Daniel Stessen is from the snow and lives in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Syracuse, NY he later graduated from Syracuse University and the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Center. After NTI, he made performance art and waited tables in New York City until driving to LA and teaching himself Final Cut 7.

After a few music videos and sketches with his friends, he wrote/directed an animated short called The Gold Sparrow. Sparrow ended up winning festivals in the U.S. and Europe. Around that same time, he directed and edited “The Farewells” for the legendary show, The Office. The Farewells were Emmy Nominated.

This all serendipitously led to John Krasinski and Stephen Merchant executive producing, DREAM CORP LLC which Daniel show-ran for 3 Seasons on [Adult Swim]. Highlights included creating three original creatures from the ground up with the legendary Jim Henson Creature Shop as well as working with the most talented writers, editors, musicians, and actors. A lot of love, care, and craftsmanship went into making DCLLC. The cast and crew became a close-knit family of misfit toys.

More recently, Daniel has been having fun making branded content with his friends at Miniac who, of course, are also named John and Stephen.

[My Mom’s name is Mary. When Mary-Mom married my stepfather, Mike, Mike had two kids. Mike’s kids are Mike Jr. and Marybeth. Mike and Marybeth, my loving step-siblings, grew up and got married. Mike married a woman named Mary and Marybeth married a man named Mike.]

Anyway, Daniel believes his working relationship with both Johns and Stephens just further supports The Simulation Theory. 

Currently, Daniel and Merchant are co-creating an animated Space-Western called, JEROME. The project is being developed and animated at Bento Box Ent.

Daniel works to explore the absurdity of being alive.

He wants to thank you for reading this biography.

D.C. Stetson / Blue Collar Futurist