Our Team - 60 Years Combined experience in Entertainment, Animation & Visual Effects

that worker vibe

Worker Studio is an award-winning Animation company in Colorado's Denver Metro Area. Founded by veteran animator and filmmaker, Michael "Ffish" Hemschoot (BFA, CalArts '95), and together with Minister of Message & Propaganda, Jason Cangialosi, consulting veteran Producer, Jon Derovan, and a team of talented upstarts, Worker Studio produces original high-end 3D, 2D & Stop-motion animation properties, visual effects, and commercial products. While pioneering the use of new technologies and methods of distribution, Worker Studio brings a classic sensibility of animation and storytelling into the 21st century. In short, we like making pictures move and having fun doing it.

MEET THE WORKERS

Michael Hemschoot

founder, ceo, director

A graduate of the renowned, California Institute of the Arts Character Animation program, Michael “Ffish” Hemschoot is a 20+ year veteran of the Animation and Visual Effects industry who has worked with such world-class feature film companies as Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, Disney, and Paramount Pictures.

Currently known for his work as an animation and live-action director, Michael's past VFX efforts can been seen in some of the top Hollywood films of the past two decades, including two recipients of the Academy Award for Visual Effects Achievement.

Jason Cangialosi

COO, Minister of message and propaganda

Jason serves as Chief Operations Officer, Minister of Message & Propaganda, and Musical Director. Having produced over two dozen commercial and corporate videos at Worker Studio, Jason has overseen the development of a world-class animation pipeline utilizing the latest in 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and performance capture tools and techniques.

Prior to joining Worker Studio, Jason was a featured Arts & Entertainment contributor on Yahoo!, publishing articles on Yahoo! Movies, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Voices, and Yahoo! OMG. As a freelance writer for more than 16 years, Jason has been a ghostwriter and script doctor for screenplays, as well as publishing articles in National Magazines and websites. This has included developing and managing publicity campaigns for a variety of intellectual property and companies. This ability to craft campaigns, together with his passion, knowledge and experience in cinema allow him to minster the revolutionary message behind an ambitious company like Worker Studio, while also contributing creatively to all of our projects.

Until Jon came along, Jason was Worker Studio's official Coffee Consumption Champion, but has really had to up his game ever since.

jon derovan

consulting commercial producer

Jon began his career as a graphic artist, photographer and later editor for a Los Angeles-based photography magazine. His early production experience was in commercials, television, special effects, art direction and film distribution. As a freelance producer, Jon created spots for the Japanese and American markets, including an acclaimed documentary about a wartime spy for Japanese television.

By 1989, Jon was producing full-time and later joined Paramount Studios as a staff producer in their commercial division. He then went on to produce for Rhythm and Hues, Industrial Light and Magic, PDI/Dreamworks, Disney/Pixar and Fox Studios.

As a director, he’s helmed commercials and documentaries alike. In 2005, Jon co-directed “Flight 93, The Flight that Fought Back,” for the Discovery channel. Jon’s career spans all areas of film production – from commercials to features, and from live-action to all manner of visual effects and post-production. As an active producer, he’s created content across the spectrum, from web to television and the big-screen.

Obviously, Jon brings a great deal of commercial, visual effects, and animation experience to every project he's a part of here at Worker Studio. He's also valued for his creativity, wit, and ability to give Jason a run for his money when it comes to coffee consumption.

feni hagman

design and illustration

atticus

general counsel

A gifted and promising talent from the word go, Atticus chose to use his legal powers for the good of art. He graduated summa cum laude from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and had a brief stint at the firm Bowser, Adelphi, Spots & Freckles. Even with this illustrious start, Atticus knew his passion for the arts would outweigh the glory of legal stardom. In 2014, he chose to join Worker Studio Animation as our in-house legal counsel, seeing a studio destined to revolutionize art and storytelling. He finally found a company to fulfill his artistic appetite, while still requiring him to hone the sharp edges of his legal prowess (as seen here).

Atticus met Worker Studio’s founder, Michael Hemschoot and his wife, Abigail, while backpacking through the Chilean countryside. Atticus, graduated, but still a young pup in the world, was soul searching, trying to find his purpose. He found it hitchhiking, when a ‘57 Chevy Pickup, helmed by Michael and Abi, picked up the wandering pooch. Their immediate bond grew from the wonder they all shared on the road, continuing that journey into the studio.

zu zu

the closer

A mysterious past, but a future of great promise at Worker Studio Animation. Her uncanny ability to close deals with just a look was apparent from the start. A tumultuous childhood acting career lead to a life on the streets, where she shaped a charisma to negotiate many a tough situation. While still the scrapper that won her the dreaded street name, “The Closer,” ZuZu has since softened around the edges, allowing her to be just as comfortable sealing deals with executives and industry leaders.

ZuZu gained esteemed recognition for her efforts building and maintaining clientele for the innovative health practice, Lana June Health, in Colorado. Since then, she’s also made her home at Worker Studio, after a meteoric consulting career, aiding negotiations from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to United Nations Special Rapporteurs, from David Geffen to Elon Musk. How she continues to open doors and close deals is just as much a mystery as her origins.

This core creative team is supported by a roster of in-house and freelance artists, from 2D/3D animators and digital compositors to stop-motion puppet builders, all of whom who bring the right creativity, skills, and passion to every one of our projects.

And of course, there's Hurl and Al in charge of keeping it real.