CG Supervisor / Animator / Maya Generalist

A Creative CG Supervisor, Character Animator and CG Generalist with 17 years of experience demonstrating artistic capabilities and production expertise is currently seeking a new role that will draw upon skills and experience in animation and visual effects.

  • Refined aesthetic and technical aptitude in developing visually stunning and photo-real visual effects.
  • Intrinsic capabilities in hand drawing 2-D animations, lighting, texturing, Maya modeling, composting, creating compelling shots, and setting props for a range of products.
  • Excellence in creating photorealistic renders, animation, and CG for music videos, TV commercials, Emmy Award-winning television shows, and feature films.
  • An expert at interacting with the target audience through creative storytelling and visual direction.
  • Experienced at serving as a central hub for all shot preparation to ensure camera accuracy in CG elements, including match moving, layout, and performance retargeting.
  • Track record of delivering as per production schedules, leading CG/ VFX teams, and incorporating complex edits while adhering to broadcast standards.

Core Competencies

  • 3-D Character Animation
  • VFX Creation
  • Project Leadership
  • Creative Management
  • 2-D Hand Drawn Illustrations
  • Composting and Editing
  • Modeling and Lighting
  • Digital Content Creation
  • Production Scheduling
  • Audience Engagement
  • Client Relations
  • Staff Training & Development

Professional Background

Ghost VFX (2021 - 2023)

Lead CG Artist
  • Tasked with developing and creating high quality CG models and assets for use in high profile television shows and feature films. Developed and created high-quality photo-real CG assets and effects for various network, cable, and streaming television shows.
  • Led a team of CG artists through creative and technical task, while managing shot progress and deadlines.
  • Light full CG shots in a dynamic and realistic way. Create a mood to help enhance the story through the lighting of the shots.
  • Work with producers and supervisors to develop tools and workflows that enhance the production of work.
  • Guide Jr artists in creative and technical tasks and help develop them into highly skilled members of the team.

Technicolor VFX (2019 - 2020)

Lead CG Artist
  • Assisted in developing and organizing workflows, pipelines, and creative techniques into the visual effects department.
  • Developed and created high-quality photo real CG assets and effects for various network, cable, and streaming television shows.
  • Produced high-quality realistic animation for integration into live-action footage.
  • Accurately lit and rendered CG assets to seamlessly blend into live-action plates.
  • Coordinated with artists, producers, and supervisors to develop strategies to exceed client expectations while meeting deadlines and staying within budgets.

Zero VFX (2018)

Freelance CG Animator
  • Assisted in preparing the opening shot of a feature film by designing and animating virtual CG cameras and integrating the same with the real-world camera.
  • Created animations consistent with specifications, timing, and budgetary parameters while exceeding client expectations.
  • Leveraged an understanding of CG pipelines to develop efficient workflows and identify additional tools required.
  • Developed performance and movement for creatures, objects, and characters for the given assignments.

CoSA VFX (2017 - 2018)

CG Supervisor
  • Was rehired to develop creative capabilities, overcome CG related challenges, raise visual effects standards, and produce consistent, high-quality shots for the prime-time television shows.
  • Understood storyline and show requirements in coordination with clients, directors, ADs, DPs, and visual effects producers; presented innovative ideas to enhance visual concepts and designs.
  • Developed tools, techniques, and pipelines in line with other supervisors and finalized looks, styles of effects, and elements conducive to the increased visual appeal of the story.

CoSA VFX (2016 - 2017)

Senior CG Artist
  • Created and integrated high-quality photo-real CG effects and animation into the live-action footage for numerous network and cable television series. Maintained the right texture scale consistency across the models.
  • Provided solutions for integrating complex effects and delivered television shots ahead of schedule.

Flight 33 Productions (2014 - 2016)

Lead Animator and CG Generalist
  • Was rehired to produce consistent and scientifically viable photo-real graphics and animations for televised Science and Documentary programs. Reproduced exact camera moves within a digital environment for the desired effect.
  • Maintained an accurate understanding of issues and implemented corrective actions; adjusted schedules to complete assignments with tight deadlines.
  • Ensured correct interpretation of storyboards, accuracy, and visual appeal of each segment in consultation with writers, directors, and scientists.

VFX Legion (2015)

Freelance CG Lighter
  • Developed lighting set-ups, produced photo-real renders of CG elements, and integrated them into the footage.
  • Created photorealistic compositions and resolved arising issues.

Moo Studios (2010 - 2015)

Lead Animator, Compositor, and CG Generalist
  • Collaborated with the Creative team to produce interactive animation style, still layouts, and visual effects concepts, including graphic designs for web, film, motion videos, and broadcast television.
  • Was rehired to create appearances and movement for animations based on the prior record of service excellence.
  • Generated high-quality illusions by leading compositing and green screen keying efforts; developed conceptual drafts, models, and sketches for final selection of scenes and characters‘ animation.
  • Consulted with writers on various aspects of the story for plot implantation and coordinated with producers to manage schedules and timely project deliveries.
  • Remained current on emerging techniques and technologies to deliver competitive assignments.

Disney/ABC Television Group (2013)

Freelance Character Animator, Compositor, and CG Generalist
  • Developed all creative (character, prop, and effects animation) as per pre-established style guidelines and quality and consistency standards.
  • Optimized set-ups for efficiency and ensured resources were judiciously allocated.
  • Worked with the VFX production team to create a compelling visual style.

McJunkin Productions, Inc. (2010)

Freelance Compositor
  • Designed, animated, and composited high-quality effects and CG animation on an interactive DVD game.
  • Created illusions as per specifications and client guidelines; diagnosed and fixed issues before submitting assets to other departments.

23D Films (2006 - 2010)

Senior Staff Animator, CG Lead, and Compositor
  • Drew illustrations and animations for music videos, webisodes, TV commercials, episodic television, and feature films.
  • Engaged in the entire creation process spanning ideation, designing, storyboarding, green screen keying, tracking, clean-up, and editing. Operated as a Motion Graphics Artist, Compositor, CG Modeler, Texture Artist, and Lighter.
  • Examined and selected entertaining scenes with dramatic and story continuity capabilities.

Moo Studios (2005 - 2006)

Freelance Animator and Compositor
  • Developed various elements for motion animations, including stop-motion props.
  • Illustrated 2D hand-drawn and after-effects animations. Assisted in the production of broadcast television commercials as a Character Designer, Background Artist, Animator, and Compositor.
  • Maintained consistency with the pre-defined project style by integrating computer animation, special effects, graphics, 2D animation, live-action, and static background plates into the final image.
  • Enhanced overall appeal of the project, improved lighting, added grain, and motion blur as required, created convincing shadows, matched color levels, keyed, rotoscoped, and created mattes.

Education

Software

  • Autodesk Maya
  • Shotgrid
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • Nuke
  • Substance Painter
  • VRay
  • Arnold
  • RedShift
Download as PDF

Email at jonathanbliss@jdbfx.com
or call (323) 496-5493

LinkedIn

Represented by Ellen Ann Mersereau, Esq.
mersereau@earthlink.net
(323) 461-3316

Jonathan Bliss is a highly skilled and experienced CG artist and leader with an illustrious 17-year career in the visual effects industry. His proficiency in animation, CG generalist work, and CG supervision have enabled him to successfully manage high-end projects.

Jonathan's exemplary work ethic, competency, and ability to recognize and encourage his team's talents through effective communication and collaboration have been instrumental in directing CG crews with a patient, grounded, and respectful temperament. In addition, he is well-versed in defining project-specific visual effects standards and has a proven track record of developing and maintaining production schedules.

In addition to his management skills, Jonathan has also played a pivotal role in implementing GPU rendering systems and training teams to seamlessly transition to new render engines. His efforts have led to the efficient delivery of high-quality shots. Moreover, he drove the entire CG department's development at 23D Films in 2008.

As a CG animator, lighter, and all-around CG generalist, Jonathan brings a diverse technical skillset and a deep understanding of motion, the 12 principles of animation, and a well-trained artistic eye. In addition, his fine art and 2-D animation background and production experience have made him an accomplished artist.

Jonathan is passionate about mentoring junior artists and helping them develop into highly productive and instrumental team members. He is motivated to imagine, create, and innovate, and has demonstrated an aptitude for problem-solving while performing varied creative tasks. His contributions to several award-winning television commercials, music videos, feature films, and Emmy award-winning series such as Gotham and Westworld demonstrate his artistic prowess.

With his proven creative and competent artistic skills, personal strengths, and leadership experience, Jonathan is a valuable addition to any studio as a team leader.