Summary
A veteran of the computer animation scene, Steve has worked as an art and creative director, animation director, animator, character designer and modeler on hundreds of national brands which include BMW, Pepsi, General Mills, Target, Reese's and M&Ms. A most productive 7 year stint at Blue Sky Studios found him working on the ground breaking feature films Joe's Apartment, Alien Resurrection, Ice Age and the 1988 Academy Award winning short, Bunny.
In 2008, Steve launched Sketchbot Studios and self-produced his first foray into the designer toy world - the retro styled, pencil wielding robot, Sketchbot. In 2010, the Sketchbot platform served as the basis for two highly successful DIY custom art shows held in NYC at My Plastic Heart, and Monkeyking LA.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, CA, Steve has been in development with the Jim Henson Co. for an animated series based on his original IP, and continues to freelance for a variety of unique projects.
Skills
Software proficiency
Reel
Productions
- MovieBunny
- Year1998
- RoleAnimator
- CompanyBlue Sky Studios
- MovieJoe's Apartment
- Year1996
- RoleAnimator
- CompanyBlue Sky Studios
- MovieAlien: Resurrection
- Year1997
- RoleSenior Animator
- CompanyBlue Sky Studios
- MovieIce Age
- Year2002
- Role3D Layout Artist
- CompanyBlue Sky Studios
Experience
- Creative Director at Sketchbot StudiosLos Angeles, CA, United States of AmericaJune 2008 - Present
I design and produce my own line of designer toys (Sketchbot), help others bring their toy designs to fruition with 3d modeling and 3d printing, freelance as a character designer and animator when applicable, and also develop original IP for animation. Currently art directing a new animated children's show for The Jim Henson Company.
- Creative Director, Virtual Production at Dimension StudioLos Angeles, United States of AmericaSeptember 2022 - November 2022
Conceptualizing working with Art Director and show creators. 3d modeling and texturing for UE5.
- CG Animator at AppleLos Angeles, United States of AmericaApril 2022 - September 2022
Contract animator for Apple's 2022 iPhone/iWatch keynote.
- Adjunct Professor - Part-time at Drexel UniversityLos Angeles, United States of AmericaApril 2021 - June 2021
Teaching ANIM Pipeline course covering asset creation using Maya and ZBrush, textures in Substance Painter, and import and assembly in Unreal Engine.
- Unreal Engine 3D Artist at Mold 3DLos Angeles, United States of AmericaSeptember 2020 - January 2021
3D Layout Artist, responsible for cleaning up Art Dept. CAD data, rebuilding assets in both Maya and ZBrush, UV layout, new textures via Substance Painter, and importing, laying out and lighting sets in Unreal Engine.
- Director at GoogleLos Angeles, United States of AmericaJune 2018 - July 2018
Directed a team of 5 artists at Google Next Expo 2018, where we demoed a proof-of-concept virtual animation studio in the cloud. In addition to Directing, I also contributed original character designs, 3d modeling and animation to the project.
- 3d Concept Artist at Reel FXLos Angeles, United States of AmericaNovember 2015 - January 2016
Worked with the Production Designer of the movie SCOOB to concept design original characters that I then modeled in ZBrush and Maya, and rendered with KeyShot for weekly presentation to Director.
- Art Director at The Jim Henson CompanyLos Angeles, United States of AmericaMay 2015 - August 2015
I designed and modeled six virtual set environments, all props, and directed the visual tone for the new children's show "Word Party" that debuted on Netflix in the Fall of 2015.
- Director of Animation at Guava Visual EffectsNYC, NY, United States of AmericaJuly 2005 - May 2008
Creative head of new 3d department, directing and animating spots for commercials.
- Animation Director at Hornet Inc.NYC, NY, United States of AmericaAugust 2002 - November 2004
Oversaw 3d team during production of commercial projects, and directed animation for numerous commercial projects.
- Senior Animator at Blue Sky StudiosOssining, Harrison, White Plains, NY, United States of AmericaSeptember 1994 - October 2001
Responsible for leading animation team, character rigging and modeling support on commercial and film projects