Mike Wellins has been an artist and garage filmmaker since age 8. He studied Art, English, Computer Animation and film and video production at California State University, Chico.

Mike is a freelance writer/director/filmmaker. Mike is a director for Laika (formerly Will Vinton Studios) in Portland, Oregon. Previously he worked as a development writer at Walt Disney Feature Animation. He has also produced animated work for, MTV, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers TV and Fox Television and Happy Hour Entertainment.

Mike also authored "Storytelling through Animation" an animation textbook through Charles River Media in 2005.

Mike's films have been in various Spike and Mike Film Festivals, The Animation Celebration and MTV's Liquid Television, IFC media lab as well as the Sundance Film festival. Mike's films have garnished various awards including Gold and Silver Plaques from the Chicago Int'l festival as well as an Annie for Best Animation for 2000 for the commercial spot for Mirinda soft drinks, "Genie." Updated 2008.