Independent Animation Panel Discussion

Nico Colaleo is the creator of his own independent animated series Ollie & Scoops on YouTube, as well as a previous series for DreamWorksTV called Too Loud. Nico loves show-running all facets of his animated projects including directing, producing, writing, editing, and even voice acting. Outside of his personal projects he can be found working at various studios throughout the animation industry as an animatic and post editor, from large companies like Walt Disney TV Animation, Netflix Animation and Nickelodeon Studios, to independent fast-growing studios like Titmouse. He also hosts his own art galleries at a number of popular local venues, and has curated over 10 packed-audience gallery events in Hollywood over the past decade. Nico lives in Los Angeles with his two beloved kitties.

Fable Siegel is a dinosaur wrangler and animation director from the frigid north eastern corner of the United States. In addition to leading the team on "Lackadaisy: The Animated Short", Fable has also animated on "Midnight Gospel", boarded for "Ben 10", built two Game Grumps animated shorts, and authors their own webcomic "Umbagog". When they're not juggling 15 jobs at once, you can find them in the yard surrounded by chickens and parrots, painting nature.

Zi is an animator and storyboard artist who has previously worked for clients such as Tonic DNA and Netflix. She has always been a huge fan of independent animation and decided to start producing her own animated pilot in 2021. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, she is now directing and producing her own animated pilot titled "Ramshackle", which is based off of her webcomic of the same name. She currently works on "Ramshackle" full-time, but in her spare time she loves camping, cooking, and eating dirt.

Mike Schnier is a writer and interviewer who closely follows the craft of animation and the intersection of art and technology. Mike's responsibilities at Toon Boom Animation include assigning articles on client productions as well as editing Animation From Every Angle.