Maya
Jonah Gray
Berkeley,California
Summary
Producer and animator with specialization in character animation and visual effects. Expert in Maya and compositing, enhancing audience engagement through storytelling and innovative visuals. Experienced in mentoring teams and delivering high-quality projects that resonate with viewers and elevate brand narratives.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Producer
Independent Animator & Filmmaker
Berkeley, California
01.2004 - Current
- Founded Biotech Animated, specializing in scientific video and animation production.
- Produced and edited diverse animation and video projects for advertising, workshops, and events.
- Created and sold The Snail and the Rosebush (2005), an 8-minute animated film featured at Odense International Film Festival.
- Developed motion graphics for concerts, enhancing audience engagement and promotional efforts.
3D Generalist and Animation Contractor
UCSF Balance and Falls Center
02.2020 - 10.2020
- Created 3D science video detailing parts and functions of vestibular system.
- Executed modeling, texturing, rigging, lighting, animation, rendering, and compositing processes.
- Developed engaging animations to illustrate vestibular system dynamics effectively.
Character Animation Contractor
Wildlife Digital Agency
Culver City, CA
11.2018 - 12.2018
- Advertising character animation for Kellogg's Tony Tiger.
CG Animator/Filmmaker
MZ (Machine Zone)
Palo Alto, CA
07.2015 - 04.2018
- Lead character animation and producing of cinematic commercial spots for Game of War: Fire Age, Mobile Strike and Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire.
- Animated promotional trailers and commercials for MZ products including CG commercials, isometric view commercials, and 360 VR spots.
- Animation: character performances, cameras, crowds, composited elements, particles dynamics, vehicle animations, and crowds through Maya MASH.
- Worked closely with Game Team to create in game CG animation for Game of War and other projects in development.
- Rigging: GUI set up, bone placement and skinning as well as weight painting alterations and Rig wrecking.
- Lighting and rendering: light setup, shader creation and rendering in passes for the final compositing pass. Rendering in Mental ray, Vray and Arnold.
- Mentored supporting animators.
- Worked closely with the Creative Art team to design artwork for marketing campaigns, including: Created original scripts, animatics, time bids, and tracking sheets.
- Created static images from 3D assets; resizing and localizing.
- Designed or augmented new or existing video ad campaigns for various businesses to be implemented in mobile marketing campaign strategy: Composited in new elements or CG models, Added VFX as well as localization and general film and audio editing.
- Asset management and file sharing for outsources partners.
- Modeled and textured new assets for promotions.
- 3D Support: Provided leadership and technical support department of concept artists utilizing 3D assets to create static images or gifs.
- Created playable ads includes animating and rendering out sprites for game play i.e. walk cycles, attack cycles, ISO renders of buildings and map creation as well as game play design and visual layout.
- VFX for promotions including 2d and 3d particles, compositing, animated masks, tracking, color correcting and title sequences.
Animator
Touchfactor, Inc
Novato, CA
01.2011 - 12.2013
- Lead character animation on Touchfish released 2014.
- Worked closely with TD Leads and Producers to rig all lead character fish.
- Optimized rigs, skin weighting and animation curves to enhance performance.
- Programmed gesture recipes in Unity 3d to make fish perform acrobatic stunts, dances, and emotional responses.
- Motion graphic support: Animated banners for the Wii, including Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu cover sliding.
Animator, Independent Contractor
Massive Black, Inc.
San Francisco, CA
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Emotiv: Animation for lead characters in ground-breaking neurotechnology interactive game.
- Griptonite Games: Kung Fu Panda 2 video game. Animated 3d characters including Shi Fu, Master Ox and Master Croc.
- Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online: Animated 3d characters including Wil Turner, Elizabeth Swan and Captain Barbossa.
- Oddworld: Character animation for a new online game in development.
Producer
Massive Black, Inc. & ConceptArt.org
San Francisco, CA
01.2007 - 12.2009
- Filmed, edited and produced premiere video content for 10 digital and traditional artists. Videos included Cinematic Storyboarding by El Coro, Environment Design by Whit Brachna, and Quick Sketches by Jason Chan.
- Taught animation workshops for children ages 6-14, including special needs students.
- Post production work including compositing and color grading for the Lars von Trier film, Dogville.
- Feature Animation Workshop: Completed workshop sequence under Disney, DreamWorks, and Pixar instructors.
Animation Instructor
Albertslund Kommune
Copenhagen, DK
01.2003 - 12.2005
- Utilize 3D animation and generalist skills in Maya to educate youths.
Visual Effects Apprentice
Gearless Visual Effects, Film Byen
Copenhagen, DK
01.2003 - 12.2003
- Executed post production tasks encompassing compositing and color grading for Lars von Trier film, Dogville.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Feature Animation Workshop
Ianimate.net
Online01.2015
Trade School (Teknisk) - Create and Broadcast Cable Television Programs
Københavns Produktionsskole
Copenhagen, DK01.2004
Bachelor of Science - Animation And Visual Effects
Ex'pression College
Emeryville, CA01.2003
Graduate - Studied Art History And Workshops
Holbæk Kunsthojskole
Holbæk, DK01.2003
Some College (No Degree) - Undergraduate liberal arts studies
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CASkills
- Maya and 3ds Max
- Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro
- After Effects and Photoshop
- Animation and rigging
- Modeling and texturing
- Lighting and rendering
- Compositing and VFX
- Character performance and dynamics
- Camera setup and tracking
- Shader creation and weight painting
Websites
Software
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
Timeline
3D Generalist and Animation Contractor
UCSF Balance and Falls Center
02.2020 - 10.2020
Character Animation Contractor
Wildlife Digital Agency
11.2018 - 12.2018
CG Animator/Filmmaker
MZ (Machine Zone)
07.2015 - 04.2018
Animator
Touchfactor, Inc
01.2011 - 12.2013
Animator, Independent Contractor
Massive Black, Inc.
01.2009 - 12.2011
Producer
Massive Black, Inc. & ConceptArt.org
01.2007 - 12.2009
Producer
Independent Animator & Filmmaker
01.2004 - Current
Animation Instructor
Albertslund Kommune
01.2003 - 12.2005
Visual Effects Apprentice
Gearless Visual Effects, Film Byen
01.2003 - 12.2003
Graduate Certificate - Feature Animation Workshop
Ianimate.net
Trade School (Teknisk) - Create and Broadcast Cable Television Programs
Københavns Produktionsskole
Bachelor of Science - Animation And Visual Effects
Ex'pression College
Graduate - Studied Art History And Workshops
Holbæk Kunsthojskole
Some College (No Degree) - Undergraduate liberal arts studies
Diablo Valley College
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