About Us

Big Grin is an animation production
crew with extraordinary talent

the mission

Big Grin focuses on authentic stories created by passionate and hungry storytellers. We cultivate fresh, new voices that have something to share with the world! Properties to sell, co-produce and eventually direct with the right partners. 

For Client Work – We can convert any idea into reality through our full-service pipeline; concepts, storyboards, character designs, models, animation, down to the last musical note.

Changing Times

Look, when you work with Big Grin, you’re working with the best damn talent… period. We give high-caliber artists a chance to work remotely, and we build inspiring, captivating, and fun stories with memorable characters for you, for your brand…

…and without the baggage of a traditional studio setup. No off-shore sourcing to go 10 rounds of feedback, sitting in red-line hell wishing you had someone to help make life easier. We have talent from Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Blue Sky, ReelFX, Laika, Marvel Studios, Nintendo, Sony and other studios working with us. 

Our artists are the best, because they work in favorable conditions, and those conditions favor YOU, the client. 

So let’s collaborate and have some fun. 

the core

Big Grin Productions (BG) was founded by Toby, in 2006. Originally created to work with ESL programs using Art & Animation to help the learning process, BG transformed to more commercial work and developing original IP back in 2008 – 2012. 

Toby is on a mission to tell and direct stories close to heart. He loves working with the best talent in the world to create new IP, all while making content creation easier for companies. 

With over 15 years in the creative industry in animation, commercial, and gaming, Toby is now telling his own stories. He grew a startup company to 220+ employees. Managed and worked on productions over $500k. Secured a big pitch to work with Shaquille O’Neal, directed numerous games simultaneously to eventually become a Creative Director for a NBC Universal game pitch, which the company successfully landed.

You can find Toby co-creating with his wife offering workshops, furthering his education in all areas of life. If he’s not in nature, he’s most likely reading, writing or eating ice cream. 

Adrian is an award winning Producer, prior to joining Big Grin, Adrian worked at Pixar Animation Studios, Playstudios and Penrose Studios. 

As a kid, Adrian was fascinated by Storytelling, Animation, VFX, Films and Computers. That passion has never gone away. Studio Ghibli has Toshio Suzuki and Big Grin has Adrian Ochoa. He thrives at being part of the creative team working on amazing projects.

His credits included Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Wall-E, Cars 2, Monsters University, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur. He’s also worked on various shorts including Cars Toons, live action shorts and Day and Night. 

He also produced over 45 mobile games, including three with Shaquille O’Neal and the award winning VR short film Arden’s Wake.

Adrian loves writing short and feature film scripts, and video production. If he’s not in Napa enjoying some tasty cabernets you can find him cruising old cars or spending time with his family. 

 

Big Grin Productions (BG) was funded by Toby, in 2006. Originally created to work with ESL programs using Art & Animation to help the learning process, BG transformed to more commercial and original content. 

Toby is on a mission to tell and direct stories close to heart. He works with the best talent in the world to create new IP, all while making content creation easier for companies. 

Adrian is an award winning Producer, prior to joining Big Grin, Adrian worked at Pixar Animation Studios, Playstudios and Penrose Studios. 

His credits included Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Wall-E, Cars 2, Monsters University, Inside Out, The Good Dinosaur. He’s also worked on various shorts including Cars Toons, live action shorts and Day and Night. 

He also produced over 45 mobile games, including three with Shaquille O’Neal and the award winning VR short film Arden’s Wake.

let's have some fun!

We exist to give artists a chance to work remotely while creating Outstanding work