Jason MacLeod
626-676-8011
Summary
Hands-on creative leader with expertise in animation and visual effects. Proven ability to build, coach, and manage diverse teams. Strong technology background. Results-driven collaborator comfortable with giving and taking direction. Expert user of Maya, Nuke, RenderMan, Photoshop. Production experience with Shotgun. Inventive problem-solver, easy to work with.
Experience
Business Representative / General Manager, The Animation Guild (2016-2019)
General manager of the only U.S. labor union for animation workers, a 5000+ member 501(c)(5) nonprofit with annual revenue of $4M. Led efforts to modernize operations, technology, and communications, guided by a data-driven approach. Renovated facilities and expanded staff by 50% to improve quality of services. Selected outside counsel for legal matters. Resolved employment conflicts and labor concerns with employer representatives from all major Los Angeles animation studios. Lead negotiator for the first entertainment union labor agreement to set animation-specific terms for productions for streaming services.
Lighting Artist / Lighting Supervisor, Walt Disney Animation Studios (1999-2016)
Over 17 years, contributed creatively and technically to ten feature films. Key roles:
Frozen [Lighting Supervisor] - led a team of lighting artists to deliver five film sequences. Bid shots and sequences, reported on goals weekly.
Tangled [Lighting Artist] - prior to shot work, worked as developer (Python/C++/Agile) in software department writing DLight, studio’s internal application for lighting/rendering.
Chicken Little [Look Development Lead] - managed a department of 20 artists and td’s on Disney’s first all-cg feature. Collaborated on software for fur, feathers and grass.
Credits: Mission to Mars (through DreamQuest Images), Chicken Little, Meet the Robinsons, Bolt, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana.
Technical Director, Cinesite Digital Studios (1998-1999)
Developed and integrated visual effects, doing preliminary composites as needed. Emphasis on particle effects and procedural animation. Taught studio classes in Perl, helped integrate LSF.
Credits: Armageddon, Practical Magic, Double Jeopardy, Lost Souls, Chill Factor, Deep Blue Sea.
Technical Director, Santa Barbara Studios (1996-1998)
Responsible for seeing all aspects of a shot through to completion once animation was approved. Lit, textured, rendered, and composited digital elements into live-action. Specialized in particle effects using Dynamation. Participated in development of internal hair system used on American Werewolf in Paris - which was acquired by AliasWavefront to become Maya Fur.
Credits: American Werewolf in Paris, Spawn, Paulie.
Education
M.A. Chemistry - UC Santa Barbara 1996
B.S. Chemical Engineering - Caltech 1993