Dale Angell is a filmmaker, sound editor, sound mixer, digital effects artist, and published author of books on Final Cut Pro Workflow and Pro Tools for Film and Video. He received his BFA in Film Production from the University of Utah in 1976. His early work included several 16mm experimental films including a computer – video animation titled Cathode Ray. The early 70’s were a hotbed of computer animation at the University of Utah, where 3D computer animation was invented.

Angell then moved on to post-production sound for feature films and television. The 70’s were the time of “four-walling” films, films made and distributed by independent studios that would rent theaters and take their films on the road. While the films were low budget, the distribution technique made millions and generated many films and television spin-offs. Many of these films were also distributed on the drive-in circuit.

Angell’s first feature was Varrow Mission where he functioned as production designer, art director, co-director of some scenes, sound editor, as well as acting in the film. The film received limited distribution and is still out there on VHS as Teen Alien and Legend of the Old Mill. It has been bootlegged for years. Quoting from a review on the web: “In all of my years watching movies -- and I've seen thousands -- this is the worst, most terrible, sad, pathetic, pitiable, confusing and generally so-screwed-up-it-must-be-a-joke-movie I have ever seen. … It haunts me to this day.” The film was re-released on DVD in 2009. There is renewed interest in these “four wall” films by collectors of bad taste cinema. Another film with Angell’s sound editing was also just released on DVD, “Don’t Go In The Woods Alone”. In this case the film was intentionally made to be so bad it’s funny. The “four wallers”:

"The Varo Mission"
American Family Productions

"Beyond Deaths Door"
Sunn Classic

"In Search of Historical Jesus
Sunn Classic

"Fall of the House of Usher"
Sunn Classic

"Spirit of the Wild"
Sunn Classic (Grizzly Adams 4)

"Summer Camp"
Goldfarb Productions (Showtime)

"Grizzly Adams" (Feature)
Utex
(The Adventures of Mountain Charlie)

"Grizzly Adams" (Television)
NBC

"Lady Street Fighter"
Renee Harmon Productions

"Don't go in the Woods Alone"
Jim Bryan Films

"Frozen Scream"
Renee Harmon Productions

"Dream Machine"
Lyman Dayton Productions

During this time Angell also worked on NBC’s “Movie of the Week” projects, and mini-series, another phenomenon of the 70’s:

"California Gold Rush"
NBC

"The Time Machine"
NBC

"Nelie Bly"
NBC

"Disasters 2"
NBC

"Earthbound"
NBC

"Sleepy Hollow"
NBC

"The Greatest Heroes of the Bible"
NBC

"Mark Twain’s America"
NBC

"Fantasy Island"
ABC

"Scorned and Swindled"
CBS

In a joint venture with Film Group, Angell opened a sound studio and post house in Salt Lake City in 1979. Clients included NBC, CBS, Showtime and PBS and included feature credits, IMAX movies, TV spots and TV series. One of the films edited there was one of Jimmy Stewart's last films, Mr. Krueger's Christmas.

During this time Angell also became involved with the United States Film Festival that became the Sundance Film Festival in 1982. He worked with the Sundance Film Festival for the next 15 years.

In 1984 Angell entered graduate school and returned to making experimental computer animation, as well as his own productions for television. His television productions included a 13 episode series for syndication titled Palladium Dance Party that aired in 3 states, two 60-minute travel documentaries for PBS and several titles for VHS distribution. His computer animations played in many festivals including Sundance, Ann Arbor, Cine, the Student Emmys and was runner up for a Student Academy Award. He also turned his computer animation talents to computer animated effects for films, including The Stupids by John Landis.

Angell was granted a teaching fellowship in 1985 and received his MFA in Film Production from the University of Utah in 1989. He taught classes in sound and computer animation at the University of Utah, a post he held for the next 14 years.

In 1999 he left Utah and accepted a teaching position at Sierra Nevada College at Lake Tahoe teaching Digital Video and Computer Animation.

Angell came to Brooks Institute in the summer of 2002 and continues to produce computer animations and films including Syntax of the Mother Tongue and four compilation animations with the animation classes that are currently playing on the festival circuit. He is also developing a cable series featuring a road racing team traveling with the team to different race venues titled Road Trip. Angell is a member of SIGRAPH and SIGRAPH Pioneers and was on the board of directors of the Utah Film and Video Center.