Steve Cunningham
Steve Cunningham has been a professional animator since 1994 and is the Head of Character Animation for DreamWorks Animation. He started as a classical 2D animator on Anastasia and over his 20+ year career has worked at DreamWorks Animation, Disney Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Reel FX, and Blue Sky Studios.
Steve has been a mentor since 2009 and mentors students in the Body Mechanics, Advanced Body Mechanics, and Introduction to Acting courses at Animation Mentor.
Steve’s Credits

Nimona

Ferdinand

Frozen

Kung Fu Panda 2
Films
- Despicable Me 4
- Leo
- Nimona
- Minions: The Rise of Gru
- The Angry Birds Movie 2
- Gai: The Secret of the Lost Explorer
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
- Duck Duck Goose
- Ferdinand
- Despicable Me 3
- Rock Dog
- Gai: The Guardian of the Horses
- Minions
- Book of Life
- Mr. Peabody & Sherman
- Frozen
- Turbo
- Despicable Me 2
Films (Continued)
- The Croods
- Rise of the Guardians
- Kung Fu Panda 2
- Megamind
- Shrek Forever After
- Monsters vs. Aliens
- Kung Fu Panda
- Bee Movie
- Flushed Away
- Over the Hedge
- SharkTale
- Sinbad (traditional animation)
- Eight Crazy Nights
- Titan A.E.
- Bartok the Magnificent
- Anastasia
- Felidae
Short Films
- Live Stream
- Raising a Ruckus
- Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters
- Kung Fu Panda Holiday
Television
- Saturday Morning Minions
- Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy
- Monsters at Work
- Gummibar & Friends: The Gummy Bear Show
- Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous
What Steve’s Students are Saying
Really Kind and Friendly
He is really kind and friendly. I get so much knowledge and some new tips I have never known. He cares about the students when they ask him to repeat and teaches again slowly. The eCritique is so informative and easy to understand.
I Really Enjoy Steve Cunningham's Q&As
I really enjoy Steve Cunningham’s Q&As. I’ve had him as a mentor for 2 straight terms, and if I could have him for the rest of my time at AM, I would.
Great at Giving Critiques
Steve is a fantastic mentor who always comes to Q&As prepared with both enthusiasm, content and advice. He’s great at giving critiques that don’t make you feel discouraged, but lay out all the things to fix in an assignment. It was great to learn from him this term.
Patient, Funny, and NEVER boring!
I think Steve is definitely a SUPERSTAR 💙 !!! Has a unique way to explain things and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to learn from him. He is patient, funny, and NEVER boring! I really appreciate the way he does the critique, I’ve learned every week how to improve myself! If I have to do class 2 again, I’ll definitely pick him as my mentor again! I have only good words for him!! THANK YOU STEVE! THANK YOU AM 💙
Explains Things in a Simple Way
Steve has been an awesome mentor. He is very approachable to ask questions about things you don’t quite understand, he explains things in a simple way, and always repeats himself. He also shares helpful/inspirational videos about what we talked about in the Q&As throughout the week which is always fun to get. Would definitely take one of his classes again.
The Most Effective Animation Teacher I've Ever Had
Steve has been the most effective animation teacher I’ve ever had. He was intimidating at first, but it’s obvious he loves animation, knows what he’s talking about, and just passionately wants you to succeed. His critiques are fair, concise and clear. I’ve learned more from him than anyone else in my animation journey so far and I think he’s great.
Aways Goes the Extra Mile
Steve is a great mentor, his teaching method is really effective. His Q&As are dynamic and full of knowledge, the demos he does are clear and easy to follow. He always goes the extra mile and shares lots of bonus material with the class.
Receptive to Students’ Stress Levels
500 characters are unfortunately not enough for me to express what I’d consider adequate feedback. To be concise, I think you [Steve] are awesome! My fav thing about you is, how receptive you are to your students’ stress levels and how you encourage us to approach our assignments as relaxed as possible. I don’t know if it helped the others, but, to me, it was very helpful! This term has been an absolute delight and I’m very grateful to have had you as a mentor! I learned a lot; thank you for everything!!
Really Kind and Friendly
He is really kind and friendly. I get so much knowledge and some new tips I have never known. He cares about the students when they ask him to repeat and teaches again slowly. The eCritique is so informative and easy to understand.
I Really Enjoy Steve Cunningham's Q&As
I really enjoy Steve Cunningham’s Q&As. I’ve had him as a mentor for 2 straight terms, and if I could have him for the rest of my time at AM, I would.
Great at Giving Critiques
Steve is a fantastic mentor who always comes to Q&As prepared with both enthusiasm, content and advice. He’s great at giving critiques that don’t make you feel discouraged, but lay out all the things to fix in an assignment. It was great to learn from him this term.
Patient, Funny, and NEVER boring!
I think Steve is definitely a SUPERSTAR 💙 !!! Has a unique way to explain things and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity to learn from him. He is patient, funny, and NEVER boring! I really appreciate the way he does the critique, I’ve learned every week how to improve myself! If I have to do class 2 again, I’ll definitely pick him as my mentor again! I have only good words for him!! THANK YOU STEVE! THANK YOU AM 💙
Explains Things in a Simple Way
Steve has been an awesome mentor. He is very approachable to ask questions about things you don’t quite understand, he explains things in a simple way, and always repeats himself. He also shares helpful/inspirational videos about what we talked about in the Q&As throughout the week which is always fun to get. Would definitely take one of his classes again.
The Most Effective Animation Teacher I've Ever Had
Steve has been the most effective animation teacher I’ve ever had. He was intimidating at first, but it’s obvious he loves animation, knows what he’s talking about, and just passionately wants you to succeed. His critiques are fair, concise and clear. I’ve learned more from him than anyone else in my animation journey so far and I think he’s great.
Aways Goes the Extra Mile
Steve is a great mentor, his teaching method is really effective. His Q&As are dynamic and full of knowledge, the demos he does are clear and easy to follow. He always goes the extra mile and shares lots of bonus material with the class.
Receptive to Students’ Stress Levels
500 characters are unfortunately not enough for me to express what I’d consider adequate feedback. To be concise, I think you [Steve] are awesome! My fav thing about you is, how receptive you are to your students’ stress levels and how you encourage us to approach our assignments as relaxed as possible. I don’t know if it helped the others, but, to me, it was very helpful! This term has been an absolute delight and I’m very grateful to have had you as a mentor! I learned a lot; thank you for everything!!
Courses Taught By Steve
Courses may vary from term to term.