MARK T. ARO

Producer, Director, Art Director, Designer, Animator, Editor

Eagle Mountain, UT, USA
Award-winning, creative professional with a passion for design, animation, and digital video production. Exceptional work ethic with more than 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and more than fifteen years in various creative management positions. A decade of experience as a graphic artist, 3D animator, and creative lead within the Video Game industry and more than a decade of experience as an art director, designer, animator, and editor in the Broadcast Television News industry. A Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Cinematography (digital video production) and more than a decade of experience producing, directing, and editing independent short and feature-length films.

Work Experience

Hyperactive Studios

Independent Contractor: Animator, Motion Graphics Animator, Video Editor, Graphic Designer

Some of my clients include:
RadarWorks | Susan G. Komen | American Red Cross | Disney | Universal Games | Sierra | 3DO | Legacy Interactive | Port of Long Beach | KSEE-TV | KGPE-TV | WEEK-TV | Personal Creations Inc. | Scottevest Inc. | Tachi Palace Casino | Chukchansi Casino | American Greetings | Shutterstock | Cubic Quarters
January 1998 - Present United States

Shutterstock

Remote - Vector Illustration Reviewer

June 2015 - June 2020 New York, United States

KSEE Television Inc. - NBC

Art Director - Promotions Producer

Motion Graphics animator and Video Editor – News, Promotional and Commercial content

Photographer and Videographer – News Talent, Events, Promotional and Commercial content

Producer News and Client Content – Produce/Direct promo projects for News dept. and for Commercial Production Dept.

Graphic Design - Print design and layout, outdoor marketing displays and vehicle wraps

Web and Social Media – Design and create content for web and all social media platforms

Direct overall station graphics look and manage all news and promotional graphic staff
December 2005 - July 2013 Fresno, California, United States

Finding Hope Now - Feature Film

Producer - Production Designer - Editor - Post Prod. Supervisor

Producer – One of three producers on this feature film

Production Designer – Design overall look and feel of film as well as supervised and directed all creative departments
(Wardrobe, Art, Make-up, Sound) and create Storyboards

Post Production Supervisor – Supervised small post production team, second unit camera crew for b-roll, and all ADR and post video and audio production, including music

Editor and VFX – Edited film and created various post effects for film as well as various marketing and promotional assets
October 2008 - June 2012 Fresno, California, United States

Legacy Interactive

Art Director

Conceptualize graphics, environments and characters

Build 3D environment and character assets

Supervise Art and Animation staff
March 2004 - December 2005 Hollywood, California, United States

Vivendi Universal Games

Tolkien Franchise Art Director - Marvel Interim Art Director

Art Direct - Direct, design and approve content being developed by various remote development studios throughout USA and Canada

Marketing - Hire and direct contract artists and teams for cut sequences and various marketing materials

Liaise with Tolkien Enterprises - Communicate and report to Tolkien Enterprises regarding brand and adherence to brand guidelines
January 2003 - March 2004 Culver City, California, United States

Education

Full Sail University

Digital Cinematography Bachelor of Science

I am currently attending Full Sail University Online, pursuing my Bachelor in Digital Cinematography. The four year degree is a 32 month program straight through. I will receive my degree in 2018. After that I plan on continuing at Full Sail where I will obtain my Masters Degree with the intent of eventually teaching at a college level.
August 2015 - Present Orlando, Florida, United States

Fxphd

Advanced Special effects and Visual Effects Training

Completed the following training programs:
Directing
Lighting for Production
Cinema 4D training 1 & 2
Advanced VFX Animation and workflow
Advanced Audio skills for Film and TV
Advanced Cinema 4D techniques
Advanced Matte Painting Techniques
DSLR Cinematography
DSLR Scripted Cinematography
2013 - 2014

Duncan Poly Tech

Printing & Graphic Design Certification

Completed 1 year graphic design and offset printing course
1990 - 1991 California, United States

Duncan Polytechnical

ROP Fashion Merchandising

This was an ROP trade course that I participated in during my senior year in High School. It was half days, five days a week for one school year.
September 1985 - June 1986 Fresno, California, United States

McLane High School

High School Diploma

September 1983 - June 1986 Fresno, California, United States

Awards

PromaxBDA Awards

Bronze Award - :60 Promotional Spot (KSEE 24)

2012

American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards

Silver - News Men of Fresno (KSEE 24)

2011

American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards

Silver - Super Proposal 24 (KSEE 24)

2011

American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards

Silver - Facebook Promo (KSEE 24)

2011

American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards

Silver - Tachi Palace Fights (Spot-On Productions)

2011

WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival

Platinum Award - Best Indie Feature - Action Adventure (Finding Hope Now)

2011

Maranatha Christian Film Festival

Best Feature Film (Finding Hope Now)

2011

ICVM

Gold Crown - Best Picture (Finding Hope Now)

2011

ICVM

Best Drama of $250k (Finding Hope Now)

2011

ICVM

Best Evangelistic Film (Finding Hope Now)

2011

ICVM

Best Youth Film (Finding Hope Now)

2011

Redemptive Film Festival

Redemptive Storyteller Award - Feature Film (Finding Hope Now)

2011

American Advertising Federation (AAF) - ADDY Awards

Best Promotional Spot - Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino (Spot-On Productions)

2010

National Academy Of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)

Emmy Nomination - Education/Schools - Program Special (KSEE 24)

2008

Skills

3D Studio Max, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Cinema 4D, Element 3D, Mac, MS Office , PC, ProTools, Suite,