About
Cheryl Vanderbilt is a talented Producer and Artist hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 15 years of experience, she has overseen a wide variety of projects ranging from fulldome (immersive) films, animation and visual effects (VFX), independent films, education & science video series, and 360 films, to custom formatted media for unique exhibits.
Cheryl has a passion for science storytelling and has had the opportunity to work on several fulldome films with the California Academy of Sciences. These fulldome films have broken the mold of typical planetarium shows, exploring earthbound subjects such as life processes, ecosystems, seasons, and seismology. Cheryl has worked closely with scientists and researchers from around the world, identifying the most advanced data sets to create informative and engaging films.
Cheryl has a passion for science storytelling and has had the opportunity to work on several fulldome films with the California Academy of Sciences. These fulldome films have broken the mold of typical planetarium shows, exploring earthbound subjects such as life processes, ecosystems, seasons, and seismology. Cheryl has worked closely with scientists and researchers from around the world, identifying the most advanced data sets to create informative and engaging films.
Sean & Cheryl Vanderbilt: London 2018
Cheryl holds a BFA in Animation & Visual Effects from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, and has an immense love of traditional animation and storytelling. While studying there, she managed numerous independent film projects and became the primary liaison between the Academy of Art University and the independent filmmakers. This partnership provided students with real-world experience, networking opportunities, and materials for their demo reels.
Sean & Cheryl Vanderbilt: Disneyland 2021
Cheryl is always ready to lend her artistic talents in animation, compositing, editing, cinematography, and graphics, to help complete projects on time and within budget. If the team finds itself short-handed or under time constraints, Cheryl will either jump in herself to help or find someone with the necessary skills who can.
She frequently works with other departments outside of production to support the company as a whole. For decades, she has created and managed detailed department, capital, grant, and project budgets, balancing the needs of the company, the project costs, and the individual workers while staying fiscally responsible.
She frequently works with other departments outside of production to support the company as a whole. For decades, she has created and managed detailed department, capital, grant, and project budgets, balancing the needs of the company, the project costs, and the individual workers while staying fiscally responsible.
Cheryl Vanderbilt & 501st Legion: Visual Effects Society BBQ 2018
Together with the Development and Government Grants Departments, Cheryl has created project outlines, scope-of-work details, and year-over-year budget proposals to raise money in support of the Academy's mission. Some funding was provided in whole by sizable donors or government grants, or by funding campaigns supported by many smaller donors wishing to help further science education.
Cheryl has also spent over a decade running offices of small businesses, managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, HR, benefits, hiring, sourcing raw materials, negotiating pricing, providing project bids, and even preparing taxes. Her years of work managing these offices have given her a unique insight as a media producer; bringing the innovative, problem-solving attitude of the small business world to the larger media production world that is always looking for new solutions.
Cheryl has also spent over a decade running offices of small businesses, managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, HR, benefits, hiring, sourcing raw materials, negotiating pricing, providing project bids, and even preparing taxes. Her years of work managing these offices have given her a unique insight as a media producer; bringing the innovative, problem-solving attitude of the small business world to the larger media production world that is always looking for new solutions.
Sean & Cheryl Vanderbilt: Kennedy Space Center 2021
Cheryl resides in the San Francisco Bay Area together with her husband and extensive family. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games and watching science fiction, action/adventure, witty comedies, and classic silver screen movies. She is also an avid traveler, particularly enjoying visits to Disney parks and cruises. Cheryl is an accomplished pianist and loves crafting, including knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She often hand-makes her clothes and creates costumes for events like Comic-Con and movie premieres.
Sean & Cheryl Vanderbilt: Disney Cruise Line 2017.
Professional Organizations
Visual Effects Society
Bay Area - Board of Managers, 2018-2021. (2 terms)
Served as Co-Chair (2021), and as Secretary (2018-2019)
Served on the following committees:
Screenings, Education, Membership, Social Media, and Communications.
Women in Animation
Served on the following committees:
Screenings
Visual Effects Society
Bay Area - Board of Managers, 2018-2021. (2 terms)
Served as Co-Chair (2021), and as Secretary (2018-2019)
Served on the following committees:
Screenings, Education, Membership, Social Media, and Communications.
Women in Animation
Served on the following committees:
Screenings