Zerply

James Schauf

Modeler/Texture Artist and Instructor

Senior Modeler / Senior Texture Artist / 15 yrs

Santa Clarita, CA

Hire Me

3D Model Designer

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Environment Team

Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011)

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