Thank you, Professor Craig Caldwell!

As the academic year draws to a close, it’s time to congratulate Professor Craig Caldwell on his retirement after 17 years of teaching at the U.

Caldwell received an MFA in Art from the University of Florida and a PhD from the Advanced Computing Center for Art and Design at Ohio State University, and has animation/games industry experience with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Entertainment Arts (EA). Prior to coming to the U, he was chair of the Media Arts Department at the University of Arizona and head of the Griffith University Film School in Australia. His book Story Structure and Development – a Guide for Animators. VFX Artists, Game Designers, and Virtual Reality was published by CRC Press in 2017, with a second edition published in 2025.

Throughout his career at the U, Caldwell has pioneered education in the Department of Film & Media Arts and the Department of Computing, helping to establish the U as a center of animation and games technology. He was a co-founder of the Entertainment Arts & Engineering program, which has now become the University of Utah Division of Games. His most recent research has focused on storytelling structure across cultures.

In celebration of Larsen’s career, here are some memories of Craig Caldwell from his previous students and U alumni.  

"Professor Craig Caldwell had a lasting impact on how I think about storytelling. His classes pushed me to slow down, question my choices, and understand the purpose behind every decision.

What I learned from him stayed with me beyond the classroom. It continues to shape how I approach my work today, especially in how I think about content and how it connects with audiences."

-      Abdulaziz Alnaghmoosh (prior student), Director of Busines Development and Content Distribution & Acquisition at Manga Productions (a subsidiary of the MiSK Foundation)

Professor Craig Caldwell knows a good story better than anyone I've met (including the professionals I work with now). In his classroom, he was able to teach the essentials of story structure without ever stifling creativity. He was the first person I met who helped me organize my wild ideas into a strong story. In his class, I felt like I was finally given the tools and confidence to start pursuing story art as a career, and nearly 8 years later I'm working with the story team at Warner Bros. Games! Unlike every other textbook I had in college, Craig's Story Structure and Development sits on my desk and I reference it whenever I need a creative reset. He's helped countless creatives and I feel so lucky to be among them. Thank you, Professor Caldwell.

-      Emma Eastman (BA ’18), Associate Producer at WB Games/Avalanche

Caldwell has been awarded the title of Professor Emeritus in recognition of his significant service to the institution. The Department of Film & Media Arts wishes Craig all the best on his next adventures.