Kenn McDonald
kennmcd@gmail.com
Personal Statement:
My career has spanned over 20 years from 2d animated features and television commercials to realistically animated digital humans and creatures. From a dancing cat to Chester Cheetah to Doctor Manhattan I have worked in a wide range of animation styles learning and polishing the principals of movement and performance. I have always been interested in pushing the limits of what can be achieved with the technology available. When the technology is not up to the task, I enjoy working with technical directors and software engineers to make it do what we need it to do. When I was introduced to motion capture I saw it not as a threat to animation, but as an incredible tool to help us tell stories on an epic scale with a level of realism impossible to achieve before. I think it's important for an animator or supervisor to understand how things work in other departments, so I spend a lot of effort forging relationships with artists and supervisors who work on the film before and after animation. I work closely with modeling, rigging and pipeline to make sure that animators have all the tools they need to create great performances. The most enjoyable part of my experience on a film is collaborating with the other animators on my team. Whether as a supervisor or an animator, I thrive on the collaboration between artists as we try to make our work the best it can be.
Technical Skills:
XSI 1 yr
Alias Maya - 8 yrs
Motion Builder - 2yrs
I have worked extensively with motion capture and the combination of motion capture and animation to create realistic human performance
Thorough understanding of feature animation and visual effects pipeline and production tools and principles.
Work experience:
ReelFX - December 2010 -September 2011
Animation Supervisor/Animator
Animal Logic - November 2009 -November 2010,
Animation Supervisor
Sucker Punch – Dragon Fantasy Sequence
I oversaw the rigging and animation of the dragon. Supervised the motion capture shoot for the Knight and Orc armies and worked closely with the Massive team to integrate the motion capture and additional crowd animation into the shots. Reported to the VFX supervisor and interacted daily with the client.
Sony Pictures Imageworks - April 2001- May 2009
Animation Supervisor
Watchmen, Beowulf
I oversaw all aspects of animation including pipeline development, modelling, character rigging, motion capture and animation. All animators and riggers reported to me. I worked closely with the modelling supervisor and pipeline lead and pipeline TDs and motion capture team . I reported directly to the Visual Effect Supervisor.
Lead Animator
Polar Express, Stuart Little 2
I was responsible for supervising a team of animators to complete animation on a number of sequences assigned to me by the Animation Director. I reported to the Animation Director. In the case pf Polar Express I also worked closely with the motion capture team and pipeline supervisor. I also reported to the Visual Effects Supervisor
Animator
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Open Season, Matrix Reloaded
I was responsible for animating scenes and groups of scenes assigned to my by the Animation Supervisor or Animation Director
Animator
Full Spectrum Warrior Console Game
I animated several character motions based on video reference. I reported directly to the Animation Supervisor
Saban/Fox Kids - July 2000-December 2000,
Animation Supervisor/Supervising Technical Director
What’s With Andy and Micromaniacs Internet webisodes-
I supervised all animators and Flash technical directors on both series. I reported to the Producer.
Development
Tae Kwon DoTV Series
I did Story Development and Character design under the direction of a Development Producer
Renegade Animation - October 1996-July 2000
Lead Animator
ElmoAardvark internet series
Over 25 commercials featuring, Chester Cheetah, the Trix Rabbit and other notable characters
Animator
101 Dalmations:Escape From Castle DeVil video game
Several Additional Video Games
Additional Duties
Storyboard, Character Layout, BG layout, Digital BG Painting, Character Illustration and Effects Animation
Other Films
Cats Don’t Dance – Assistant Animator and Crowd Animation
The Swan Princess – Key Assistant Animator and Crowd Animation
Cool World – Assistant Animator
Education:
1980-1984 University of Colorado, Bachelor of Fine Arts
1987-1989 Tokyo International Animation Institute ,Certification for 2 year animation course