Alina Chau
animator, illustrator, story artist, author, filmmaker, art direction
San Francisco, CA, USAAlina received her Master of Fine Arts in Animation from University of California, Los Angeles, School of Theater, Film and Television in 2001. She has produced and animated three independent animated short films, which have been successfully received in both national and international film festivals. She has over eight years of production experience in the animation and gaming industries, with production credits including titles such as Ben 10, Chaotic, Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, Battlestar Gallactica, The Tale of Despereaux, Land Before Time, Afro Samurai, Silent Hill, Gears of War, The Incredible Hulk, God of War, Medal of Honor, Line Rider, Sypro and iCarly. Her recent credit is with LucasFilm on the Clone Wars animated series as a 3D story artist. Her artistic career also include gallery and museum exhibitions, establishing a local drawing group, publishing children picture books and graphic novels, radio broadcasts and podcasts for public animation and art education. Her recent publication are TreeHouse Heroes and the Forgotten Beast, and Acquerello II - watercolor art book.
HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Pre-Visualization: Develop 3D story reel from script for Clone Wars. (LucasFilm)
•Developed cinematography, key animation blocking and editing for Clone Wars.
Storyboarding: Initially provided with only a rough script, developed the cinematic storyboard for Spyro Beginning, an action adventure fantasy story. (Technicolor)
•Developed environmental layout for new story locations that blended with the pre-existing Spyro world.
•Accommodated change requirements in the script; quickly boarded numerous alterations while remaining flexible throughout production development.
Generate and Pitch Concepts: Collaborated with animation supervisors, art directors, and producers; generated ideas, developed rough storyboards, and pitched concepts to Activision, achieving approval and financial backing for the production of 5 new game products: Bakugan, iCarly, Hot Wheels, Rapala, and Big League Sports. (Technicolor)
Independent Film Making: Independently wrote, directed, and produced three animated short films applauded by national and international film festivals:
•Frieden — The tree of Peace (1998) — This traditionally animated film about the projection of children’s human rights in armed conflict was donated to the United Nations Children’s Fund; has been screening at the U.N. headquarters in NY since 1999.
•Kite (1999) — This animated musical poem was released by Warner Brothers DVD as part of a short film collection.
•E-mc2 (2001) — This traditionaaly animated film received an Academy of Televisions Arts and Science College Television Award; screened at numerous film festivals, including the Directors Guild of America
HIGHLIGHTS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Pre-Visualization: Develop 3D story reel from script for Clone Wars. (LucasFilm)
•Developed cinematography, key animation blocking and editing for Clone Wars.
Storyboarding: Initially provided with only a rough script, developed the cinematic storyboard for Spyro Beginning, an action adventure fantasy story. (Technicolor)
•Developed environmental layout for new story locations that blended with the pre-existing Spyro world.
•Accommodated change requirements in the script; quickly boarded numerous alterations while remaining flexible throughout production development.
Generate and Pitch Concepts: Collaborated with animation supervisors, art directors, and producers; generated ideas, developed rough storyboards, and pitched concepts to Activision, achieving approval and financial backing for the production of 5 new game products: Bakugan, iCarly, Hot Wheels, Rapala, and Big League Sports. (Technicolor)
Independent Film Making: Independently wrote, directed, and produced three animated short films applauded by national and international film festivals:
•Frieden — The tree of Peace (1998) — This traditionally animated film about the projection of children’s human rights in armed conflict was donated to the United Nations Children’s Fund; has been screening at the U.N. headquarters in NY since 1999.
•Kite (1999) — This animated musical poem was released by Warner Brothers DVD as part of a short film collection.
•E-mc2 (2001) — This traditionaaly animated film received an Academy of Televisions Arts and Science College Television Award; screened at numerous film festivals, including the Directors Guild of America
Work Experience
Lucasfilm
3D story artist
Star Wars - The Clone Wars
Pre-Visualization: Develop 3D story reel from script for Clone Wars. (LucasFilm)
•Developed cinematography, key animation blocking and editing for Clone Wars.
Pre-Visualization: Develop 3D story reel from script for Clone Wars. (LucasFilm)
•Developed cinematography, key animation blocking and editing for Clone Wars.
July 2010
- February 2013
San Francisco, California, United States
TECHNICOLOR INTERACTIVE SERVICES
Senior/Lead Animator
Senior Animator
•Creatively and with efficiency visualized the script in the development of the storyboard for an 8 minute cinematic piece, designing the action sequence, staging of characters, and planning of the background layout within 3 weeks.
•Using lighting to create drama and establish atmosphere, developed a storyboard for a 3D game cinematic in a hyper real fantasy style that mirrored a live-action, adult oriented film and accommodated a very specific script with camera movement, editing and acting styles.
•Artistically created storyboards for a 2D graphic novel game cinematic project that strongly conveyed the environmental setting, a dynamic layout, dramatic atmosphere and strong storytelling poses. Results:
•Enabled the art director and background painters to develop the production paintings without any visual development references.
•Allowed animators and compositors to create a moving comic book.
•Collaborated with the client and director and developed the story idea for a commercial that promoted Spyro Eternal Darkness game on cable and television.
•Led and managed two animation teams (Burbank, CA, and Bangalore, India) in previz/3D layout and character animation production of a cinematic; excellent quality of work led to client giving company the opportunity to develop the commercial as well.
•Creatively and with efficiency visualized the script in the development of the storyboard for an 8 minute cinematic piece, designing the action sequence, staging of characters, and planning of the background layout within 3 weeks.
•Using lighting to create drama and establish atmosphere, developed a storyboard for a 3D game cinematic in a hyper real fantasy style that mirrored a live-action, adult oriented film and accommodated a very specific script with camera movement, editing and acting styles.
•Artistically created storyboards for a 2D graphic novel game cinematic project that strongly conveyed the environmental setting, a dynamic layout, dramatic atmosphere and strong storytelling poses. Results:
•Enabled the art director and background painters to develop the production paintings without any visual development references.
•Allowed animators and compositors to create a moving comic book.
•Collaborated with the client and director and developed the story idea for a commercial that promoted Spyro Eternal Darkness game on cable and television.
•Led and managed two animation teams (Burbank, CA, and Bangalore, India) in previz/3D layout and character animation production of a cinematic; excellent quality of work led to client giving company the opportunity to develop the commercial as well.
March 2005
- November 2009
Burbank, California, United States
Woodbury University
Adjunct Professor
•Teaching undergraduate Maya II and Maya III classes.
August 2005
- July 2010
Burbank, California, United States
TIGAR HARE STUDIOS
CG Character Animator
•Medal of Honor European Assault cinematic animation
January 2005
- March 2005
Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Electronic Arts
http://www.ea.com
•Medal of Honor Rising Sun
•Medal of Honor Pacific Assault
•Medal of Honor Pacific Assault
May 2002
- January 2005
Los Angeles, California, United States
NEOPETS INC
Animator/3-D Modeler
•Developed interactive on-line projects for Neopets and other studios’ productions, such as Digimon, Disney’s Snowy Dog, Lilo and Stitch, and DreamWorks’ Spirit.
January 2002
- June 2002
Glendale, California, United States
Education
University Of California - Los Angeles
Master in Fine Arts, School of Film, Theater and Television/Major in Animation
August 1997
- July 2002
Los Angeles, California, United States
Hong Kong Baptist University
Bachelor of Social Science, Digital Graphic Communication
July 1994
- June 1997
Hong Kong (historical), Hong Kong
Languages
English (Fluent),
Chinese (Native),
Skills
3D Studio Max,
Aftereffect,
Animator,
Author,
Clintiq,
Concept Art,
Flash,
Illustrator,
Mac,
MAYA,
Motion Builder,
PC,
Photoshop,
Premiere,
Storyboarding,
Visual Development,
Watercolor Painter ,
RESUME SUPPLEMENT -Animation Projects
SENIOR ANIMATOR, Technicolor Interactive Services, CA
3D Production
•3D Layout/Previz — Silent Hill (Konami/2009)
•Assistant Lead Animator — Darksider (2009)
•3D Layout/Previz/Character Animator/Storyboard Artist - Activision commercials (Activision /2009)
•Lead Animator/3D Layout/Previz — Ben 10 Cinematic (Cartoon Network/2008)
•Animator — Blitz League II (Midway/2008)
•Animator — Gear of War (Epic/2008)
•Animator — The Incredible Hulk (Sega/2008)
•Lead Animator/Co-Art Director — Line Rider Pre-render Cinematic (InXile/2007)
•Lead CG Animator/Storyboard Artist — Spyro Eternal Darkness Cinematic (Sierra/2007)
•Pre-Visualization CG Animator — Saint Row Cinematic (THQ/2007)
•Animator — Spyro 2006 & 2007 TV commercial ((Sierra/2006 & 2007)
•Animator — God of War II In-Game Cinematic (Sony/2007)
•CG Animator/Storyboard Artist — Spyro Beginning (Sierra/2006)
•Animator — Silent Hill Cinematic (Konami/2006)
•Animator — The Con Cinematic (Sony/2005)
2D Production
•Storyboard Artist — Arcania (Spellbound Entertainment /2009)
•Storyboard Artist — Vandal Heart (Konami/2009)
•Storyboard Artist — Activision Sizzle Wheel S (Activision /2009)
•Illustration — The Tale of Despereaux DVD (Universal /2008)
•Illustration — Global Wonder (2008)
•Concept Design — Operation Valkyrie DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — Battlestar Galactica DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — The Bourne Supremacy DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — The Tale of Despereaux DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — Toy Story III Feature Film DVD (Disney/2007)
•Concept Artist — Narnia, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe DVD (Disney/2006)
•Concept Artist — Afro Samurai Game (2006)
•Concept Artist — Bible animated TV show (2005)
•Concept/Storyboard Artist — Technicolor Commercial (2005)
•2d Animator/Background Painter — The Land Before Time 13 Animated Feature DVD (Universal/2007)
3D Production
•3D Layout/Previz — Silent Hill (Konami/2009)
•Assistant Lead Animator — Darksider (2009)
•3D Layout/Previz/Character Animator/Storyboard Artist - Activision commercials (Activision /2009)
•Lead Animator/3D Layout/Previz — Ben 10 Cinematic (Cartoon Network/2008)
•Animator — Blitz League II (Midway/2008)
•Animator — Gear of War (Epic/2008)
•Animator — The Incredible Hulk (Sega/2008)
•Lead Animator/Co-Art Director — Line Rider Pre-render Cinematic (InXile/2007)
•Lead CG Animator/Storyboard Artist — Spyro Eternal Darkness Cinematic (Sierra/2007)
•Pre-Visualization CG Animator — Saint Row Cinematic (THQ/2007)
•Animator — Spyro 2006 & 2007 TV commercial ((Sierra/2006 & 2007)
•Animator — God of War II In-Game Cinematic (Sony/2007)
•CG Animator/Storyboard Artist — Spyro Beginning (Sierra/2006)
•Animator — Silent Hill Cinematic (Konami/2006)
•Animator — The Con Cinematic (Sony/2005)
2D Production
•Storyboard Artist — Arcania (Spellbound Entertainment /2009)
•Storyboard Artist — Vandal Heart (Konami/2009)
•Storyboard Artist — Activision Sizzle Wheel S (Activision /2009)
•Illustration — The Tale of Despereaux DVD (Universal /2008)
•Illustration — Global Wonder (2008)
•Concept Design — Operation Valkyrie DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — Battlestar Galactica DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — The Bourne Supremacy DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — The Tale of Despereaux DVD (2008)
•Concept Artist — Toy Story III Feature Film DVD (Disney/2007)
•Concept Artist — Narnia, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe DVD (Disney/2006)
•Concept Artist — Afro Samurai Game (2006)
•Concept Artist — Bible animated TV show (2005)
•Concept/Storyboard Artist — Technicolor Commercial (2005)
•2d Animator/Background Painter — The Land Before Time 13 Animated Feature DVD (Universal/2007)
Publication
Books:
•TreeHouse Heroes and the Forgotten Beast, 2012
•Acquerello II, 2012
•Acquerello, 2010
•Paper Sonnet, 2007
•Alina’s Travel Journal, 2007
•Apéritif, 2007
Articles:
•PC Home Magazine, October 1999
•Animation World Network, October 1998
•TreeHouse Heroes and the Forgotten Beast, 2012
•Acquerello II, 2012
•Acquerello, 2010
•Paper Sonnet, 2007
•Alina’s Travel Journal, 2007
•Apéritif, 2007
Articles:
•PC Home Magazine, October 1999
•Animation World Network, October 1998
Scholastics Honors And Awards
•Edie and Lew Wasserman Film Production Fellowship (2000-2001)
•Vincent Defrance Scholarship (1999-2000)
•Dan McLaughlin Research Fellowship (1998-1999)
•Mr. Lui Ming Fong Memorial Scholarship (1995-1996)
•Dean’s List (1994-1997)
•Vincent Defrance Scholarship (1999-2000)
•Dan McLaughlin Research Fellowship (1998-1999)
•Mr. Lui Ming Fong Memorial Scholarship (1995-1996)
•Dean’s List (1994-1997)
Processional Memberships
•ASIFA Hollywood
•Creative Talent Network
•Digital Illustrator Discovery Organization, Japan (Since 2006)
•Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (2002)
•Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (2002 - 2005)
•Creative Talent Network
•Digital Illustrator Discovery Organization, Japan (Since 2006)
•Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (2002)
•Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (2002 - 2005)
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
•Determine animation styles that will dictate styles for all associated objects being animated by other animators
•Apply animation techniques using 2D illustrations, digital compositing and modeling/texturing
•Creatively manage projects and teams of artists
•Act as a liaison or point of contact for clients
•Complete the integration of MOCAP and animation into game engines
•Fluent in spoken and written English and Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin)
•Apply animation techniques using 2D illustrations, digital compositing and modeling/texturing
•Creatively manage projects and teams of artists
•Act as a liaison or point of contact for clients
•Complete the integration of MOCAP and animation into game engines
•Fluent in spoken and written English and Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin)