Behavioral Interviewing

5. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment was my senior project. I created a 4 min. 40 second animation based on a story I developed for my 2D animation class. We just planned the animations and created storyboards for them during that semester. Since I had planned the story and the main character design I decided to go through with creating the animation. The backgrounds where all digitally painted in photoshop while the characters were pegged and animated in ToonBoom Animate Pro. The most challenging part of the project was creating the music for each character in Logic Pro. In the end I gained more confidence about my work and was pleased to have been able to put together such a large piece to present for my BFA show.

Job Postings

Rhythm & Hues

Company Link - http://www.rhythm.com/inside-rh/outreach/academic-resources/apprentice-program/

Email - recruitment@rhythm.com

Application Deadline - 2nd Program May 13th and starts June 13th

Materials needed - Cover letter, Resume, Shot breakdown sheet, Apprentice Program Application Form, DVD Reel or Website Submissions

Where you found the Job - Betty Spence

Rhythm & Hues is looking to hire students to work on their upcoming film Alvin and the Chipmunks 3. They have two programs opening up. The first one starts May 16th - June 10th. I cant make this one cause its too close to graduation. The 2nd program starts June 13th to June 8th.

This is a paid apprentice program that includes housing. It's a great opportunity to gain valuable production experience and be trained in the process. Housing is provided for out of state applicants. And applicants have a chance to have a extended long-term freelance stay after evaluation.

In the last program they hired every single applicant to work on the recently released movie Hop. They are very interested in students straight out of college. This is going to be my number one apprentice program to try for.

I got this information from Betty Spence. She has a friend that works here who helped me the information.

ArenaNet -

Company Link - http://www.arena.net/jobs/

Email - Online Application - http://tbe.taleo.net/NA5/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=NCSOFT&cws=1&rid=768

Application Deadline - None Listed

Materials needed - Cover letter, Resume, Online Application Form, DVD Reel

Where you found the Job - Gamasutra.com

ArenaNet is locaked in Bellevue, WA which is a 15 mins drive from downtown Seattle. They have established themselves as a leading light in the online gaming industry with Guild Wars, one of the most successful online game franchises in the world. They are in development for their newest release of Guild Wars 2.

They are offering a intership for an artist who is interested in creating skill and environment effects. In this intern they offer use of their house particle, streak, and lighting tools to create effects for Guild Wars 2.

Requirements and Qualifications include:

3rd or 4th year student. 4th year preferred.

Maya Experience

Modeling and texturing experience which includes awareness of shaders and their textural components. (normal maps, transparency, specular masks)

Experience using particles and /or other dynamic systems.

I want to apply to this internship because I feel I have good experience using transparency, modeling, and some knowing of shaders in Maya and how to build a UV texture. I have worked with particle systems in After Effects. And I have some gaming modeling experience from Secondlife where I produce and make textured and sculpted clothing for characters.

Warner Bros Games

Company Link - https://careers.timewarner.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_jobdetail.asp?partnerid=391&siteid=36&jobid=571737

Email - https://careers.timewarner.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_jobdetail.asp?partnerid=391&siteid=36&jobid=571737

Application Deadline - Not Listed

Materials needed - Cover letter, Resume, Online Application Form, DVD Reel

Where you found the Job - Gamasutra.com

WB Games are looking for a FX Artist for creating assets that include particle systems up to fully destroyed cityscapes. The asks for 3+ years experience in the industry but I still want to apply in hopes to being offered some sort of intern program even tho one isn't listed they may offer another job they think I may be qualified for. This is also located near Seattle which is where I would like to relocate.

Blizzard Entertainment - 3D Environment Artist

Company Link - http://jobs.gamasutra.com/JobSeekerX/ViewJob.asp?JobID=1AuzUigbydrLgK4KHR%2FwWCXj%2F3l1#detail

Application Deadline - None listed

Materials needed - Cover letter, Resume, Online Application Form, DVD Reel

Where you found the Job - Gamasutra.com

Blizzard is looking for a 3D Environment Artist. They want someone who can model and texture architectural assets and have a solid grasp of form, color, and light for both 2D and 3D art assets. They ask that you are well-versed in Maya and photoshop.

Self Critique

Croon's Toon 3/31

This project has been a major pain but in the end, I will be extremely happy and proud to be done with it. I started the idea of this story over a year ago and have struggled to keep that idea going as I struggled with creating the story. My main idea was to create a animation that included a mix of sound to help illustrate the emotions of the characters. My strengths would have to be the painted backgrounds I did for each shot and the composites built inside After Effects. The theme of my animation is romance and the failures my Toon Croon had to overcome to find his mate.

My weakness would be controlling the music to go along with the visuals of the animated lines that dance above the characters. I found it almost impossible to match the movements exact with the sounds. Even tho I am considering this as a rough draft I am determined to get the parts I struggle with the way I envision them. My other weakness is not being able to be as fast as I truly need to be. I have worked on this animation everyday and night for the past 4 months. No matter how long I work, I still get stuck at some points and end up spending way too much time on that part. I am giddy when I overcome the obstacle but then I find myself struggling to catch up once I figure out the issues. Its been a rough semester but I'm not willing to give up, and I dont want to show work that could be better.

Senior Project

Croon's Tune is a short animation about a species of musical creatures called Toon Croons. The main character, starts the story by discovering a paired couple singing in harmony with each other. Dazzled by their song, he sets out on a journey eager to find his own mate. With each encounter of a female he finds comes failure in his attempts. He blasts off his horn like nose causing her to run away in horror, he surprises another as she feeds and brings her to tears, and is driven away when he approaches a female who seemed to be alone until her mate appears and chases the main character away and into hiding. At night fall the lonely Toon Croon is tired and still alone. He walks until his legs give way and is forced to stop and rest upon a hill. He is awakened by a glow of light that flies across his face. Small bright lightening bugs hover above his head. They play in dulcet musical notes as they glow brightly above him. He is encouraged by these little bugs and starts to sing along with them, mimicking their pattern they play as a whole. He follows the lightening bugs through the forest and discovers where they all gather. As he continues to play for the lightening bugs he is unaware of another Toon Croon next to him. She watches, dazzled by his song to the lightening bugs and takes a liking to him as her mate. Happy to have been noticed he continues his song as she sings along with him. The lightening bugs sparkling in the background along with them.

Goals

I want to get caught up this weekend on my calender. This will include backgrounds for all the shots, and pegging of the characters. I would like to get everyone pegged out by monday so I dont have to worry about them later when I'm animating the shots. It's alot easier on me when I can come in and just sit down to animate. Weather permitting, I will get to peg everyone and save them all to my library. I can only do this process at school. Since I have to work all weekend I have a ton of time to prep my backgrounds and set up Layer Comps in After Effects.

More Reel Findings

It wouldn't let me download this one so i just embeded it to my post. I like the framing of the video and how it shows a formal format of the information about the artist, and what is showing at that moment. It states the project, his responsiblilities, and the name.

Demo Reel Research

Gobblynne Animation Showreel - http://vimeo.com/1357208

• I liked the style of this reel, how animated the title was that personalized her name and intro of her character. I also liked the mixed animation and drawing styles she carried throughout the piece.

Max Wahyudi from Vancouver Film School - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFo_27csHTg&feature=player_embedded

• No way will my demo reel be as night as this one but If you were to look at his courses that he took at VFS you will see that this demo reel follows it to a T. He shows off extremely realistic models of his characters and their poly maps. I love that the demo reel is inspired by Casablanca - As time goes by.

Sarah M Lockwood - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq2y8ncezl8

• I choose to talk about this demo reel because she puts in things I want to included in my own demo reel. I want to quickly run through drawings and sketches I've done over the years from this school and the last. I also want to bring in my sculpture art as well. I dont think she had the best demo reel but she showed her skills as a sculpture artist well.

New Time Line

I did fall a scene behind but I plan to catch it up this week and over the weekend as well.

Jan

week1 - Pitch

week2 - scene 4 - Wake up shots

Feb

week 1- Couples Discovery - scene 5 - Girl 1, Birds - artist statement workshop 12:10-1:00 DA Media - Contract Slip Due

week 2- Finish Birds - Proposal Due - all demo resorces due, organized and ready

week 3- Scene 6 - Girl 2, (music and effects) - Exhibition Deposit Form Due

week 4- Finish 6 and cont. Music and Effects - Artist Statement Draft Due - Exhibition Form Due

March

week 1- Girl 3, Scene 7 Sad Walk - Hanging Workshop 12:10-1:00pm Callicott

week 2- Scene 10 - Fire fly follow - Artist Statement Draft 2 Due

week 3- spring break (record trumpet sounds)(music)

week 4- Scene 11 - Ending (boy meets girl) - Career Services Form Due

March 30th - Final Artist Statement Aca. Affairs Due - Final Gallery Label Submission Slip Due - Final Artist Statement Formatting Due - Artist Statement Final Comm. due - Final Gallery Label Submitted on computer - Artist Statement Final Submitted on computer

April

week 1- Final Touches on Shots Needed

week 2- Finish any sounds needed

week 3- Composite - Critique

week 4- Revisions If any are left - Mandatory Presentation of Work Deadline 12:10-12:30 Main Gallery - Final Installation Form Due Main Gallery

April 29 - Group 2 Exhibition 5:00-7:00

May 13th - Senior Presentation Show

More Job Research and Unpacking and My Big Plan (in the making)

After my meeting with Gadsby I had a better direction for what to look for and where. One of the links she gave me was Gamasutra.com. This was a great site to visit because it allowed me to search out companies in Seattle which is were I would like to work from. I decided after researching the area to post more Jobs and the companies I see myself working in.

First off I want to mention that ever since visiting Seattle over the summer, I fell completely in love with the atmosphere, the people, and the Art around the area. I have always known that I would need to move in order to start my career because Memphis is very limited, but it is hard to leave home and family.

I'm interested in 3D modeling and Texturing using Maya and Zbrush. I don't have much experience in rigging but it is something I want to learn. I have a few Maya and zbrush Models to show in my demo reel and if time permits I plan to increase what I have. As for my 2D animation skills, I am hoping my senior project helps show off the environment I'm creating for my creatures.

Using Gamasutra.com I was able to pull up gaming companies around Seattle.

WB Games Inc: FX Artist

http://www.warnerbroscareers.com/

WB Games is a new production studio formed in Kirkland, WA which is about 20 mins. drive out of Seattle from where I would like to live. They are dedicated to the development of games and interactive entertainment across all major console, PC and handheld platforms. The production company works closely with other Warner Bros. divisions such as Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Warner Home Video. WB Games oversees the creation of games by internally owned developers as well as wide array of talented external game development companies. They are currently hiring for multiple key positions, the company also offers competitive salaries and benefits.

They are seeking an FX Artist to create high quality Special Effects Assets for their games.

Job Responsibilities:

• Using industry standard 3D and 2D packages to create effects as simple as smoke particle systems all the way up to a fully destroyed cityscape.

• Assists in R&D efforts for tools enhancements and prototyping of new Technology.

• Participation in departmental meetings to share personal ideas and refine the look and feel of special game specific visual effects.

Work Experience:

• They ask for 3+ years experience in the industry

• At least 1 published game preferably 360 or PS3

• Must possess good artistic skills and a working knowledge of 2D/3D art production.

Skills:

• They are looking for involve Excellent communication and organization.

• Ability to work well under pressure and deadlines.

• Strong interest in computer or video games.

• Must be proficient in one or more types of 3D software (maya, 3D studio Max, SoftImage)

• Must be proficient with multiple 2D applications, including AfterEffects, Photoshop, and similar applications.

• Strong 2D digital Painting and/or drawing skills.

• Strong understanding of modern real-time 3D engines.

Requirements:

• They are asking for a portfolio/website demonstrating your art skills, design sensibilities, and attention to detail. and the ability to work well in a team environment and redo work until its right.

In my demo I need to concentrate on how I show my aftereffect skills which including particle effects. My digital paintings used from my senior project. My 3D modeling from Maya and Zbrush including the texture UV maps, and the animations from the set driven keys I have done in other projects.

Aquent Studios

http://aquent.us/extra/studios/index.htm

I'm interested in Aquent because they are looking for Environmental Artists for Sci-Fi Theme first-person shooter games. They ask for a strong sci-fi samples in the portfolio preferably examples showing outdoor environments. Their headquaters are based in Boston but they have recently set up in Kirkland, Wa which is 20-30 mins driven from Seattle. I don't have much sci-fi materials for my portfolio but what interests me about this company would be the 3D modeling, materials and texturing for game environments. This can include natural, Human, and alien environments which could include works from my senior project.

Requirements:

• Strong sci-fi genre samples, preferably showing outdoor sci-fi environments.

• strong knowledge of modern game asset development principles

• superb high and low polygon modeling skills

• sculpting, painting, and texturing skills

• Experience with Autodesk Maya required

• Experience with ZBrush or Mudbox required

• Experience with Photoshop or other 2D art packages

• Bachelor's degree in art, design or architecture

The things I would need to beef up my portfolio for them is to include more sci-fi themes, as well as having more professional experience working with game environments. I can see this job being ideal later down the road after I have gained more experience. They do mention that the quality of work is more important to them than experience.

ArenaNet

http://www.arena.net/

ArenaNet is locaked in Bellevue, WA which is a 15 mins drive from downtown Seattle. They have established themselves as a leading light in the online gaming industry with Guild Wars, one of the most successful online game franchises in the world. They are in development for their newest release of Guild Wars 2.

They are offering a intership for an artist who is interested in creating skill and environment effects. In this intern they offer use of their house particle, streak, and lighting tools to create effects for Guild Wars 2.

Requirements and Qualifications include:

3rd or 4th year student. 4th year preferred.

Maya Experience

Modeling and texturing experience which includes awareness of shaders and their textural components. (normal maps, transparency, specular masks)

Experience using particles and /or other dynamic systems.

I want to apply to this internship because I feel I have good experience using transparency, modeling, and some knowing of shaders in Maya and how to build a UV texture. I have worked with particle systems in After Effects. And I have some gaming modeling experience from Secondlife where I produce and make textured and sculpted clothing for characters.

Gadsby Meeting

I met with Gadsby yesterday and got a bunch of needed help towards my resume. She helped me with the layout and the organization of how my resume should run in order with the newest information from MCA coming first and the information of my last school following after. We went over how the Objective on the resume should sell me to the clients reading it and never to refer to yourself in the sentence statement. We talked about any possibilities of beefing up my "experience" information as well. I told her that I would like to find work in Seattle, Wa and she was able to find me two contact to email and provided some references on how to email them professionally in hopes to create a network with them to gain more information on obtaining a job within Seattle and how to become more competitive with other job applicants. I plan to do a follow up meeting with her once I have completed my resume for any added help she may provide.

She also suggested that I take a portfolio and visit Comic.com and Siggraph and try to make network connections with the people that attend the shows.

Another suggestion she gave me was that I could personalize my resume with a little art work of my characters around my name or the edges of the resume that will make it stand out from the rest and not make it look so much like a typed out template.

Project Update 1/27

Discovery and Wake up backgrounds shots painted and completed. Next I will finish animating the main character walking across these shots.

Job Search Findings

1. Blizzard Entertainment

Office: Irvine, California, United States

Games they work with - Diablo, World of War Craft, Star Craft

A. Environment Artist, In-Game Cinematics

Blizzard Entertainment is looking for an exceptionally skilled 3D environment artist to join its in-game cinematics team. The ideal candidate has extensive experience designing, modeling, and texturing a diverse visual range of environments and props. This individual should have a solid grasp of form, color, and lighting for both 2D and 3D art assets. The 3d environment artist must also have a skill in another art task as well (illustration, modeling, texturing, animation, or concept drawing), and be well-versed in related tools -- Maya, Mudbox, Photoshop, etc.

B. Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years experience in game development, modeling, and texturing environments using Maya and Photoshop (or equivalent 3D and 2D programs)
• An exceptional understanding of form, shape, structure, and silhouette in regard to modeling
• Superior eye for light, shade, color, and detail in creating texture maps of different material types
• Self-motivation, good communications skills, and a great team-player attitude
• Skill in one or more of the related creation tasks -- illustration, modeling, texturing, animation, or concept drawing
• Understanding of Blizzard Entertainment's visual style and a passion to push it to the next level

Pluses

• Have shipped AAA, PC, or console titles as a 3D environment artist
• Experience with Mudbox, ZBrush, (or equivalent modeling programs) and the process of converting high-poly sculpted environments into lower poly game assets
• Experience with the creation of next-generation shaders and materials
• Strong foundation in the traditional arts including, but not limited to figure drawing, and environmental and / or architectural illustration

Blizzard Job Directories - Click here.

2. Rhythm & Hues: Job Listings Here

Past Works : The Wolfman, The A-Team, Knight & Day, and Alvin and the Chipmunks

A. Matte Painter

They are currently hiring experienced Matte Painters to join our strong VFX creative team. The Matte Painter reports to the VFX Supervisor and Art Director and will be responsible for creating matte paintings and concept art for high end VFX feature films. Positions are full time and at our studio in Playa Del Rey, CA. Projects range from 4 weeks to 6-12 months.

Responsibilities:

• Collaboration with Art Director on feature film matte paintings.
• Communicate and interact with other departments.
• Attend dailies and any job related tasks necessary for your painting.
• Must have previous feature film experience.

B. Required Skills:

• Must have high-level photo real painting experience and have the ability to match lighting and photo real characteristics of the plates supplied.
• Strong skill base and experience in Photoshop.
• Experience with 3D packages and projection painting is preferable.
• High skill level in painting, composition, perspective, and color.
• Experience painting mattes and set extensions.
• Must have problem solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Must be self-motivated and self-guided.
• Must know how to work with reference and work efficiently.

They ask for a copy of your resume, cover letter, and weblink to online reel

3. Rhythm & Hue - Texture Painter

Must be capable of a variety of texture styles from photo realistic to painterly for a wide range of commercial, feature and episodic television projects. The ideal candidate will be critical with his or her own work, must follow reference material exactly, must be organized and have the ability to problem solve and be creative.

Responsibilities:

• Deliver digital files with high quality texture finishing to lighters and collaborate in testing and verification as necessary.
• Collaborate and bring creativity to a team with artists, lighters and modelers
• Meet schedules and artistic guidelines under deadline
• The ability to duplicate the reference material onto your model (maps)
• Adhere to any specifics a job defines, i.e. call times etc.
• Innovative problem solver and workflow designer
• Full understanding of map properties in relation to their surface

Required Skills:

• Minimum of 2 years of prior visual effects experience required
• Organic texture experience highly desired
• Excellent work ethic
• Experience with Mudbox, ZBrush, BodyPaint and Photoshop
• Ability to create high quality texture maps, including Bump, and Specular Maps.
• Knowledge of 3D design parameters with an understanding of lighting and modeling
• Excellent artistic and painting skills, and in-depth understanding of color theory and application
• Strong knowledge of 3D animation and interactive entertainment forms
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to rapidly learn and assimilate new technologies
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high degree of self-direction
• Self-managed and self-motivated.
• A history of consistent high-end aesthetic and technical execution

Desired Skills:

• Interest and ability to mentor artists
• Promotes interdepartmental collaboration
• Perspective and design skills

They ask for a copy of your resume, cover letter, and weblink to online reel

Job Research

Rhythm & Hues -

Location: LA West side, two miles south from LA international Airport

Past works : The Wolfman, The A-Team, Knight & Day, and Alvin and the chipmunks

Current positions opened :

Matte Painter - The matte painter reports to the VFX Supervisor and Art Director and will be responsible for creating matte paintings and concept art for high end VFX feature films. Positions are full time and at the studio. Projects range from 4 weeks to 6-12 months.

Compositor - 2D - Compositions work closely with Lighters and Matte Painters to finish shots; seamlessly integrating live-action footage or elements.

Jr. Houdini Effects TD - Effects TDs create visuals to represent natural phenomenon (fire, water, smoke, clouds, and bubbles) and anything else extraordinary. These effects employ the use of particle systems, deformations, blobbles, flocking, dynamics, rendering, compositing, shader writing, scripting, and other procedural techniques.

Modeler - Technical Director -

What does a good Modeler show in his or her portfolio?

Modelers have come from a variety of backgrounds. Successful applicants must show a solid sense of three-dimensional design and attention to detail through work with traditional sculpture, architecture and/or industrial design, as well as digital models.

Since much of our work deals with combining computer generated elements with live-action, you should show that the level of detail in your work can approach photo-realistic complexity. Also, a demonstrated high level of understanding of anatomy and proportions of realistic human figures and animals is helpful.

Since our work is also quite diverse in subject, the most successful applicants also demonstrate a breadth of competence in 3D form – from mechanical design to organic objects, from photo-real To stylized.

What do Modelers do at Rhythm & Hues?

Modelers concentrate on modeling and sculpting, but these days, that encompasses the assigning of UV texture mapping coordinates, as well as creating any groups which the Lighter or Character Animator may need. This means that the Modeler must understand the different ways to project a texture map and what those results will be. They must also understand how the object will be lit. Modelers work very closely with Lighters and Animators to ensure that there is enough detail and control where necessary and not too much detail where it is unnecessary.

Demo Reel for R&H - Visual FX

To submit your work you must have the following :

Cover Letter, Resume, Demo Reel (DVD NTSC only) & shot breakdown sheet

Huge list of film companies that are Midwest Based

Plan to have by 1/25

1. Revised time line completed - Because we now have the dates on when our projects are to be completed and turned in for the BFA, I want to redo the time line to be more accurate.

2. Backgrounds for Scene 4 completed and ready for animation. Total-3

a) Tune Croon discovery bg.

b) Close up of couple bg.

c)Tune Croon close up bg.

3. Wake up Shot completed.

4. Re-write log line

BFA Pitch

Log Line - In a world where music becomes a right of passage, a tune croon must discover his tune to find his perfect mate to sing his song too.

Synopsis - A lonely Tune Croon journeys around the forest in search of the perfect mate to sing his song too. After trying too hard to impress just anyone he realizes his actions aren't working. This Tune Croon learns that you can't go out and look for love, love will find you.

Objective - My project Goal is to create a full animation telling the story I have written that is themed as a "rite of passage". The sounds from the Tune Croons will be animated bye visual effects that appear as they sing.

The story starts with a Tune Croon who has not yet transitioned into a type of adult-hood that he desires and seeks out. He watches from a distance how two other Tune Croons play their songs to one another to make a harmonious melody. In his discovery he learns that his own sounds can be used to find a mate. He is now faced with a journey to develop his own melody. Through three different attempts he learns that finding a mate will be harder than he thought. After his failed attempts the Tune Croon is exhausted and sadden as the day becomes night. His emotional stress causes him to give up and and sleep. Only after he starts to rest that he is discovered by a few lightening bugs that temp him to try his tune again with their own tones that emit as they glow. It is here where he starts to piece together his own song and follow the bugs into the forest where he is lead to many other lightening bugs who have gathered for mating season. This is where he becomes so intrigued by the bugs that he did not notice another Tune Croon is already there and watching. He sings out his newly found song to the bugs and the female returns his call and sings along with him.

Target Audience - I believe the target audience can be just about anyone ages 10 and up. Themes include: Self Discovery and Adventure. The story itself should display character and environmental design along with story development.

Positioning - This animation will be presented by computer screen that will loop in the BFA gallery and shown from my demo reel.

Mandatories:

Photoshop- Backgrounds, foregrounds, and assets designed with a painterly effect.

Toon Boom- Character animated and exported with transparency.

After Effects- Used for composition and placement of animated characters. Animating the visual music characters will play.

Logic Pro- Creating individual tunes for each character to play as their songs.

Old Trumpet- Unique (bad) vocals for the main character through his development through out the animation.

Keyboard- Creation of the music for characters.

Inventory:

10 painted backgrounds

16 shots

Time Line:

Jan

week1 - Pitch

week2 - scene 4 - Couples Discovery, Wake up shots

Feb

week 1- scene 5 - Girl 1, Birds

week 2- Finish Birds

week 3- Scene 6 - Girl 2, (music and effects)

week 4- Finish 6 and cont. Music and Effects

March

week 1- Girl 3, Scene 7 Sad Walk

week 2- Scene 10 - Fire fly follow

week 3- spring break (record trumpet sounds)(music)

week 4- Scene 11 - Ending (boy meets girl)

April

week 1- Finish any sounds needed

week 2- Composite

week 3- Critique

week 4- Revisions

May

BFA Showing, DVD, Online Portfolio