The Sketch Artist

Jill Culton realizes that some of the most talented people in her industry straddle the edge between brilliant and obsessive. Case in point: Culton’s mother knew something was up when her then-teenage daughter watched Chariots of Fire 19 days in a row. “She pulled me aside and asked, ‘Why are you doing that?’” Culton didn’t have an answer—she didn’t know she’d eventually become one of a handful of female animation directors in the country.

She certainly doesn’t look the part. Her faded jeans and long blond hair still say “Ventura surfer chick,” which was her identity growing up. Now a resident of Marin, Culton moved here in 1993 to be an animator at Pixar, working on such films as A Bug’s Life and Monsters, Inc. before being offered the chance to direct Sony’s first animated film, Open Season.

Rather than give up the home she loves, Culton has made a compromise, working long weeks in L.A. and flying home to Fairfax for weekends, which are spent hiking with her longtime boyfriend and their 110-pound black Lab. Considering that animated films take years to create, Culton needs the weekly breaks. “Very, very quiet” places, such as Mount Tamalpais State Park, work their own movie magic. “A film is like a puzzle,” she says. “Sometimes while hiking, my mind does the Rubik’s cube, and suddenly everything clicks into place.”

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Q&A

With all the animated films out there, how do you compete?
You have to tell a different story, a different tone, but above all create good characters. People go to see films because they love the characters and the story. We spend so much time on that. You have to hire actors who have personality in their voice. For Open Season, Ashton Kutcher had mostly done That ’70s Show and Punk’d. But I saw that this guy could improv on the spot. I like that.

Work philosophy?
I’m known for doing a film and then taking time off. It gives you a chance to go live life, which if you don’t, the well of ideas can dry up.

What do kids want to see?
Kids always relate to the hero in a story, and your hero is only as strong as your villain. I personally love films with a reluctant hero, a character who becomes a hero even though they didn’t intend to be one.

What other kind of films do like?
I go to the Sundance Festival every year. There’s so much creativity there. I loved Little Miss Sunshine. Compared to the movies I work on, it’s such a small, dark comedy, but had such true-to-life dysfunctional characters.

Hottest thing about living in SF?
You can breakfast in Sausalito, hike on Mount Tam in Mill Valley, wine-taste in Napa and dine out in San Francisco, all on the same day.

What would you change about SF?
I’d change all one-way streets to two-ways.

Why do you think we chose you for the Hot 20 Under 40?
Because I’m right on the edge of being neither! Good thing you didn’t wait!

Who would you choose for the Hot 20?
Loose Change Dance Company, who does a lively fusion of hip-hop, modern and swing. This year they performed at Yerba Buena to a packed house and are now traveling with their latest show, Human Nature. Their innovative blend is in true San Francisco style.

More 2007 Hot 20 Under 40 Picks