Christopher DeFaria

Christopher Joseph DeFaria (born May 20, 1959) is an American film producer, screenwriter and former voice actor. He served as president of animation and innovative technology at Warner Bros. Pictures for four years. In January 2017, he joined DreamWorks Animation in the newly created position of president of the DreamWorks Feature Animation Group. As president, DeFaria oversaw all aspects of DWA's feature animation business, including slate strategy, development, production; innovation and technology; and business affairs

He is a graduate of UCLA, a member of the AMPAS and WGA and a founding member of FilmAid International. He serves on the board of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Early life Christopher deFaria was born to film producer Walt DeFaria, whose credits include several Sanrio films such as the 1977 animated film The Mouse and His Child and the 1982 war drama Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder.

Career 1969–1973: Early career DeFaria began his Hollywood career in 1969 as a voice actor playing the part of Peppermint Patty in Peanuts TV specials from the same year until 1973. He also has a sister, Gabrielle "Gai" DeFaria Ritter, who was previously Peppermint Patty's voice before he took over.

1989–present: Later career In 1989, DeFaria returned to the television industry as production manager, screenwriter and producer, beginning with his role as post-production supervisor for the television horror film Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes broadcast on NBC. He later co-wrote with Antonio M. Toro two Amityville Horror installments which were released direct-to-video: Amityville 1992: It's About Time and Amityville: A New Generation (1993), both of which he also served as producer.

By 1996, DeFaria joined Warner Bros. Pictures as vice president of physical production. His first full producer credit for a theatrical film was for the 2001 spy comedy Cats & Dogs, with DeFaria being involved in the attempt to convincingly blend CGI animal characters with live-action backgrounds and people alongside special effects artist Stan Winston. He later became president of Warner Bros.' animation and innovative technology division for four years beginning in 2013. As president, DeFaria ran the studio's feature animation business as a whole, "including slate strategy, development, production, innovation and technology, and business affairs", with him directly answering to Universal Pictures chairperson Donna Langley.

DeFaria produced the 2021 live-action animated film Tom and Jerry, and he also produced the film Coyote vs. Acme alongside James Gunn.

Prior to establishing Keylight, Chris served as President of DreamWorks Animation where he led the studio’s creative development and technological advancement. Before that he was president of Digital Production and Innovative Technology at Warner Bros. Pictures where he founded Warner Animation Group, the studio's animation division, developed VFX strategies for films like Harry Potter and The Matrix and oversaw initiatives in AI and VR.

Filmography

+ Producer Year Title Notes 1991 ...And Then She Was Gone TV movie 1992 Amityville 1992: It's About Time Direct-to-video;Also writer 1993 Amityville: A New Generation 1995 Live Nude Girls Co-producer 1996 Tremors 2: Aftershocks Direct-to-video 2001 Cats & Dogs 2021 Tom & Jerry 2026 Coyote vs. Acme

+ Associate producer Year Title Notes 1989 Double Your Pleasure TV movie 1990 She Said No A Mom for Christmas 1991 What Ever Happened to... Locked Up: A Mother's Rage 1992 Day-O A Murderous Affair: The Carolyn Warmus Story 1993 Miracle Child 2020 The Young Witchfinder

Executive producer

Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010) Sucker Punch (2011) Happy Feet Two (2011) Gravity (2013) Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Ready Player One (2018) The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) (Production executive)

Special thanks

One Small Hero (1999) Trolls World Tour (2020) The Croods: A New Age (2020)