OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position as a senior level character
animator at a facility that will continue to challenge and enhance my abilities as well as the freedom to contribute in a creative and positive way.
EDUCATION
1990-1993 Bachelors of Fine Arts
in Illustration, Ringling School of Art & Design
1988-1990 Associates in Arts and Sciences, Mohawk Valley Community College
EMPLOYMENT
2005-2007 Senior
Character Animator, Sony Pictures Imageworks
Brought in to help finish up Sony's first feature animated film, Open Season and to raise the animation quality level to a higher standard. Currently working on Surf's Up, Sony's second animated feature film scheduled to release summer 2007.
2005 Character Animator, Blue Sky Studios
Provided character performances for multiple characters for the feature film, Ice Age 2. Using Maya and proprietary tools, emphasis was placed on character performance and fluidity of motion.
2003-2005 Character
Animator, Walt Disney Feature Animation
Created performances for multiple characters, from
background characters to main characters in the feature film, Chicken Little,
using Maya software. Integral in helping to develop the animation department's
animation and pose library tools
2002-2003 Character
Animator, Cinesite Visual FX
Worked closely with Chris Bailey (Animation Director) on the Nightcrawler sequence, animating his CG tail in Maya. Also created head wound healing morph of Wolverine using Elastic Reality.
2002
Animator/Previz
Artist, A Sound of Thunder Production, Prague, CZ
Created animated storyboards in Maya based on original drawings to set up key scenes and sequences in the film, A Sound of Thunder. Close interaction with the director to visualize shots prior to going on set.
2001
Character
Animator, Base 2 Studios
Headed
up 3D Maya team for a series of commercial spots for Smart & Final grocery
store chain. Responsible for animating shots, and assisted with modeling and
set-up and maintaining quality of the animation.
2001
Animator/Previz
Artist, Cinesite Visual FX
Worked closely with the Director and Director of Photography
to design shots and create scene layouts in Maya for the upcoming 20th
Century Fox film, Daredevil.
2001
Character
Animator, Centropolis Effects, LLC
Responsible for creating performances of giant spiders in Maya that are the main antagonists of the feature film, Eight Legged Freaks.
2001
Character
Animator/Previz Artist, Sony Pictures Imageworks
Brought
on to assist with the development of the Quidditch sequence in the film,
Harry Potter. Using Maya, the entire sequence was pre-visualized using fully
animated characters as an aid in designing the look pacing and flow. Worked
closely with Rob Legato in creating the pre-visualization.
1996-2001
Digital
Artist/Animator, Digital Domain
Primarily role as animator but frequently assisted in other
roles including rigging, modeling, compositing and lighting. Organized company
wide Drawing Club, where traditional drawing/painting skills were encouraged as
an extra curricular activity. Frequently top drawing instructors would teach a
few sessions. Supervised on a NSA for National Aids Awarness for a full CG
spot.
SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE:
Extensive
experience with: Maya, Photoshop, Elastic Reality, After Effects, Illustrator.
Moderate experience with: Zbrush, Shake, Painter, Microsoft Office.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Presented for Alias Software at several conventions (i.e. NAB & SIGGRAPH, and the premiere CG conference in South America) demonstrating work done by Digital Domain using Maya's Cloth plug-in.
CONTINUING EDUCATION:
2006 American Animation Institute North Hollywood, Ca
Storyboarding Class
2004 Disney Studio Burbank, Ca
Bronze sculpture class
2004 Studio Arts Los Angeles, Ca
Polygonal and Nurbs Modeling, Texturing, Advanced Rigging Techniques
2004 Digital Domain Venice, Ca
Glenn Vilpuu Life Drawing Class
2000 Digital Domain Venice, Ca
Acting for Animators
1999 Associates in Art, Art Academy Sherman Oaks, CA
Sculptural Figure Anatomy Class, Animal Drawing Class
1998-1999 American Animation Institute North Hollywood, CA
Traditional Animation Classes