Tag Archives: Shop Stewards

Meet Your Steward – Kolja Erman

With three decades in the industry, DreamWorks Animation veteran Kolja Erman shares why his career inspired him to become a Shop Steward dedicated to fighting for increased member engagement and education.

Name: Kolja Erman
Job Title: Senior Technical Director
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Contact Info: stewards-dreamworks@tag839.org

 Tell us a bit about yourself and your career journey.

I was born and raised near Stuttgart, Germany. I’ve worked in animation for over 30 years and am currently a Senior Technical Director at DreamWorks Animation. After finishing the German equivalent of high school, I planned to enroll at the Ludwigsburg Film Academy to become an editor. But they required two years of practical experience, so off I went to get some.

My first job was assisting the Program Director of the 1992 Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film. I cataloged and screened submissions, and while I still thought I’d pursue editing, I became completely captivated by the strange, haunting worlds of Jan Švankmajer, Bill Plympton, and the Brothers Quay. Next came a gofer job at Roman Kuhn Filmproduktion in Munich, a studio focused on high-end commercials. There, I was trained on the brand-new Avid system. Around that time, I met the team launching Munich Animation. They offered me a real job—and I never looked back. I was hired as a scanner, quickly moved into scene planning, camera, and compositing, and even became one of the early beta testers for Creative Toonz, Softimage’s digital backend solution.

Then came a wave of UK artists passing through—many from Amblimation en route to DreamWorks. Some later joined Warner Bros. Feature Animation and helped me land a contract with their new UK studio. That took me to London in 1996, though I was immediately loaned to WBFA in Los Angeles to work on the original Space Jam. When the London studio closed, I permanently moved to Los Angeles in January 1998 and joined The Animation Guild. That era became one of the highlights of my career: working with Brad Bird on The Iron Giant, an unforgettable experience. By then, I’d transitioned fully into being a Technical Director.

In May 2002, after WBFA became increasingly dysfunctional, I finally joined DreamWorks Animation. I’ve been here ever since—mostly as an FX TD—for the past 23 years.

What do you love most about working in animation?

The people. The grassroots culture. The occasional madness. The unique fusion of art and technology.A Group photo of DreamWorks Production workers after presenting a petition for production workers to get a contract at DreamWorks

Why did you volunteer to serve as a Shop Steward?

I became a Shop Steward this year after joining the department captains initiative here at DWA in 2024. After so many years in the Union, it felt like it was high time to pay it forward. The Union had always been there for me, and I had always, informally, advocated for it. However, being on the feature side of DreamWorks Animation, I must admit that we were enjoying a real sense of security and comfort for so long that we became too passive and too lethargic. After NBCU took over, the atmosphere changed a lot, and when, after being kept separate for so many years, the TV group was moved to our campus, it became glaringly obvious that not everybody had it as good as we did. Watching TV drive most union activity and show up for things reliably and advocate for change, led by their amazing Shop Steward Alex AK, is what pushed me over the edge. I realized then I really should step up and use my relative privilege, my experience, and whatever usable skills I might have to help support and further the cause.

As a Shop Steward, what are your priorities in helping TAG members at your studio?

Together with the other stewards at DWA, we took the idea of embedding captains in departments to create more trust and foster engagement, and we have worked on pushing that concept further. We are now very proactive and reaching out to and communicating with our members, and that has resulted in much greater numbers showing up at events, rallies, and other actions. 

During a recent period of massive layoffs, we created a thorough and detailed exit presentation that walks those affected through the processes involved and educates them about the resources and benefits available to union members. We have now created an intake orientation presentation, as well, and are working to engage with and fill knowledge gaps for new and returning members. 

To put it succinctly, we want people to know as much as possible about what it means to be a member of TAG. We want them to know as much as possible about the benefits and resources available to them. We want them to know us and trust us to be there for them. We want them to become and stay engaged and show up in support of everybody else.

TAG’s New DreamWorks Shop Stewards

TAG is excited to introduce our new Shop Stewards at DreamWorks Animation. Learn about their animation backgrounds and why they chose to take the role to represent their Guild kin at the studio.

Elisabeth Constantine

Tell us a little about your animation career.

I began my career as an Animator in 2003 at Rhythm & Hues Studios. After three life-changing years there, I ventured out to other VFX houses including MPC London, Digital Domain, and Sony Pictures Imageworks. It was at Imageworks, after working several years on notable VFX projects, that I finally had the opportunity to work on my first CG feature Arthur Christmas. It was that experience that led me here to DreamWorks where I’ve been fortunate enough to continue my feature animation career and growth as an Animator. 

Why did you become a Shop Steward?

I became a Shop Steward because I believe in the value of unions to give voice and power to the workforce, and appreciate the benefits and community it has afforded me. 

What is one fun fact about you?

I love salsa dancing and wish I was better at it!

Kolja Erman

Tell us a little about your animation career.

I started out in the animation industry all the way back in Germany where I joined newly established Munich Animation as a Scanner and, later, Scene Planner in 1993. In 1996 I was hired by Warner Bros. Feature Animation for their new studio in London, UK, though I was immediately loaned out to their Los Angeles studio to help as a Scene Planner on the original Space Jam. Back in London I became Scene Planning Supervisor for the UK studio on the next show. Unfortunately, the studio was closed right after, but I was offered a position as Technical Director on Iron Giant in the US. Because of this I permanently emigrated to the US in 1998. In 2002 I finally made the jump to DreamWorks Animation where I’ve been working as a Technical Director, and now Senior Technical Director, for the last 22 years.

Why did you become a Shop Steward?

After 26 years in the Union and over 30 in the industry, I feel it’s high time for me to do my part to help out our excellent community of animation workers. Having seen many highs and lows, and watching the industry evolve and change both for better and for worse, one of the most important things I have learned over the years is this simple fact: the Union is us. I’ve benefited so much from the things others fought for, and like they did for us, I want to do what I can for those who have entered the industry since.

What is one fun fact about you?

Like Neo, I (actually) know Kung Fu.

Jorge Garcia

Tell us a little about your animation career.

I am a a Colombian animator, graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design, currently working at DreamWorks in the Feature Animation department. I started my career at Rhythm and Hues, and hopped over to Sony Imageworks, Nickelodeon, Insomniac Games, and Walt Disney Animation Studios, before landing in Shrek’s happy swamp.

Why did you become a Shop Steward?

Having gone through a couple of VFX projects and layoffs, the importance of being in a guild shop became apparent. After joining WDAS, the studio had a need for a steward position, and I took it as a great opportunity to learn more about organized labor and to give back to the artists. Once joining DWA, I volunteered to continue my position as best I could to keep the cause going.

What is one fun fact about you?

I believe the One Piece is real.

Corey Hels

Tell us a little about your animation career.

I’ve been a Previsualization Artist most of my career, and have worked freelance as a Producer, so I really admire the whole filmmaking process. Some favorite titles I’ve been lucky to work on include The Iron Giant, Monster House, DreamWorks’ Dragons trilogy, both Puss in Boots films, and most recently The Wild Robot.

Why did you become a Shop Steward?

I have been a member of TAG for over 25 years. Early in my career I found it difficult to network within big corporations and felt disconnected from more established artists. As a Shop Steward I hope to help support newer members navigate the comprehensive Guild benefits, and promote mutual respect between producers and such amazing talent.

What is one fun fact about you?

I put myself through Art School earning a BFA and a mountain of debt. When I moved to Los Angeles I had only $900 to my name. 

Sadako Leong-Suzuki 

Tell us a little about your animation career.

I’m a Storyboard Artist/Revisionist, and I’ve spent my whole animation career at DreamWorks TV. My first animation job was as a Production Assistant on Spirit Riding Free, followed by becoming a Production Coordinator on Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight. From there they hired me for my first Union job as a Storyboard Revisionist! Since then, I’ve been working as a Storyboard Revisionist on Jurassic World: Chaos Theory for Netflix, coming out this year. 

Why did you become a Shop Steward?

I became a Shop Steward because of all else—I love the amazing people, artists, and colleagues I’ve had the pleasure of working with here at DreamWorks. In many ways I think I’ve found I love the people that work at DreamWorks, and in animation as a whole, more than the art itself (which says a lot because I love our work loads too, haha). Also, watching our previous Shop Steward (shout-out Alex Anderson-Kenney) was super inspiring! I want to help build a strong sense of trust, community, support, and pride with all of us DreamWorks TAG members—because everyone here DESERVES it!

What is one fun fact about you?

I couldn’t decide, but according to friends and co-workers, it would be between being told by a doctor that I have “Grossly Unremarkable Bones.” OR that I am a “Stack of Puns in a Trenchcoat”—haha.