SUMMARY:
Seasoned technology manager and creative supervisor with a passion for visual storytelling! Proficient in tackling technical and artistic challenges. Key skill set:
- Leadership through mentoring and service
- Strategic thinking through delivery
- Thorough troubleshooting and problem solving
- Designing long-term solutions, not just “hacks”
- Empowering a collaborative work culture
- Advocating for more intuitive, flexible, and efficient technology
- Quickly picking up new tools and concepts
- Balancing deadlines well
- Effective communicator to all audiences
EXPERIENCE:
DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY – Pitch Black
(FuseFX, FOLKS, Rising Sun Pictures, El Ranchito)
Sep. 2021 – Aug. 2023
- Directed and unified multiple areas of technology from different brands, including pipeline, R&D, farm management, software licensing, and production tracking.
- Architected multi-year production technology roadmap for ~1700 people across 4 brands in 13 locations, targeting the company objective to share resources while retaining individual brand and location autonomy to support annual revenue of >$100M.
- Restructured technology teams and stakeholder groups to ensure diverse and inclusive environments where brands and locations were represented and always had a voice.
- Identified and evaluated technical efforts throughout the group to utilize globally (e.g., DevOps practices, CI/CD platforms, virtual production efforts, and machine learning development).
- Revamped multiple procedures to match operational scale, such as software purchasing / licensing (reducing spend by $500K while increasing capability), as well as methodologies for farm projections and balancing global resources.
HEAD OF 3D AND INTERIM HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY – Rising Sun Pictures
Oct. 2018 – Aug. 2021
- Headed RSP’s entire 3D pipeline and production process, focusing on the highest quality, resulting in an AACTA Award for Best Visual Effects, VES nominations, and other awards.
- Manages and mentors CG Supervisors and Heads of all 3D departments (division size of ~75).
- Drives strategy for pipeline and new techniques and technologies, which has improved artist workflows and expanded capabilities in areas such as crowds and large-scale environments.
- Aligns processes and best practices with VFX Supervisors, Production Management, and 2D departments, unifying all studio creative personnel and rebuilding trust in 3D teams.
- Bids CG for >$20M of shows annually, with clients such as Disney, Marvel, and Amazon returning based on results; analyzes project risk and determines initial technical approach.
PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY SUPERVISOR – Method Studios
Mar. 2016 – Sep. 2018
- Pioneered a new studio position to steer the multi-location pipeline servicing both long-form and short-form production, allowing utilization of global staffing resources.
- Assessed studio and production-specific technology needs across ~1200 users in 4 locations.
- Presided over the 6-month development and rollout of a new primary operating system and related processes; artists praised it as the smoothest OS rollout they had ever seen.
- Modernized software release structure, increasing stabilization and increased production confidence in pipeline development.
- Liaised between supervisors, departments, shows, executives, and technology across locations on project cycle from bidding through delivery for dozens of shows.
- Represented Deluxe creative studios as part of the Autodesk Film Advisory Board.
PIPELINE LEAD – Method Studios
Jun. 2015 – Mar. 2016
- Oversaw development on user-facing software, including interfacing with 3rd-party apps.
- Managed multiple pipeline developers and support staff; crafted team guidelines.
- Communicated consistently with shows and departments about direction and schedule.
- Shepherded ~400 users from an existing pipeline in order to enable a unified workforce.
GLOBAL LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY SUPERVISOR – Rhythm & Hues Studios
May 2013 – Feb. 2015
- Reliably guided worldwide lighting team through difficult post-bankruptcy period.
- Developed multiple proprietary plug-ins such as asset reading/writing and queue submission.
- Led regular cross-departmental meetings for requests, feedback, and collaboration.
RELATED EXPERIENCE:
SUPERVISOR / LIGHTING LEAD / ARTIST
– Method Studios, Rhythm & Hues Studios, DreamWorks Animation SKG
Jun. 2005 – Feb. 2014
OTHER:
Member:
Visual Effects Society
Past Board of Managers,
Australia Section
Member:
ACM SIGGRAPH
Past Officer,
Los Angeles Chapter
Member:
Academy Software
Foundation
Rez Technical Steering Committee
Education:
University of Southern California
B.S. in Computer Science / Cinema-Television