Lennie Graves
                                                                          Animation
                                                               lkgraves@hotmail.com
                                                https://www.LennieGravesAnimation.com
 
MAIN EXPERTISE
  • Wide animation experience in a variety of studios and countries worldwide.
  • Flexible to hold various animation positions, from animator to lead or director of animation, according to the nature of the project.
  • Expert in applying the 12 Principles of Animation.
  • Consistent direction for all character's actions to be true to their individual personalities.
  • Continuous efforts towards developing animators’ skills, thanks to my teaching experience.
  • Proactively seek to maintain a supportive, attitude of mutuality and teamwork in the studio.
 
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018 – Current: Animator. CoSA VFX, North Hollywood, CA. USA
                                                      Multiple TV shows
2016 – 2017 Animation Director. L’Atelier Animation. Montreal, QC. Canada
                                         Robozuna. TV series.
2016 – Previs Artist. MRC Studio. Montreal, QC. Canada
                                         Blade Runner – Feature currently in production.
2016 – Layout Artist. MPC Studio. Montreal, QC. Canada
                                         X-Men Apocolypse - Feature
2015 – 2016, Frima Studio, Quebec, QC. Canada
                                         Lego’s Bionicle. TV action series..
2014 – 2015, Senior Animator, Singing Frog Studio. Montreal, Canada
                                         ”Snowtime (Eng.) La Guerre des Tuque (Fr.)” CG Feature.
2014 – 2014  Senior Animator, Mokko Studio, Montreal, Canada
                                         CG and 2D commercials
2013 – 2013 Senior Animator, Mikros Studio, Montreal, Canada
                                         “The Little Prince” CG Feature
2012 - 2013, CG Animator, Image Engine, Vancouver, BC. Canada
                                         “R.I.P.D.” Live Action Feature
2011 – 2012: Animator, Sony Pictures Animation
                                         “Hotel Transyvania” CGI Feature
2011 – 2011 Frame Layout, Sony Imageworks California
                                         “The Green Lantern” – Live Action Feature
  • Rough Layout        - Worked with Plates
  • Final Layout           - Match Move Character replacement
  • Sony pipeline  - Layout Animation
2010 – 2010 2D Animator, Duck Studio, California
                                       “The Smurf Christmas Special” for the Smurf feature DVD release
2008 - 2009  Animation Supervisor, Lucasfilm Animation Singapore
                                                      “The Clone wars” – TV Series, 2nd Season
  • Introduced concise feature production animation procedures to the Studio.
  • Advanced the quality of animation to that of feature films; from physics, to motivation and personalities.
  • Customized skill development for the improvement of individual animators
  • Met all episodic deadlines 
2006 - 2008  Animation Professor, Laguna College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, California
  • Developed curriculum for each year in animation courses.
  • Establish the requirement for students to produce a short film each year
  • Connected students to professional critiques via Acme Animation Online.
  • Established president of portfolio development through all four years.
 2006 - 2006   CG Feature Animator, Rising Sun Pictures – Australia
                                                       “Charlotte's Web” - Feature
  • Work with proprietary animation software
 2004 - 2006   Animation Supervisor, ToonCity, Manila, Philippines
                                                       “Firehouse” - TV series promo
                                                       “Secret Garden” - Belgin Feature Test
  • Oversaw animation procedures to establish the CG capabilities for the studio
 2003 - 2004   Animator for CG Feature, Rhythm & Hues, California.
                                                       “The Garfield Movie” - Feature
  • Worked with “VooDoo” Proprietary animation software.
 2002 - 2003   Animation Director, Electronic Arts – Los Angeles
                                                      “Medal of Honor: Rising Sun” - Interactive Game
  • Implemented a method to share facial animation across different characters.
  • Conceived “The Gate,” Game Animation Test Engine, which allow animators to animate with the look of the final compression.
2000 - 2003   Animation Director, Electronic Arts – United Kingdom
                                                       “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” – Gen 3 Game
  • Oversaw animation production and designed all animation moves
  • Implemented methods utilizing “Anticipation and Follow-through” without disrupting game-play.
 1995 – 2000  2D & 3D CG Animation, Warner Bros. Feature Animation
                                                      “Osmosis Jones” – Feature
                                                      “The Iron Giant” – Feature
                                                      “Quest For Camelot” – Feature
  • Switch hit, doing both hand-drawn and 3D CGI animation
  • Starting and learning MAYA in the beta stage.
 1994 - 1995   Animation Instructor, Acme Animation Online, Los Angeles, California
  • Began my continuing relation with Acme, teaching grade school, high school, and under-privileged kids animation.
                                         
1994 – 1995  Lead Animator, Turner Feature Animation, Los Angeles, California
                                                       “Cats Don't Dance” - Feature
  • Lead animator for Sawyer, the leading female cat.
  • Defined character personality, drawn style, and animation style.
 1994   Independent Artist, character designer, key animator
                                                      O Pictures,  “Yakity Yak Take It Back – Music Video
  • Designed all characters, animated half of the show (Presented to President Clinton)
 1993 - 1994   Overseas Supervisor, Hanna-Barbera Productions
                                                      “The Town That Santa Forgot” - TV Xmas Special (Emmy Award nominee)
                                                      “Two Stupid Dogs” - Television Series
                                                      “Secret Squirrel” - Television Series
  • Oversaw the entire production of all 3 shows simultaneously
 1992 - 1993   Animation Director, Hyperion Animation Studio, Taiwan.
                                                      “Itsey Bitsey Spider” (Short), “Wooly Bully” (Short), “Bebe's Kids” - Feature
  • Overseas Animation Supervisor in Taiwan
  • Worked with translators 100% of the time.
 1990 - 1992   Animator, The Walt Disney Company
                                                      “Beauty and The Beast” – Feature, Academy Award nominee, Best Picture
                                                      “The Prince and The Pauper”
  • Hand drawn animator
1987 - 1990   Animator for various projects, Los Angeles area.

EDUCATION                            
  • High School Diploma, Hempstead High School, New York
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, School of Visual Arts (College), New York
  • DHIMA (Maya and basic rigging) – DH Institute of Media Arts, Los Angeles
 
References upon request                                       Website:  www.LennieGravesAnimation.com

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