Nexus Studios, which maintains bases of operation in London and Los Angeles, has added director Emily Dean to its global roster for commercial representation. Dean’s visual artistry and commitment to pushing the boundaries of adult animation were showcased recently through her directorial work on the Emmy Award-winning Netflix animated series, Love Death + Robots. 

Dean is an Asian-Australian writer, director, and artist living in L.A. Alongside her directorial work, Dean has made significant story artist and visual consultant contributions to major films such as The Lego Batman Movie, The Lego Movie 2, Scoob!, Hotel Artemis and the Oscar Award-winning Hairlove. During this time she worked closely with studios including Pixar, Warner Bros, Animal Logic, Lionsgate, and Sony Pictures Animation. In 2023 Dean was awarded an Annie Award for Best Storyboarding TV/Media for her captivating episode of Love Death + Robots, Volume 3, titled “The Very Pulse of the Machine.”

Dean’s journey in filmmaking began in rural Australia, where her passion for drawing and storytelling flourished from a young age. Driven by her dedication to animation, Dean pursued further education at the Australian Film TV Radio School and later at the California Institute of the Arts. Her independent animated short film Forget Me Not was inspired by her family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease and earned her a nomination for Best Short Animation at the Australian Academy Awards. Dean’s talent extends beyond animation, as evidenced in her live-action sci-fi short film, Andromeda, which toured film festivals, including LA Shorts International Film Festival and was picked up by sci-fi streaming platform, Dust. 

Chris O’Reilly, co-founder and chief creative officer, Nexus Studios, said, “Emily brings with her a dynamic fusion of first-class storytelling, creativity and technical acumen. Her ability to breathe life into characters, weave compelling narratives, and deliver captivating visual experiences is genuinely exceptional. We look forward to exciting new projects together!”