INDUSTRY GIANTS 2017 CONFERENCE
Speakers
Aaron Blaise
Owner at The Art of Aaron Blaise
Aaron graduated from the Ringling College of Art & Design in 1989 from the Illustration program. He was then hired by Walt Disney Feature Animation where he spent 21 years helping to create some of the greatest animated films ever made. During that time he worked as an animator or supervising animator on “The Rescuers Down Under”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, “The Lion King”, “Pocahontas” and “Mulan”. In 2003 he was co-director of “Brother Bear” for which he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. After leaving the studio world, Aaron created “The Art Of Aaron Blaise”. A website dedicated to bringing art education to the masses.
Artist Links:
Website: https://creatureartteacher.com/
YouTube: cialis 100 mg https://www.youtube.com/user/AaronBlaiseArt
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0086431/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtofAaronBlaise/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaronblaiseart?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronblaiseart/?hl=en
Tom Sito
Professor of Animation at The School of Cinematic Arts, USC
Tom Sito is an animator, historian and Professor of Animation at the University of Southern California. His movie credits include Beauty and the Beast (1991), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), The Little Mermaid (1989), Aladdin ( 1992), The Lion King (1994) Osmosis Jones (2001) and Shrek (2001). “A Key Figure in the Disney Animation Renaissance“ –Animation Magazine 1998). President Emeritus of The Animation Guild Local 839 Hollywood (1991-2001).
His books include: Drawing the Line: The Untold Story of the Animation Unions from Bosko to Bart Simpson (U Press of Kentucky, 2006) Recommended by the London Review of Books, Recommended 2006 by the Firestone School of Economics, Princeton University. Moving Innovation: A History of Computer Animation MIT Press (2013) Nominated for a Kraszner-Krausz Foundation book award for best book on the Moving Image. Named to the list of Notable Books of 2013 by Computer Reviews magazine.
Artist Links:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004552/
Article: Indiewire NTERVIEW: Tom Sito on The History of Computer Animation
Article: generic cialis uk online pharmacy Animation World Network Book Review: ‘Drawing the Line: The Untold Story of the Animation Unions from Bosko to Bart Simpson’
Trisha Gum
Co-director on THE LEGO MOVIE SEQUEL at Warner Animation Group
Trisha Gum is a filmmaker and fine arts artist living in Los Angeles, C.A., she has been working professionally in animation for ten years. Trisha started her film career working as an Art Director and Production Designer on various TV shows, such as, ROBOT CHICKEN, WB’s MAD, and Adult Swim’s FRANKENHOLE. Trisha transitioned into writing and directing in 2010 and in 2011 she was selected for AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women. In 2015, she won an Emmy for her work on AMAZON’s TUMBLE LEAF. She recently wrapped as the Head of Story on Warner Bros LEGO BATMAN movie and is currently Co-directing THE LEGO MOVIE SEQUEL.
Artist Links:
Website: http://trishgum.com/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user10827191
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1370855/
Indie Activity Interview: http://www.indieactivity.com/interview-with-trisha-gum/
Independence’s Magazine: http://independent-magazine.org/2012/06/10_to_watch_2012/
Armen Kevorkian
Creative Director and Senior Visual Effects Supervisor at Encore VFX, Director on Flash and Supergirl
Since joining the company in 2011, Armen Kevorkian has helped grow visual effects operations at Deluxe’s Encore VFX from a handful of artists doing largely invisible work to a studio behind some of the most impressive VFX in television. He currently oversees VFX for three primetime shows from the DC Universe simultaneously, bringing blockbuster-level effects to the small screen for “The Flash,” “Supergirl” and “Legends of Tomorrow,” often directing 2nd unit as well. His VFX efforts on “The Flash” have been recognized with 2016 and 2015 Leo Awards as well as 2015 Emmy and VES nominations. In 2016, Armen helmed two episodes of “The Flash,” and one episode of Supergirl, adding Director to his growing repertoire of roles.
Other notable projects Armen has worked on while at Encore VFX include “Banshee,” which earned Emmy and VES Awards for VFX, “The Tomorrow People,” “Hostages,” “Homeland,” “Ray Donovan” and “Unforgettable.” Prior to Encore VFX, Armen was on the studio side of VFX, starting his career as a VFX associate on “Star Trek” series “Enterprise,” “Voyager,” “Deep Space Nine,” and “Alias.” He then served as the show VFX Supervisor for “Invasion” and “Ghost Whisperer,” which received VES and Emmy Award nominations, respectively.
Artist Links:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1090220/
John Schratz
CG Supervisor at CoSA
John Schratz started his career after attending the Art Institute of Dallas with stints in games at studios like Gearbox Software, as well as arc-viz and advertising in Dallas and Austin. Before moving to Los Angeles to pursue work in film and television he served as Secretary of A Bunch of Short Guys. His work has appeared in a number of projects, including Oscar-winner for Visual Effects “Hugo”, “Marvel’s Agents of Shield”, “Godzilla” and “Star Trek:Into Darkness”. After working for a number of studios including Pixomondo, Zoic and Blur, John began his own boutique studio, Active Ingredient, which has provided specialist 3D, visual effects and on-set supervision to a number of feature films, television shows and commercials. He’s currently employed as CG Supervisor at CoSA Visual Effects in Los Angeles and is very happy to return to A Bunch of Short Guys and Industry Giants.
Artist Links:
Website: http://www.johnschratz.com/
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4653593/
Jay Bailey
Artist / Figure Drawing
Jay Bailey’s paintings are figurative combinations of line drawings and watercolor stains. His figures balance between quick gesture, rendered realism, and abstract mark making with much of his work’s imagery coming from his personal experience. He has shown work in group and solo shows in the United States, Canada and Australia. He taught general and advanced drawing, figure drawing, painting, water media, and digital photography at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Born in Reno, Nevada, Jay earned his BA in Fine Art from the University of Nevada in Reno, undertook post-baccalaureate studies at the San Francisco Art Institute and has his MFA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Artist Links:
Website: https://jaybailey.com/
Mel Milton
Freelance Illustrator/Animator
Mel has been in the creative field for over 20 years. 9 years in the video game industry and 5 of those with Disney Interactive working as a character animator on titles such as Toy Story 3 and Cars 2. Currently, he is a freelance illustrator and have worked with such clients as Sony, Nickelodeon, Simon and Shuster and NBC Universal.
Artist Links:
Website: http://melmade.blogspot.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melmadedooks/
Movie Pilot: https://moviepilot.com/p/nubia-fan-art-celebrating-dcs-most-underrated-character/4308453
Kickstarter for art of book: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/melmadedooks/mel-made-dooks-an-art-book
Interview: http://mel-milton-interview.blogspot.com/
CONCEPT ART PANEL
Brett Briley
Independent Artist
Brett Briley began his career in CG as an artist at Disney but has worked in the videogame industry since 1999 for studios including Red Storm Ent, Irock Interactive, Sony Online Ent, Nerve Software, Ensemble Studios, id Software, and Project TriForce. He has also spent years as a successful independent, freelance artist. Brett has worked on a long list of titles including Paragon, Total War: Warhammer, Doom, Doom 3: Ressurection of Evil, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Rage, Halo Wars, Age of Empires 3, Age of Empires 3: Warchiefs, Oblivion, D&D Online, Neverwinter Nights 2, Planetside, Planetside: Core Combat, Planetside: Aftershock, Lucky’s Tale, Savage Skies, and Freedom of those he can name. In addition to working in the gaming sector, he has taught at the Art Institute of Dallas, TAD (The Art Department), SMU, and is currently teaching with UArtsy.com.
Artist Links:
Website: www.bbriley.com
Kevin Penrod
Lead Character Artist at Gearbox Software
Kevin Penrod is a Lead Character Artist at Gearbox Software where he has worked for the past 8 years. Prior to working at Gearbox he has worked at Vigil Games, Paradigm Entertainment and Ritual Entertainment. He has worked on Battleborn, Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2.
Bryan Wynia
Sr Character Artist at ID Software
I’m a character/concept artist working in the entertainment industry. I grew up on a steady diet of creature features, video games, and comic books. Simply put, I was born in the 1980s and I like to make monsters.
Artist Links:
Website: bryanwynia.blogspot.com
Adam May
Character artist at Gearbox Software
Adam May is a CG Artist and Game Developer with over 11 years of game development experience. After graduating from the Art Institutes of Orange County with a Computer Science degree he worked for 2 years as a Character Artist at Nfusion Interactive. Currently employed at Gearbox Software for over 9 years as first a Lead Character Artist and then Art Director, he’s been responsible for creating many of the wacky and wild characters, monsters, and mechanical meanies of the Borderlands universe and many other great games.
Jason Martin
Lead Character Artist at ID Software
Adam May is a CG Artist and Game Developer with over 11 years of game development experience. After graduating from the Art Institutes of Orange County with a Computer Science degree he worked for 2 years as a Character Artist at Nfusion Interactive.
Artist Alley is a collection of local concept designers, illustrators and artists. This will be a showcase of inspirational work from around Texas. Artist alley showcase is open to all attendees and included with your ticket.
Edwardian Taylor
Edwardian Taylor is a Visual Development Artist and Children’s book Illustrator living in Dallas, Texas. Currently, he’s been freelancing for several studios on some really fun and cool projects for: Reelfx, Flight School, Out of Order Studios, Nickelodeon/ Nick Jr., Spin Master Studios, Hasbro Studios, Universal Studios/NBC/Dreamworks, Highlights for Kids, and Sesame Studios. He is also represented by The Bright Group International/ The Bright Group US. His first book, “RACE!” written by Sue Fliess and his second book “Its Not Jack and the Beanstalk” by Josh Funk, are now available. He currently wrapped up his third book “Toy Academy: Some Assembly Required Book 1” by Brian Lynch (Despicable Me, Minions, Secret Life of Pets), will debut Spring 2018. And now Edwardian is working on book 2 of “Toy Academy”, along with “It’s Not Hansel and Gretel” by Josh Funk.
Artist Links:
Website: www.edwardiantaylor.com
Tumblr: @edwardiantaylor
Twitter: @edwardiantaylor
Instagram @edwardiantaylor
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Kevin T. Chin
Kevin T. Chin is an experienced concept artist and illustrator in the entertainment industry since 2004, after graduating from the College for Creative Studies art school in Detroit, Michigan. He’s worked at studios like Disney Interactive & Junction Point on the Disney Epic Mickey game series and for freelance clients such as Blizzard, Upper Deck, Games Workshop and Fantasy Flight and featured on ConceptArtWorld, ImagineFX and Ballistic Publishing. Kevin currently resides in Austin, TX working at KingsIsle Entertainment on games such as Wizard 101, Pirate 101, and various new and exciting mobile games!
Artist Links:
Website: www.kevinchinart.com
Twitter: @kevinchinart
Instagram: @kevinchinart
Tumblr: @kevinchinart
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Shonuff
Halo Sama and Terry Parr
Shonuff! Studio
Shonuff! Studio consists of Partners and “draw-matic duo” Halo Sama and Terry Parr. With Halo’s cartoon anime style and Terry’s comic pin-up style, they can handle any art project thrown at them! They are currently working on their own comics; AEROBICIDE, The Extreme Ninja Workout, published by Dusk Publishing and The Essential Zombie Kitty Pet Guide, published by Dusk Comics. They illustrated & colored art for the El Peso Hero comic series and even had an award-winning design on TeeFury! Their clients also include the 4th largest anime convention in North America, Project A-Kon and the City of Fort Worth TX Parks Dept. You can also find their recently published art in Aerobicide The Extreme Ninja Workout, Shonuff Studio Presents, and the Literati Presents book series. They also run the Sketch Dojo program that connects local and indie artists with each other to improve their skills and form a positive art community. Our animated and diverse illustration styles will bring out the geek in you! Shonuff! Studio, we got that creative GLOW!
Artist Links:
Website: http://shonuffstudios.tumblr.com/
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Eliamaria M. Crawford
Eliamaria M. Crawford is a DFW-based illustrator known for her stick-figured, dry-humored comics. She started drawing little comics centered around life’s thoughts and happenings in high school and eventually evolved to doing cool projects from custom wedding graphics, to convention poster art, and even contributing comics to many zines and projects. Elia also has a YouTube channel where she posts videos centered around her art life, time-lapse drawings, and vlogs from an artist-alley perspective at conventions. In the summer of 2016, she got her first book published, “Humans Really Irritate Me,” which is an anthology featuring all the comics she illustrated centered around UTA-famed professor Dr. Allan Saxe. She currently resides in DFW with her spouse, Jonathan, and cat, Lucius Meowlfoy.
Artist Links:
Portfolio: http://studios.eliainabox.com
Webcomic: http://eliainabox.com
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Jose Esquvel
José Esquivel is an artist and designer based out of Dallas, TX. A graduate from Texas A&M, he’s mostly known for his self published comics and fanzines. His latest project is Moonlight Receipt, and he’s currently working on his upcoming webcomic, Shao-Lucha.
Artist Links:
Website: http://www.alto-shorter.com