About
Graduated from Huntington University Arizona - Digital Media Arts
Bachelor's of Science in Animation (2021)Artist Pseudonym: The Shadow's Ally
Photography Pseudonym: The Shadow's CosplayCURRENTLY
I work in the Community Relations Unit for the City of Peoria Police Department. I work under the PIO as the Public Information Specialist (I.E. Digital Media Specialist).
In addition to my main job, I am the official photographer and media specialist for the Put On The Cape Charity Foundation.
✦OVERVIEW
I am an Animation Bachelors graduate with experience across animation, live action, video editing, and graphic design pipelines.
I have worked on seven animated college short films and nine live-action short films with varying roles, which allowed me to explore different roles, mediums, and workflows. I have two award-winning films that I was both director and lead animator on, and also was an animator on two other award-winning college shorts. I worked on four award-winning live-action shorts as well. While in college, I worked with a team on an animated commission for the city of Maryvale AZ, of which I was a character designer and animator for.
I have experience in working on small projects with multiple streaming groups and a commercial film company, as well as multiple small businesses. For years I have operated as a freelancer, working through individual client commissions for character art and designs. I now also do freelance photography for family portraits, business images, and costumers.
Recently (October 2023) I was presented the Giving Heart Award from the PotC charity group for my photography and assistance for the cause.I have worked at Huntington University as a Digital Media Arts Assistant, where I ran workshops for highschoolers that taught them the basics of industry-standard programs used at the school. Additionally, I led college workshops to further students' artistic development. Character design, sound design, and intro to editing are all examples of hands-on practice I've had the pleasure of teaching. This job also required me to edit together class reels or social media promotional videos using available assets or my own videography. I also managed client-student project communications, and oversaw student productions (both live-action and animation). On top of that, I was on the team in charge of student outreach and attendant recruitment. I gave tours, helped plan and execute events, and ensured everyone was on schedule.
I then worked as an animation adjunct professor, teaching Digital Art and Painting (Freshmen), Advanced Motion Graphics (Juniors), and Senior Animation Portfolio; all of which I created the full 16 week curriculum and lectures for.
At the same time, worked part time at C2 Tactical Arizona in the Social Media Marketing division. My job was to post content and updates to the company's social pages, interact with customers, and answer questions posed online. Content-wise, I was one of the product photographers, I edited photos and flyers, and I worked with the marketing department to generate fresh content ideas. Each month I evaluated analytics to see what types of posts got the most interaction, and formulate plans to boost social presence.
I created unique posts per a scheduling matrix with the goal of attracting new customers and recurring clients. At times I captured footage of events for video editing, and recorded live occasions such as TASER demos. I photographed products and apparel for sale advertisements, and took pictures of shooting competitions that took place on site.
Skillset
Strongest Assets:
2D Character Animation
3D Animation
3D Character Sculpting
3D Printing
Character Design
Creature Design
Compositing Animation
Concept Art
Creative Direction
Motion Graphics
Photography
Photo Editing
Video Editing
Videography
Visual DevelopmentMost commonly used programs:
Adobe After Effects : ✦✦✦
Adobe Photoshop : ✦✦✦
Adobe Premiere Pro : ✦✦✦
Adobe Lightroom: ✦✦✦
Adobe Audition: ✦⟡⟡
Autodesk Maya : ✦⟡⟡
Autodesk Sketchbook Pro : ✦✦✦
Blender : ✦✦⟡
ToonBoom Harmony : ✦✦✦
Toonboom Storyboard Pro: ✦✦✦
Unreal Engine : ✦⟡⟡
ZBrush : ✦⟡⟡
Professional Work
See more on my official resume.
Earliest to Most RecentStoryboard Artist - “Eye on the Future” AZ K12 Commercial
→ Randy Murray Productions
2019Animator - "Good Habits, Not Chasing Rabbits" Introduction Clip
→ YouTube Podcast Series
2019Volunteer Animation Basics Teacher
→ HUAZ undergrad workshops
2018 - 2020Digital Media Arts Assistant
→ Taught highschool and college digital media workshops, managed networking for student opportunity outreach, assisted professor classes, oversaw student productions, and edited class reels.
October 2021 - June 2023Social Media Marketer and Content Creator
→ Post content and updates to the company's social pages, interact with customers, and answer questions online. Photograph products and necessary occasions, edit photos and flyers, and generate fresh content ideas. Evaluate what types of posts get the most peer interaction, and formulate plans to boost social presence.
August 2023 - June 2024Digital Arts Adjunct Professor
→ Taught for Fall of 2023. Created the full 16 week curriculum and lectures for Freshmen class Digital Art and Painting, and Junior classAdvanced Motion Graphics. Currently teaching Senior Animation Portfolio.
→ Occasionally teach workshops for highschool teachers in programs such as After Effects.
August 2023 - April 2024Digital Media Specialist
→ Captures photographs and video of the department (ridealongs, events, etc), then edits them to the desired parameters set by the PIO.
→ Manages social media and content for the Peoria Police Department. One of several people that posts content online.
→ Reviews analytics and assists the PIO in developing strategies to engage the community both in-person and online.
→ Assists in tabling at events, and interacts with the public in-person to strengthen relations between the police and their community.
June 2024 - PresentFreelance Character Artist
→ Create an original character based on client descriptions, and implement critiques to achieve the final desired vision. Humans, mechs, animals, aliens, monsters, fan characters, etc.
January 2016 - Present
Art GalleryFreelance Photographer
→ Individual client commissioned for portraits, family photos, and cosplays. Cosplay LLC Charity photographer (PotC, HIVE, etc). All photos are polished through editing, and additional payments may be made for specialty edits.
July 2023 - Present
Photography WebsiteFreelance Video Editor
→ Individual client commissioned for online presence and promotion. Handmade assets, animations, and polished video renders. Capable of recording video assets with smartphones or high-quality cameras, and using a Drone to capture footage.
December 2023 - HIATUS
Student Film / Director, Writer, Lead Animator, Editor - Tobeus and Toby
✦ BEA Best of Fest 2020 & Rocky Emmy College Animation Winner 2020