Terry Windell - Career

Career

In sixth grade he wrote a paper about becoming a cel animator and soon after high school pursued his dream at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design. There, Windell studied art, illustration, and film and in-between classes began working for Pantomime Pictures, an L.A. based television animation studio. From 1978-1980 he worked as a lay-out, design and storyboard artist at another animation studio, The Pattie Frieling Company, followed by similar gigs at Hanna-Barbara and Filmation. While creating storyboards for cartoons such as The Pink Panther and Spider-Man, Windell began laying the foundation for his future career. In the exacting world of cel animation, he honed his skills that continue to serve him today: composition, continuity, editing, expression, and most of all, how to design shots to tell a story.

While working on Heavy Metal, Terry caught the attention of Industrial Light & Magic. He soon moved to the renowned effects house and began work as an effects animator on both Poltergiest and E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial. While there, Terry worked under the wing of Richard Edlund who placed him on the effects teams for Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. He also served as effects animator for Ghostbusters.

When Edlund left to create Boss Films, Windell followed. It was in this time Terry began to set his sights on live-action directing. In 1989, he debuted with a four spot campaign for DHL. The impressive effects laden spots garnered numerous honors including a Silver Clio and a New York Film Festival award in the Best Campaign category. Terry went on to direct several other Clio winning campaigns while at Boss. When the company closed its commercial production division, Windell made the move to A Band Apart.

Windell has directed numerous Clio, Addy and Mobius award-winning spots for Geo Prism, Dodge, United Airlines, and a 14-spot Bud Bowl package.