James Schauf

James Schauf

Modeler/Texture Artist and Instructor

Senior Modeler / Senior Texture Artist / 15 yrs

Santa Clarita, CA

Hire Me

Environment Modeler

Strange World (2022)

Environment Modeler

Encanto (2021)

Modeler

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Environment Team

Us Again (2021)

visual development artist

Amusement Park (2019)

Environment Modeler

Moana (2016)

Modeler

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Character Modeler

Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011)

Character Modeler

Iron Man 2 (2010)

3d texture artist

Mindshow

Character Modeler

The Marvel Experience | Stereoscopic Dome Ride

After 9 years of serving his country, James Schauf left the United States Air Force to pursue his dream of becoming a professional artist. The foundation of his career in the entertainment industry started as a character modeler on Iron Man 2. Since then, he has continued his career in film while also working in television, commercials, games, theme parks and fashion. His passion includes the full spectrum of modeling and texturing, from high poly to low, organic to hard surface and even enjoys UVs and retopologizing.

James has worked for clients and projects such as Disney Animation Studios, Big Hero 6, Marvel, Legacy Effects, Iron Man 2, Psyop, Microsoft, Clash of Clans, Skechers, Aaron Sims Company, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Kung Fu Pand: Legends of Awesomeness, and Disney Internet Media Group.

James is currently a Vis Dev Artist (3D Modeling) at Paramount working on the Smurfs movie coming out in Feb 2025.

He is an instructor at Gnomon School of Visual Effects, teaching Hard Surface Modeling I, Hard Surface Modeling II and Intro to 3D in Maya. James also teaches at Pixl Visn teaching Modeling 200, 300 and 400 (character modeling using both Maya and Zbrush).
Work History
  • visual development artist (modeling)

    Paramount Animation

    February 2023 - Present
    Hollywood, CA

    Vis Dev artist doing modeling for the new Smurfs movie coming out Feb 2025.

  • 3D Model Designer (vis dev modeler)

    Marvel Studios

    July 2022 - December 2022
    Burbank, California, United States

    Vis Dev modeler for 2 unannounced shows.

  • Modeler

    Walt Disney Animation Studios

    January 2020 - June 2022
    Burbank, CA

    Environment modeling for:
    Raya and the Last Dragon
    Encanto
    Strange World
    Zootopia+

  • Modeling Instructor

    PIXL VISN media arts academy

    April 2016 - Present
  • Instructor

    PIXL VISN media arts academy

    March 2016 - Present
    online

    I am an instructor for the following classes:
    Modeling 200
    Modeling 300

  • Instructor

    Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games + Animation

    January 2015 - Present
  • Instructor

    Gnomon School of Visual Effects

    January 2015 - Present
    Hollywood, CA

    Instructor:
    Hard Surface Modeling 1
    Hard Surface Modeling 2
    Digital Sculpting

  • Modeling and digital sculpting Instructor

    Gnomon School of Visual Effects

    April 2013 - Present
  • Instructor

    PIXL VISN media arts academy

    March 2016 - December 2026
    Köln, Germany
  • Instructor

    Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Games + Animation

    January 2015 - January 2025
    Los Angeles, California, United States
  • 3D Modeler

    Walt Disney Animation Studios

    January 2020 - August 2021
    Burbank, California, US
  • Character Modeler

    DreamWorks Animation

    February 2019 - January 2020
    Greater Los Angeles Area
  • environmental modeler

    Prologue Films

    May 2019 - July 2019
    Los Angeles, CA, US
  • Modeler

    CVLT-LA

    January 2019 - February 2019
    Los Angeles, CA
  • 3D Modeler

    Apple Inc.

    July 2017 - October 2018
  • zbrush instructor

    AnimSchool

    September 2016 - March 2018
  • modeling supervisor /3d

    Sunrise Productions

    May 2017 - October 2017
  • 3D Modeler

    CVLT-LA

    May 2017 - June 2017
  • 3D Modeler

    Psyop

    March 2017 - April 2017
  • 3D Modeler

    MercFX

    March 2017 - March 2017
  • 3D Modeler

    Ironhead Studio

    January 2017 - February 2017
  • visual development artist

    Paramount Pictures

    June 2016 - December 2016
    Hollywood, CA

    Work directly with the Director and Art Director as a visual development artist bringing their vision to life in 3D.

  • 3d modeler/texture artist

    Mindshow, Inc

    June 2016 - August 2016
  • Freelance 3D Modeler/Texture Artist

    Psyop

    December 2014 - June 2016
    Venice, CA

    Worked as a Modeler/Texture Artist for Psyop on:
    reCore E3 Trailer
    1 unannounced projected
    3 Cricket Wireless commercials
    3 Clash of Clans commercials
    2 Fitbit Commercials
    Tecate Commercial

  • Environment Modeler

    Walt Disney Animation Studios

    February 2015 - May 2016
    Burbank
  • Modeler

    Walt Disney Animation Studios

    February 2015 - May 2016
    Burbank

    Moana- environment modeler

  • Instructor

    Gnomon School of Visual Effects

    August 2014 - December 2014
    Hollywood, CA

    Character Texture and Shading

  • Model & Texture Artist

    The Aaron Sims Company

    May 2014 - July 2014
    Greater Los Angeles Area

    The Marvel Experience- Character modeling and texturing.

  • Modeling Apprentice

    Walt Disney Animation Studios

    April 2013 - April 2014
    Burbank, CA

    Modeling environments, props, characters and creating garments with Marvelous Designer.

  • Talent Development- Modeler

    Walt Disney Animation Studios

    April 2013 - June 2013
    Burbank, CA
  • 3D Modeler

    Skechers

    February 2013 - April 2013
    Manhattan Beach, CA

    Chosen as one of two artist to start the 3D modeling/previsualization department. I worked directly with designers in the High Performance Division, concentrating on modeling a highly detailed representation of their concept. I would then texture, data prep and use RTT DeltaGen to create a realtime 3D visualization that would be used by the designers, used for presentations and for cost reduction in the creation process of the shoe.

  • Character Modeler

    Nickelodeon Animation Studio

    May 2011 - February 2013
    Burbank, CA

    Character Modeler for Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness. Along with modeling I was responsible for UVing, creating facial clusters and facial blendshapes.

  • 3D Artist

    Walt Disney Internet Group

    March 2010 - November 2010

    As a team member of the Toontown team, I was responsible for modeling and texturing environments.

  • Modeler

    Gnomon Studios

    September 2009 - December 2009

    Working on director Shane Acker's next animated short (+ -), working on environment concept modeling, look development, and previs.
    I also had the great experience working directly under lead creature designer Neville Page on preproduction of Green Lantern.

  • 3D Modeler

    Legacy Effects

    September 2009 - November 2009

    Iron Man 2- Modeling and preparing Diorama for Sideshow Collectibles
    Thor- Digital modification of body scans in preparation for sculptors

  • Character Modeler

    Legacy Effects

    February 2009 - May 2009

    As a member of the Design Department at Legacy Effects (previously Stan Winston Studios), I was a character modeler for Iron Man 2. This position required the interpretation of concept art, understanding the production pipeline and meeting the scheduled deadlines.

  • Staff Sergeant

    United States Air Force

    February 1992 - May 2001

    Leader of four individuals responsible for over sixty facilities.
    Awards & Decorations-
    Air Force Longevity Service Award (2)
    NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon- Airman Leadership School
    Good Conduct Medals (3)
    Southwest Asia Service Medal
    Air Force Overseas Ribbon- Long Tour

Education
  • High-End CG Certificate in vfx

    Gnomon School of Visual Effects

    2008 - 2010
  • 3D Modeling

    Academy of Art University

    2005 - 2007