Profile

I am a software engineer and a visual effects artist with over ten years of production experience in film and real-time graphics. I currently work for a self-driving car company developing real-time simulations of urban environments to help test and train our fleet of autonomous vehicles. Prior to that I worked as a visual effects artist for VR, AR, and live-action film.

EXPERIENCE

SENIOR TECHNICAL ARTIST, GM CRUISE LLC — 2018 - Present

  • Real-time simulation of urban environments for use in machine learning.
  • Performance optimization of large-scale environments.
  • Core engine development and pipeline tool creation.
  • VFX, lighting, and material look development.

TECHNICAL Artist, ILMxLAB — 2016 - 2018

  • VFX, lighting, and look development for real-time photo-realistic VR and AR in Unreal Engine 4.
  • Performance profiling and optimization.

Senior EFFECTS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC — 2010 - 2016

  • Lead effects artist and sequence supervisor.
  • Particle and fluid simulation artist specializing in destruction for feature film.
  • Asset development, bidding, scheduling, and supervising a crew of effects artists.

ASSISTANT EFFECTS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC — 2009 - 2010

  • Supported simulation tools and workflow for effects artists.
  • Facility effects simulation trainer and mentor for new and returning artists.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT, INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC — 2008 - 2009

  • Monitored the facility render farm and developed tools to manage its throughput.
  • General troubleshooting of the CG pipeline. 

Vitals

Education

  • University of California, Berkeley
  • B.A. Computer Science, 2008

Skills

  • Python, PyQt, C++
  • Houdini, Unreal Engine 4, Maya, Nuke
  • PBR with Substance Designer & Painter 
  • Procedural workflows using Houdini Engine.
  • Fluid and particle simulation and rendering
  • Real-time VFX for VR on HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift
  • Training, mentoring, team management, bidding
  • Agile development with Scrum

 

PROJECTS

  • Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • Jurassic World
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier
  • Pacific Rim
  • The Lone Ranger
  • Cloud Atlas
  • Battleship
  • Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
  • Cowboys & Aliens
  • The Last Airbender
  • Star Trek

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Awarded “Best Effects Simulation” internally by my peers for Captain America: The Winter Solider, Battleship, and Cowboys & Aliens.
  • Sequence Supervisor for Academy Award nominated Captain America: The Winter Soldier for best visual effects.
  • The Holo-Cinema featured at Sundance Film Festival 2016.