Exiting Film Roman 12 years after he started the company, Phil Roman opened his new independent Studio City, California-based operation, Phil Roman Entertainment, at the end of February. Roman will serve as president and CEO of the new full-service animation company. The three-person entity will start small, taking on production of animated series that have already been greenlit by studios, as well as some features, commercials and promotions.

Eventually, Roman plans to create original animated TV series, using a network of freelance animators.

During the course of his 44-year-long animation career, Roman has worked with Walt Disney Productions, Warner Bros. Cartoons, MGM Animation, UPA Film and the Bill Melendez and Ralph Bakshi production companies. He has served as executive producer on The Simpsons series and Garfield specials, as well as producing and directing the Miramax/Turner animated feature Tom and Jerry: The Movie.

Roman characterized his departure from Film Roman as the current executives ‘letting me go to do what I want to do.’ Still a major stock holder in the company, Roman says he is very proud of the company’s success.