Chad Eikhoff is a director, writer, producer and entrepreneur who crafts imaginative stories and worlds using real time 3D animation as well as immersive media. Committed to telling stories for the entire family, he is widely known for writing, directing and producing the hit-turned-holiday tradition, The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story - a mainstay of family holiday viewing.

Pioneering real-time animation techniques to craft heartwarming stories and experiences, Eikhoff created the pilot episode of the larger series of The Jolliest Elf in 2020 and is developing the full series for the 2021 holiday viewing season. The Jolliest Elf is a 3D animated competition talent show (episodic) set at the North Pole, featuring zany and awe-inspiring contestants and fun talent judges. Prior to The Jolliest Elf, Eikhoff directed a first-of-its-kind VR experience using Epic Games' Unreal Engine. The project, titled Zayden's Wish, was the first-ever virtual reality granted wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In addition to developing and producing independent projects, Chad Eikhoff is the founder and chief creative officer of immersive media studio TRICK 3D Studio. Eikhoff sits on the City of Atlanta's Mayor's Office of Film and Entertainment Creative Industries Board; he is also an active member of the Visual Effects Society (VES).

Featured in: MASTER CLASS—Real-time animation guide