Reel FX Animation Studios’ chairman and CEO Steve O’Brien said they are doubling down on original content with the rehiring of Jared Mass who returns in an elevated role to head up Reel FX’s Originals Unit. Based in the studio’s Hollywood location, Mass will oversee a growing slate of animated feature films as well as a range of episodic, streaming, and cross-platform projects.

Reel FX partners with major studios on its original properties, including the recently announced Monster On The Hill with Paramount Pictures and Walden Media, which is set to open in 2020.  Monster On The Hill is a world where monsters are tame, monster wrestling is a popular sport, and teenage Winnie seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps as a manager by turning an inexperienced monster into a contender. The feature is produced by longtime Reel FX executive Brad Booker, directed by Disney veteran Bradley Raymond, written by Matt Lieberman and Etan Cohen, and is based on the graphic novel by Rob Harrell. 

With a 10-year track record of producing originals, other notable Reel FX films include the critically-acclaimed, award-winning Book Of Life with Twentieth Century Fox and Free Birds with Relatively Media, which each generated more than $100 million in worldwide box office; as well as Rise Of The Guardians, which was developed in-house before the property was sold to DreamWorks Animation.

Also known as a top producer of animation for every major studio, Reel FX will continue to serve as a vendor for upcoming film projects such as Warner Animation Group’s Scooby Doo feature (2020).  With an employee base of over 200, Reel FX recently opened a large feature animation complex in Montreal. In addition to its well established Dallas and Hollywood locations, the studio will double its staff over the next two years.

Mass was previously VP at Paramount Animation where he helped acquire Monster On The Hill and Clifford The Big Red Dog for the studio, and oversaw the recently released Sherlock Gnomes. During his initial stint at Reel FX Animation Studios, he served as an executive during the development and production of Book Of Life and Free Birds. Earlier in Mass’ career, he was an executive at Walden Media on films such as Mr. Marium’s Wonder Emporium and Bridge to Terabithia.

“Jared is a top notch executive and producer whose sense of story, taste in material, and leadership qualities have always been impressive. We are thrilled to welcome Jared back home and look forward to him leading the charge on acquiring and producing our original IP,” said O’Brien.

“I am honored and excited to return to Reel FX Animation Studios at such an electrifying time in the animation business as we continue collaborating with incredible filmmakers on commercial films with global appeal,” said Mass. “There is a lot of momentum around our studio and I’m thrilled to be a part of the next chapter in Reel FX’s storied history.”