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MICK TODD
michaelrtodd@yahoo.com
801-885-2814
www.micktodd.com
www.cryptidhunter.com


As a Creative Director and Media Design Specialist, I create custom art and animations on demand and can produce original content ranging from traditional animation to stop motion and computer animation. I design and create all the custom digital assets for animations including characters, creatures, environments, vehicles, props, special effects, graphics and more. I have a diverse background having worked in feature films, feature animations, theme parks, television, video games, virtual reality, comic books, and collectibles. Additionally, I have proven abilities in organizing and managing creative projects through all stages of production.  I am skilled with relevant computer software, such as Maya, Substance Painter, ZBrush, Photoshop, After Effects and the Unreal Game Engine.  

HIGHLIGHTED SKILLS

⦁ Creative/Art Direction
⦁ 2D/3D Design - Creatures, Characters, Environments, Vehicles, Props, Graphics.
⦁ Visual Development
⦁ Story Development
⦁ Storyboarding
⦁ Digital Sculpting
⦁ Modeling
⦁ Texturing
⦁ Animation
⦁ FX
⦁ Rendering
⦁ Lighting
⦁ Rigging
⦁ Animatics/Pre-Vis
⦁ Projection Mapping
⦁ New IP Development
⦁ Comic Book Author/Artist
⦁ Virtual Reality

TECHNICAL SKILLS

⦁ Photoshop
⦁ Maya
⦁ VRay
⦁ Substance Painter
⦁ Mudbox
⦁ ZBrush
⦁ After Effects
⦁ Unity Engine
⦁ Unreal Engine
⦁ Meta Quest

MEDIA DESIGN

⦁ Story Development – Storyboards, Treatments, Screenplays, Pitch Documents.
⦁ Art Direction, Concept Designs, Illustrations, Cinematics.
⦁ Design of Creatures, Characters, Environments, Vehicles, Props, effects and Graphics.
⦁ 3D Modeling - Low/Hi Polygons, Nurbs, Subdivision Surface.
⦁ 3D Texturing - UV Maps, Diffuse Maps, Normal Maps, Specular Maps.
⦁ 3D Lighting and Rendering – Light Rigs, Shaders, Rendering.
⦁ 3D Animation – Previs, Layout, Cinematography, Shot Composition, Camera Movement, Character Animation, Motion Graphics.
⦁ Compositing – Composite computer-generated images and live action shots.

VIRTUAL REALITY PRODUCTION

⦁ Developed innovative approaches to attraction design for Universal Creative that reinvented the design process by using game-engine software to prototype Universal attractions before construction began. The prototypes provided a real-time VR preview of everything riders would experience during the ride.  I created VR Prototypes for Reign of Kong, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Pokémon, Super Nintendo World: Mario Kart, Kung Fu Panda, Jurassic World, Aventura Hotel, Comcast Tunnel.
⦁ This new development approach saved the company significant funds during the development process.

CREATIVE DIRECTION

⦁ Creative Development and Direction of new intellectual properties for multiple markets.
⦁ Ability to conceive original stories, characters and worlds with the capability of developing them for movies, video games, attractions, VR simulations, comics, etc… 
⦁ Co-Created and produced two Stop Motion Animations for Imax and Cartoon Network: “The Light Before Christmas” and “Spooky Bats and Scaredy Cats - A Halloween Tale”.
⦁ Created "Cryptid Hunter” for multiple markets including feature films, television, video games, VR, comic books, and toys. The project features the artwork of Frank Frazetta, Mike Mignola, Simon Bisley, Alex Horley and Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop.
⦁ I manage creative projects with a clear vision and emphasize quality, timeliness and saving money. I also hold team members accountable to deliver tasks on time and with the highest quality production value.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

⦁ Art Work Selected for Spectrum 12: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art - Underwood Books: CRYPTID YETI and KIPLING MCKAY BRONZE.
⦁ Won SILVER AWARD in Dimensional Category for Art Direction.
⦁ Shark Tale – Academy Award Nomination 2004 for Best Animated Feature.
⦁ Spider-Man – Academy Award Nomination 2003 for Best Visual Effects.

PROFFESIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mythical VR 2019-2021 - CCO
⦁ Projects: Cutting Edge VR Surgical Simulations, Cosmic Odyssey VR Experience, Cryptid Hunter VR Game.

Universal Creative/NBCUniversal 2013-2020 - Senior Designer, Media
⦁ Projects: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley, Escape from Gringotts, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Fast and Furious: Supercharged, The Cat in the Hat, Volcano Bay, Super Nintendo World: Mario Kart, Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York, Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic World, Universal's Epic Universe, Pokémon, Aventura Hotel

Lumenas Animation Studios 2010-2012 - 3D Artist / Creative Director
⦁ Projects: The Legend of Santa Claus.

Microsoft Games 2010 - 3D Artist
⦁ Projects: Flight.

Electronic Arts 2010 - 3D Artist
⦁ Projects: Monopoly Streets, Wildlife: Forest Survival.

Evergreen Holiday Classics 2008-2010 - Senior Designer / Creative Director / Executive Producer
⦁ Projects: The Light Before Christmas, Spooky Bats and Scaredy Cats - A Halloween Tale

Saffire Games 2005-2008 - 3D Artist / Creative Director
⦁ Projects: Misc

Glyphx Games 2004-2005 - 3D Artist
⦁ Projects: Advent Rising.

DreamWorks Animation 2002-2004 - 3D Artist
⦁ Projects: Shark Tale.

Walt Disney Animation Studios 2000-2002 - 3D Artist
⦁ Projects: Reign of Fire, Kangaroo Jack, The Snow Queen aka Frozen, My Peoples aka A Few Good Ghosts, Fantasia 3, Lilo & Stitch 2, Coming Home - Disney 50th Anniversary Commercial.

Sony Pictures Imageworks 2000 - 3D Artist
⦁ Projects: Spider-Man.

Viewpoint DataLabs Int 1998-2000 - 3D Artist
⦁ Projects: Dungeons and Dragons, Size Matters, Blaster’s Universe, The Book, Need for Speed/Porche Unleashed, Scooby Doo – Night of 100 Frights, NCMEC, Venice Under Glass, Viewpoint Catalog.

PUBLISHING

⦁ Spectrum 12: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art - Underwood Books
⦁ Cryptid Universe
⦁ Animation Magazine
⦁ Cinefex

EDUCATION

⦁ Academy of Art University - San Francisco
⦁ University of Utah