index

Jan Utstein-O’Neill – CEO and Editor-in-Chief

Hurricane Entertainment Partner and CEO, Jan Utstein-O'Neill, has an extensive background in the various Entertainment professions, including Film, Theatre, Animation and publishing Comics Books. Utstein-O'Neill began her professional career as a Scenic Designer and Art Director, having designed over 30 Theatrical Productions and Films.

In 2004 Hurricane Entertainment worked with Four-time Academy Award winner, STAR WARS' Sound Designer Ben Burtt in producing a promo for a live-action feature film adaptation based on the Hurricane comic book CHASSIS -- set in the world of rocket car racing in a retro-futuristic 1949.

Joining the REVENGE OF THE SITH Sound Designer and Editor Ben Burtt on CHASSIS, is EP III Concept Artist Ryan Church and Previsualization team (now known as Third Floor, Inc.) who reunited to work with Hurricane in developing their sci-fi film project.

1989 Utstein-O'Neill founded Spotlight Productions, Inc., an independent production company. There she produced the multi-award winning, Cinemascope, feature film VALHALLA and Co-Produced the theatrical production of HAVEN, winner of two Dramalogue Awards.

In her career in Hollywood she has worked on such films as, DEMOLITION MAN, FRIDAY the THIRTEENTH, part Eight, and PUMPKINHEAD. In the Comic book industry, Utstein-O'Neill has held the title of Editor-in-Chief on over 30 comics and graphic novels. These include CHASSIS and the highly successful series VIOLENT MESSIAHS, both published by Image Comics. Through CrossGen and Hurricane Utstein-O’Neill published JOHN CARPENTER'S SNAKE PLISSKEN CHRONICLES, produced in partnership with Carpenter, Kurt Russell and the late Debra Hill.

In 1994 she began working with Computer Animation/Special Effects veteran, Allen Coulter, subsequently becoming a partner in the 3D Computer Animation Company, Coulter Studios. Coulter Studios was dedicated to producing high quality, character driven 3D animation, for the film, television and interactive markets. It boasted an impressive Client list which included Disney Interactive, Virgin Interactive, Showtime, TNT, Universal Pictures, MGM Studios and Touchstone Pictures.

With a shift in the interactive industry to in-house animators and downsizing, Utstein-O'Neill left Coulter Studios in 1997 and formed Hurricane Entertainment along with William O'Neill. Hurricane is primarily a content development company with an emphasis on publishing comic books and graphic novels.

William O’Neill – President and Art Director

William O'Neill might have become an official Star Wars artist on Topps Star Wars: Heritage, and Revenge of the Sith card sets, but he has been an unofficial Star Wars artist since 1977, when, on the morning after seeing A New Hope, he was drawing X-wings and Wookiees.

William has gone on to become a professional illustrator and writer. His freelance resume includes: Fox Television, MGM, New Line, Jim Henson Productions, Inkworks, Hanna-Barbera, Cross-Gen, Image Comics, and Island Pictures. William, and his lovely wife Jan, co-own Hurricane Entertainment, where he co-created the popular comic books VIOLENT MESSIAHS and CHASSIS. As a solo writer, William has written screenplays and the acclaimed comic book series, JOHN CARPENTER'S SNAKE PLISSKEN CHRONICLES. He is currently writing ODYSSEY for BlueWater Productions.