James Direen
SKILLS
Character Rigging, Character Animation, Tools,
Maya Plugins & Pipeline Development
Maya, Blender, Python, MEL, PyQt, C++
EXPERIENCE
DireenTech Inc / Creative Technical Director
May 2023 – PRESENT, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Character Rigging, Tools Development & CGI generalist
Contract Rigging for Bungie Inc. — Destiny 2
Contract Rigging for Brazen Animation
Contract Rigging and Technical Development for Reel FX Animation
Reel FX Animation / Lead Rigging Artist
2010 – 2023, Dallas, Texas, United States
Responsibilities: Production Rigging, Tool Development Lead, Maya Plugin Development, Rigging Leadership & Artist Developmental Training
Features: Back to the Outback (2021), Scoob! (2020), UglyDolls (2019), Sherlock Gnomes (2018), Rock Dog (2016), Book of Life (2014), Free Birds (2013), Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer (2011)
Shorts: Son of Jaguar, Humbugged: Rockettes to the Rescue, I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat, Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas, Daffy’s Rhapsody, Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem 3D
Idol Minds / Character Technical Director
2006 – 2009, Louisville, Colorado, United States
Responsibilities: Character Rigging, Character Animation and Pipeline development.
Shipped Titles: PAIN™ Downtown | PAIN™ Amusement Park | PAIN™ Movie Lot | PAIN™ Sore Spots | PAIN™ Museum
EDUCATION
Art Institute of Colorado / Bachelor’s degree, Media Arts and Animation
January 2003 – June 2006, 1200 Lincoln Street, Denver, CO 80203
Specializing in 3D Character Animation and Rigging
References available upon request