Damon Ross ’94

Overview

Producer, DreamWorks Animation
Los Angeles, CA

• BA, Psychology, Vassar College

With over 30 years of experience, Damon Ross (he/him) is a seasoned Producer and former development executive specializing in high-profile family entertainment. He has guided major studio projects from inception to theatrical release, including The Bad Guys, The Boss Baby, Captain Underpants, Nacho Libre, and Lemony Snicket: A Series of Unfortunate Events. A “book-to-film” expert, Damon has identified and optioned global bestsellers, including The Wild Robot. Most recently, he produced The Bad Guys 2 for DreamWorks Animation. His career spans key roles at Nickelodeon Movies and DreamWorks Animation, where he advanced from Development Executive—identifying ideas to adapt into films and shaping screenplays—to hands-on Producer, where he is deeply involved in every phase of production: guiding casting and voice records, collaborating with directors in editorial, and supervising music and marketing to ensure creative integrity. Damon has forged lasting relationships with many of the industry’s top comedic writers, directors, and actors. The films he has launched and shepherded have grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide.

Advice to Students: 

1. Perseverance: Success requires a lot of hard work for little credit or pay at first. 
2. Networking: It IS all about “Who You Know.” 
3. Expertise: Find your niche and own your space 
4. Personality and Positivity: Friendly, passionate, and personable people get hired. 
5. Take Risks: Fake it till you make it! (P.S. We all do it!) 
6. Innovate: Strive to do things differently—consider going left when everyone else goes right. 
7. Be a good person: Stay grounded, have integrity, and be nice (remember, many of the folks you meet on the way up will be the same ones you’ll be working with 20 years later, so you don’t want to burn bridges).