Steven Stanchfield
Assistant Professor
University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University
Stanchfield’s research interests include animation and drawing, particularity the innovations in technology related to creating new creative work; animation history, especially researching forgotten creators and studios; motion picture and animation restoration and preservation, with physical media as well as digital and new technologies.
Professional Experience
Stanchfield has worked on animation and animated films since 1991. He started professional full-time as a traditional and digital animator at Media Station in 1993, working on CD-Rom games for Disney, Mattel and many others, directing at the studio in 1996. This experience led to work on the Warner Brother’s feature Space Jam as well as animation, storyboards and direction on commercials, television shows, games and interactive websites. Stanchfield also works on restoring classic animated films, working with UCLA Film and Television Archives, The Library of Congress, The Museum of Modern Art and others. This work involves both physical and digital restoration of film elements as well as releases through his company, Thunderbean Animation. Other clients in this field include Warner Brothers, Disney, Universal, HBO, Turner Classic Movies, the History Channel and Funny or Die. He has been an Assistant Professor at the College for Creative Studies since 2000.
Significant Publications, Presentations and Exhibitions
Ub Iwerks’ studios (2018)
Curated show for TCM Fest at the Chinese Theatre.
Van Beuren Classics (2014)
Curated, restored and co-host, for Turner Classic Movies presentation.
Watch Me Move (2013)
Curation/ liner notes for twelve programs of classic animated films at the Detroit Institute of Art’s Detroit Film Theatre, in correlation with their exhibition.
