Chris "Gonzo" Gonzalez
Chris “Gonzo” Gonzalez has been a professional animator since 2017 and is currently a character animator at DreamWorks Animation. Gonzo started as a associate animator in Video Games at Infinity Ward, working on Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare and also worked for Warner Bros. games on Hogwarts Legacy before transitioning over to feature animation where he worked on The Boss Baby Family Business, The Bad Guys and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, Kung Fu Panda 4, and The Wild Robot. Gonzo currently mentors students in Animation Basics, the first Core character Animation Course at Animation Mentor
Chris Gonzo’s Credits
The Wild Robot
Kung Fu Panda 4
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
The Bad Guys
Films
- The Bad Guys 2
- The Wild Robot
- Kung Fu Panda 4
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
- The Bad Guys
- Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken
- Boss Baby: Family Business
- The Croods: A New Age
- Trolls: World Tour
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Shorts
- Trolls: It Takes Three
Games
- Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare
- Hogwarts Legacy
What Gonzo’s Students are Saying
Relatable and Inspiring as a Mentor
Gonzo uses casual language in his critiques which makes his feedback clear and simple. He constantly encouraged reaching out to him for mid-week feedback, along with having students create a camaraderie between each other. His easy-going nature led to my classmates and I feeling less stressed and ready to take on the next assignment. He was relatable and inspiring as a mentor.
Gonzo Gets Straight to the Point
Gonzo gets straight to the point when it comes to improving your work. It’s really helpful and he always asks for questions so students can get answers.
Each Critique was Clear and Very Helpful!
Each critique was clear and very helpful! The demos in the Q&A were awesome. I just wish I had more questions for the Q&A sessions.
Gonzo is Doing an Amazing Job!
Gonzo is doing an amazing job! He also takes time on Thursdays to look at our works and gives feedback. I see my improvements and that’s because of him.
Helped Me Look and Think of Things
Helped me look and think of things I otherwise wouldn’t have.
Encouraging Every Step of the Way
Gonzo is quick to acknowledge hard work and is incredibly encouraging every step of the way. He isn’t shy to tell you how you can improve. Using examples from his own work to teach the basics really goes a long way to show how everything I am learning will apply in every shot I tackle going forward. Not only that but having Gonzo as a mentor has been a great opportunity to learn about his journey from AM to DreamWorks, which has helped me immensely in defining a path for myself going forward!
Always Ready to Answer Questions
Tough grader that really helped elevate our animation skills. Always ready to answer questions and was very encouraging. Always seemed enthusiastic about teaching. Getting a good grade from him always felt rewarding/earned, which I feel is how it should be when preparing students for industry work. Gave lots of great animation tips, as well as tips for making the most of reference (which has done wonders to my workflow, haha). Overall, great experience. Looked forward to having class each week.
Every Class Feels Like a Masterclass
Gonzo is an incredible mentor! Throughout the whole term he’s been very insightful and passionate about what he teaches and is totally open for any and every question during our Q&A’s. Every class feels like a masterclass and I’m so grateful to have had him as a mentor.
Relatable and Inspiring as a Mentor
Gonzo uses casual language in his critiques which makes his feedback clear and simple. He constantly encouraged reaching out to him for mid-week feedback, along with having students create a camaraderie between each other. His easy-going nature led to my classmates and I feeling less stressed and ready to take on the next assignment. He was relatable and inspiring as a mentor.
Gonzo Gets Straight to the Point
Gonzo gets straight to the point when it comes to improving your work. It’s really helpful and he always asks for questions so students can get answers.
Each Critique was Clear and Very Helpful!
Each critique was clear and very helpful! The demos in the Q&A were awesome. I just wish I had more questions for the Q&A sessions.
Gonzo is Doing an Amazing Job!
Gonzo is doing an amazing job! He also takes time on Thursdays to look at our works and gives feedback. I see my improvements and that’s because of him.
Helped Me Look and Think of Things
Helped me look and think of things I otherwise wouldn’t have.
Encouraging Every Step of the Way
Gonzo is quick to acknowledge hard work and is incredibly encouraging every step of the way. He isn’t shy to tell you how you can improve. Using examples from his own work to teach the basics really goes a long way to show how everything I am learning will apply in every shot I tackle going forward. Not only that but having Gonzo as a mentor has been a great opportunity to learn about his journey from AM to DreamWorks, which has helped me immensely in defining a path for myself going forward!
Always Ready to Answer Questions
Tough grader that really helped elevate our animation skills. Always ready to answer questions and was very encouraging. Always seemed enthusiastic about teaching. Getting a good grade from him always felt rewarding/earned, which I feel is how it should be when preparing students for industry work. Gave lots of great animation tips, as well as tips for making the most of reference (which has done wonders to my workflow, haha). Overall, great experience. Looked forward to having class each week.
Every Class Feels Like a Masterclass
Gonzo is an incredible mentor! Throughout the whole term he’s been very insightful and passionate about what he teaches and is totally open for any and every question during our Q&A’s. Every class feels like a masterclass and I’m so grateful to have had him as a mentor.
Courses Taught By Chris Gonzo
Courses may vary from term to term.
Animation
Basics
12-Week Course
Begin your character animation journey and master the basics.