Melinda Dilger
Why the Award-winning producer gets to know every employee on her team personally
Elated to dive into the captivating world of animation through the incredible career of Melinda Dilger, Global Head of Animation Production at Riot Games.
Animation has the power to transport us to new dimensions, ignite our emotions, and bring fantastical worlds to life. One series, in particular, has been capturing the hearts and minds of viewers worldwide… myself included.
Arcane is a visionary show born from the collaboration between Riot Games, Fortiche, and Netflix. Set in the universe of the wildly popular game League of Legends, Arcane follows the tragic story of two iconic champions, sisters Vi and Jinx, and the power that will tear them apart.
It has managed to break through the boundaries of what we thought animation could achieve, captivating audiences of all ages. So, naturally, the show earned multiple Emmys, Annie Awards, and a Lumiere Award, to name a few.
I rarely gravitate towards animation, so I was shook when I realized I had binged the entire first season. It compelled me to find out who was behind it. So, I was thrilled when Melinda accepted my invitation to come on the show.
An experienced leader in her field, she’s worked with top players in town, including Disney, Nickelodeon, Universal, and others. She produced over 200 episodic titles and features and is now overseeing animation production for Riot Games’ television and film properties.
Our takeaways from our conversation include how much time and empathy are required to nurture an artist, how Melinda energized a deflated team behind Arcane when she joined, and how one job interview can lead to an offer for another job.
Tune in!
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“When I came onboard, the most important thing that I think I did that really helped this team was I spent time with each person… and got to know them as people.”
- Melinda Dilger
Episode Transcript
