Who am I? My name is Nathan Fariss. I am currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm a professional 3d modeler, animator, and digital effects artist, usually referring to myself as a '3d generalist'. I work for Pixar and also enjoy photography.

Resume:

Nathan Fariss
nathan@hello-napalm.com

Education

Kansas City Art Institute
   Bachelor of Fine Arts - June 2000
   Concentration in 3d computer graphics, video and film. Other studies included photography, bookmaking, ceramics, drawing from life, painting, as well       as a full liberal arts courseload.
   awards: BFA Show Honorable Mention (2nd place)
   

Employment History

Pixar Animation Studios - September 2008 through present
   Emeryville, CA
   Role: Technical Director (Generalist)
   

The Orphanage - December 2003 through August 2008
   San Francisco, CA
Projects & Roles:

  • Disney, 'Affordability' Commercials: "Dumbo" & "Peter Pan" - Release: Fall, 2008 - (gallery link)
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Supervising all aspects of CG production on two national tv spots.

  • Disney Theme Parks: "Toy Story Mania" Commercial - Release: Fall, 2008 - (gallery link)
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Supervising all aspects of CG production on a national tv spot.

  • You Don't Mess With the Zohan - Release: June 6, 2008
        Title: Lead Lighting Technical Director
        Responsibilities: Lookdev, lighting, and shot running.

  • Nicoderm CQ: "Willpower" & "Warning Panel" Commercials - Release: Spring, 2008 - (gallery link)
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Supervising all aspects of CG production on two 30 second international tv spots.

  • Excel: "Folding" Commercial - Release: Spring, 2008 - (gallery link)
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Supervising all aspects of CG production on one 30 second tv spot.

  • Untraceable - Release: January 25, 2008
        Title: Technical Director(?)
        Responsibilities: Lookdev, lighting, and effects on a few quick shots.

  • Saab: "Reborn" Commercial - Release: Fall, 2007 - (gallery link)
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Supervising all aspects of CG production on one 30 second tv spot.

  • Embarq Wireless Commercials - Release: Summer, 2007 - (gallery link)
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Supervising all aspects of CG production on two 15 second tv spots.

  • Radio Shack Commercials - Release: Summer, 2007
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Supervising all aspects of CG production on two 30 second tv spots.

  • Live Free or Die Hard - Release: June 28, 2007 - (gallery link)
        Title: Model Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Modeling, texturing, shaders and supervision of about 10 artists doing the same stuff.

  • The Last Mimzy - Release: March 23, 2007 - (gallery link)
        Title: Sequence Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Modeling, texturing, shaders, technical animation, lighting, and supervising all of the artists doing these things in 3dsMax.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest - Release: July 11, 2006 - (gallery link)
        Title: Technical Director.
        Responsibilities: Texturing and setting up shaders for a cg dress. Developed particle system for fireflies.

  • The Host (Korean Title: Gwoemul) - Release (Korea): July 27, 2006 - (gallery link)
        Title: Lead Technical Director/Sequence Supervisor.
        Responsibilities: Including developing dynamics and particle systems for other TDs to use, developing workflow for fire and smoke systems, and working with numerous TDs on a sequence to ensure a uniform look of the highest quality across 20+ shots.

  • Ruby Tuesday: "The Great Race" Commercial - Release: Feb, 2006 - (gallery link)
        Title: CG Supervisor
        Responsibilities: Including modelling, scripting, animation, texture painting, lighting, shader work, as well as helping to direct other TDs and develop workflow for the entire project.

  • Aeon Flux - Release: December, 2005 - (gallery link)
        Title: Lead Technical Director.
        Responsibilities: Including modelling, scripting, animation, particle dynamics, texture painting, lighting, shader work, as well as helping to direct other TDs.

  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Release: Nov 18, 2005 - (gallery link)
        Title: Technical Director.
        Responsibilities: Including look development, modelling, lighting, scripting and shader work.

  • Sin City - Release: April 1, 2005 - (gallery link)
        Title: Technical Director.
        Responsibilities: Including particle work, animation, modelling, lighting and shader work.

  • Motorola: "Transformer" Commercial - Release: Fall, 2004 - (gallery link)
        Title: Technical Director and Compositor.
        Responsibilities: Including modelling, texturing, shader work, animation, lighting, compositing and tool development using Maxscript.

  • Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - Release: Sept 17, 2004 - (gallery link)
        Title: Technical Director and Compositor.
        Responsibilities: Including compositing, lighting, scene assembly, shader work, some texture/matte painting, and particle dynamics.

  • The Day After Tomorrow - Release: May 28, 2004 - (gallery link)
        Title: Technical Director/Sequence lighting lead.
        Responsibilities: Also particle dynamics, matte painting, modelling, texture work, shader development, scene assembly, and some max scripting.

    Real Media Digital Production - May 2000 through December 2003
    Lenexa, KS
    title: Animator/Digital Effects Artist
    responsibilities: all aspects of animation production, from concept to completion.
    clients: (including but not limited to) Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), Kansas City Knights (ABA), Kansas City Wizards (MLS), St Louis Rams (NFL), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Cincinnati Reds (MLB), Toronto Bluejays (MLB), Philadelphia Wings (MILL), University of Kansas (football program), Sprint, United Van Lines, and Commerce Bank.

    Cinemark Theatres - may 1999 thru may 2000
    Kansas City, MO
    title: assistant manager
    responsibilities: All aspects of running a 14-screen theatre, including money handling, customer service and all aspects of film build-up and break-down.
       

    Press and Public Speaking Engagements

       November, 2007 - Kansas City Art Institute - Regarding my career so far.
        April, 2006 - NAB - Autodesk booth.
        December, 2005 - VFXBlog.com regarding Aeon Flux.
        April, 2005 - NAB - Autodesk booth.
        September, 2004 - Rising Sun Herald - Regarding Sky Captain.
        June, 2004 - Rising Sun Herald - Regarding The Day After Tomorrow.
        May, 2004 - TechTV - Regarding The Day After Tomorrow.
        May 13, 2004 - "DAY AFTER TOMORROW: HBO FIRST LOOK" - Regarding Day After Tomorrow.


    • All images, elements and content are property of nathan fariss and/or real media digital production. all rights reserved.