KALEN STEWART
klinharris@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/kalen-stewart-harris | @kalenstewartart
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AWARDS
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Oscar | Nominee ‘Elemental’, ‘Inside Out 2’ Intel University Game Showcase | 1st ‘Avast Ye!’
Student Oscar | Top 7 ‘Death and Delilah’ Student Emmy | 1st ‘Stowaway’ ​
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WORK EXPERIENCE
LAIKA Studios (2024)
Environment Artist | Technical Director
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Developed and optimized processes for digital asset creation for a new pipeline
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Managed the entire pipeline workflow, from modeling to compositing, ensuring seamless integration and quality throughout each stage
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Led optimization initiatives for legacy assets, improving performance and efficiency
Pixar Animation Studios (2021-2024)
Technical Director | Shader | Research & Development
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Contributed to the technical engineering of shading networks within Houdini and Katana for all water characters in the Oscar-nominated film ‘Elemental’
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Led cross-departmental research creating and implementing stylized shading into the existing pipeline
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Managed a dedicated shading system for crowd characters, utilizing a novel Houdini-Engine character pipeline, ensuring consistent visual fidelity comparable to that of hero characters
Computer Graphics Master Academy (2023-2024)
Instructor
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Conducted instruction for a diverse student cohort spanning from novices to seasoned professionals.
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Offered constructive feedback and evaluations on student assignments.
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Facilitated weekly Q&A sessions to address student inquiries and delivered live demonstrations as needed.
Walt Disney Animation Studios (2021)
3D Generalist | Modeler/Rigger | Look Development | Simulation Artist
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Acquired proficiency in the tools and workflows of five distinct departments within an intensive eight-week period
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Produced an original short within a 6 week deadline, owning character model, rig, look dev., and CFX, ensuring alignment with objectives and timelines.
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Worked closely with upstream departments to ensure design feasibility and maintain design integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
Blue Sky Studios (2020)
3D Character Intern, Summer 2021
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Advanced proficiency in ZBrush through the creation of production-ready sculpts of characters and props based on concept designs
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Mentored with industry experts across multiple disciplines within the character creation pipeline, including grooming, texturing, modeling, and rigging
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SKILLS​
Houdini | ZBrush | Maya | XGen | Katana | Nuke | Adobe Suite | Substance | Mari | Renderman | Arnold | Python | Problem Solving | Adaptability | Spanish | Portuguese