Ian S. Rankin              

                                                        LinkedIn:  http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/ian-rankin/3/b55/332

                                                        Website:  www.IanRankin.com

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HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS:

                                    General:

-       Competent and experienced with modeling, animation, anatomy of humans and animals, life drawing, quick gesture drawing, and thumbnails.

-       Created python and mel tools in a studio environment. Maximized re-usability and flexibility through object oriented code creation.

-       Experience as a lead managing people and working out issues with different departments.

-       Familiar with basics of vector math.

-       Organized and easy to work with in teams. Dedicated to making projects a success.

 

Software:

Autodesk Maya

Maya Mel Script

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Premier

3D Studio Max

SideFX Houdini

Adobe AfterEffects

FrameCycler Pro

Python Script

Nuke Compositing

PipelineFX Qube

MS Office

 

EXPERIENCE:

April 2011                March Entertainment: Mia and Me

To Nov 2011            Lead  Character Finaling  / Sim / Python & Mel  Script tool creation

·         Resolved challenging maya scene file issues when required. Some challenges included hair and cloth simulation in maya. Show had lots of simulations.

·         Challenged with establishing CHF in mid production. First lead position.

·         Created notes to guide the team through consistency and technical issues.

·         Responsible for all material entering lighting, reduced re-rendering.

·         Created tools in python where permitted to increase teams output.

·         Production goes on to win the 2011 Licensing challenge at MIPCOM.

 

Jan 2011                 Hatch Studio: Heart & Stroke Lottery Commercial

To Feb 2011            Animation

·         Animated assets using 3DSMAX for a heart and stroke Lottery commercial.

 

Jan 2009                 Starz Animation: Gnomeo & Juliet (Stereoscopic) Feature Film, Disney Animation

To Aug 2010            Foliage Rigging & Animation / Mel  & Python script tool creation

·         Created automated animation and rigging tools through script. Met standards in place for Starz pipeline. Found ways to reduce manual repetitive tasks.

·         Created over 400 foliage rigs of varying complexity and generated their animation meeting the different needs of each shot.

·         Used Houdini and Maya for instanced assets to minimize render times.

·         Aided FX with extra shots using a pre-setup FX rig during down time.

 

July 2008                Starz Animation Canada: Hoodwinked 2 CG Feature Film

To Jan 2009             Character Finaling  / Mel Script

·         Mel scripted automation tools for the ‘Character Finaling’ (CHF) process.

·         Solved technical issues in scenes. Prepped shots for render, troubleshooted render farm submissions, and fixed geo intersections.

 

 

 

June 2008               Starz Animation Canada: ‘9’ CG Feature Film.

To July 2008            Character Finaling

·         First introduction to the starz pipeline. Solve technical issues in scenes. Fixed geo intersections, prepped shot for render, and troubleshoot render farm submissions.

 

Feb 2007                Guru Studio Canada: Backyardigans CG Animated TV Series

To March 2008         Character Animator /Rigging / Mel Script

·         Animated characters on Backyardigans. This show went on to win both an Emmy and Gemini for best kids show that year.

·         Also Rigged, Mel scripted automated tools and animation aids. Helped solve technical issues in scenes.

 

June 2005               Guru Studio Canada: TV Commercial

To Sep 2005            Modeler/ Rigger/ Character Animator

·         Rigged and modeled, props and layouts. Also rigged a major character in the commercial.

·         Animated characters and props for Kraft Dinner commercial.

 

June 2002               Calibre Digital Canada: TV series

To Jan 2003            Character Animator

·         Animated characters for “Hey Joel” television show (VH1 a division of MTV)

·         Created rough animation, props, layouts and performed “clean-up” on my work and other animators work

 

 

EDUCATION:

Oct 2011 - Dec 2011           CGscociety python script course with Shaun Friedberg, TD Weta Digital.

 

Jan 2005 - Feb 2007           Toastmasters public speaking challenges, formal meeting arrangements.

 

Sep 2003 - Apr 2004           Sheridan College - CG Character Animation course (full-time)

 

Jan 2003 - Aug 2003            Sheridan College - CG Computer Animation General (full-time)

 

Sep 1999 - Apr 2002           Sheridan College - 2D Classical Animation, Art Fundamentals (full-time)

 

1997 - 98 (part time)           Sheridan College

                                       - Anatomy for Animators                        - Painting 1

                                       - Animation Basics (Classes 1 to 4)           - Animation Story Boarding

                                       - Animation Layout and Design

 

Sep 1994 - June 1998                    Sinclair Secondary School - Ontario Secondary School Diploma

 

 

AWARDS:                 

2003 - DreamWorks Digital Character Animation Scholarship

1998 - Artistic Aspiration Award of Durham Region (multimedia/animation)

1996 - Computer Programming First Place Award for Durham Region (education and recreation)

 

 

PERSONAL PROJECTS:

Worked on several projects that explored scripted tools and automated rigs. Side projects included free lancing and helping friends with personal projects.

 

REFERENCES & REFERENCE LETTERS: Available upon request.