Ben Guastella

Ben Guastella

CG Generalist and Simulation Artist

Senior CG Generalist & Simulation Artist / Lead character fx artist / 19 yrs

San Mateo, CA

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Senior Character FX Artist

DC Super Pets (2022)

Lead Character FX Artist

Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021)

Character Simulation Technical Director

Spies in Disguise (2019)

cfx artist

Coin Operated (2017)

Character FX Artist

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Character FX Artist

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Character FX Artist

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

Character FX Artist

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Character FX Artist

Megamind: The Button of Doom (2011)

Character FX Artist

Megamind (2010)

In my 5 years at PDI/DreamWorks as a Character FX Artist, I developed the simulation meshes for multiple cloth garments, which were then used in shots over many sequences. I was also responsible for “shot work”, where I maintained one of the highest per-week output of production shots in the hardest tier of complexity. Along with my normal artist tasks, I also took on the role of “Maya Representative” for my department, where I was able to implement studio wide improvements and standardization to our custom Maya toolset across all studio locations.

More recently, I have held a number of Senior CG/3D Generalist positions where I contributed to all aspects of production, including modeling, shading, rigging, animation, FX, lighting and compositing. I am an expert Maya user and have also used Houdini extensively, especially for visual effects such as fire, explosions, destruction and cloth/hair simulation. I also acted as a Technical Artist, creating tools and workflows to aid other artists in production, as well as designed and spearheaded a film quality CG cloth/hair simulation pipeline. In addition to contributing to pre-rendered cinematics and photorealistic advertisements, I have also created assets and FX for real-time applications and proprietary game engines, partnering with engineering teams to further expand the capabilities of the engine.
Work History

  • Senior Character FX Artist

    Animal Logic

    May 2020 - September 2020
    remote

    Responsible for simulation look-dev, shot work and contributint to overall cfx pipeline design/tooling.

  • Animal Logic

    May 2020 - June 2020
    Remote

  • Lead Character FX Artist

    Animal Logic

    August 2019 - March 2020
    Sydney, Australia

  • Character Simulation Technical Director

    Blue Sky Studios

    October 2018 - July 2019
    Greenwich, Connecticut

  • Lead Technical Artist

    Synthesis AI

    September 2020 - Present
    Remote

    Lead Technical Artist responsible for procedural houdini pipeline.

  • CG Artist / VFX Artist / Technical Artist

    Freelance

    May 2009 - Present
    Remote

    Freelance FX Artist/TD creating feature film quality simulations. I am available for remote freelance work for both live action and animated projects.

    Past project include:
    -Fluid/smoke simulation for Thomas the Train App.
    -Cloth simulation for upcoming animated short film.

  • CFX Artist

    DreamWorks Animation

    June 2010 - April 2015
    Redwood City, CA

    My work as a Character FX Artist has included the simulation development of multiple cloth garments as well as a large amount of 'shot work'. I specialize in quick turn-around times of difficult, highly art directed shots and maintained one of the highest per-week shot output in the department. Along with my artistic abilities, I also supported my department's tool-set as the 'Maya Rep', helping to create, optimize and organize our wide array of custom Maya tools across multiple films and studio locations.
    My film credits include: Megamind, Megamind: Button of Doom, Scared Shrekless, Madagascar 3, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, How to Train your Dragon 2, Penguins of Madagascar and B.O.O.
    My film reel is available on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/117756386

  • Sr. CG Generalist (Cloth and Hair Specialist)

    Machine Zone

    July 2017 - April 2018
    Palo Alto, CA

    I am responsible for designing a film quality cloth and hair simulation pipeline from scratch for use in our 3D cinematics and advertising. As the Senior CG generalist, I played a critical role in 3d pipeline design and development, as well as taking on challenging production shots which include rigging, surfacing, animating, lighting and compositing. Along with cloth/hair simulation, I am also one of MZs FX Artists, responsible for pyro, destruction simulations and many other effects for pre-rendered sequences, as well as for use in our game engine.

  • Senior 3D Motion Designer

    Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc.

    January 2016 - June 2017
    Sunnyvale, CA

    Senior 3D Artist and Motion Designer. Responsible for modeling, texturing, lighting, animating and simulating 3D content for both pre-rendered and realtime applications. Visual Designer for motion/animation related projects. 3D production pipeline development. UX design for automotive applications.

  • cg lighter

    Hogarth Worldwide

    May 2018 - September 2018
    on-site @ Apple

  • cfx artist

    Nimble Collective

    August 2016 - August 2016

  • Senior Visual Designer & CGI Artist

    Raygun Studio

    May 2015 - December 2015
    Palo Alto, CA

    3D generalist and lead 3D content creator. Responsible for creating visually stunning particle simulations, 3D models and photo realistic product renders for large scale print publications.
    Responsibilities:
    -Photorealistic 3D modeling & texturing
    -Photorealistic lighting/rendering in Cinema 4D & Luxion Keyshot
    -Fluid simulation using X-Particles
    -Particle rendering using ThinkBox Krakatoa
    -Adobe AfterEffects motion graphics and green screen compositing
    -Photo/Video Shoot on-site CG consultant
    -Pipeline development & testing
    -Python tool development

  • Lead Photographer, Director of Photography

    Freelance Photographer: Self Employed

    June 2005 - Present

    I have been a freelance photographer for many years and have shot many types of projects including weddings, fashion, real estate, food and fine art landscapes. Please feel free to visit my Flickr page to see my most recent projects. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bguastella/

    I am available for contract or full time photography work.

  • Adjunct Professor

    California College of the Arts

    September 2012 - August 2016
    Oakland, CA

    In Fall of 2012, I began teaching an Into to Character & VFX class at CCA Oakland (in addition to my role as a CFX artist at DreamWorks). I cover all simulation based effects, including particles, fluids, hair, cloth and rigids.

  • VFX Artist, 3D Modeler, Graphic Designer

    Ben Guastella Graphics

    May 2005 - 2010

  • Special Effects Artist

    IMC Productions

    2006 - August 2009

  • Animator

    Instructional Media Center at Chico State

    May 2006 - July 2009

  • Guest Artist

    CSU Summer Arts

    2008 - 2009

  • Fashion Photographer

    LuLu's Fashion Lounge

    May 2006 - August 2007

  • Photographer/Graphic Designer

    The Chico Project

    June 2005 - August 2007
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Education

  • Bachelors of Science in Applied Computer Graphics

    California State University-Chico

    2003 - 2007

  • Chico High School

    ? - ?