Derek Verdonck

Collaborative. Creative. Dependable. For 25 years, Derek has worked with directors, production designers, and creative crews to deliver top-tier storytelling on time, on budget, and always with a collaborative spirit.

Whether it's bringing an iconic cartoon character to life or creating props for a prime-time television drama, Derek Verdonck loves a good story. More importantly, he knows exactly how to build the worlds they live in.

With over two decades of experience in the animation, virtual production and film industries, Derek's career has been an exciting journey of visual problem-solving. He got his start pushing the boundaries of digital movement, contributing previsualization artistry to the groundbreaking, Academy Award-winning animated short Ryan (2004). From there, he spent years collaborating with major entertainment powerhouses like Disney, Sony, Nelvana, and the Jim Henson Company, serving as a lead animator and layout supervisor.

From Bob the Builder to Bubble Guppies, Derek has helped shape some of the most recognizable animated worlds on television, contributing to projects honoured by the Oscars, Emmys, and Annie Awards. Never content to stand still, Derek is currently expanding his toolkit into virtual production, leveraging Unreal Engine to bridge the gap between traditional filmmaking and real-time digital environments.