Abel Salazar

Abel Salazar

Senior Character Animator / 16 yrs

Los Angeles, CA

Hire Me

Freelance Senior Character Animator

Thor (2011)

Freelance Character Animator

Iron Man 2 (2010)

Freelance Character Animator

Open Season (2006)

Work History
  • 3D Designer

    Snap Inc.

    January 2017 - November 2018

    - It's a secret...

  • Freelance Producer & Director

    Spit & Spite, Inc.

    2011 - 2017
    Burbank, CA

    - Produced, animated or directed various projects for the film, game, AR/VR and television industry with an emphasis on animation (2d/3d/stop-motion)and visual effects.
    - Clients have included Intel, THQ, Discovery Channel, ReelFX, Nabisco, EA, Ivory Way Productions, NASCAR, Verizon, FX, Microsoft, CW, History Channel among others...

  • Lead Character Animator & Rigging Artist

    Inhance Digital

    2016 - 2016
    Hollywood, CA

    - Rig and animate full cg creature for Grimm tv series

  • Freelance Senior Character Animator

    Zoic Studios

    2010 - 2016
    Culver City, CA

    - Animate various characters and more for various commercial and tv projects
    - Some minor rigging tasks

  • Freelance Senior Character Animator

    Rock Paper Scissors LLC

    2010 - 2016
    Santa Monica, CA

    - Previs to final character animation for multiple commercial and television projects

  • Lead Character Animator & Rigging Artist

    Wondros

    2014 - 2015
    Hollywood, CA


    - Rig and animate characters for Intel CES 2014 keynote incorporating AR/VR tech within the Unity game engine
    - Previs out entire sequence and game play under Creative Director direction
    - Animation and asset creation for Sprint VR experience within Oculus Rift
    - Previs out various sequences and AR experiences for multiple clients in the sport and merchandising industry

  • Lead Character Animator & Rigging Artist

    Inhance Digital

    2014 - 2014
    Hollywood, CA


    - Rig and animate full cg creature for Grimm tv series

  • Animation Director

    Lantern Studios, Inc.

    2012 - 2014
    Los Angeles, CA


    - Create cinematic and in-game character animation for FrostWars mobile video game
    - Plan and rig characters from personality exploration to final asset execution
    - Animation on 2D sprite Secret Spy mobile video game

  • Freelance Senior Character Animator

    Liquid Entertainment

    2010 - 2011
    Pasedena, CA


    - Create character animation for Thor video game

  • Freelance Character Animator

    Pixomondo

    2010 - 2010
    Santa Monica, CA


    - Senior animator and jr. animation technical director on Iron Man 2
    - Setup and implementation of animation pipeline between Maya & Max for Iron Man 2 feature film
    - Minor tracking work on ZooKeeper feature film

  • Freelance Character Animator

    Digital Domain

    2010 - 2010
    Venice, CA


    - Create character animation for commercials and film

  • Freelance Character Animator

    Sony Pictures Animation

    2008 - 2009
    Culver City, CA


    - Animated hero and non-hero shots on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs feature film

  • Freelance Senior Character Animator

    Heavy Iron Studios, Inc.

    2006 - 2007
    Culver City, CA


    - Brought on board to help finish up Pixar's Wall-E game cinematics and animation on Pixar's UP game project
    - Lead animator in creating intro and loading screen footage for Wall-E game user interface incorporating Maya and Flash solution under design teams direction

  • Freelance Character Animator

    Rhythm & Hues Studios

    2006 - 2006
    Culver City, CA


    - Animated hero shots on Garfield: Tail of Two Kitties feature film

  • Freelance Character Animator

    Sony Pictures Animation

    2005 - 2006
    Culver City, CA


    - Animated hero and non-hero shots on Open Season feature film

  • 3D Character Animator

    Omation Studios

    2003 - 2005
    San Clemente, CA


    - Animated hero and non-hero shots on The Barnyard feature film

  • 3D Character Animator

    Super 78 Studios

    2003 - 2004
    Hollywood, CA


    - Animated hero shots on Awards Night film game ride and First Strike game cinematic

  • Previs Artist and 3D Character Animator

    Film Roman

    2002 - 2002
    North Hollywood, CA


    - Animated hero shots for Tripping the Rift
    - Interpreted script and boards into show intro camera work and layout
    - composite shots, model and rig props

  • Character Animator

    Inertia Studios

    1998 - 1999
    Venice, CA


    - Animated hero shots for 2D Devil's Music cartoon series

Education
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Computer Science

    The Art Institute of California-Los Angeles

    1999 - 2003