Dare to Dream: How Myles Chandler Turned His Passion into a Career at DreamWorks Animation
Dreams have the power to shape destinies, and Myles Chandler is living proof of that. This Morehouse College graduate and Assistant to the Producer & Director at DreamWorks Animation transformed his passion for storytelling into a thriving career and his journey from dreaming to doing is a testament to the power of believing in yourself, taking chances, and embracing opportunity.
When a Dream Becomes a Calling
“I always knew I wanted to tell stories. At first, I thought that meant standing on a Broadway stage.” Myles reflects.
From a young age, Myles Chandler immersed himself in theater, spending his summers in a junior theater program that fueled his creativity and passion for performance. He was certain his future would be in the spotlight, but dreams evolve.
During his senior year of high school, as he exhausted himself with audition after audition, Myles realized that while he loved storytelling, the life of a performer wasn’t quite the right fit.
He wanted something different—something deeper.
This realization led him to attend Morehouse College where he majored in theater. But when the COVID-19 pandemic put live performances on hold, he found himself drawn to television and film. “I realized that storytelling could take so many forms,” he says. “And that’s when animation found me.”
The Leap of Faith: Finding His Place in Animation
A pivotal moment came when Jared Saffold, a Morehouse mentor and HBCU IN LA alumnus, asked Myles a life-changing question: “You’re a great writer and you love cartoons—why not explore animation?”
At first, Myles hesitated. “I thought, ‘I can’t draw, so I can’t work in animation,’” he admits. But after researching the industry, he realized how vast it was. Inspired, he applied for DreamWorks Animation’s virtual internship—and got in.
From there, everything changed. His internship extended through HBCU IN LA, providing him with nine months of immersive experience in the industry. “That was the moment when my dream stopped being just a dream—it became real,” he says.
The Power of HBCU IN LA Mentorship
HBCU IN LA was more than just an internship opportunity—it was a family, a launchpad, and a gateway to something bigger. Through the program, Myles gained mentorship from Stacy Milner, Leonard Washington, and Ted Milner, who challenged him to think beyond just getting his foot in the door.
“They made me ask myself, What’s next? How do I keep growing?”
More than that, the program gave him a sense of belonging. “For a lot of us, this industry feels untouchable,” Myles says. “HBCU IN LA changed that. It made me feel like I belonged, like I was meant to be here.”
A Dream Come True at DreamWorks Animation
After completing his second year with HBCU IN LA and interning at Lionsgate in TV Development, Myles received an offer to return to DreamWorks Animation—this time, as a full-time employee. Since August 2023, he has worked as an Assistant to the Producer & Director, learning the intricacies of animation storytelling and production.
Myles acknowledges that his success is the result of both preparation and opportunity. “EICOP didn’t just give me access—it gave me the confidence to chase my dreams boldly.”
Dreaming forward, Myles believes deeply in the importance of representation in storytelling. “We need diverse voices not just on-screen, but behind the scenes,” he explains. “When we tell our own stories, they have heart, depth, and truth.”
As Myles continues his journey, he hopes to inspire others to dream big and chase their passion. His advice to students with big dreams is to, “Take the leap and apply for the opportunities, even if you think you’re not ready.“
Thanks to programs like HBCU IN LA, students like Myles Chandler are proving that with determination and drive, any dream can become reality.
