Professional Experience
2012-Present – Microsoft Studios – Redmond, WA – Art Director
• Publishing AD on Age of Empires Online, Ascend: New Gods, and 2 unannounced titles.
• Responsible for overall look and feel of titles, and establishing 1st party quality bar.
• Create concepts and storyboards to drive the direction and foster creative growth.
• Responsible for creating character design docs, as well as style guides for several titles.
2011-Present – L7 Pictures – Los Angeles, CA – Freelance Animator
• Hand-keyed several shots for upcoming “Lucy” short film release including high-quality facial performance.
• Broke down dialog tracks and created performances from scratch.
• Worked directly with the Director, Ben Rush, to finalize shots.
• Dealt with complex hair and cloth sims, as well as came up with solutions for reflections.
2006-Present – Bonanza Press – Woodinville, WA – Freelance Artist
• Create artwork for a variety of chip and pull-tab style games.
• Work closely with existing art teams ensure art style is in line with vision of team.
• Create an average of 3 to 4 games each month.
2011-2012 – Microsoft Studios – Redmond, WA – Animator / Associate Art Director
• Art Director on several XBLA, Full Retail, and Prototype titles.
• Responsible for overall look and feel of titles.
• Work with several internal and 3rd party Developers.
• Create concepts and storyboards to drive the direction and foster creative growth.
• Consultant on at least one non-game related project within Microsoft.
• Responsible for creating character design docs, as well as style guides for several titles.
2008-2011 – Microsoft Game Studios – Redmond, WA – Senior Artist and Animator
• Area Expert in Animation, with experience on a large number of full and Arcade titles.
• Animator on over 15 prototypes and full games.
• Art Director on 2 yet-to-be-announced titles.
• Part of a team of Artists who evaluate and provide feedback on first party titles.
• Responsible for Concept Art and Storyboarding.
• Attended Siggraph, CTN and Annecy events.
• Responsible for researching and evangelizing new and useful tools.
2002-2008 – Microsoft Game Studios – Redmond, WA – STE/SDET/Test Lead
• Core SDET: Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Viva Pinata: Party Animals, and Viva Pinata.
• Test Lead: Jetpac: Reloaded, and Kameo DLC 2.
• Core Tester: NFL Fever 2003, NBA Inside Drive 2003, Kameo: Elements of Power and DLC 1.
• Managed teams of seven to forty-five in testing of Xbox titles.
• Developed detailed test plans for testers to follow during cycle of title.
2007 – Microsoft Game Studios – Redmond, WA – Animation Supervisor
• Oversaw and provided feedback on animation for Scene-It! Xbox 360 title.
• Worked directly with Art Director to ensure quality animations were delivered.
• Worked with third party Devs to ensure title’s animation met first-party standards.
• Traveled to outside companies (Giant, House of Moves) to oversee mocap sessions.
1999-2001 – Sierra – Bellevue, WA – Various
• As CPC Engineer, Responsible for final approval of first-party Sierra titles.
• As Tech Support Operator, responsible for support of all Sierra titles.
Education
• Currently enrolled in Motivarti.org school, under the training of Mike Belzer, animator at Valve.
• Currently enrolled at the iAnimate.net Advanced Character Animation Training School in final workshop.
• Graduate of AnimationMentor.com school of Animation, with a Diploma for Advanced Studies in Character Animation.
• Graduated from the Art Institute of Seattle, with honors, with a degree of Associate of Applied Arts in Computer Animation.
Tool Experience
• Working knowledge of Maya, Photoshop, ZBrush, 3D Coat, abAutoRig, Sketchbook Pro, Motion Builder, Setup Machine, After Effects, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, 3D Studio Max, XSI, Modo and Flash.
Personal Information
• Avid animated film and television fan.
• Creator of comic strip, “Dog Complex,” which was offered a web syndication contract through Universal Press. Strips are now available in book form.
• Guitarist for over 20 years.
References
• Available upon request.
