Grew up in Rumson, New Jersey

Began drawing by age three (date approximate)

Gained so much attention with his drawings that, in the fifth grade, he temporarily gave it up

Joined a rock band in high school

Inspired to return to drawing and became interested in animation by watching a PBS program featuring experimental animation at age 20

Directed two short animated films while attending CalArts, "Phases" and "Tube Tales"

At Disney, studied under noted animator Jules Engel who had worked on "Bambi" and "Fantasia"

Worked as an animator trainee and an in-betweener on Disney's "Pete's Dragon" and "The Small One"

Took eight months off work on personal projects sponsored by the American Film Institute

Made short film, "Seepage", through funding from AFI

First feature credit as an animator, "The Fox and the Hound"

Moved to Northern California

First credit as sequence director, "Twice Upon a Time"

First credit as storyboard artist, "Return to Oz"

Founded own production company, Selick Projects

Began writing, producing, designing and directing promotional spots for MTV including the Clio-winning "Haircut M" campaign

Hired by the San Francisco-based Colossal Pictures to work on the Pillsbury Doughboy commercials

Made short film, "Slow Bob in the Lower Dimensions", sponsored by MTV

Directing an elaborate award-winning Rits Bits commercial

Sellick Projects became Skellington Productions

Feature directorial debut, "Tim Burton's 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'"

Approached Felicity Dahl, the widow of author Roald Dahl, about adapting her husband's children's classic "James and the Giant Peach"

Skellington Productions renamed Twitching Images, Inc.

Twitching Images became the recipient of Miramax's largest financial commitment to an outside production company as the studio agreed to fully fund and finance the company's film projects as well as cover all operating costs