Los Angeles, California, United States
Toby Cochran is an award-winning director, producer, and founder of Big Grin Productions, with 20 years of experience in animation, storytelling, and creative leadership. He specializes in assembling and managing global creative teams, developing original IP, and delivering emotionally resonant, research-driven content across animation, games, and branded media. His latest film, LUKi & the Lights, is the first animated short to feature a character with ALS. The film has screened at over 100 festivals worldwide, received more than 50 awards, and was longlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards. Through Big Grin Productions, Toby develops and produces original series and feature films—animated and live-action—in collaboration with directors, studios, and brands. His expertise spans creative development (script notes, pitch materials, story editing), team building and artist management, production oversight, and consulting on pipeline strategy and execution. He has delivered work for companies including Apple, Salesforce, SoftBank Robotics, Netflix, and Marvel. Toby is known for bridging the creative and technical sides of production—aligning vision with execution to bring meaningful stories to life.
Independent animated short "Double Smooth" directed by Andre Rodriguez. An 3D animated drama-thriller about two inmates—one a veteran shot caller, the other a near-release newcomer—who connect over a high-stakes game of dominoes that becomes a life-altering lesson in survival and transformation within the prison system.
The independent animated short "Táng," helmed by Eunice Cheng, Tells the story of a magical Asian candy maker and a boy who feels like an outsider, learning important life lessons through a small act of kindness.
- Establish overall vision & strategy for Big Grin IP portfolio - Manage a team of Storyboard Artists, Character Designers, and Visual Development artists in the creation of each project, while successfully communicating story needs, both verbally and visually. - Manage and develop pitches, packaging projects, all while developing individual artists to create unique and authentic stories to tell. Manage and art direct 30+ artists worldwide. - Develop concept artwork and compelling pitch decks that convey the early story and identity of new properties. - Identifying new projects in all capacities - buying pitches, sourcing IP, bringing in talent to partner with and develop around Big Grin's goals - Develop relationships for co-production deals with networks and studios - Developed 10 projects ranging from Adult, Teen to family co-viewing
Big Grin is a turn-key production company, that produces commercial, broadcast, video games and animated film work. Focusing on developing original content with fresh & unique voices to put a GRIN on everyone's face! Currently pitching original IP We specialize in: • Story Development • Storyboarding • Film & Animation Pitch Decks • Story Animatics & Editing • Screenwriting & Script Doctoring • Character Designs, Visual Development, Color Scripts • 3D Animation for Games, Commercials & Films Big Grin seeks the world's greatest talent to work with allowing artists to work remotely or if needed, we fly the talent out to work on site. Guarantee you'll have a smile working with Big Grin. Achieve more with a Grin!
Director of LUKi & the Lights" - The first-ever animated short film featuring the first-ever animated character to have ALS. - Managed a team of 100+ artists from 17 countries. - Inspired by the true-life story of Anjo & Sascha, we worked on borrowed time as Anjo was dying. - We finished the film before Anjo died; he was able to watch and celebrate with Friends and Family. - 100 Festivals. 50 Awards. • Tribeca, Animayo, Florida, Cleveland, St. Louis, Burbank & Siggraph to name a few.
Pre-Accelerator - Beta University is a Silicon Valley–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers people to turn ideas into impactful ventures. 🚀