Email: George [at] smaranimation [dot] com

Education

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, US, 2005-present

           Master In Fine Arts in Digital Animation & Motion Graphics, anticipated 2008

St. Martin’s College, Lancaster, UK. 2001–2002

            Bachelors of Science in Multimedia and Applied Imaging.

Grimsby College, Grimsby, UK. 1998-2000

             Higher National Diploma in Media Production. Specialization in Creative Writing.

Awards

Regional Finalist for the 36th Annual Student Academy Awards.

Best Short Animated Film (Scrimshander) for Reynolda Film Festival.

Best Animation for Foursite Film Festival.

Winner in Movies & Stills Animation Festival.

Winner in Metrocaf 2009 Festival.

Skills

Computer Graphics

Strong skills

Sound knowledge of Maya, Lightwave, ZBrush, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, Discreet Combustion and eyeon Fusion.

Expertise in character animation.

Rendering, shaders and shading networks.

MEL scripting.

Modeling.

Strong communication skills, excellent work ethic, team player.

Intermediate skills

Rigging, UV mapping/texturing.

Traditional draftsmanship.

 Related Experience

In charge of rendering American Girl concept art for WWBiggies.

Contributed hair system (Shave & A Haircut) and modeling to "Peril", a short film by Kickstand Labs.

Contributed scripting, layout and rendering of crowds to two UPS commercials by Psyop NY.

Research assistant at the Digital Arts Lab in Brooklyn.

Motion Capture data transfer and Dynamics Technical Director (cloth, fur, rigid bodies) for reel of proposed CG feature “Blood Trail”, produced by Nathan Love.

Worked in collaboration with the Institute of Data Analysis and Visualization at UC Davis on osteological visualization.

Contributed animation, scene setup and programming to “Flyentology” a music video for El-P & Trent Reznor, produced by Nathan Love for [adultswim].

Animated and rendered portion of "Blank", an independent film directed by Rob O' Neill. On display at the Syflex Booth during Siggraph 2006. Also currently modeling and animating on "Blank".

Developed a virtual mockup of the Freedom Plaza competition project in Cyprus (Zervas Architectural Planning, 2005).

 

 

Media Production

Produced soundtrack and sound effects for independent short films / music videos.

Articulate in the bass, guitar, synthesizer, piano, drums, sitar and percussion.

Expertise in digital recording, producing and mixing.

Directed independent short films, animations and student documentaries.

Coursework in, film theory, production, direction, commentary, analysis, stop motion and technical aspects of filmmaking.

Produced and wrote 71-page short story children’s book w/ illustrations.

Experience in screenwriting, comic book writing and paneling, storyboarding, stop motion, journalism and scriptwriting.

Languages

English, French and Greek (Native).