Jason Suarez

WWW.JASONSUAREZ.COM

OBJECTIVE

My goal is to obtain a position within an environment that will allow me to utilize my experience, knowledge and skills to be a key member of a team.

 

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Principal VFX Artist with 23 years of industry experience and an Associate Degree in Graphic Design / Multimedia Certification.

  • Experienced in multiple 3D/simulation software
  • Experienced in multiple Game Development Engines (Unreal Engine, Various Proprietary Engines)
  • Ability to provide particulate, fluid, pyro, smoke, destruction and crowd simulations
  • Solid understanding of particles, dynamics, atmospherics and composition
  • Skilled in all 3D disciplines, model, texture, rig, animate, light and render/export
  • Proven ability to create realistic to stylized visual effects
  • Expertise in team adaptation and communication
  • Credited: 22 Shipped Game Titles - 23 Released Movies - 13 Episodic TV Series

PropMaker/SPFX with 2 years of On Set experience and a PYROTECHNIC OPERATOR License - Special Effects 3rd Class.

TRADE SKILLS

Pyrotechnics, Carpentry, Electrical  (Residential / Automotive), Plumbing (Residential / Gas), Automotive Mechanics / Restoration, Basic Welding

  • Reading of and constructing from blueprints, drawings, sketches and CAD drawings and digital files.
  • Breakaway Glass: Care, transport, and installation of plastic-based breakaway glass. Care, transport, installation, and rigging to shatter tempered glass.
  • Electrical Props and Fixtures: Thorough knowledge of basic electrical principles, safety and legal requirements. Ability to build props using electrical motors, actuators, switches, lighting components and circuits.
  • Rigging: all types of rigging and construction used by the prop maker in the motion picture industry.
  • Hydraulics and Pneumatics: Knowledge of system elements, set up, safety and limitations, and the proper applications of each technology.

CAD/Revit Blueprints

Residential
• Single Family Residence Initial Floorplans

WORK EXPERIENCE

I.A.T.S.E. Local 44, Valley Village, Ca. August 2022 to Present

Prop Maker / Special FX (on set) Pyro Tech Op. Lic. 3Class Special Effects

  • Your Honor - Season 2 (Showtime)
  • Good Trouble - Season 5
  • On Swift Horses Adaptation- (Film)
  • How To Be A Bookie - Season 1

Deviation Games, Santa Monica, Ca. August 2020 to August 2022

Principal VFX Artist (game)

  • Still in Development PS5...

Encore Hollywood, Burbank, Ca. September 2016 to August 2020

VFX Artist (broadcast-episodic)

  • Provide 3D dynamic simulations (Crowd,Pyro, Destruction, Fluids and Particles)
  • Create VFX for Multiple Episodic shows during simultaneous seasons

Activision/Blizzard -Treyarch Studios, Santa Monica, Ca. February 2015 to September 2016

Senior VFX Artist (game)

  • Provided 3D dynamic elements to render for 2D textures/flipbooks
  • Provided VFX for Campaign Levels, Zombie DLC Levels, In-game cinematics
  • Utilized proprietary software to provide effects for game

The Asylum, Burbank, Ca. July 2012 to February 2015

VFX Artist (film)

  • Provided 3D dynamic elements to render for 2D composition
  • 3D tasks (model, texture, animate, render)
  • Composed filmed plates with rendered elements
  • Key member for dynamic simulations (pyro/liquid/demolition)

Sideshow Studios, Santa Monica, Ca. April 2012 to November 2012

3D Generalist (broadcast-promotional)

  • 3D tasks (model,texture,animate,render)
  • Developed content for promotional media

Collision Studios, Santa Monica, Ca. September 2010 to October 2011

Lead Artist (game)

  • Managed a small team of in house artist
  • Instructed Interns on production tasks
  • Coordinated outsource tasks with global contractors
  • 3D tasks (model, texture, animate)
  • Implemented art assets (environment, characters, animations and particle effects) into game engine
  • Monitored/resolved bug fixes with Engineers and Designers
  • Key member in Art department operations and development

Inhance Digital, Los Angeles, Ca. June 2010

3D Generalist (web)

  • 3D tasks (model, texture, animate, render)
  • Created content for interactive media in XNA engine utilizing image bar codes for augmented reality

Pi Studios, Houston, Tx. January 2007 to March 2010

Lead Artist/Lead Animator (game)

  • Managed Art department
  • Coordinated outsource tasks with overseas contractors
  • Instructed Interns on production tasks
  • 3D tasks (model, texture, animate)
  • Implemented art assets (environment, characters, animations and particle effects) into game engines
  • Monitored/resolved bug fixes with Engineers and Designers
  • Key member in Art department operations and development

Archimage, Houston, Tx. March 2005 to December 2006

Senior Artist / Animator (game)

  • 3D tasks (model, texture, animate, render)
  • Developed content for N.I.H. (National Institute of Health)
  • Key member in game development and strategies

Black Ops Entertainment, Santa Monica, Ca. October 2002 to June 2003

Environment Artist (game)

  • 3D tasks (model, texture)
  • Developed a 3D environment

Prolific Publishing Inc., Burbank, Ca. March 1999 to August 2002

3D Generalist /Lead Artist (game)

  • 3D tasks (model, texture, animate, render)
  • Created environments, weapons, vehicles, characters
  • Animated characters and vehicles
  • Monitored/resolved bug fixes with Engineers and Designers

EDUCATION

A.A. Graphic Design - Platt College Los Angeles, Ca. December 1998

Multimedia certification

COMPUTER SKILLS

3D Software: Houdini, 3D Studio Max, Maya, MotionBuilder, Z Brush

2D Software: Nuke, Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Premiere, Fusion, Sony Vegas

Render/Tracking Software: Krakatoa, V-Ray, Mental Ray, Maxwell, Mocha, Syntheyes

Game Engine / Console: Unreal 5 / PS5

MILITARY EXPERIENCE

United States Armed Forces, Army, MOS: 19Kilo November 1994 to Apr 1997

  • Gunner on a M1A1 Abrams 120mm Tank
  • Awarded Army Commendation Medal for actions in Kuwait '96
  • Honorable Discharged