Professional Experience

Technical Director – PDI/DreamWorks Animation Sept.2010-Nov.2013 I worked on animated films “Gift of the Night Fury”, “Madagascar 3”, and “Penguins of Madagascar”. My primary role was specialized troubleshooting, software design and development, and coordination in Animation, Crowds, and Layout departments. Major accomplishments include:

• Designed and prototyped a framework to convert and analyze pre-visualization lighting rigs for downstream department consumption and use. The prototype saved time and money for most departments and improved communication between US and Bangalore Studios

• Designed a streamlined workflow for camera rigs to be rolled out for several films at once, and mentored junior Technical Directors doing the implementation

• Mentored and trained interns and less experienced Technical Directors

Talent Development Artist, Disney Animation Studios Feb.2010-Aug.2010

I worked as a Trainee Technical Director, and my accomplishments include:

• Coordinated team of interns in two experimental projects blending traditional and 3D animation and developed workflows based on artist’s dreams and aspirations. Also filled role gaps on the very small team to make sure project was completed on time

• Worked as a trainee TD on the hair and cloth simulation team for “Tangled”, developing a small tool to help visually “freeze” portions of Rapunzel’s 70 foot-long hair while integrating off-the-shelf and proprietary software. Also handled small deformation changes on models sent back from other departments

Computer Science Teaching Assistant Jan.2008-Sept.2008

I instructed small groups of students in an introductory programming course teaching Java and Object Oriented concepts. I graded assignments and tests and provided drop-in tutoring in the introductory programming lab. 

Character FX Cloth Lead – Sony Pictures Imageworks Oct.2017-Present I was the Cloth Lead on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse and Over the Moon, and now some similar work on unannounced shows. Some responsibilities have included:

• Provide initial feedback on artist work and present it to the VFX supervisor as needed

• Oversee cloth setups, effects, scripting, and fixing tools and workflows

• Train, support, and mentor newer artists at the studio

• Design and implement new workflows, such as the cloth and hair “on twos” effect in Spider-Verse

• Create a system to launch initial simulations as part of the handoff from animation on Over the Moon

Character FX Technical Director – SPI Jan.2015-Sept.2017 CFX artist and TD for Alice Through the Looking Glass, Storks, and Smurfs: the Lost Village. My responsibilities included cloth setups, effects, scripting, and shot simulation and cleanup.

Technical Producer - Menlo Park Presbyterian Church Nov.2013-July2014 I oversaw the look and feel of four different worship services per weekend. I was responsible for technical & visual aspects of each service. Major accomplishments include:

• Designed color templates and workflow to improve visual coherence and support musical ambiance for components of multiple service types for several teams

• Coordinated and reconciled input from multiple mercurial stakeholders for service elements and communicated details and changes to staff and volunteer teams

• Designed and ran 8 Christmas Eve services attended by approximately 9,000 people

Animation Instructor, UW Summer Academy June.2009-August.2009

I developed a curriculum to each a mixed group of Deaf and Hard of hearing students a little about the animation production process. They learned software skills, story development,  and general film and animation principles such as visual composition and squash and stretch. 

Assistant Director, CenterStage Community Theater Summers 2003-2007

I helped teach teenage actors character development skills, ran rehearsals, helped design and build sets, designed and ran lights for various productions.