Resume

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

Artistic

  • Fluid simulation specialist and Realflow expert.
  • Highly experienced compositor comfortable in multiple software packages, including Fusion (expert), Nuke, and Shake (proficient).
  • 3D animator and modeler, with expertise in Maya, Lightwave, FPrime, and Mental Ray, and familiarity with XSI.
  • Matchmover, with experience in MatchMover and SynthEyes.
  • Digital artist, with experience in PhotoShop, Stitcher, Image Modeler, Cinepaint, and Elastic Reality.
  • Fabricator of physical effects such as blood, debris and pyro, with experience in MIG welding, sculpting and casting, and carpentry.
  • Set/scene designer.
  • Puppeteer and puppet builder.
  • Creator of special makeup effects.
  • Motion capture mime.
  • Transmedia producer.

Technical

  • Construct, install, license, network and use Windows, Irix, Linux and MacOSX systems.
  • Manage and maintain a network of more than 25 workstations and a 100-processor renderfarm.
  • Develop custom database frontends for Filemaker Pro/Server and MySQL.
  • Maintain more than 20 terabytes of clustered storage, including Isilon and OpenSource Gluster systems.
  • Manage and develop pipeline and workflow systems, utilizing C, Python, EyeonScript, PHP, MEL, PERL, LScript, JavaScript, and HTML.
  • Troubleshoot technical difficulties with hardware and software, communicate with software developers, and provide technical support for visual effects artists.
  • Program motion control systems and CNC Robotics.
  • Program Z80 microcontrollers. Currently learning Arduino.
  • VR and AR research utilizing ARToolkit.

Supervisory

  • Supervise and manage multiple teams of five to ten compositors, 3D artists, matchmovers, and/or fluid simulation experts for motion picture and television projects.
  • Develop pipeline and workflow solutions to streamline the creation of visual effects, from pre-visualization through the final render.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Visual Effects Society

  • Co-Chair, Technology Committee
  • Lead, Stereo3D WorkGroup, Interoperability WorkGroup, Transmedia WorkGroup
  • Activision/VES Think Tank: The Relationship Between VFX Technologies and Video Game Production
  • Contributor, VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry Standard VFX Practices and Procedures. Author of “Other Workflow Considerations” chapters on Virtual Studio Technology and Infrastructure.
  • Technical Blogger, VES Blog.

AWARDS

  • The Pacific. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy) Award for Outstanding Visual Effects for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special; Visual Effects Society Awards for Outstanding Compositing in a Broadcast Program or Commercial and Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries, Movie or Special.
  • The Last Samurai. Visual Effects Society Award for Best Supporting Visual Effects in a Motion Picture.
  • “Minor Setbacks,” part of OnStar’s series of Batman commercials. AME International Gold AME Award for Best Visual Effects in an advertising campaign. 

EDUCATION

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

  • Project Management
  • Computer Science courses, including PHP, JavaScript, Web Programming, C and C++

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, Champaign-Urbana, IL  

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theatre – Acting and Directing. 1993. Actor’s Studio. Minor in Cinematography.
  • Master of Arts, Theatre History. 1995. Double emphasis on the technical history of the theatre and on shamanic ritual performance in pre-agrarian societies. Research in early VR applications with emphasis on performance.

OTHER INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES