Steve O'Brien
| Steve O'Brien | |
|---|---|
|
Steve O'Brien makes remarks before the 2013 premiere of Free Birds | |
| Born |
Stephen J. O'Brien July 1964 (51 years old) |
| Residence | Dallas, Texas |
| Alma mater |
University of California, Irvine (BS) Southern Methodist University (MBA) |
| Occupation | CEO, and Chairman |
| Employer | Reel FX |
Stephen J. O'Brien (a.k.a. Steve O'Brien) (born July 1964) is an American businessman. He serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Globe-nominated studio[1] Reel FX in Dallas, Texas and Santa Monica, California.
Career
Prior to joining Reel FX, O'Brien co-founded Big Hand, Inc. a Dallas, Texas-based interactive studio in 1995 where he served as Managing Principal.[2] In 1999, Big Hand Inc. merged with Rare Medium Group, a provider of Internet and E-commerce business solutions.[3] O'Brien's next venture was Next Jet, which he founded in 1999 after leaving Big Hand, Inc. Next Jet was a logistics technology company that worked with major airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. O'Brien left Next Jet in 1994, and joined Reel FX where he was brought on to lead the investment side of the business.[4] Shortly thereafter, Steve O'Brien was asked to join the Board of Directors, and officially became Chief Executive Officer in late 2004, a position he has held since that time.[5]
Filmography
Under O'Brien's leadership, Reel FX built a slate of animated feature films, and on November 1, 2013, with distributor Relativity Media,[5] the studio released Free Birds, its first original title, an American 3D computer-animated buddy comedy film about two turkeys who travel back in time to prevent Thanksgiving. Free Birds, was released by Relativity Media on November 1, 2013 and grossed over $110 million worldwide.[6] Reel FX released the Golden Globe-nominated[1] The Book of Life with 20th Century Fox, on October 17, 2014. The film also received Best Animated Feature nominations from the Critics’ Choice Awards, Producers Guild Awards, and Annie Awards.[7] The title is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Personal life
O'Brien is married to Susan O'Brien, founder of Dallas, Texas-based Hail Merry, which makes raw and vegan foods and snacks.[8] They have three sons.
References
- 1 2 "Book of Life from Dallas Scores Golden Globe Nomination". Dallas Morning News. December 11, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ↑ "Big Hand, Inc. Knocking on Hollywood's Door". PR Newswire. January 22, 1998.
- ↑ "Rare Medium Group, Inc. Completes Acquisitions of Big Hand, Inc. and CircumStance Design". PR Newswire. March 9, 1999.
- ↑ "Sketchy Business, Headquartered in a famed Deep Ellum warehouse, animation studio Reel FX goes Hollywood to take on the big boys.". D Magazine. January 1, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
- 1 2 "The Reel World". D CEO Magazine. June 1, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Reel FX & Relativity Release First 'Free Birds' Trailer". AWN. June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Book of Life from Dallas Scores Golden Globe Nomination". Dallas Morning News. December 11, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
- ↑ "Famed Dallas raw foodie loves chocolate more than you do". Culture Map. January 15, 2016.