Michael Berger

Michael Berger

Senior Maya Generalist / 23 yrs

Portland, OR, United States

Hire Me

Modeler for Rapid Prototype

Laika's Film #5

Rapid Prototype CG Modeler

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Modeler

The Alchemist's Letter (2015)

CG Modeler

Penguins of Madagascar (2014)

Previz Artist

Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)

Compositor

Coraline (2009)

Senior Modeler/Compositor/Writer

Moongirl

I'm currently a freelance 3D artist based in Portland, OR. Since receiving a BFA in Computer Animation from Ringling School of Art & Design in '01, I've been creating digital content across the worlds of film, commercials, and video games. I have professional experience as a lead artist, freelancer, look dev artist, writer, editor, and stereoscopic 3D film compositor. Specialties include CG asset creation, texturing, 3D design, previs, and modeling for Rapid Prototype. I also feverishly pursue passions in writing, photography, and world travel.
Work History

  • 3D Footwear Designer

    Nike

    January 2017 - Present

  • Freelance 3D Artist

    Lead Modeler/Generalist/3D Artist/Computer Animato

    October 2009 - December 2017

    • Almost five years experience working as a freelance artist/contractor on a range of projects for various clients including:
    -Absolute Post NYC
    -Cardboard Castle
    -Hinge Digital
    -Laika House
    -One Thousand Spokes
    -Oscilloscope Laboratories
    -R.Y. Arts
    -Superfad: Seattle
    -We Are Royale

    •Recent jobs have included:
    -Adidas
    -Honey Nut Cheerios
    -Hyundai
    -International Delight
    -M&M's
    -Nike
    -Puma
    -Rebellious Truths
    -Toys R Us
    -Wonka Laffy Taffy

    • Jobs have entailed tasks such as modeling of assets; 3D texturing; shader building; photo-real and stylized renderin

  • Modeler for Rapid Prototype

    Laika

    June 2015 - November 2016
    Hillsboro, OR

    •Modeling for Rapid Prototype on LAIKA's upcoming fifth feature.

  • 3D Modeler for Rapid Prototype

    Viacom

    July 2016 - July 2016
    Remote

    Created models for rapid prototyping to be featured in NYC installation: History of Viacom

  • Freelance Modeler/Texture Artist

    Nike

    June 2015 - June 2015

    • Modeling and texturing of assets on internal project.

  • Freelance Modeler

    Active Black

    May 2015 - June 2015

    • Modeling footwear on a upcoming ad campaign.

  • Freelance Modeler

    HouseSpecial

    February 2015 - April 2015

    • Modeling 3D assets on various commercial campaigns.

  • Modeler for Rapid Prototype

    Laika

    May 2014 - February 2015

    •Modeling for Rapid Prototype on LAIKA's upcoming fourth feature, Kubo and the Two Strings.

  • Freelance Modeler/Texture Artist

    Active Black

    December 2014 - January 2015

    • Modeling and texturing of 3D apparel for an ad campaign.

  • Freelance Modeler

    3D Product Imaging Inc.

    September 2014 - October 2014

    • Modeling and re-topologizing, utilizing scan data in preparing models for 3d product imaging.

  • Freelance Modeler/Texture Artist

    Cardboard Castle Inc

    August 2014 - September 2014

    • Creation of 3D assets for upcoming ad campaign.

  • Freelance Modeler

    Hinge Digital

    May 2014 - May 2014

    • Modeling of assets for upcoming commercial spots.

  • Freelance Modeler/Texture Artist

    We Are Royale

    April 2014 - April 2014

    • Modeling and texturing of 3D assets for multi-spot ad campaign.

  • Freelance Modeler/Previz Artist

    Laika

    February 2014 - April 2014

    • Modeling of assets for both an internal short film and multi-spot ad campaign.
    • Previz of shots on a multi-spot ad campaign.

  • Modeler

    DreamWorks Animation

    September 2013 - December 2013

    • Joined the modeling team for work on upcoming Dreamworks feature, "The Penguins of Madagascar."
    • Responsibilities include: building final models for film; working with production designer, art director, and art team to achieve desired aesthetic; supporting layout department with required rough layout assets (which include modeling and rigging); working with downstream departments to meet all of production's needs.

  • Previz Asset Manager

    DreamWorks Animation

    July 2012 - September 2013

    • Joined the rough layout team for work on upcoming Dreamworks feature, "Peabody & Sherman."
    • Responsible for managing all rough layout assets, facilitating the transfer of work from art into layout, and work from rough layout on into modeling.
    • Responsibilities include: layout modeling, character rigging, texturing, and rendering; coordinating between departments; maintaining asset libraries.

  • Freelance Modeler

    Superfad

    May 2012 - May 2012

    • Modeled assets for a multi-spot campaign.

  • Freelance 3D Generalist

    Hinge Digital

    March 2012 - April 2012

    • Modeled and re-topologized, worked alongside rigging, textured and created shaders, look development, lit and rendered on a three part campaign.

  • Freelance Modeler

    Absolute Post

    October 2011 - November 2011

    • Modeled cars and car parts for a series of Hyundai commercials alongside the Absolute team.

  • Freelance Lead Modeler

    Laika

    July 2010 - September 2011

    • Two years in a row, over two Toys R Us Christmas campaigns, led teams of in-studio and remote modelers, responsible for creating hundreds of assets across a series of television commercials.
    • Oversaw implementation of all models into the pipe.
    • Modeled characters, sets, and props.

  • Freelance Video Editor

    Oscilloscope Laboratories

    April 2010 - May 2010

    Projects included: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, The Messenger, Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak

    • Edited behind-the-scenes content, interviews and film footage, for use in DVD special features and web-based promotions.

  • Modeler/Compositor: Henry Selick’s Coraline

    Laika

    2007 - 2008

    • Modeled initial Coraline heads for use in rapid prototyping of puppets.
    • Composited final shots, from stop-motion and stereoscopic material.
    • Modeled, textured, lit & rendered 3D elements for effects driven shots.

  • Senior Modeler/Look Dev Artist

    Laika

    2005 - 2007

    Projects included: Jack & Ben, Wall and the Wing, Here Be Monsters

    • Modeled characters, sets & props for establishing look of films.

  • 3D Maya Instructor: Intermediate Modeling

    The Art Institutes

    May 2005 - July 2005

    • Taught college level course on intermediate modeling in Maya.

  • Senior Modeler/Compositor/Writer: Moongirl

    Laika

    2004 - 2005

    • Modeled all characters, props, and majority of set pieces.
    • Constructed all cloth and collision objects for sim.
    • Worked under lead compositor to establish visual treatment for three sequences.
    • Wrote original story, "Moongirl," upon which film was based.

  • Creative Consultant

    Character LLC

    2004 - 2004

    Projects included: Pepperidge Farms, PepsiCo, Perdue Chicken, etc.

    • Wrote original concepts, developed characters for brand names.

  • Modeler

    Vinton Studios

    2002 - 2004

    Projects included: Honey Nut Cheerios, Wrigley’s Gum, M&Ms;, Honda, etc.

    • Modeled and implemented characters & sets into cg pipeline.
    • Served as Maya generalist and look dev artist across variety of projects.

  • 3D Maya Generalist

    Vivendi Universal

    2001 - 2002

    Projects included: Jumpstart Animals, Rescue Heroes, Little People Airport, etc.

    • Modeled, lit & textured for variety of children’s interactive CD-ROMs, educational software.

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Education

  • Ringling College of Art and Design

    1997 - 2001