Film Game Convergence
San Francisco Bay Area
- Past
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- Character Technical Director (Lead Rigger) at LucasArts
- Film Game Convergence at Lucasfilm
- Senior Character Technical Director at Lucasfilm Animation Singapore
- Associate Technical Artist (lead rigger "Central Football") at EA Sports
- Character Technical Director at 2K Sports (Visual Concepts- A Take 2 Interactive Company)
- Rigging Intern at EA Sports
- Participant/ Assistant Lecturer at DreamWorks SKG Outreach Program
- Modeler, Character Setup, Animator at ACCAD at THE Ohio State University
- Interior Architectural Designer at Gensler
- Post Graduate Architectural Intern at NBBJ
- President at Design Circle
- Interior Design Intern at Continental Office Furniture
- Design Engineering Intern at Custom Coach
- Industrial and Interior Designer at Independent Freelance Design Professional
- Retail Merchandiser at Tommy Hilfiger
- Athletic Convergence Specialist at various gyms in Central Ohio.
- Education
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- The Ohio State University
- The Ohio State University
- St. Charles Prep High School
- Central Ohio Art Academy
- St. Pius X
- Recommended
-
4 people have recommended Brent - Connections
-
429
connections
- Industry
- Animation
- Websites
Brent Zorich’s Summary
Creating works of art has been my strongest passion my entire life. Prior to the animation industry, I had worked for the architectural firms ranked number one (Gensler) and number two (NBBJ) in the world as an interior architect. I have studied for my Masters of Fine Arts in Computer Visualization at ACCAD at THE Ohio State University; focusing my research in biomechanical character setup. This research involved working directly with supervisors from DreamWorks SKG. At 2K sports, I did research on ways to streamline current rigs to make them lighter for game play on the award winning title NBA 2K. Later, I returned to EA Sports as a technical artist implementing rigging techniques as well as doing research on more advanced character setup for the top selling titles in the world, including MADDEN (the top selling title in North America). At Lucasfilm, Ltd., I was apart of the team on film game convergence by collaborating on global “Star Wars” related projects while working with all three divisions: LucasArts, Lucasfilm Animation, and Industrial Light and Magic. This research involved complete analyzing and understanding of both render and real time assets for maximum output and potential (led by myself and a team of core artists and engineers). For the ease of better global communication, I was relocated from the Lucasfilm Animation Singapore studio to the home office (The Presidio and the Skywalker Ranch) in San Francisco to continue research on this subject matter. I look forward to speaking to other graphics researchers on the subject matter listed above and am always open to accepting linkedin invitations from colleagues in the industry who share my passion for doing great work.
For more personal information, demo reel, and quick title list refer to www.brentzorich.com. For reel breakdown refer to http://www.brentzorich.com/portfolio.html.
References verified on linked in at bottom of resume.
Brent Zorich’s Specialties:
biomechanics; deformation; physiology; athletics; wayfinding; brand identity
Brent Zorich’s Experience
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Character Technical Director (Lead Rigger)
LucasArts
(Privately Held; Computer Games industry)
September 2008 — July 2009 (11 months)
Indiana Jones IP content including opening LucasArts logo for "Indiana Jones and The Staff of Kings". Convergence research and development on "SOK" Sudao character combining rigging and deformation technology between LucasArts, Lucasfilm Animation, and Industrial Light and Magic.
Full working knowledge of proprietary rigging software for Industrial Light and Magic and "The Force Unleashed".
Worked as Industrial Light and Magic employee in the LucasArts division.
Credited rigged published work for "The Force Unleashed Ultimate Sith Edition" including Boba Fett, Hoth Apprentice (Ultimate Evil/ StarKiller), Rebel Trooper, Gamorrean Guard, Wampa, Tusken Raider, and Jabba the Hut. Handheld props. Vehicular rigging: snowspeeder, millinium falcon, AT-AT. (Industrial Light and Magic technology used).
http://www.brentzorich.com/trailers/TFU_ultimateSithEdition_11_03_09.mov
Boba Fett most complex LucasArts character. Breakdown: expression driven shoulder pads; projectile missle pack; effects on back pack; cloth simulation (real time); and hand prop (rifle).
Jabba the Hut facial system created (all joint based) from scratch and working in vignette on Tatooine level alongside Boba Fett.
Instrumental in the cancelation of the next generation Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings for Playstation 3 and XBOX 360 that was written by Steven Spielberg, due to poor gameplay and a low predictable fun factor score determined by me.
Working knowledge of exporter through troubleshooting sessions with Industrial Light and Magic.
Internal meetings discussing file system optimization within LucasArts division.
Main playable character that I rigged, "Ultimate Evil Hoth", showcased on the cover of Star Wars The Force Unleashed Ultimate Sith Edition. Character features real time cloth created by and worked with ILM (modified by myself) as well as jiggle.
Ultimate Evil featured on the cover of the November, 2009 issue of Star Wars Insider. -
Film Game Convergence
Lucasfilm
(Privately Held; Entertainment industry)
March 2008 — July 2009 (1 year 5 months)
Involved in assets from all Lucasfilm, Ltd (LucasArts, Lucasfilm Animation "Big Rock", Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, Industrial Light and Magic).
Worked with executive committee at Lucasfilm in guiding direction of the company through proposals.
Research and development between all divisions of Lucasfilm, Ltd. on convergence for both render and real time simulation.
Physiology research and close relations with the Skywalker Ranch administration and library.
Corporate steering meetings between different studios for streamline and optimization on pipeline, assets, tool development, art, character technical direction, shaders, database, and all aspects of
proprietary software.
Sat in and participated in weekly critques on research and development at ILM. Meetings involved critiques on Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. Shots included were Optimus Prime and Devastator.
Comparative studies in rigging/ enveloping and convergence between the proprietary software of Industrial Light and Magic, "Big Rock"- Lucasfilm Animation, and Autodesk Maya. -
Senior Character Technical Director
Lucasfilm Animation Singapore
(Privately Held; Entertainment industry)
March 2008 — September 2008 (7 months)
Research and development between all divisions of Lucasfilm, Ltd. on convergence for both render and real time simulation.
Transferred based on merit and accomplishment from the international studio in Singapore to San Francisco after six months of work. First person in company history to be permanently relocated. Based on recommendations of Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Lucasfilm Ltd. Executive Committee.
Color correction and compositing work on Star Wars The Clone Wars: Season Two (shots include Cad Bane and Obi Won Kanobi- shows 23 and 24).
Presentation pieces to studio created in Final Cut for monthly studio meetings involving shots from Harry Potter 6, Star Trek, Clone Wars, and student outreach work from the JUMP program.
Research and development on existing game engines for Star Wars IP including Unreal Engine.
Full working knowledge of biped, quadroped, winged, and custom rigs used for all Clone Wars content that is also applicable to Industrial Light and Magic.
Animation tests done by myself testing all aspects of Lucasfilm, Ltd. rigging including wing flap, Jango Fett from Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, and biped work for both custom and
existing Lucasfilm, Ltd assets. -
Associate Technical Artist (lead rigger "Central Football")
EA Sports
(Public Company; ERTS; Computer Games industry)
January 2007 — March 2008 (1 year 3 months)
In charge of character setup for central football- including the following: Madden, NCAA, NFL Tour, and NFL Head Coach.
Special research and development rigging work dealing with real time muscle jiggle, fat jiggle, flexing, and deformation on EA Sports MMA.
Advised and assisted on rigging for Tiger Woods Golf 09.
Recommendation for Lucasfilm, Ltd by Art Director on Madden, Ben Cammarano; based on performance.
Working knowledge of research and development on international studios of other rigging work including Harry Potter franchise as well as other EA Sports titles created by the rigging studio in EAC. Titles included the following: Fifa, Fight Night, Facebreaker, and NBA Live. This gave me the ability to look at both stylized and realistic sports boxing under teh same brand and break the two down.
Worked with lead engineer on custom quaternion node (involving proprietary software) used in Madden, NFL Tour, and NCAA that was tested to run at full optimization on both the development kits of XBOX 360 and Sony Playstation 3.
Work of Madden featured in a Nike commercial aired on television, also featured on nike.com.
Madden work also feature on the television show on ESPN "Madden Nation".
Improved physiology and cloth of all bodytypes (arms, shoulder pad, waist, knee, forearm, shoulder, skirts, gluts, and hamstrings) from NFL/NCAA 08 to NFL/NCAA 09.
Biomechanically correct run cycle created in Motion Builder to test player runs based on Terrell Owens using bodytype of Brian Urlacher as base.
Proposal written to Central Football staff incorporating scientific visualization (realism) into football animations/postures as opposed to existing "Disney" style animations (hyper extension).
Attended weekly technical art meetings on advanced mathematics based on taped lectures of MIT professors. -
Character Technical Director
2K Sports (Visual Concepts- A Take 2 Interactive Company)
(Computer Games industry)
July 2006 — December 2006 (6 months)
Character Technical Director 2006
Rigged players for NBA 2K8 and NCAA 2K8 that are driven by motion capture.
Rigged cheerleaders for NCAA 2K7 that are driven by motion capture.
Worked on binding and blend shapes of t-shirts on NCAA players for NCAA 2K7.
Working on research and development to find new ways to streamline the process of character setup for both NCAA and NBA sports titles.
Working knowledge of real time cloth simulation used on NBA 2K franchises developed by engineering and technical leads at Take 2 Interactive. -
Rigging Intern
EA Sports
(Public Company; ERTS; Computer Games industry)
September 2005 — December 2005 (4 months)
Worked on Superman which is to be based in the movie coming out in 2006.
Modeled several citizens (LODs included) or the game that contained swappable parts and laid out the UVs for them.
Rigged two of the main bosses in the game that Superman must face and defeat.
Modeled the clothing of Lex Luther, the main villain in the game.
End presentation of all intern work presented to EA Orlando executive committtee and leads created in Adobe After Effects. This included turntables of all work as well as walk cycles and wing flap animation of assets created during the internship.
Recommended for full time hire by key personel on Superman Returns team. -
Participant/ Assistant Lecturer
DreamWorks SKG Outreach Program
(Animation industry)
January 2005 — June 2005 (6 months)
Trained in DreamWorks SKG process and production methodology: Modeling, Texture Painting, Rigging, Animating, Lighting, and Effects.
Participant in ten week training with a texture painter from DreamWorks SKG, involved in production on the Shrek and Madagascar franchises, on research involving "The Mystery Dinosaur" production. This end product was featured at the Burpee Museum in a display. The research involved visual reference taken from the Columbus Zoo in Columbus, Ohio. Spring 2005.
Participant in a ten week intensive training program with the supervisors and artists from DreamWorks SKG in a production setting. Winter 2005.
Shook Jeffrey Katzenberg's hand after meeting him personally during his guest lecture of the DreamWorks SKG Outreach Program at ACCAD at the Ohio State University.
http://accad.osu.edu/main/guestlectures.htm#katzenberg
Later attended another lecture that same day involving Jeffrey and another ACCAD alum who had also worked on the Star Wars prequel trilogy at Lucasfilm, Ltd. (Industrial Light and Magic) as Motion Capture Supervisor.
Taught one of the classes in the Wexner Center for the Arts during the DreamWorks SKG Outreach program. Went over Alias Wavefront software as well as personal portfolio and animation methodology.
Lectured during DreamWorks SKG studio class on advanced rigging techniques (including dynamic solution for jiggle) that were endorsed by DreamWorks SKG Computer Graphics Supervisor (rigging lead)and worked closely with him on the Thescelasaurus for "The Mystery Dinosaur" production. During these "one on one" sessions I was trained under his supervision for more advanced techniques.
Photographed during studio class by one of many papers, including the local paper "The Columbus Dispatch", and put on the front cover of the LIFE section.
Given Ohio State ACCAD credit card and was instructed by ACCAD chair to entertain on more than one occassion visiting guest lectures from DreamWorks SKG. -
Modeler, Character Setup, Animator
ACCAD at THE Ohio State University
(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)
January 2003 — June 2005 (2 years 6 months)
Participating in a collaborative effort between several consultants to work on a documentary animation of a newly discovered dinosaur for the Burpee Museum in Chicago, IL as well as Brave New Pictures.
Working with scientists from across the country for feedback on this project.
I was designated as one of the lead modelers, character setup artists, and animators on this project. This project was seen on the DISCOVERY CHANNEL.
Texture partner on one of the dinosaurs was Texture Lead on "Madagascar" via DreamWorks SKG Outreach Program.
Research Areas:
1. (2002- 2004) wayfinding in real time simulation (subject analyzed and improved upon was Spider-Man The Movie The Game). wayfinding tool created out of VRML and theories worked on with eminent scholar.
2. (2001-2002) enhancement of realism in computer animation through the incorporation of biomechanics and fatigue (subject analyzed was Shrek). MIT alumni, OSU football team doctor, and department chair involvement.
3. (2004- 2005) rigging of prehistoric animals. project based thesis. "Mystery Dinosaur Work". ACCAD director (former Ringling C.A. chair) involved.
4. (2001) ecosystems and evolution: evolving creatures based on ecosystem around them. -
Interior Architectural Designer
Gensler
(Privately Held; Architecture & Planning industry)
June 1999 — January 2001 (1 year 8 months)
Gave presentation to staff in Gensler Atlanta via Microsoft Powerpoint on Industrial Design as relating to environmental psychology, product development, branding, and pioneering science fiction technology.
Recommendation for graduate education in computer visualization from a current partner at Gensler during my employment with this firm.
Participated in a collaborative joint operation between Gensler offices worldwide that emplemented Volkwsagen’s new marketing campaign and brand identity into a creative retail environment. This included partition and interior design. Bathroom and office layout. Kiosk and car placement for better sale. Parking lot design (landscape architecture). Actual cd's on one of the many dealerships that was worked on. Working knowledge of architectural ADA regulations applied to dealerships. Presentation to actual dealers.
Designed and specified millwork that was installed into a 50,000 square foot corporate headquarters in northeastern Atlanta, Georgia.
Worked on the branding, design development, and construction documentation of interior spaces for several of Gensler’s exclusive Fortune 50 clientelle including Arthur Anderson, GTE, Salomon Smith Barney, Adidas.
Worked on concept work for prototype Lincoln Mercury dealership that was created in Freehand and bound as a presentation piece. This included exterior fascade and placement of graphic logo. Coordinated with Studio 585 (Gensler retail headquarters) in San Francisco.
Sat in meetings about professional practices and leadership driven by executive committee at Gensler. Parties involved with these meetings included M. Arthur Gensler and Edward Friedrichs.
Flown from Atlanta studio to Charlotte studio to create marker renderings for Gensler clients.
First alumni from The Ohio State University department of Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design to be hired by Gensler: (The architectural design firm ranked number one in the world). -
Post Graduate Architectural Intern
NBBJ
(Privately Held; Architecture & Planning industry)
June 1998 — January 1999 (8 months)
Worked as an intern with a team on the design of the Beijing Hotel in Beijing, China that is approximately 1 million square feet.
Integral part in the schematic design, production phase, and the handling of all furniture, fixtures and materials for this international monument.
Sat in critique sessions of Beijing Hotel while listening to theory and practice from a lead designer who had been inducted in the Interior Design Hall of Fame as well as the partner of NBBJ, Friedl Bohm. -
President
Design Circle
(Design industry)
June 1997 — June 1998 (1 year 1 month)
Voted in as undergraduate president to the student body of the Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design Department at THE Ohio State Universitry in this student organization (Design Circle).
Recipient of the Chairperson Discretionary Scholarship (Given annually to the President of Design Circle).
Worked with undergraduate committee and faculty on the organization of events as well as sponsorships.
Responsible for bringing in design professionals to guest lecture.
Direct involvement with the organization of the Senior Show featuring senior students thesis work. -
Interior Design Intern
Continental Office Furniture
(Architecture & Planning industry)
January 1998 — April 1998 (4 months)
Worked on presentation pieces for clients around the country as an intern for this Herman Miller dealer.
Reported directly to Vice President of the company and did exclusive work for him that he directly approved.
Sat in a meeting with the owner of the company and learned professional practice techniques from a Herman Miller dealer. -
Design Engineering Intern
Custom Coach
(Design industry)
June 1997 — August 1997 (3 months)
Design and illustration for custom made SUV and full size coach busses. Client that was designed for was John H. McConnell, owner of the NHL team the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On site construction and interior product design of these vehicles.
Design principles were all applicable to the interior, no exterior alterations were made to the vehicles. -
Industrial and Interior Designer
Independent Freelance Design Professional
(Design industry)
March 1997 — August 1997 (6 months)
Freelance project in the assistance of design of the ConAgra plant (Arrow Industries Division) in Dallas, Texas.
Creation of independent product (golf sandal) and marketing campaign with a business partner that was pitched (in powerpoint presentation format) to the office of the CEO of Reebok.
The marketing, product, and branding strategy developed was to reposition Reebok's Greg Norman "Shark" brand to a younger crowd to compete with the Nike Tiger Woods campaign (Tiger Woods had just won his first Masters and signed sponsorship with Nike- the "I am Tiger Woods" advertisements). -
Retail Merchandiser
Tommy Hilfiger
(Public Company; TOM; Apparel & Fashion industry)
1994 — 1995 (1 year )
Trained by staff to deal with on floor sales of fashion.
Trained by Tommy Hilfiger corporate on material usage of fashion apparel.
Led floor in sales during a select few months.
Trained to set up fixtures and do merchandising during high volume sales periods during employment.
Repositioned fixtures in store to gain more sales volume and increase profit under supervision of management and corporate executives at Tommy Hilfiger. -
Athletic Convergence Specialist
various gyms in Central Ohio.
(Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)
1993 — 1995 (2 years )
Personal training convergence: philosophies of Bruce Lee's Tao of Jeet Kun Do, Division IA Fast Twitch Muscle Training, and Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. Trained at three gyms simultaneously.
Regiment designed for explosive strength, speed, and high impact collission.
Trained a Division 1A Track athlete; a pre-med student; social chair of Sigma Alpha Epsilon; Two Scholarship football athletes at Wittenberg University.
Classes in pre organic chemistry while interest in the College of Allied Medicine.
Personal training convergence theory proven through positive feedback of Ohio State Football Scholarship Athlete personally put through 1 workout in offseason.
Television spot on local television during training for Ohio State Football walkon tryout while active membership at World Gym.
Recommended diet and EAS supplements during training.
Personal stats at height of training:
height: 6'1"
weight: 209 lbs
bench: calculated 355 max, low estimate.
squat: 455 lbs.
shrugs: 4 x 20 of 405 lbs
hammer curls: 85 lb dumbbell.
hammer strength incline: 3 plates sets of 12.
incline press: calculated 315 max.
close grip bench press: calculate 315 max, low estimate.
barbell standing curl: 185 max.
leg press: 9 plates either side of sled, sets of 5 pyramid.
lunges: 225 lb barbell sets of 5.
hang clean: sets with 225.
tricep extension: stack
hamstring extension: stack
quad extension: stack
calf sled: 4 x 20 w/ 4 plates on either side
captured 40 time: 4.9 seconds handheld.
stretching: yoga
Equipment used: cardio training equipment. hammer strength. nautilus. dumbbells. free weights barbells.
Brent Zorich’s Education
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The Ohio State University
ACCAD 2001 — 2005
Classes included the following:
VRML; procedural animation; Pixar's RenderMan; Motion Capture (course taken more than once);
Thesis research interests:
1. (2002- 2004) wayfinding in real time simulation (subject analyzed and improved upon was Spider-Man The Movie The Game). wayfinding tool created out of VRML and theories worked on with eminent scholar.
2. (2001-2002) enhancement of realism in computer animation through the incorporation of biomechanics and fatigue (subject analyzed was Shrek). MIT alumni, OSU football team doctor, and department chair involvement.
3. (2004- 2005) rigging of prehistoric animals. project based thesis. "Mystery Dinosaur Work". ACCAD director (former Ringling C.A. chair) involved.
4. (2001) ecosystems and evolution: evolving creatures based on ecosystem around them.
Class in digital still life lighting and theater lighting. -
The Ohio State University
BSID , industrial design, interior architecture , 1993 — 1998
Accepted into the Department of Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design at The Ohio State University while still in high school. No application was necessary to enroll with the individual department.
personal senior thesis: Prototype retail store developed with prototype marketing and branding campaign developed as student work. This thesis was submitted to Nike. this research included store auditing of Niketown Chicago, model creation, fixture design, 3d visualization as CAD underlay rerendered with marker rendering, and incorporation of environmental psychology.
Voted by the student body in The Department of Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design as the President of the design student organization, Design Circle.- Activities and Societies:
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon- SAE
Design Circle (Undergraduate Student Organization- voted as President).
-
St. Charles Prep High School
High School Diploma , College Prep. , 1989 — 1993
Ohio State Football Camp under John Cooper with weight room and staff time.
4 year football.
Scholar athlete.
Advanced trigonometry (first introduction to literature on computer graphics).
Amateur personal trainer based on the philosophies of The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding.
Football injury: strained groin. First hands on experience with sports therapy.
Two years mandatory Latin. Instrumental in helping to remember muscle groups.
Introduction to plyometrics. -
Central Ohio Art Academy
fine art 1979 — 1992
classes taken:
- anatomy and structure
- abstract creation
- still life replication
- biped and quad replication
- clay sculpture
- stone sculpture
- pen and ink
- pencil
- water color
- oil painting
- oil pastel
- charcoal
- collage
Research interests:
- football
- boxing
- Star Wars
Awards:
- Best of Show: The Ohio State Fair
- Several Blue Ribbons: The Ohio State Fair
- International Art Competition acceptance. -
St. Pius X
1981 — 1989
Ohio State Football Camp under John Cooper with weight room and staff time.
scholar athlete.
Additional Information
Brent Zorich’s Websites:
Brent Zorich’s Interests:
rigging, MEL, biomechanical research and deformation, human and non human anatomy, computer visualization
Brent Zorich’s Groups:
Siggraph ACM, Animation Co-Op
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CGCHAR - 3D CG Character Animation -
MovieProfs :: professionals working in the Movie Business:: -
The Visual Effects Society -
Sigma Alpha Epsilon -
The Creative Talent Network -
LinkedColumbus -
ACM SIGGRAPH -
Success Networking -
THE GLOBAL SOURCING COUNCIL (GSC) -
Showbizjobs.com -
Visual Effects, Film and Games Professionals (www.vfx-recruit.com) -
ThoseInFilm (Motion Pictures & Film Industry) -
Hollywood Greenlight Group -
Animation, Media & Entertainment -
![[VFX_AG] - The Visual Effects Artists Group](http://media.linkedin.com/media/p/3/000/007/2b5/1b72535.gif)
[VFX_AG] - The Visual Effects Artists Group -
Alumni of The Ohio State University -
Film and Television Professionals -
Buckeye Alumni Network -
David Perry's Game Industry Map Group. -
Film Financing Forum (4,000+) -
Ohio State Design 40 Celebration -
Ringling School of Art And Design -
Public Speaking Network -
Media Professionals Worldwide -
Music and Entertainment Professionals -
Hooray for Hollyworld! -
Animation Army -
3D Visualisation and Graphics Programming -
Electronic Entertainment Industry Network -
Entertainment Industry -
International Online Developers Association for Games -
IIDA -
EA Alumni Group -
VideoGame Professionals -
ILM Alumni -
Professional Maya Users -
Motion Capture Society -
LinkedWorking Los Angeles -
Electronic Arts Employees -
LucasArts Network -
St. Charles Preparatory School Alumni -
Lucasfilm Animation Alumni -
Xbox 360 Developers -
Gensler -
CGRG ACCAD Alumni -
Sony PS3 Developers -
Movie Investors Worldwide -
Gensler Community
Brent Zorich’s Honors:
Graduate Associateship The Ohio State University: 2005
Graduate Teaching Associateship The Ohio State University: 2001-2002.
Demo Reel '08 featured at Siggraph '08 under the panel "Get the job you want."
VGA 2007 winner "Best Team Sports Game": Madden 08
VGA 2008 nominee "Best Team Sports Game": Madden 09
VGA 2008 nominee "Best Team Sports Game": NBA 2K9
VGA 2008 nominee "Best Individual Sports Game": Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09
Biography and portfolio being featured in 3D Artist magazine (Dec 9th, 2009).
Brent Zorich’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
