Michael Black

Background

About Michael Black

Michael D. Black is a versatile and highly experienced creator with over 20 years of experience in the animation industry. A true multi-hyphenate, his career spans roles as an editor, writer, pre-viz artist, and director across a wide range of media, from traditional TV and streaming specials to concerts, live shows, and location-based entertainment projects worldwide. Trusted by some of the most iconic brands in entertainment, including Jim Henson Studios, Marvel, Star Wars, DC, Disney, and especially LEGO, Mr. Black has been behind the scenes of numerous successful and well-received productions. Mr. Black's journey began when he moved to Los Angeles after studying film at the School of Visual Arts in New York. His career took off with his work on Disney Channel's The Proud Family, and from there, he built a reputation for delivering high-quality work across multiple disciplines. His early credits include HD Finishing movie trailers, graphic animation for major artists like Miley Cyrus, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and Britney Spears’ live shows, and eventually serving as assistant editor at The Jim Henson Company. This led to his first role as editor on The Adventures of Clutch Powers, the first animated LEGO movie, marking a major milestone in his career. As his experience grew, Mr. Black expanded into directing, working on episodes of LEGO Hero Factory and many other animated projects. Since 2013, he has been a key creative force at Pure Imagination, where he has written, edited, and directed 3D animation for eight stereoscopic films shown globally at locations such as LEGOLAND, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and major Flying Theater experiences like Batman: Dark Flight in Macau and Mythica: Flight of the Sky-Lion in Windsor, UK. As director, Mr. Black has delivered a range of animated LEGO specials for top-tier brands, including Marvel, Jurassic World, Disney Princesses, The Simpsons, and LEGO’s own franchises (Ninjago, Hidden Side, Friends). He is particularly adept at using cutting-edge tools like Unreal Engine for pre-visualization, taking an active role in creating sequences from the ground up. Known for his relentless work ethic, Mr. Black is constantly honing his craft and stepping in wherever his creative skills are needed. Whether offering input on complex projects, mastering new techniques, or contributing to the delivery of innovative animations, he is always eager to take on new challenges and push the boundaries of his craft.