Biography
BIO
Gentry Akens is an award-winning designer in the world of entertainment design. He is a truly multi-dimensional creative executive and entrepreneur with over 35 years experience in immersive, interactive family entertainment across a wide range of media and merchandising brands. His talents have been utilized by major corporations, including: WALT DISNEY WORLD, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ORLANDO, THE DISNEY CHANNEL, NICKELODEON, HASBRO INC., MATTEL TOYS, SONY PICTURES, HANNA BARBERA STUDIOS and so many others. Specializing in production design for motion pictures, television, theater, video, animation, toy design, story development, and live entertainment, his masterful visionary skills create magic and marvel the world over!
His career began as a concept artist, layout artist and character designer on highly successful animated shows such as FAT ALBERT, HE-MAN, MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE and so many others, culminating as the Producer for the animated DVD series WEEBLES for Hasbro Toy Company. Influenced by his love for Charles Shultz and Walt Disney, his talented hands expose a depth of range in his rendition of characters, some as whimsical as his WEEBLES designs to more linear designs that require a more serious nature. As the Director of Creative Development for Universal Orlando's CITY- WALK, Gentry's special ability to lead large scale creative productions are evident in several venues at this world destination theme park such as, BOB MARLEY'S TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM restaurant & nightclub, THE GROOVE dance club and several nighttime entertainment environments on site. He was Production Designer for the 90's version of THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB, EMERALD COVE, Nickelodeon's GULLAH GULLAH ISLAND, TAINA and YOUNG DYLAN (season 4), the award winning short film IR/RECONCILABLE on HBO, and TV One's BAD DAD REHAB. Gentry was Production Designer on the made for TV movie THE WALTON'S HOMECOMING, A WALTON'S THANKSGIVING and DOLLY PARTON'S MOUNTAIN MAGIC CHRISTMAS.
His contributions as the Art Director have included two feature films with Tyler Perry Productions' GOOD DEEDS and THE MARRIAGE COUNSELOR, BARBERSHOP 3, and Universal Pictures ALMOST CHRISTMAS starring Danny Glover and Gabrielle Union. His television series include season two of MTV's TEEN WOLF, two seasons for TV one's THE RICKEY SMILEY SHOW and the highly successful Dolly Parton made for television film, COAT OF MANY COLORS, followed by Dolly's sequel, CHRISTMAS OF MANY COLORS, which aired on NBC, Thanksgiving 2016.
The prolifically talented Mr. Akens has completed scenic designs for the sets in New York for the off Broadway musical comedy, DISENCHANTED and several local theater productions requesting his artistic hand. His amazing career also includes a notable stint at Hasbro where he was Head of Creative Development, responsible for all conceptual development and execution, designed to expand Hasbro brands beyond the toy and game aisles into storytelling media (i.e., feature films, television, live experiences, digital media and publishing). From quick sketch rendering to conceptual thinking, his "out of the box" visions laid the groundwork for environments that inspire.
The global designer is highly sought after where brilliant creative solutions are in demand. Having traveled the world, his spark of enthusiasm and creative "know how" have assured clients in South America, Europe, Canada, Seoul Korea, Taipei Taiwan and more. His powerful, creative mind, innovative problem-solving skills and a truly collaborative nature make Gentry a great member of any production team.
