Johnny Diaz

Johnny Diaz

Los Angeles based CG generalist/Lighter

Senior 3D Artist/Generalist / Senior Lighting Artist / 21 yrs

Los Angeles, CA

Hire Me

Leroy Merlin: Life's Adventure (2017)

Huawei Project E (2017)

The Toycracker (2016)

Aloha (2015)

Riddick (2013)

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)

3D Lead/ Modeler (freelance)

Halo 4 (2012)

The Amazing Spiderman (2012)

I Am Number Four (2011)

Spider-Man (2010)

Watchmen (2009)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Halo 4 The Commissioning

As a generalist since 2004, past positions included responsibilities such as modeling, texturing, shading, animation, and rendering. Core skill set is primarily lighting in Maya using Arnold, V-ray, Redshift, Unreal as well as Houdini.

Specialties: Program knowledge includes but not limited to Autodesk's Maya, Houdini, Blender, Unreal, Solid Angle Arnold, Chaos Group's V-Ray, Redshift, Cycles, Eevee, Mari, Substance Painter. Composting in The Foundry's Nuke, and Adobe's After FX. 2D image editing packages include Adobe's Photoshop. Fine art abilities include drawing, painting, and sculpting.
Work History

  • Lighter

    A52

    June 2024 - June 2024

  • Lighter

    A52

    October 2023 - October 2023

  • 3D Generalist / Lighter

    FuseFX

    September 2021 - September 2023
    Los Angeles Metropolitan Area · Remote

  • Lighter

    Method Studios

    July 2021 - September 2021
    Santa Monica, California, United States · Remote

  • Sr. Lighter / Sr. 3D Generalist

    Preymaker

    May 2021 - June 2021
    New York, United States · Remote

    Created Mars environment for the Perseverance rover. Lit and assembled scenes for rendering on the cloud. Also made scripts to reapply shaders to alembic cached assets.

  • Lighter

    Method Studios

    February 2021 - April 2021
    Santa Monica, California, United States · Remote

  • 3D Generalist

    Indigo S

    December 2020 - December 2020
    Bellevue, Washington, United States · Remote

  • lighting artist

    Method Studios

    September 2020 - November 2020
    Santa Monica, California, US

  • Lighter

    Method Studios

    July 2020 - November 2020
    Los Angeles Metropolitan Area · Remote

  • CG Generalist

    Brud

    July 2019 - July 2020
    Los Angeles, California, United States

  • 3D Generalist

    Brud Inc

    May 2019 - July 2019
    Los Angeles, California, United States

  • Sr. Lighter / Sr. 3D Generalist

    Brud

    February 2019 - July 2019
    On-site

    Came on to light photo realistic characters based on tracked assets.

  • Sr. Lighter / Sr. 3D Generalist

    Brud

    February 2019 - July 2019
    On-site

    Came on to light photo realistic characters based on tracked assets.

  • Sr. Lighter / Sr. 3D Generalist

    Brud

    February 2019 - July 2019
    On-site

    Came on to light photo realistic characters based on tracked assets.

  • 3D Generalist

    Brud Inc

    March 2019 - May 2019
    Los Angeles, CA, USA

  • Lighter

    Kevin VFX

    January 2019 - January 2019
    Venice, California · On-site

  • Lighter

    Ntropic

    September 2018 - September 2018
    Santa Monica · On-site

  • lighting td

    Eight VFX

    August 2018 - September 2018
    Santa Monica, California, US

  • 3D Modeler

    Shomen Productions

    May 2018 - June 2018
    Los Angeles, California, United States

  • Lighter

    Eight VFX

    February 2018 - April 2018

  • Sr. Lighter/Sr. CG Generalist

    Eight VFX

    March 2018 - April 2018
    Santa Monica · On-site

    Did some lighting work for a Apartments.com online ad.

    Project: Apartments.com (2018)

  • Sr. Lighter/Sr. CG Generalist

    Eight VFX

    March 2018 - April 2018
    Santa Monica · On-site

    Did some lighting work for a Apartments.com online ad.

    Project: Apartments.com (2018)

  • Sr. Lighter/Sr. CG Generalist

    Eight VFX

    March 2018 - April 2018
    Santa Monica · On-site

    Did some lighting work for a Apartments.com online ad.

    Project: Apartments.com (2018)

  • Lighter

    Eight VFX

    September 2017 - December 2017
    Santa Monica · On-site

  • 3D Generalist

    Perspective Labs

    July 2017 - August 2017

  • 3D Generalist

    The Mission Studio

    May 2017 - June 2017

  • lighting/shading artist

    Synchrony Studios

    March 2017 - March 2017

  • 3D Generalist

    Eight VFX

    December 2016 - February 2017

  • Texture Artist

    Mirada Studios

    December 2016 - December 2016
    Culver City · On-site

    Worked on generating textures for a new NAS car model. Used Mari to generate all texture maps.

  • lighter

    Method Studios

    July 2016 - December 2016

  • Lighter

    The Mill

    January 2016 - March 2016
    Los Angeles, California, United States · On-site

    Came on to light multiple spots which included 2 US Bank commercials, a super bowl ad for Honda and a commercial to be aired solely in China for a new release of a Huawei cell phone.

    Project: US Bank 2016
    Project: Honda- A New Truck to Love 2016
    Project: Huawei 2016

  • Lighter

    The Mill

    January 2016 - March 2016
    Los Angeles, California, United States · On-site

    Came on to light multiple spots which included 2 US Bank commercials, a super bowl ad for Honda and a commercial to be aired solely in China for a new release of a Huawei cell phone.

    Project: US Bank 2016
    Project: Honda- A New Truck to Love 2016
    Project: Huawei 2016

  • Lighter

    The Mill

    January 2016 - March 2016
    Los Angeles, California, United States · On-site

    Came on to light multiple spots which included 2 US Bank commercials, a super bowl ad for Honda and a commercial to be aired solely in China for a new release of a Huawei cell phone.

    Project: US Bank 2016
    Project: Honda- A New Truck to Love 2016
    Project: Huawei 2016

  • Lighter

    Mirada Studios

    September 2015 - September 2015
    Culver City, California, United States · On-site

    Lit some models using Arnold for a GE virtual reality demo using Oculus Rift head set.

  • Lighter

    Mirada Studios

    September 2015 - September 2015
    Culver City, California, United States · On-site

    Lit some models using Arnold for a GE virtual reality demo using Oculus Rift head set.

  • Lighter

    Mirada Studios

    September 2015 - September 2015
    Culver City, California, United States · On-site

    Lit some models using Arnold for a GE virtual reality demo using Oculus Rift head set.

  • Lighter

    The Mill

    August 2015 - August 2015
    Los Angeles, California, United States · On-site

    Was a lighter for an Audi commercial to be aired in China. Lit a particle simulation with instance models using solid Angle Arnold.

  • Lighter

    The Mill

    August 2015 - August 2015
    Los Angeles, California, United States · On-site

    Was a lighter for an Audi commercial to be aired in China. Lit a particle simulation with instance models using solid Angle Arnold.

  • Lighter

    The Mill

    August 2015 - August 2015
    Los Angeles, California, United States · On-site

    Was a lighter for an Audi commercial to be aired in China. Lit a particle simulation with instance models using solid Angle Arnold.

  • CG Generalist

    Motomo Inc.

    July 2015 - July 2015
    Santa Monica

    Worked on some football player assets for a new Monday Night Football spot for 2015. Generated some textures as well as some Z Brush sculpting.

  • CG Generalist

    Motomo Inc.

    July 2015 - July 2015
    Santa Monica

    Worked on some football player assets for a new Monday Night Football spot for 2015. Generated some textures as well as some Z Brush sculpting.

  • CG Generalist

    Motomo Inc.

    July 2015 - July 2015
    Santa Monica

    Worked on some football player assets for a new Monday Night Football spot for 2015. Generated some textures as well as some Z Brush sculpting.

  • Lighter, 3D Generalist

    Method Studios

    November 2014 - April 2015
    Santa Monica

    Worked on a number of projects including a VW commercial, Dole, and a number of projects for a recently released device for a high end client that specializes in computers, cell phones and now smart wrist watches.

  • Lighter, 3D Generalist

    Method Studios

    November 2014 - April 2015
    Santa Monica

    Worked on a number of projects including a VW commercial, Dole, and a number of projects for a recently released device for a high end client that specializes in computers, cell phones and now smart wrist watches.

  • Lighter, 3D Generalist

    Method Studios

    November 2014 - April 2015
    Santa Monica

    Worked on a number of projects including a VW commercial, Dole, and a number of projects for a recently released device for a high end client that specializes in computers, cell phones and now smart wrist watches.

  • Lighter

    Method

    April 2014 - March 2015

  • Modeler, Texture Artist, Shading, Lighter

    Digital Kitchen

    September 2014 - November 2014
    Culver City


    Was a lead for modeling, texture painting, look development, lighting and rendering passes for a photorealistic palm tree for the title sequence for the Bloodline series on Netflix.

    Project: Bloodline Title Sequence (2013)

  • Modeler/Texture Artist

    Hammerhead Productions

    January 2014 - July 2014
    Sherman Oaks


    Modeling and texture work on a satellite prop for a Cameron Crowe feature.Texture painter and animator for a shark hero character of Discovery Megladon show.

  • Modeler, Lighter

    A52

    November 2013 - December 2013
    Santa Monica


    Modeled a number of assets to used in CG environments for a series of projections to be used on set for a commercial for Experian.

    Project: Experian (2013)

  • CG Generalist

    Comen VFX

    August 2013 - September 2013
    Santa Monica


    Set up asset ships for a number of shots for the directors cut of Chronicles of Riddick as well as UVed hero ship. Also painted textures and look development on all assets.

    Project:Chronicles of Riddick Directors Cut (2013)

  • CG Artist

    Ignition Creative

    July 2013 - July 2013
    Playa Vista, CA


    Animated the new Fox Monday Night Football logo using Cinema 4d as well as rendering passes used for final comp.

    Project:Monday Night Football (2013)

  • Lighter (freelance)

    Psyop

    April 2013 - May 2013
    Venice CA


    Lighting in Arnold for numerous spots including, Amc, Apple, and Aczone.

    Project: AMC (2013)
    Project: Apple (undisclosed) (2013)
    Project: Aczone Mirror Head (2013)

  • CG Generalist (freelance)

    Ntropic

    August 2012 - October 2012
    Culver City


    Environment generation for an ABC spot. Lighting on a Ford and Lincoln web commercial.

  • Lighter (freelance)

    Arsenal FX

    June 2012 - July 2012
    Santa Monica


    Photorealistic lighting for a KIA car commercial.

  • 3D Lead/ Modeler (freelance)

    Method Studios

    April 2012 - May 2012
    Santa Monica


    Was the 3D lead artist for the Amazing Spiderman. Modeled, textured, shaded, and lit an entire environment for 3 shots as well as a stack of news papers for another shot. And also was a modeler for Halo: The Commissioning commercial for the Halo 4 game.

    Project: The Amazing Spiderman 2012
    Project: Halo: The Commissioning 2012

  • CG Generalist (freelance)

    Logan Media

    October 2011 - March 2012
    Marina Del Rey


    Lighting,and texture painting for a photo realistic product spot.

  • Lighting TD (Freelance)

    Zoic Studios

    September 2011 - September 2011
    Culver City, CA


    Generated some lighting for a number of interiors for the React 5 Gum web game campaign.

    PROJECT: 5 Gum (2011)

  • Lighting TD (Freelance)

    Pistolera

    August 2011 - August 2011
    Santa Monica, CA


    DESCRIPTION: Generated elements for a photorealistic jet for a Century Link commercial.

    PROJECT: Century Link (2011)

  • Lighting TD (Freelance)

    Logan

    August 2011 - August 2011
    Los Angeles, CA


    Did some lighting for a photo realistic car for the intro for Gymkhana 4, the megammercial. Also generated passes for a highly graphic, stylized Sears commercial.

    PROJECT: Gymkhana (2011)
    PROJECT: Sears Price Drop (2011)

  • Lighting TD (Freelance)

    Public VFX

    April 2011 - June 2011
    Venice, CA


    Lit a photo realistic car in multiple environments over a time lapse of a day using Mental Ray for maya.

    PROJECT: Chevy (Malibu 2012) (2011)

  • Lighting TD (Freelance)

    Zoic Studios

    April 2011 - April 2011
    Culver City, California, United States


    Lit multiple cinematics with stylized characters for Blizzard/Activision's Spyro game using V-Ray for Maya.
    PROJECT: Spyro (2011)

  • Lighting TD (Freelance)

    Digital Domain

    March 2011 - March 2011
    Venice, California, United States


    Lit multiple shots with numerous photo realistic cars in a fully CG environment. All rendered using V-Ray for Maya.
    PROJECT: Autotrader (2011)

  • Modeler (Freelance)

    The Mill

    February 2011 - February 2011
    Santa Monica, California, United States


    Prop extension for a set. Generated efficient models based on ruff conceptual design. Generated geometry also needed to complement the design of actual set pieces as well as to appear to be functional.
    PROJECT: Wrigley's React 5 (2011)

  • CG Artist (Freelance)

    Logan Media

    October 2010 - January 2011
    Los Angeles, CA


    Modeling, texture painting, lighting, shading, and as well as look development for a number of commercials.

  • 3D Generalist (Freelance)

    Shade VFX

    September 2010 - October 2010
    Santa Monica, California, United States


    Created 3D elements for the I am Number 4 feature and rendered in V-Ray for Maya.

  • 3D Generalist (Freelance)

    The Mill

    April 2010 - September 2010
    Santa Monica, California, United States


    Creating efficient polygonal models and texture generation from product CAD models as well as concept sketches. Lighting, rendering and nuke compositing were also required for the following projects.

  • 3D Generalist (Freelance)

    Flight 33 Productions

    January 2010 - February 2010
    Sherman Oaks, California, United States


    Creating 3D elements for the Life After People series on the History channel.

  • Texture Painter (Freelance)

    The Integration Company

    September 2009 - December 2009
    Santa Monica, California, United States


    Set up textures for a promotional film. Responsibilities include building textures based on photos as well hand paint dirt maps.

  • Texture Painter, Modeler, Lighter (Freelance)

    A52

    June 2009 - August 2009
    Santa Monica, California, United States


    Build and set up environments. Responsibilities include building sets to scale based on layout measurements as well as creating models shaders, textures, lighting, and renders.

  • Texture Painter, Modeler, Lighter (Freelance)

    CIS Hollywood

    September 2008 - April 2009
    Hollywood, California, United States


    Duties include texture painting, modeling, lighting, and rendering assets used for :
    The Watchmen
    GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra

  • CG Artist

    Brickyard VFX

    April 2007 - September 2008
    Santa Monica, California, United States


    Working on various projects but primarily commercials which include clients such as Sprint, Hummer, Honda, Adidas, Orbiz, Progressive, Subway.

  • 3D generalist (Freelance)

    Pacific Title & Art Studio

    February 2007 - March 2007
    Hollywood, California, United States


    3D generalist for various film projects which included a lot of matchmoving animation.

  • FX TD (Freelance)

    Giant Killer Robots

    October 2006 - November 2006
    San Francisco, California, United States


    Hired on as a FX TD working mainly on fire FX and shader application on a feature film character. Responsibilties include but not limited to Maya fluids, Mental Ray rendering, and compositing in Shake.

  • General CG Artist

    Stylus LLC

    February 2005 - April 2006
    Berkeley, California, United States


    Creation of 3D animations for medical and scientific purposes. Titles include General 3D Artist/FX Animator, Z Brush sculptor, and compositor. Conduct reseach of scientific, biological and medical material.

  • Lighting and Character Rigging (Freelance)

    Eidos Interactive

    November 2004 - November 2004
    San Francisco, California, United States


    Rigged and set up lighting for some characters and various weapons for the Project: Snowblind game.

View All Positions
Education

  • Academy of Art University

    1999 - 2003

  • Yuba College

    1996 - 1999