Diana Grande

Diana Grande

3D Character Animator

Senior Animator / 14 yrs

Vancouver, BC Canada

Professional 3D Character Animator with experience working in feature film, VFX, AAA cinematics, and commercial pipelines in both hands-on and lead roles. Proficient in both keyframe and motion-capture edit animation. Received education from Pixar classes in San Francisco, with an MFA in animation.
Work History
  • Senior Animator

    Luma Pictures

    November 2024 - March 2025
  • Animator

    Digital Domain

    July 2024 - September 2024
  • Animator

    Framestore

    January 2024 - June 2024
  • Animator

    Digital Domain

    August 2023 - January 2024
    Vancouver, CA

    Keyframe and mocap character performances for unannounced feature.

  • Animator

    Animal Logic

    January 2022 - May 2023
    Vancouver, Canada

    Keyframe character performances for Netflix feature "Leo."

  • Senior Animator

    Method Studios

    October 2018 - January 2022
    Montréal, Canada

    Keyframe character performances, creature anim, mocap edit.
    Leading development of facial animation and rigs.

  • Animator

    Atomic Fiction

    January 2018 - December 2018
    Montreal, Canada Area
  • RP CG Animator

    Laika

    November 2016 - September 2017
  • Lead Cinematic Animator

    Sony

    August 2015 - November 2016
  • Cinematic Character Animator

    Sony Computer Entertainment America

    November 2012 - February 2015
    Greater San Diego Area

    "Days Gone" - Animated face, body and props for cut cinematics.
    "Uncharted: Thief's End" - Animated face using proprietary solving software for cut cinematics
    Star Wars "Ragtag" - Animated hero facial tests to establish project standard.
    "God of War 4" - Animated face anim for cinematics.
    "Horizon" - Keyframe in-game tests for quadruped creature.
    "The Order: 1886" - Animated motion capture and keyframe cinematics for body, face, and props.
    "The Last of Us: Left Behind" - Animated cinematics in keyframe and motion capture.
    "Killzone: Shadowfall" - Animated keyframe face in Maya and mocap cinematics in Motion Builder.
    "The Order: 1886" Demo- Animated cinematics for demo developed for E3 conference.
    "Puppeteer" - Keyframe animated character and environment for cut cinematics.

  • Freelance Animator

    Digital Funk Machine

    March 2015 - 2015

    Keyframe and motion capture animation for face and body on Occulus Rift VR title.

  • Animator

    Logan

    February 2015 - 2015
    Greater Los Angeles Area

    Keyframe animation for Apple product.

  • Instructor

    Academy of Art University

    January 2010 - November 2012


    Provided Animation and VFX course support for international students

  • English Instructor

    Japan Exchange and Teaching Program(me) (JET)

    August 2006 - August 2008
    Toyama, Japan


    Employed by the Nanto City Board of Education to teach English at the junior high and elementary level in Toyama Prefecture, Japan

  • Translator and Promotional Intern

    Kabuki Theater Research Institute

    March 2005 - July 2005
    Tokyo, Japan


    Selected as only non-Japanese employee to translate and assist in activities promoting interest in Japan's traditional art of Kabuki Theater

Education
  • MFA Character Animation

    Academy of Art University

    January 2009 - June 2012
  • BFA Foreign Language & International Affairs

    University of Puget Sound

    January 2002 - May 2006
  • Kanda University of International Studies

    2005 - 2005