To Download a PDF copy of this information please click here.


Andrew P. Gartner

405 Peebles St #1 Pittsburgh, PA 15221

Cell- (412) 818-8425, andrewgartner@gmail.com

http://www.andrewgartner.com

OBJECTIVE

To apply my technical and artistic abilities in a cooperative and challenging film production environment.

SKILLSET

  • Specialist in technical direction and pipeline setup and maintenance
  • Expert knowledge of Autodesk Maya
  • Proficient in core Python, wxPython, and MEL
  • Working knowledge of C++, Maxscript, and both the 3D Studio Max and Maya API’s.
  • Experience in creating and supporting pipeline tools in Python and C++
  • Experience in creating Cg shaders, to achieve various appearances and effects
  • Familiar with basic Renderman processes and simple shader creation
  • Conceptual knowledge of basic OpenGL and DirectX realtime rendering methods
  • Experienced in other 3D packages including Autodesk 3D Studio Max and Pixologic ZBrush.
  • Fluent in all core programs in the Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Solid knowledge of other aspects of production including animation,  modeling,  lighting, texturing and compositing.
  • Basic knowledge of Linux scripting and commands

PUBLICATIONS

“The Bookshelf And The Skirt: How a prop tool saved a Character Rigger” accepted for SIGGRAPH Dailies 2011

PAST  PROJECTS

Team Stoveghost Animated Short Project www.etc.cmu.edu/projects/stoveghost March 2010 – May 2011

  • Student group focusing on creating a short animated film as a ETC semester long project in the Spring of 2011
  • Currently pursuing festival submissions for the completed short “Collectible”
  • Project duties included, rigging setup via MEL, Pipeline management using Python scripting, Maya render pipeline setup and optimization, as well as renderfarm management and troubleshooting.

Heavy Metal:Terrain Shaping Prototype www.etc.cmu.edu/projects/caterpillar3d/ August  2010 – December 2010

  • Semester long student project sponsored and directed by Caterpillar, Inc.
  • Worked on approximating  heavy equipment deforming virtual terrains on  the GPU using Cg shaders in the Panda3D and Unity3D game engines
  • Researched current and future methods of realtime geometry deformations and their various benefits and shortcomings

ABC Extreme Makeover Home Edition Animation July 2010 – September 2010

  • Animated story/demolition sequence for primetime ABC series created by student group at the ETC.
  • Completed in three months. Airdate October 24th, 2010.
  • Worked as technical consultant to assist team in efficiently creating a high quality animation  that met client needs.Completed Maya nDynamics Clean-up F/X animation on demolition sequence to reflect client’s desired changes.

Panda LE Project wiki.etc.cmu.edu/pandale/ June 2010 – August  2010

  • ETC summer internship project to create a level editor for Panda3D game engine using existing editor from Walt Disney Interactive as a base.
  • Worked on editor’s Cg shader support, sound interface, and overall software design and implementation.
  • Assisted in art design and construction of a 3D tech demo to highlight editor’s features using Cg shaders and 3D assets.

Panda SE Project www.etc.cmu.edu/projects/pandase/ January 2010 – May 2010

  • Walt Disney Imagineering sponsored semester long project focusing on improving the Panda 3D game engine.
  • Created a graphical user interface in wxPython for the engine’s Maya model and animation exporter.
  • Maintenance of the command line exporter using Maya’s C++ API for integration into WDI’s pipeline.
  • Minor improvements to the 3D Studio Max exporter using Maxscript and the 3D Studio Max SDK.

EDUCATION

Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) Current( expected graduation May ’11)

Masters of Entertainment Technology GPA 3.62

  • 2011 Randy Pausch Award recipient

Art Institute of Pittsburgh Graduated December 2008

Bachelor of Science, Media Arts and Animation GPA 3.6

  • Focus in Character Rigging and Technical Direction
  • Designed a independent study including a peer lecture on character setup and rigging in Maya for Summer ‘08
  • President’s list for Winter quarter ’08, and Dean’s list for 7 out of  9 prior quarters

University of Pittsburgh 2000-2005

  • Non-Degree Coursework:  C++ program development, Renaissance and Modern Literature, and History

Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA 1999-2000

  • Non-Degree Coursework: Jazz Guitar performance  and  digital recording

EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY

Pipeline & Hardware TA/Show Tech Coordinator, Building Virtual Worlds (Carnegie Mellon ETC) June  2010 – present

Pittsburgh, PA, Assisted in coordinating hardware platforms including the Playmotion Shadow tracking unit, Head Mounted Display System, Jam-o-Drum.  Supported Panda3D pipeline utilities.  Wrote management and setup scripts for Perforce version control using the Perforce Python API.  Coordinated with professors and other TA’s to ensure a smooth tech setup for twice weekly demo sessions during class time.  Responsible for coordinating  and running December 2010 BVW show technology.

Technical Artist Intern (Carnegie Mellon ETC, PandaLE project) May 2010 – August 2010

Pittsburgh, PA, Assisted in programming and designing a level editor for the Panda3D game engine.  Main duties focused on UI coding and design in Python.  Also created models, textures and Cg shaders for a demonstration environment to show off the editors capabilities.

Teaching Assistant for Intro To Maya Class (Carnegie Mellon ETC) January 2010 – May 2010

Pittsburgh, PA, Assisted in teaching post-graduate and undergraduate students the core concepts of  Autodesk Maya.  Concepts included; animation, terxturing, modeling, basic rigging, and general user interface navigation.

National High School Gaming Academy (Carnegie Mellon ETC) June ’09 to August ‘09

Pittsburgh, PA, National High School Gaming Academy Teaching Assistant.  Taught college level beginning game programming concepts to pre-college students for six weeks.  Program emphasized output and team based projects. Specific coursework focused on solving production issues, game design, 3D and 2D game programming and art, as well as gaming industry career preparation.

Entertainment Design Studio (Carnegie Mellon ETC) Design Studio fall ’08 to June ‘09

Pittsburgh, PA, Design Intern.  Focused on creating content for the ETC’s in house television displays.  Worked as a rigging technical artist to prepare a character for a Panda 3D based  “virtual pet” named Hank for future deployment on an in-house interactive display.  Also assisted as 3D generalist on a space themed animation for in-house televisions.  Project duties ranged from render pipeline design to animation, rigging, and compositing.

Winchester Thurston School Part time September 2003 to June 2010

Pittsburgh, PA, Private Music teacher.  Acted as a mentor in teaching guitar to students ages 9 through 18.  Adjusted scheduling according to students’ needs and availability.  Maintained professional communication with students and parents at all times.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

“Silent Treatment” animated student film

  • Co-director and technical supervisor for the 2008 production. Rigged two feature quality bipeds. Designed the production pipeline which allowed modelers and other artists to work while animation was in production in a non-destructive way.  Also performed additional animation and editing.  DVD available upon request.

The Old-E All-Stars

  • Current co-guitarist and background vocalist in the Pittsburgh based rock/funk band since June of 2008. Recordings available upon request.

Yves Jean Band

  • Toured both the United States and parts of Europe as the principal guitar player. Experienced the business side of the creative arts through the production schedules of the band’s recording of “Rise Above Your Surroundings” in 2006.  CD’s available upon request

References Available Upon Request