018, 2020)
The New School - X Program (Atlanta, Georgia)
As an instructor in The New School (TNS) CEL program, TNS-X, I teach Character Animation in varied programs. Students learned character acting, animation vocabulary, the 12 Principles of Animation, the animation production pipeline, storytelling basics, visual and audio compositing, script utilization, and tools/techniques such as utilizing motion curves, the puppet tool, graph editor, and layer parenting.
Instructor, Motion Graphics : After Effects, 6 Week Program (2017)
WonderRoot ArtED Program (Atlanta, Georgia)
Tutor, English As A Second Language Program (ESL), (2007 - 2010)
Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta, Georgia)
Teacher, Mathematics (2008 - 2009)
Hands on Atlanta, Americorps (Atlanta, Georgia)
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Owl Film Festival (2023)
Animated Short Films
NFFTY Film Festival (2023)
Animated Shot Films
Fast Film Festival (2021)
Stop-Motion Paper Cut-Out Animation Festival
41st Annual Emmy Awards (2020)
New York EMMY® Awards of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Arts: Art News
41st Annual Emmy Awards (2020)
Michigan EMMY® Awards of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
MI2020-SE-06: Arts / Entertainment
41st Annual Emmy Awards (2020)
Northwest EMMY® Awards of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Branded Content Program - Short Form
Horizons: An Art+Tech Make-A-Thon! (2020)
Georgia Institute of Technology
Physical art and tech innovations
39th Annual Emmy Awards (2018)
New York EMMY® Awards of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Arts: Program Feature/Segment
39th Annual Emmy Awards (2018)
Pacific Southwest EMMY® Awards of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Arts/Entertainment - Program/Special
39th Annual Emmy Awards (2018)
Boston/New England EMMY® Awards of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Arts / Entertainment
Ladies Night (2017 - 2018)
Live-Action & Animated Comedic Short Films
Film Clash Live (2016, 2018)
Live-Actions Shorts & Feature Segment
Atlanta Film Festival (2009 - 2018)
Animation Shorts & Feature Segment
Generally Local, Mostly Independent Film Series Screening (2017)
WonerRoot & Atlanta Film Society
Live-Action & Animated Shots
Skyline International Film Festival (2017)
University of North Georgia
Animation Shorts & Feature Segment
Live-Actions Shorts & Feature Segment
ASIFA-South (formally ASIFA-Atlanta) (2007 - 2017)
Animation Shorts & Features
Animation Attack (2016)
Animation Shorts & Feature Segment
Sharpie Slam (2015)
Illustration Segment
SCAD-Atlanta Animation Society (2007-2010)
Savannah College of Art & Design
Animation Shorts Segment
Education Highlights
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Bachelors, Animation
Savannah College of Art and Design
Concentration in character acting for traditional and digital animation, project management, and abstract experimental animation.
Student Organizations:
President, SCAD-Atlanta Animation Society (SAAS)
Comic Editor, The Connector Newspaper
Art Editor, SCAN Magazine
On-Air Voice Talent, SCAD-Atlanta Radio
President, United Student Forum (USF)
Member, Painting Club
Member, SCAD-Atlanta Activities Council (SAAC)
Member, SCAD-Atlanta Intramural Sports (SAIS)
Member, UNI Intercultural Club
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Studio Art, Animation
Wesleyan College
Student Organizations:
Vice President, Art Club
Member, Japanese Club
Athlete, Fencing Team
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Talent Sourcing
Society of Human Resource Management
Credential ID RP4455
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Adobe Certified Associate in Visual Design Using Adobe Photoshop
Adobe
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SEO
HubSpot Academy
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"Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract"
HarvardX
Grade: Pass
Explored themes of offer and acceptance, common law and civil law systems, fraud, contract interpretation, remedies, third parties, legality and morality, agency and auctions, partnerships, corporations, and government regulation. Professor Charles Fried
"Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles"
HarvardX
Course Completion
Explored themes of leading in a changing world, adapting to complex complex organizational systems, roles of formal and informal authority, stakeholder perspectives, and conflict resolution. Professor Ronald Heifetz
"Leadership in Crisis: Ernest Shackleton and the Epic Voyage of the Endurance"
HarvardX
Course Completion
Explored themes of hiring and employment, personal strategy and style, managerial behavior, teams, leadership, entrepreneurship, and crisis management. Professor Nancy F. Koehn
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Certificate of Completion, COVID-19 General Prevention (for film sets)
Georgia Film Academy
Grade: Pass
This course covers:
- Personal Sanitation & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Health and Safety
- Social Distancing and Reducing High-Touch Surfaces
- Avoid Contamination Outside of Work
- Health Safety Supervisors and Contingency Plans and Procedures
- Health Policies at Work
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Employee Training, Animation and Figure Drawing
Floyd County Productions
Berger's Harmony Academy: One month training on the ins and outs of using Toon Boom Harmony for animation - taught by Toon Boom certified Animator, Brandon L. Berger.
Drink and Draw session: Monthly meetup of employees at various locations to compete in drawing challenges.
Figure Drawing sessions: Bi-monthly in-studio meetup of employees for figure drawing sessions.
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Improv
Kickstand Comedy
Portland based improv class taught by Aman Adumer that focuses on improving listening skills, strengthening collaboration skills, building trust, and tapping into deeper creativity.
Improv
Tampa Film Network
Florida based improvisation and film organization.
Improv
Mmkomedy
Multi Media Komedy, also known as Mmkomedy, is an Atlanta-based sketch comedy group that also specializes in film, shorts, theater, web series, and commercials.
Background Acting, Catrett & Associates Casting
Club Patron, "Atlanta" season 3 series
Background Actor
Tammy Smith Casting
Lab Tech, "Black Panther" feature film
Nigerian Shopper, "Captain America: Winter Solider" feature film
Principal Actor
MtvUniversity
University Student, "Hack to School" commercials
Improv
Atlanta Acting Dojo
Instructors:
David "Dojo Turnball" - Founder of Atlanta Acting Dojo
Kristy Oliver West - Founder, Trainer, Speaker & Improviser of The Brink Improv
Grant McGowen - Producing Artistic Director of Pinch 'n' Ouch Theatre
Jeffrey Karantza - CEO & Casting Producer of Golden Hour Studios
Sacha Dzuba - Actor/Musician/Composer/Writer
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Journalism and Team Management
MSCNE
One week journalism and management bootcamp for college newspaper editors all over the United States.