Due to the 3d industry's relative newness and small size, the 'links' section of most 3D artists' pages tends to seem nearly identical. To prevent redundancy, I've tried to focus my list to just include the people I know in the industry and some of the more helpful 3d reference sites. Likewise, any other links in my website are given a bit of explanation here.
PEOPLE:
Andrew and I worked together on Tao Feng over at Studio Gigante. He designed the character concept work, then textured with Photoshop and Lightwave. He now works as a 3D artist for Bothell's own Snowblind Studios. Be sure to check out his excellent digital paintings.
If my links page doesn't do it for you, I'm sure his will. An animator who has worked for ILM and now Pixar, Carlos is very busy and sought-after, but somehow found time to help give me a few tips on my reel. Thanks again Carlos!
I wouldn't be surprised if every college in America had at least one dorm room adorned with a Justin Bua poster. Originally a b-boy and tagger, Bua has become one of hip-hop's most well-known artists. His "Green Streets" painting also inspired the breakdancer character's design in my student film. I sent Justin a copy of my reel after graduating, and he replied with an email saying he enjoyed it.
An ex-coworker of mine who has since moved on to Genuine Games, Scott worked on the tools, animation system, sound, and website for Tao Feng. His claim to fame is being the only undefeated Kakuto Chojin player at Studio Gigante. I'd try to unseat him, but I'd need to find a copy of the game first...
Carman was in the class ahead of me at VFS. She is currently working at BioWare in Edmonton, Alberta and animated on Neverwinter Nights and the upcoming Knights of the Old Republic. Her links page is also very comprehensive.
Adi was a classmate of Carman's and was always willing to help answer Softimage questions and dish out pain on CounterStrike night at VFS. Adi works for One Up Games in Montreal.
Ian was one of the modeling students in my VFS class and another recipient of the school's scholarship extension. He was the lead modeller, rigger, and texturer on the LAISFF job, but his subsequent job offer at Piranha Games prevented him from flying down to L.A. with Mark and I for the festival (the poor guy). Still in Vancouver, Ian now works as a concept artist and modeler/texturer for Relic Studios.
Scott was another animator in my VFS class and has done all kinds of 3d work for video games, television, and film. His highest-profile job was working on all the jet shots for the "Alias" episode that premiered after the 2003 Super Bowl. Scott freelances out of Victoria, British Columbia.
Mark was one of two visual effects artists in my VFS class, and worked on the LAISFF job as a texturer and lead compositor. He currently works as a compositor and matchmover for Optix Digital Post & FX in Toronto.
Henrik was one of the few Maya animators in my VFS class and has a wide knowledge of 3d tools. After VFS he moved back to his home in Västerås, Sweden. During the Vancouver bus strike, Henrik was kind enough to let me crash in the corner of his apartment when I didn't have the money for a cab ride home.
Andy is one of the concept/texture artists at Studio Gigante. When not painting blood and ripped clothing on 3D models, he creates graphics, flyers, and posters for hip-house and house shows in Chicago.
Nick was the other visual effects artist in my class, as well as being the only person in Chicago I knew prior to moving here. He has since moved to San Rafael, California where he works as a pre-visualization artist at JAK films.
The background concept artist for Tao Feng and all-around 'Photoshop Master.' We studied Craig's work in our texturing class at VFS, and it was a thrill to learn he had a hand in Tao Feng (albeit well before I was hired). Craig is a popular Photoshop artist and plenty of other people link to his site, but now you know my reason for doing so. He has recently posted a Tao Feng image gallery that is well worth checking out.
Gordon built and textured the model in my Robot animations. Gordon was classmates with Carman and Adi and now works on "The Dead Zone" series at Stargate Digital in Vancouver (where he also dishes out CS pain).
ORGANIZATIONS:
A unique liberal arts college in Olympia, Washington. I spent my freshman year here and had a great time in the noncompetitive atmosphere. Although it's not for everyone, I wouldn't have left it had it not been for 3D.
If you're looking for a crash course (12 months) that focuses on 3d animation, this is the place. Their immersion program ensures you remember what you've learned long after graduating, but the catch is you have to work that much harder to fit two years of traning into such a short period of time. I thought it was worth it and graduated as part of the infamous Class 28 in June 2001.
The Los Angeles International Short Film Festival
My first 'break' was given by these guys, and they were nice enough to give Mark, Ian, and I VIP passes to the week-long festival. I'll never forget hearing David Hyde Pierce laughing behind us at the chihuahua's antics on opening night, and hope their future festivals will be just as entertaining.
The video game developer for which I currently work. Studio Gigante (hee-GONE-tay) was formed by four ex-Midway employees who desired more creative freedom and a departure from the Mortal Kombat franchise. The company is now twenty-five people strong and in the works for a possible sequel to its first title Tao Feng. Tao Feng was been in production for two and a half years and is now in stores. Let's hope it sells well.
The webmaster of TRMK was nice enough to let me link to his Tao Feng page until I finally had some clips of my own.
RESOURCES:One of the most well-known 3d sites out there. Lots of tips, forums, and free downloads to help with your work. Also, you can post work there to get feedback from its members.
A great site for interviews, sneak-previews, and tips for 3d artists. Like 3D Café, you can post work there for feedback. Look for me as "areminder."
I often visited this site for its free textures while working on "B-Boy."
Ok, so it isn't a resource site, but it brought hope to my classmates and I when we thought we would never get jobs. As funny as it is shocking.
Excellent site for all kinds of information on domestic and foreign films. Great for settling movie-related arguments.
As you know, "Link" is a registered trademark of Nintendo, 2003 All rights reserved.