David J Smith

David J Smith

Animation, Creative Development, Production

Senior Animator / Mid-level Storyboard Artist / 25 yrs

Los Angeles, CA

Hire Me

Series Director, Episode Director, Animation Director

Flying With Byrd (2011)

CG Character Animator

Rogue (2007)

Animator

Happy Feet (2006)

Lead Character Animator

Survival Island (2006)

Animator

Ice Age (2002)

Digital Artist

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)

Animator

Parasite Eve (1998)

TD / Lighter

Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997)

CG Supervisor

The Nutty Professor (1996)

Roto, Tracking, Comp

Babe (1995)

Digital Artist

Batman Forever (1995)

Episode Co-Director, Animation Director

Shelldon

Runaway Star

Character Animation, Storyboards, Overseas Supervisor, Animatics, CG Layout, Directing, Editing, Story Development, Design, Voice Characterization, Acting Reference for Animation, Feature Films, TV Series, Education, Pipeline Design, and People-Watching.

Tools: Traditional Media, Photoshop, Premiere, Maya, Storyboard Pro, Softimage XSI, Excel, Final Draft, Video Cameras, TVPaint, AfterEffects, scripting languages.
Work History

  • Animator, Artist, Director

    BlueRipple

    February 2008 - Present

    Creative Service for Production Companies & Animation Studios.
    Development.

    Shelldon Season 5: Directing & Voice. (Clients: Shellhut Entertainment, Anya Animation.)
    Film Budgeting & Investment Consulting (various clients)
    Flying With Byrd, Season 3: Pre-Production Supervision, Acting Reference, Consultant, Voice. (Clients: Anya Animation / Shellhut Entertainment-GMM Grammy)
    Zimmiz iOS Game: Directing, Design, Consulting, Character Animating. (Clients: Bigfoot Toys)
    Anya Animation Showreel: Character Animation.

  • Director

    Anya Animation

    November 2009 - February 2012
    Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

    Series Director: Pre-Production, "Flying With Byrd", Shellhut Entertainment, GMM Grammy, English Asian markets.
    Episode Director: 30x11min episodes

    Animation Director: 5x22min episodes "Shelldon" Season 2, Shellhut Entertainment, NBC / North American market.

    Post-Production Voice Director, Actor:
    52x11min episodes, 12 main characters, 80-odd supporting roles, "Flying With Byrd" Season 1 English. Shellhut Entertainment/GMM Grammy.

    Pre-Production Voice Director, Actor:
    30x11min episodes "Flying With Byrd" Season 1
    5x22min episodes "Shelldon" Season 2

    Animator & Layout Artist (Maya)

    Design for development & pre-production, Act scenes for video briefings, Direct and time storyboards and edit animatics, Edit story and script. Animate difficult or complex character shots. Assist producer and supervisors with scheduling, budgeting, bidding, task assignment, task breakdowns, artist management, training, and motivation. Pitching to clients and investors.

    ... https://www.anya.co.th/

  • Lecturer

    Freelance

    January 2009 - December 2011
    Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

    -Mahidol University International College. Subjects: Character Design, Storytelling, Storyboarding, Production Management. Consultant on curriculum, infrastructure and systems.
    -Raffles Design Institute. Subjects: Maya 3D Design & Production.

  • Director

    The Monk Studio

    March 2007 - November 2009
    Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

    Directing, supervising and training a talented young team, led by visionary vfx veteran Juck Somsoman. Pioneering the Bangkok animation industry for international-quality TV. Growing a company from 5 people to 65 people (now over 100 and growing). Thumbnailing storyboards, designing the production pipeline system, directing animation, training character animators, developing stories and characters, directing voice, performing voice, layout and animation in Maya.

    Director, Paddle Pop Lion: "Pyrata". 7x7min Animated Children's TV Series, Pan-Asian Distribution, English language.

    Animation Director, Paddle Pop Lion: "Cyberion". 4x7min Animated Children's TV Show and DVD, Pan-Asian Distribution, English language.

    Animator & Layout Artist (Maya)

    ... www.themonkstudio.com/contact.html

  • Lead Animator, Consultant

    Freelance

    January 2002 - May 2007
    Sydney Area, Australia; New York Area

    "Rogue" (2007) (AFI Awarded, action-horror crocodile film). Lead Animator. Fuel VFX Sydney.
    "Luminous Presence" (Australian Reseach Council Grant) R&D, holographic production, with artist Paula Dawson. COFA UNSW.
    TV Commercials for various clients: Firehorse Studios Sydney, Click3x NY, Spontaneous Combustion NY, Just 2 Guys NY.

  • Animator

    Animal Logic

    September 2004 - November 2005
    Sydney, Australia


    "Happy Feet" (2006) (Academy Award winning film), Animator, various characters, facial & acting. Participated in Story Hub development group.

  • Animator

    Blue Sky Studios

    November 2000 - November 2001
    New York Area


    Ice Age (2002) (Academy Award nominated film), several characters - Scrat, Sid, Manny, Diego. Participated in story development group sessions.

  • Lead Animator

    Hill & Brand Productions

    March 2000 - October 2000
    Greater Los Angeles Area

    Demon Island (2002) (independent horror film), Lead Animator.

  • Senior Character Animator

    Click 3X

    March 1998 - February 2000
    Greater Los Angeles Area

    "It's True" Series Pilot, TV Commercials, Character Animator, Supervisor, and co-development work.

  • Character Animator, CG Supervisor, TD, Educator, Pipeline Developer

    Rhythm & Hues Studios

    September 1993 - October 1997
    Greater Los Angeles Area


    "Babe" (1995) (Academy Award VFX)
    "Seafari" (1994) (award-winning 70mm ride film)
    "Nutty Professor" (1996)
    "Speed 2" (1997)
    Several commercials, video projects, and games.
    Engaged in a wide variety of roles, projects and activities for a great company and amazing group of people!
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Education

  • Santa Monica College

    1998 - 1999

  • Glen Vilppu Drawing Group @ Rhythm & Hues

    January 1994 - October 1997

  • Richard Williams Animation Masterclass

    August 1997 - August 1997

  • Bachelor of Arts

    University of New South Wales

    January 1986 - December 1988

  • TAFE

    1984 - 1985

  • Shopfront Theatre for Young People

    1979 - 1983