Summary/Abstract

  • Oakland-based 3D artist and digital arts professor with strong traditional art skills
  • Award-winning filmmaker who has contributed to acclaimed film and television productions
  • CalArts-educated animation artist conversant in film and game industry software and techniques

Experience

SAE Expression College – Assistant Professor, Animation & Visual Effects (September 2015 to Present)

  • Teaches full animation pipeline as lecturer and lab instructor, including advanced courses in hard surface and organic modeling, lighting and shading, rigging, and dynamic simulations
  • Developed a mentorship program that pairs students with Pixar artists for feedback and support on senior projects
  • Lead technical advisor for faculty acquisition and co-author of departmental curriculum
  • Writer, producer, and director for Closed Circuit, short film developed for experiential course designed to simulate production studio environment

Hominid – Character Artist (July 2017 to Present)

  • Model and rig Hippopotomus Hominid character for animated VR sequel to the 2012 viral short “Hominid” directed by Brian Andrews (https://vimeo.com/37742808)

Stoopid Buddy Stoodios – Visual Effects Artist and Scenic Painter (February 2015 to August 2015)

  • Designed and animated visual effects for Adult Swim animated television series SuperMansion and client-driven commercial projects
  • Painted props and sets for Bratz web series

Alpine Labs – 3D Artist (November 2014 to February 2015)

  • Modeled, textured and composited 3D facial replacements and simulated dynamic effects for indie horror feature The Axe Murders of Villisca

Duck Studios – 3D Artist (August 2014 to November 2014)

  • Modeled, rigged, textured and animated iconic “flock of wild birds” for Mark Osborn’s feature The Little Prince

Screen Novelties – Lead Scenic Painter (May 2014 to August 2014)

  • Painted sets and collaborated with production designer on color decisions for Annie-winning and Emmy-nominated stop-motion special Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas
  • Primary supervisor for art department paint interns

Starburns Industries – Puppet Fabricator (September 2013 to December 2013)

  • Built and painted puppets for Academy Award-nominated stop-motion feature Anomalisa

Education

California Institute of the Arts – Master of Fine Arts, Experimental Animation (September 2011 to May 2014)

  • Thesis film Viscera (vimeo.com/160767468) screened at 2015 Slamdance Film Festival and 22 other international film festivals, and awarded Best Animated Film at 2014 Los Angeles New Wave Film Festival
  • Wrote, directed, animated, and composited sequences for Holy Land, film series produced by visiting professor James Franco in seminar for faculty-selected graduate students

University of Wisconsin-Madison – Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting (September 2005 to May 2010)

  • Created a series of sculptural diorama paintings and digital animations for thesis gallery installation

Skills

  • Expert in Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Nuke, and Photoshop; proficient in Mari, Mudbox, Premiere, After Effects, Unity, Unreal Engine 4, PFTrack, RenderMan, Houdini, and Modo
  • Effective educator for students of diverse competency levels in an accelerated learning environment
  • Independent learner capable of adapting to a wide range of artistic styles and work environments