
Animation Professional available for on or offsite work
Greater Los Angeles Area

Animation Professional available for on or offsite work
Greater Los Angeles Area
My specialty is character and creature animation. I enjoy the challenge of moving back and forth amongst the "sweet and endearing" and the "evil and deadly." I love the challenges of bringing characters to life in all formats - games, film and television.
CONSULTING: Everyone needs a little help with the challenges that production brings and the tools artists use. I have consulted on pipeline structures for feature films with Disney; studio structures and team building at the commercial boutique Motion Theory and game studio Angel Studios; advised on character pipelines at Zoic Studios for episodic TV and commercials; and guided the tech on artist friendly character tools for Houdini v9 software at Side Effects.
I offer specialized guidance regarding:
-- leadership, mentoring and building of animation teams
-- pipeline consulting, internal file systems and structures, and cg tool design
-- studio development from infancy to adolescence and growth into a mature production
-- creation and refinement of artist friendly tools
-- organization of shows - film, game, television and commercial
-- creative development, pitches, and original content
I have worked on 13 features, 38 commercials, 1 awards opening, 2 music videos, 1 ride film, and 32 AAA video games. Highlight credits include:
NATIONAL TREASURE 1 and 2 (2004 & 2007)
DISNEY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMERCIALS (2004-2007)
THE HITCHER (2007)
STEALTH (2005)
PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006)
THE CAVE (2005)
GEICO GECKO SPOTS (2003)
SCOOBY DOO 2 (2004)
GARFIELD (2004)
CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (2005)
FREDDY VS JASON (2003)
XMEN 2 (2003)
STUART LITTLE 2 (2002)
DINO CRISES 3 ディノクライシス3 (2003)
ONI 2 Prototypes(2001)
RED DEAD REVOLVER (2004)
ODDWORLD: MUNCH'S ODDYSEE (2001)
ODDWORLD: ABE’S EXODDUS (1998)
I have also written 3 books on animation and taught at several institutions in the Los Angeles area.
CG Character Animation, Team Building and Staffing, Pipeline and Production Consultant, Animation Supervising, Original Content and Fine Art. I love mentoring other animators. Watching that light go off in their head when you show them how to adjust a pose to get weight shifts into the beat or adding that last 20%...is what it's all about.
Work Demo Reel is here http://www.spicycricket.com/demo.php
And printer friendly resume here http://www.spicycricket.com/Resume2008.pdf
(Privately Held; Computer Games industry)
March 2009 — Present (9 months)
Oversee, recruit and lead 50 artists on 12-20 projects each month including film, games and commercials using Maya, Max, XSI, and Houdini. Set the bar for all assets and art direction ensuring clients creative vision and direction are met. Designed studio’s creative and approval process including expression sheets, style guides, dailies and mentoring structures. Mentor, lead and instruct the team, seniors and leads while creating new methods of training. Rebuilt the floor from the ground up with both short and long term goals in mind using creative team building techniques, specific to Character Animation. Assist with rig reviews, business development, business marketing, tech product marketing, advising on more artist friendly tech, and new market strategies.
(Public Company; TOC; Publishing industry)
June 2006 — Present (3 years 6 months)
Angie has written a book with her co-author Jamie Oliff (see contact list) on animation called Thinking Animation http://www.thinkinganimation.com/ which was released June of 2006 and published by Thomson Course Technology.
Learn how to think before you animate. Thinking Animation is a one-of-a-kind book that emphasizes how artists can use traditional animation techniques and principles with today's computer generated animation technology. It embraces the future of animating with the computer while still retaining the core values that traditional animators use as formulas and principles.
Book Links:
Buy the book
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1598632604/sr=8-1/qid=1145851566/103-2516577-1285454
Learn More!
http://www.thinkinganimation.com/
Book Blog
http://thinkinganimationbook.blogspot.com/
(Apparel & Fashion industry)
June 2006 — Present (3 years 6 months)
Owner and operator of Jonesie Cake floral hair clips and couture accessories.
Please visit http://jonesiecake.com/
(Privately Held; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
November 2008 — February 2009 (4 months)
Charged with creating/building the new and improved character animation pipe for all shows. Animated the pitch for next Ben Ten movie.
(Animation industry)
2006 — 2009 (3 years )
(Privately Held; Broadcast Media industry)
November 2008 — December 2008 (2 months)
Soy nut bar spot with jelly beans and soy beans at war - BraveHeart Style...over 600 of each all animated by hand...boy I am tired!
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
http://www.spicycricket.com/commercial.php
(Animation industry)
October 2008 — December 2008 (3 months)
(1) KIA spot, worked on set doing previz to choreo 9 cars into formation with VFXSup and Director for live action shoot. (October)
(2) Yukult yogurt Spot where I made two yogurt drinks dance. (July)
(3) TMobile spot where a hell bent chick chainsaws down telephone poles. Animated the poles and the cables connecting them. (May)
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
http://www.spicycricket.com/commercial.php
(Animation industry)
October 2008 — October 2008 (1 month)
Leading a team on an animated short film, 100% CG.
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
(Privately Held; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
June 2008 — October 2008 (5 months)
Ride film working with Mario Kamberg http://www.mariokambergdesign.com/
- Maya 3D to LW pipeline
(Animation industry)
May 2008 — June 2008 (2 months)
ProMax BDA Awards Ceremony Opening
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
http://www.spicycricket.com/commercial.php
(Animation industry)
May 2008 — May 2008 (1 month)
Designed female character for a pitch and style frames.
(Privately Held; Animation industry)
March 2008 — May 2008 (3 months)
Stoli commercial working with directors Todd Mueller and Kylie Matulick.
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
http://www.spicycricket.com/commercial.php
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Animation industry)
October 2007 — March 2008 (6 months)
Charged with strengthening the studio's animation department, pushing the ideals of how computer animated characters look and move, overseeing animation teams for all 3D and 2D project work, ensuring work stays on schedule, building and staffing for projects and raising the bar on animation for all jobs in the studio.
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
(Animation industry)
February 2008 — February 2008 (1 month)
Game cycles and animation for cartoon-y game, cannot say which at the moment.
- Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
September 2007 — October 2007 (2 months)
(1) “National Treasure 2" - Digital Character Animator
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)
April 2007 — August 2007 (5 months)
I worked for Side Effects Software as a Character Specialist to refine and present their new user friendly UI and character tool set for the version 9 release.
- Houdini 9 beta
(Animation industry)
February 2007 — April 2007 (3 months)
“Popsicle Commercials – 3 spots”
(01) Bad Tempered Beavers - Character Animation Lead
(02) Beach Bum - Character Animation Lead
(03) Auditory Army - Character Animation Lead
- Maya 3D to MR pipeline
(Privately Held; D2; Animation industry)
October 2004 — February 2007 (2 years 5 months)
“Disney 50th Anniversary Commercials – 5 spots”
(01) Disney Homecoming Spot - Character Animator
(02) Disney Magic Box Spot - Animation Supervisor
(03) Disney Wish Upon A Star Spot - Animation Supervisor
(04) Disney Toon Takeover Spot - Animation Supervisor
(05) Disney Characters in the Park Spot - Animation Supervisor
(06) RealEstate.com Spot - Character Animator
(07) Yahoo/Earthlink Spot - Character Animator
(08) Coke/Every Drop Counts Spot - Character Animator
(09) Stealth - Animator
(10) Zoom - Character Animator
- using Maya 3D and Nuke DD's proprietary software
(11) Listerine Agent Cool Blue Spot - Animation Supervisor
(12) Chrysler Aspen Spot - Animation Supervisor
(13) The Hitcher - Character Animator
(14) Amp Energy Drink Spot - Character Animator
- Maya 3D to LW and PrMan pipelines
To see some of the commercial spots, go here...
http://www.spicycricket.com/commercial.php
(Animation industry)
October 2006 — October 2006 (1 month)
(1) TV Pilot - Skrumps - Character Animator
http://www.henson.com/feature/skrumpsbts.htm
- Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Entertainment industry)
August 2005 — October 2005 (3 months)
(1) Pan's Labyrinth - Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
June 2004 — August 2004 (3 months)
(1) “National Treasure" - Digital Character Animator
(2) "Nintendo Game Boy Commercial" - Digital Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
April 2004 — June 2004 (3 months)
(1) “The Cave" - Lead Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
April 2003 — April 2004 (1 year 1 month)
(1) “Lion Witch and the Wardrobe Pitch" - Digital Character Animator
(2) "Scooby Doo 2" - Digital Character Animator
(3) "Garfield" - Digital Character Animator
(4) "Geico Gecko Spots" - Digital Character Animator
- using Voodoo R & H proprietary software
(Privately Held; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
December 2002 — March 2003 (4 months)
(1) “XMEN 2” - Digital Character Animator
(2) “Freddy VS Jason” – Lead Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Animation industry)
November 2002 — December 2002 (2 months)
(1) “Smart & Final Commercial Spots" - Digital Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Animation industry)
October 2002 — December 2002 (3 months)
(1) “Kid's Cuisine Commercial” - Digital Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Animation industry)
July 2002 — October 2002 (4 months)
(1) “Lead 4 artists on 8 minutes of game cinematics for the Power Puff Girls Video Game - "Relish Ramage"” - Lead Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Animation industry)
June 2002 — June 2002 (1 month)
(1) “7up International Animated Pitch” - Digital Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Public Company; DIS; Animation industry)
May 2002 — May 2002 (1 month)
(1) “Gnomeo and Juliette" - Animation/CG Pipeline Consultant
- analyzed both a Maya and 3D Studio Max pipeline for film production
(Public Company; SNE; Motion Pictures and Film industry)
April 2001 — April 2002 (1 year 1 month)
(1) “Stuart Little 2" - Digital Character Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Computer Games industry)
April 2000 — April 2001 (1 year 1 month)
Served on a panel of representatives from each department to oversee and raise the bar on all assets at Angel Studios. Lead teams on 2 prototypes and supported the other games in development working closely with programmers and artists. Acted as a liaison between The US studio and CAPCOM Japan for Dino Crises game. Taught animation classes to team, assessed mocap pipelines, and consulted on all productions.
(1) "Oni2" - Lead Artist
(2) "Dino Crises 3" - Lead Artist with CAPCOM Japan
(3) "Red Dead Revolver" - Lead Artist
(4) "TRW Surf"- Lead Artist
(5) "Smuggler's Run 2" - Lead Artist
(6) "Off Road 2" - Lead Artist
(7) "Midnight Club 2" - Lead ArtistCharacter Animator
- using Maya 3D software
(Privately Held; Computer Games industry)
June 1998 — April 2000 (1 year 11 months)
(1) “Abe’s Oddysee/Exoddus" - Digital Character Animator
(2) "Munch’s Oddysee Video Game Cinematics" - Digital Character Animator
- using Alias Power Animator and Maya 3D softwares
http://www.spicycricket.com/game.php
(Animation industry)
July 1995 — June 1998 (3 years )
(1) “25 PSX Children’s Educational Video Games / k-6” titles upon request - Digital Character Animator
- using 3D Studio Dos and Max softwares
(Animation industry)
April 1995 — July 1995 (4 months)
(1) Reality Check children's TV show - 2D/3D Animator
- using Wavefront, TOPAS 3D, Harry Quantel, Hirez QFX, Rio, Tips and Animation Pro Software
(Animation industry)
December 1994 — April 1995 (5 months)
(1) Cartoon Network animated bumpers for television
(Animation industry)
April 1994 — March 1995 (1 year )
(1) Video production and motion graphics on various accounts
- using Hirez QFX and 3DS Dos Software
(Privately Held; Consumer Goods industry)
February 1994 — December 1994 (11 months)
(1) Sales Presentations - Intern and Employee
- using Autographix, Photoshop, Macromedia and 3DS Dos Software
(Animation industry)
September 1993 — February 1994 (6 months)
(1) Internship - CG Animator
- using Hirez QFX, Rio, Tips and Softimage softwares
Improv Performance 2003 — 2004
http://bangstudio.com/
BFA , Electronic Arts, Drawing , 1990 — 1994
The Atlanta College of Art (the largest fine arts school in the southeast) has been aquired by Savannah College of Art and design (SCAD).
http://aca.edu/ - Atlanta College of Art, established in 1905, was the first not-for-profit college of design and art in the Southeastern United States. An original partner of Atlanta's Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta College of Art adjoins the High Museum of Art, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Alliance Theatre.
Acreditation Advisory Board for LA Film School Digital Arts Program
http://www.lafilm.com/programs/advisory-board.html
Speaker Gnomon School of VFX 2007-2008, Career Strategies - Hollywood, CA
Speaker Siggraph 2007, Emerging Demands in Production Expert Panel - San Diego, CA July, 2007
Author - Thinking Animation: Bridging the Gap Between 2D and CG - June, 2006
Speaker at Comicon - Creating Beliveable Characters - Panel San Diego, CA July, 2003
Speaker at VES - Your Career Support Team - Panel Job Survival Los Angeles, CA May, 2003
Speaker at LA Siggraph Chapter Meeting - Panel Job Survival Los Angeles, CA Mar, 2003
Instructor at Dhima Inst. Character Animation Santa Monica, CA July, 2002
Lead Artist/Rep. Angel Studios with CAPCOM/JAPAN Osaka, Japan Oct, 2000
Author of the 3D Studio Max R3 Professional Animation Book Los Angeles, CA Feb, 2000
Co-author with George Maestri Inside 3D Studio Max R2 Vol. III Los Angeles, CA June, 1998
**Bronze Clio for Animation on Amp Energy Drink Spot
**VES Award (Visual Effects Society) in 2003 for Best Character Animation in an Animated Motion Picture for Stuart Little 2
**Three-time Oscar Winning "Pan's Labyrinth" feature, animated stickbugs and faeries