joel friesch

joel friesch

Art Director and VFX Supervisor

Supervisor Art Director / Supervisor VFX Supervisor

Novato, CA

Hire Me

NBA 2K20 (2019)

Model Maker

The Shadow (2018)

NBA 2K18 (2017)

vfx Supervisor

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Surfacing/LookDev Supervisor

The Book of Life (2014)

Digital Compositor

Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (2012)

Digital FX Supervisor

Mars Needs Moms (2011)

Digital Supervisor

I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat (2011)

Digital Effects Supervisor

A Christmas Carol (2009)

VFX Supervisor

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Visual Effects Supervisor

Charlotte's Web (2006)

Visual Effects Supervisor

Catwoman (2004)

Digital Paint Supervisor

Mission to Mars (2000)

Senior 3D Painter

The Haunting (1999)

Art Department Supervisor

Armageddon (1998)

Digital Painter

Starship Troopers (1997)

Model Shop Supervisor

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Set Dresser

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Art Director

NBA2k19

VFX Supervisor

Minion Mayhem

A senior Creative Supervisor and Art Director leading talented teams and developing young talent in production for some of the best brands and biggest studios in the world, Disney, Universal, Warner Bros. and Fox. Known for a strong artistic eye in photo real visuals like Xmen, to stylized imagery in The Book of Life. Experienced with major producers and directors to give them cutting edge film quality work, on time and budget.
Work History

  • Art Director for NBA2K

    2K Games

    October 2016 - Present

  • Art Director

    Brazen Animation

    May 2015 - September 2016

  • VFX Supervisor

    MPC

    August 2014 - November 2014

    "Xmen Days of Future Past", director's release

  • VFX supervisor

    Reel FX

    January 2011 - June 2014

    Supervisor- Look Development, Surfacing (Lighting and Matte Painting, uncredited) "The Book of Life"
    Vfx Supervisor- "I Tawt I Taw a Putty Tat",-- '11 Academy short list, Animated Short
    Vfx Supervisor- "Flash in the Pain", animated short for Warner Bros
    Vfx Supervisor- "Despicable ME: Minion Mayhem" 3D ride Universal Studios Orlando -- Annie Award Best Animation Special Production, VES Award Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project

  • VFX Supervisor

    Looney Tunes: I tawt I saw a Puddy Tat

    January 2011 - January 2012

  • Digital Effects Supervisor

    ImageMovers Digital, Disney

    October 2007 - December 2010

    DFX SUPE on A CHRISTMAS CAROL and MARS NEEDS MOMS

  • VFX Supervisor

    Tippett Studio

    1996 - October 2007

    30+ film and commercial projects

  • Modelshop Supervisor

    Giant Peach Productions, Disney

    1994 - 1996

    supervised model and prop creation for stop motion film

  • modelmaker

    Galloob Toys

    1994 - 1994

    prototype modeling and toy design

  • modelmaker and set dresser

    Skellington Productions, Disney

    1993 - 1994

    model, props and set construction. Set dressing miniature sets

  • visual effects artist

    CWI Chris Walas Inc

    1989 - 1993

    creating and design of creature effects for film and commercials

  • fabricator

    Menagerie Productions

    1989 - 1989

    modelmaker and fabricator for commercial production

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Education

  • BFA

    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

    1984 - 1989