Mitch Prater
About Mitch Prater
Mitch Prater serves as the Shading Technology Supervisor and Principal Software Engineer at LAIKA, LLC, where he has worked since 2008. He has a background in academia and extensive experience in the animation industry, having held significant roles at Pixar Animation Studios and 2K.
Work at LAIKA
Mitch Prater has been employed at LAIKA, LLC since 2008, where he holds the position of Shading Technology Supervisor and Principal Software Engineer. In this role, he oversees the development and implementation of shading technologies for animated films. His work contributes to the visual quality and artistic expression of LAIKA's projects, which are known for their unique stop-motion animation style.
Previous Experience in Animation
Before joining LAIKA, Mitch Prater worked at Pixar Animation Studios from 1988 to 2004 as a Senior Technical Director and Shading Lead. During his tenure at Pixar, he played a significant role in developing shading and lighting systems for various animated films. Following his time at Pixar, he served as Look Development Lead at 2K from 2006 to 2008, where he continued to refine his expertise in visual development.
Education and Early Career
Mitch Prater began his academic career as an Associate Professor at California State University, Fullerton, where he taught for one year from 1987 to 1988. This position provided him with foundational teaching experience before transitioning into the animation industry, where he has since built a notable career.
Contributions to Notable Films
Throughout his career, Mitch Prater has contributed to the shading and lighting systems for several acclaimed animated films produced by LAIKA. His work includes contributions to 'ParaNorman', 'The Boxtrolls', 'Kubo and the Two Strings', and 'Missing Link'. Additionally, he led the surfacing team for the unreleased feature 'Jack & Ben', showcasing his leadership in visual development within the animation industry.