Trivia

During a class project in the 4th grade, a message in a bottle was thrown into the ocean for the class to study the Gulf Stream. Her bottle was found on Disney's Vero Beach Resort, by Mickey Mouse. That bottle was number 13 of the class. Lucky number has been 13 ever since.

Studied the viola and the harp in elementary school.

Began acting at age 4 - Kindergarten.

Attended Willard Elementary, George Washington Middle and Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

"Edward Scissorhands" has been her favorite film since age 7.

Has been physically compared to Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci and Amy Winehouse. Artistically to Tim Burton and William Blake.

Won the Golden Ace Award in animation for "The Snow Princess" at the Las Vegas Film Festival 2010.

Participated in the charity auction "Beautiful Grim", donating artwork to raise money for cancer treatment.

Rejected from the story department training program within DWA because she "already [drew] like a director, and should be out there directing". Within the week of that rejection, storyboarded the film "Zombie Holocaust &You!" for filmmakers Cory Parker and Chris Coulter.

At DWA worked on "Kung Fu Panda" and "How to Train Your Dragon" and can be spotted in both HBO specials promoting the films.

Left university at age 20 when offered an assistant job at DreamWorks Animation SKG.

Spotted by Marie Claire Magazine scouts while heading to class at NYU. Became featured in "What I Like About Me" issue.

Encouraged to continue studying at NYU by professor Sharon Badal, former executive at UA/MGM, Warner Brothers and Orion Pictures.

Motivated to study at NYU after a professor at FDU told her she would "be lucky to be a script supervisor since you're a girl anyways." Was enrolled for the next term at NYU 10 days later.

Created Boston Market commercial for online contest. Despite having the highest rating on the site and over 500,000 views, "Better Than Bood" which starred vampires that rather eat Boston Market food than drink the blood of the living, did not win. The judges found the material to be "too adult for the Boston Market brand".

Briefly worked for executive producer Scott Rudin.

Studied filmmaking at New York Film Academy, Fairleigh Dickinson University and New York University.

Studied Chinese language and worked at Ying Ying Chinese Cuisine in Ridgewood, NJ as a Hostess during her 4 years of high school.

Studied acting at American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC - testing into adult classes at age 12.

Discovered a love for stop motion at age 9 while taking classes cel painting, voice over and claymation at the Disney Institute in Florida.