Darren DeCoursey

Darren DeCoursey

Mid-level Digital Compositor / 15 yrs

Vancouver, Canada

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Stereoscopic Production

300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

3D Compositor

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Compositor

Eureka (2013)

Compositor

Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)

Digital Compositor

Alice (2009)

Digital Effects Artist

Dead Like Me: Life After Death (2009)

Compositor

Wyvern (2009)

Compositor / Digital Compositor

Sanctuary (2008)

Compositor

Trial by Fire (2008)

Digital Compositor

The Sea Beast (2008)

Roto Artist

Get Smart (2008)

Roto / Paint Artist

Bionic Woman (2007)

Compositor

Ba'al (2004)

Work History

  • Interaction Designer

    Elastic Path Software

    February 2017 - Present
    Vancouver

  • Lead UX Designer

    V2 Games

    June 2016 - November 2016
    Vancouver

    • I helped developed process / guidelines for company’s user experience department
    • Lead research and development of key product wireframing for company stakeholders
    • Produced interaction design / UX process documentation for development team

  • Instructional Assistant

    The Centre For Digital Media

    May 2016 - August 2016

    Assisting the instructor in teaching the Fundamentals of User Experience course. Organizing and prep class materials as well as mark and grade written assignments.

    The class provides an overview of the broad range of topics associated with User Experience: everything from design research and heuristics evaluations, all the way to wireframing and prototyping are covered.

  • Motion Graphics Artist

    Freelance

    February 2016 - May 2016
    Vancouver

    Created lower thirds, main titles and monitor burn-ins for a broad range of clients for film, television and online video.

  • Interactive Exhibit Designer

    Freelance

    November 2015 - February 2016

    Specialized in the ideation, design, prototyping and building of interactive exhibits for museums and knowledge centres located in Vancouver, British Columbia.

  • Masters Student

    The Centre For Digital Media

    September 2014 - December 2015
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    • Studied Fundamentals of Game Design and Cognitive Science with Kimberly Voll
    • Studied Interactive Storytelling with George Johnston
    • Studied Fundamentals of User Experience Design with Haig Armen

  • Visual Effects Supervisor

    Qube Films

    September 2013 - April 2014
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Managed and planned continuity for onset crew to best capture plates for visual effects augmentation. Oversaw practical special effects shooting and planning for stunt sequences. Composited cgi elements, removed unwanted items and delivered final plates for post-production and color correction. Successfully delivered final shots on time and under budget.

  • Stereo Compositor

    Gener8 Media Corp

    February 2013 - August 2013
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Implemented proprietary methods for converting natively shot 2D films into stereoscopic films using The Foundry's Nuke software. Optimized plates for stereo conversion using detailed painting and projection mapping techniques to restore background details. Collaborated with IT partners to improve pipeline efficiency. Worked closely with junior and senior employees to maintain depth and detail continuity among various stereo sequences.

    Projects: "Iron Man 3", "Thor: The Dark World" "300: Rise of an Empire"

  • Visual Effects Artist

    Qube Films

    October 2012 - January 2013
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Composited greenscreen plates, designed motion graphics assets and created matte painted set extensions for aboriginal television series pilot: "Sky & Chang."

  • Animation & Digital Media Instructor

    Pull Focus Film School

    February 2011 - December 2012
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Designed a unique, project-based, client-directed curriculum with a strong emphasis on teaching relevant skills for a twenty-first century creative workforce. Facilitated strategic partnerships with environmental and social advocacy groups on behalf of the film school to provide students with real world clients and real world creative opportunities.
    --
    Introduction To Motion Graphics With After Effects:
    Over specially designed eight and ten week courses, students learned story development, design skills, best practices in the animation industry, as well as planning and time management as they pertain to film and online media. Lead students from concept and story development through to rough animatic design, and finally into finished animation and editing. Taught key animation concepts as well as marketing strategies to improve audience development and engage with various social causes.
    --
    Improve Your Online Profile With Adobe Photoshop:
    Partnered With LivingSocial and other organizations to successfully attract new clients to to the school's digital media department. Taught numerous weekend workshop intensives specializing on photography relevant to social media. Designed course to educate students on proper filming and lighting techniques, understand DSLR camera settings, and output the correct file formats for post-production work. Taught Adobe Photoshop features in regards to image editing, pixel manipulation, color balancing and blemish removal. Also discussed ethical uses of image manipulation in media, as well as best methods for creating an effective first impression.

  • Lead Effects Simulation Developer

    Harakoa Inc.

    April 2012 - October 2012
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Designed and implemented custom particle simulations for new physic's-based iPhone game "PyroTouch." Scripted JSON files to simulate specifically timed fireworks elements that spin, explode, twirl and dissipate based upon real world physics. Researched diverse ethnic and regional fireworks displays to integrate into game for authentic world wide audiences.

  • Marketing Specialist

    Harakoa Inc.

    March 2012 - August 2012
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Created a strategy to increase downloads and awareness of "PyroTouch" iPhone app in the Vancouver area. Facilitated launch of promotional teams to demonstrate fireworks app to potential consumers during Vancouver's Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival. Produced, shot, edited and marketed key product videos to demonstrate fun and carefree nature of the game.

  • Web / Graphic Designer

    Freelance

    January 2010 - November 2011
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Developed print & web based graphics for several Vancouver & Richmond based Naturopaths and Holistic practitioners. Created social media strategies to increase customer base for clients and awareness of their practices.

  • Digital Compositor

    Anthem FX

    June 2009 - December 2009
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Integrated and keyed live-action greenscreen sequences into digital sets and backgrounds primarily for the television series "Sanctuary: Season 2." Facilitated the transfer of 3D assets into the 2D department to minimize task duplication. Developed specific "look development" for supernatural visualizations using Photoshop and Shake software.

    Generated 3D elements and particle simulations for sequences in "Tucker & Dale vs. Evil."

  • Digital Compositor

    Zoic Studios

    February 2009 - June 2009
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Used Apple Shake software to integrate live-action elements into digital created backdrops for both films and television pilots. Developed scripts to improve efficiency for compositing tasks in a deadline oriented environment. Worked as part of a team to design effective solutions for rendering issues and pipeline inefficiencies.

    Projects include: "V: The Series", "Eureka: Season 3", & "Human Target".

  • Digital Compositor

    Lux Visual Effects

    December 2007 - December 2008
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Used Eyeon Fusion's Compositing software to help integrate stock footage, plate elements and cgi into final plates for delivery. Troubleshot software issues, collaborated with 3D department to prep 3D assets for integration into final plate photography. Supervised production and post-production for collaboration with advertising companies to produce visual effects components of web based media.

    Projects include: "Wyvern", "Troglodyte", "Dead Like Me" and "Eureka: Season 3".

  • Junior Compositor / Production Assistant

    Zoic Studios

    July 2007 - December 2007
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Worked as assistant to the digital compositing team, helping integrate cgi elements into the final shots and prepare them for delivery. Removed wire rigs using paint and roto methods with Apple's Shake software.

    Other tasks included office maintenance, client services, screenplay analysis and HR assistance.

  • Faculty of Arts Audio / Visual Technician

    The University of British Columbia

    January 2005 - May 2005
    Vancouver, Canada Area


    Worked as part of UBC's Arts Audio / Visual team to produce and film educational content on behalf of the faculty. Maintained and organized presentation equipment, scheduled equipment reservations, and performed general office duties.

    Directed, shot and edited live-streaming webcasts with multiple camera setups for First Nations summit meetings. Directed and edited architectural lecture series, as well as live-mixed audio.

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