Chaz Bottoms: Artful Strides

Since graduating from DePaul University in 2017 as a two-time BIG EAST Champion, former track star Chaz Bottoms has etched his name into the annals of Hollywood and beyond, establishing himself as one of the industry's most gifted artistic visionaries. Renowned for his exceptional achievements both on the track and in the world of animation, Bottoms stands as an inspiring figure, exemplifying the limitless possibilities that emerge from blending athletic skill with creative fervor. As a trailblazing director, animator, and writer, he has accomplished several remarkable feats, attaining milestones that most only dream of before the age of thirty. Rooted in his years as the captain of the Blue Demon track team, Bottoms' journey of dedication and sacrifice has left an indelible mark on many across the country and around the globe.

Born in 1995, Bottoms hails from Cleveland Heights, a city approximately nine miles east of Cleveland, Ohio. As early as 18 months old, Bottoms discovered his innate passion and desire for drawing.

"I've always been interested in cartoons and storytelling," said Bottoms. "For some reason at the age of seven, it all just clicked that I could draw and make my own cartoons."

Growing up amidst the 'cartoon renaissance' of the 1990s, Bottoms recognized his calling to be a part of this dynamic field. Through self-guided exploration and research into animation production, Bottoms taught himself how to grow tremendously as an artist.

"It's something I found early on, and I ultimately knew I wanted to turn it into a career."

With a desire to bring his imaginative vision to life, Bottoms began laying the foundation for a career in storytelling and design.

During his time at Benedictine High School, Bottoms discovered his passion for both athletics and the arts. He actively participated in various clubs, including those centered around art, film, and marketing, while also contributing to the school's National Honor Society chapter. Notably, Bottoms was bestowed with the 2013 Mr. Benedictine award, an honor reserved for a graduating senior who embodies the values of the school and Saint Benedict, as determined by the student body, faculty, and administrators.

Additionally, during his senior year, Bottoms unveiled his inaugural short film titled Hello, which garnered acclaim at venues such as the Chicago Shorts Film Festival, Broke Student Film Festival, and Cedar Lee Theatre. These early achievements highlighted his remarkable talents and foreshadowed the impressive trajectory of his future endeavors in sports and animation.

Bottoms also excelled as an athlete during his tenure at Benedictine High School, earning recognition as a four-year letter winner in track. His leadership was evident as he captained both the track and cross country teams, leading them to victory in two team track district championships. Notable achievements include placing third in the 400-meter dash and 4x200-meter relay, as well as finishing fourth in the 4x400-meter relay at the Ohio State Indoor Championships. Bottoms' stellar performances also earned him the title of three-time state qualifier, three-time North Coast League champion, three-time District champion, and three-time AAU National Qualifier.

When the decision of where to attend college arose, Bottoms was determined to find a place that would allow him to pursue his love for both running and animation, while also equipping him with the necessary skills for a professional career.

"DePaul's animation program stood out as one of the few in the Midwest coupled with a Division I athletics program," recalled Bottoms. "Coming from my hometown of Cleveland, a proud city albeit not as expansive as Chicago, the scale and opportunities presented by DePaul were unparalleled. It felt like a place where I could truly thrive and work towards my ultimate goal of a career in animation and film."

Upon arriving in Chicago, Bottoms transitioned smoothly from his high school successes to further solidify his reputation as a track star, this time on the grand stage of the BIG EAST Conference. As the conference had recently undergone reconfiguration, Bottoms felt an added pressure and responsibility to lead by example as a freshman.

"My class was tasked with leaving a lasting legacy on DePaul athletics, and we did exactly that."

Making an immediate impact as a freshman sprinter, Bottoms claimed victory in the Marquette Duals 400m event and secured event wins in the 200m category at both the Chicagoland Championships and the Blue Demon Open.

"Every year was just a special adventure, especially when it came to learning how to take the next step," said Bottoms. "I'm just so thankful for my teammates and coaches."

His sophomore year marked significant progress, highlighted by three top-five finishes in BIG EAST Championship events, both indoors and outdoors. Noteworthy victories included the 4x4 at the Illini Open and a fifth-place finish in the same event at the Indiana University Relays.

Elevating to a leadership role in his junior year, Bottoms was appointed team captain and played a pivotal role in DePaul's triumph at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships in the 4x400m team relay. His contributions extended to the outdoor season, where he played a key role in securing an Outdoor Big East Championship in the 4x100m team relay, alongside securing first-place finishes at the DePaul Invitational and Illinois Open. Marking a historic milestone for the school, the men's track team secured both indoor and outdoor BIG EAST Championships in the same season, with Bottoms leading the charge as team captain.

"Throughout my athletic journey at DePaul, it became abundantly clear that greatness was not just an aspiration, but an expectation," said Bottoms. "That mentality resonated deeply with my approach as a lead-by-example guy, and it remains a principle I uphold to this day."

In his final year of collegiate competition, Bottoms continued to leave his mark on the DePaul track program. Notable achievements included first-place finishes at the Indoor Blue & Gold Invitational and the Bill Cornell Spring Classic in the 200m Dash. His senior campaign was further embellished with top-five finishes at events such as the Lenny Lyles-Clark Wood Invite, Beach Invitational, and the 2017 BIG EAST Outdoor Championships across multiple events. Throughout his tenure, Bottoms demonstrated the epitome of athletic excellence, leaving a significant mark on the DePaul track program.

"You're not always going to be able to run your fastest time or break a personal record every race, but you still have to go and compete, even when you aren't feeling your best."

In reflecting on his journey of both athletics and animation, Bottoms holds his academic and artistic experience at DePaul in high regard.

"I found that my instructors truly fostered an environment where students could discover their creative voice, and for that, I am immensely grateful," Bottoms said. "As a working artist, having a unique voice is crucial for standing out among peers. Before my time at DePaul, I had dabbled in creating short films and animation projects, but it was here that I truly learned the skills needed for success and experienced significant growth."

By his junior year in 2015, Bottoms added three more remarkable short films to his impressive portfolio, including Touche Toupee!, The Creator, and A Walk to School. These films garnered significant recognition, collectively being featured in ten different film festivals. Notably, Bottoms was awarded the Best Student Short at the Gary Indiana International Film Festival for his work in A Walk to School.

"I often think back to those moments in track where you hit a bump in the road and have to figure out how to bounce back," said Bottoms. "It's a lot like dissecting each race, looking for where you can improve. And it's the same with animation—every project gives you something to learn from, something tangible you can take with you. As artists, we're always our own toughest critics, always looking for ways to step up our game. That competitive spirit from my days in track still drives me to aim high in everything I do."

In 2016, Bottoms continued his creative success with the release of Introvert, which premiered at prestigious festivals like the Las Vegas Black Film Festival and the Bill Johnson Black Film Festival. However, it was his senior capstone project, a seven-minute short film titled All Kids Go to Hell, that truly showcased Bottoms' artistic brilliance. This standout project screened at renowned events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Cannes Short Film Corner, earning acclaim as the Best Animated Film at multiple venues and screening at events worldwide.

"The significance and impact of my capstone project highlight the guidance provided by my teachers, who consistently emphasized the importance of envisioning the broader narrative—a lesson I now deeply appreciate," Bottoms said.

After graduating from DePaul University in 2017 with a BFA in Animation and a concentration in Cinema Studies, Bottoms carried with him a diverse portfolio comprising music, videos, animations, and sports projects. However, he faced uncertainty about the next steps in his journey. Drawing on his experiences from internships in Chicago, Bottoms felt a pull toward Los Angeles, California. Bottoms, along with a group of classmates, embarked on a journey westward, where they found an apartment in pursuit of their shared dreams.

"I arrived in L.A. with bright eyes and a strong work ethic," said Bottoms. "Thanks to my portfolio and short film, I stood out and was able to pick up work with smaller studios. The lessons I learned at DePaul, from juggling work and classes to honing soft skills, were really what I relied on those first few years. I had to believe in myself, recognizing that I was here for a reason."

During his first year in Los Angeles, Bottoms secured his first full-time role at Pocket Watch, while also creating another successful solo project titled The Indies: An Animated Short. This crowdfunded hip-hop project garnered significant attention when it aired on Revolt TV. In addition to freelancing and assisting with various undertakings, Bottoms began to encounter more opportunities, culminating in his first breakthrough with a project involving Steve Harvey in 2019. Subsequently, he contributed to Lil Nas X's music video during the artist's initial rise to fame.

"Those projects were two really big calling cards, and the opportunities were getting much greater. At the time, I was doing everything by myself, and that's what prompted me to open up an animation studio," said Bottoms. "It would ultimately allow us to do the things we really wanted to."

In January 2019, Bottoms founded CBA Studios, a boutique animation company based in Los Angeles. CBA Studios specializes in short films, music videos, and media content, and holds the distinction of being one of the few, Black-founded animation studios in the world. Notably, it operates as a fully virtual studio, uniting diverse artists through a shared appreciation for diversity and Black culture. Throughout Bottoms' career, themes of African American representation and hip-hop culture have been prominent in his work, evident in projects like The Indies and his work with Lil Nas X.

"It's crazy how fast everything happened. Over the past five years, we just kept believing in ourselves, striving to get better, and staying true to our love for animation. The animation classes I had at DePaul taught me to find my creative voice, even when things weren't going so great," said Bottoms.

CBA Studios has collaborated with a range of notable figures, including John Legend and LeBron James, and has produced content for various media and television platforms, including Disney, Adult Swim, TBS, Hulu, Snapchat, and many more. Additionally, the studio has worked with music labels such as Sony Music, Columbia Records, and Atlantic Records, as well as fashion brands like Footlocker and Nike SB, showcasing Bottoms' versatility across multiple industries.

"There were definitely some tough times mixed in with the good, but every success came with its own set of challenges. It's easy to look back and see all the stuff I did, but it was those failures and the search for guidance that really pushed me. Receiving feedback from DePaul students about how my work resonates with them today is incredibly motivating. It reinforces the idea that I'm not just an individual, but part of a larger community. As a member of the alumni network, I feel a responsibility to pass on what I've learned and provide the same support and mentorship that was so valuable to me when I was just starting my journey."

After accumulating a wealth of experience and further refining his skills, Bottoms continued to impress audiences with his evolving roles, stepping into positions as a character designer for Nickelodeon Animation in 2021. His talent garnered significant attention, earning him the Shadow & Act Rising Star Award from Blavity News that same year.

His journey expanded as he ventured into new territories, collaborating with Netflix Animation in 2022 as a storyboard artist. Simultaneously, he enriched his portfolio with contributions to respected platforms such as Cartoon Network, SLAM Magazine, Bleacher Report, Apple TV, and even the iconic Sesame Street.

In 2023, Bottoms' leadership and creative talent earned him a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list. Recognizing his role as both an animation director and the driving force behind CBA Studios, this accolade points to his unwavering dedication to diversity and creativity. These qualities exemplify his rightful position among this esteemed cadre of talented individuals.

During the DePaul 2023-24 basketball season, Bottoms collaborated with the team to craft distinctive Blue Demon-focused posters, distributed to fans at several home games throughout the season. This project not only allowed Bottoms to share his passion for illustration and design with the DePaul community but also enabled him to merge it with college athletics, an equally cherished interest.

"Being able to merge art, sports, and DePaul was truly incredible. Designing posters for the basketball team was a dream I harbored as a student. As an alum, having the chance to fulfill that longing and share my passion with DePaul was both thrilling and rewarding. Injecting my own stylistic flair into the project while maintaining DePaul's branding was a delightful opportunity, one I hope to repeat."

Bottoms' upcoming short film, slated for release this year, is a hip-hop musical titled Battu: An Animated Musical, set in Chicago. Described by Bottoms as a heartfelt homage to the city and creative youth, he aims to advocate for the portrayal of characters less commonly depicted in animation.

Acknowledging his legacy as a standout track star and creative force from DePaul University, Chaz Bottoms has carved out a prominent place for himself in Hollywood and beyond. His commitment to excellence and pursuit of perfection serves as an inspiration, reminding Blue Demons to always Dream Big.
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"Track and field and animation are closely linked, as timing plays a pivotal role in both—you can't hide from it. The end result reflects the dedication, effort, and determination poured into it. What made my college track and field experience truly rewarding was the chance to compete at a high level while constantly striving to surpass my own limits and evolve."

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