Robin Scher

1459 Angelus Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026
mobile: 213 448 0443
robin@uberware.net
http://www.uberware.net/robin/



Education

B.A. in Cognitive Psychology from Reed College, Portland, OR, May 1995.

Professional Experience

Freelance Visual Effects Artist
Los Angeles, CA 2001 - present
I work freelance doing visual effects for Commercials, Music Videos and Features. I use a variety of programs, but specialize in Maya. I also wrote the popular Smedge render queueing and distribution application.

Senior CGI Artist
Ring of Fire, West Hollywood, CA 1996 - 2001
I created visual effects for broadcast television. My primary responsibility was the Computer Generated Imagery department, but I also helped out with compositing when needed. My responsibilites also included supervising junior animators and freelance artists, as well as interfacing with clients in all aspects of the work. I am adept in machine room operations, and perform computer system administration and engineering on NT, Mac and SGI machines.

Subcontracted Programming and Computer Consulting
Portland, OR and Los Angeles, CA 1994 - 1997
I was involved in the conception, design, implementation and management of several projects subcontracted from major software vendors. I also worked on custom software solutions for several companies.

Lead Programmer/Project Manager
Reed College Software Development Laboratory, Portland, OR 1993 - 1995
I developed software for use by facultry members and students in their research. My responsibilities included design and implementation of programs, documentation, and training of users and other programmers.

Production Assistant
Two Headed Monster, Los Angeles, CA Summer, 1992
My production responsibilities included helping with digital graphics and linear and non-linear editing. My office responsibilities included setting up and managing the computer network and the media library.

Architectural Apprentice
Sager Associates, Glendale, CA Summer, 1990, 1991
Learned many of the skills involved in architecture: manual and computer-aided drafting, construction scheduling, blueprinting, as well as sight photography and dealing with public governments.

Graphics Coordinator/Production Assistant
Timestream Video, Los Angeles, CA Various 1984 - 1991
Working in my father's production company, I have experience in every aspect of professional video production: project conception, writing, filming, editing, computer graphics, animation and delivery of final product. I also helped assemble professional production and post-production facilities.

Skills

Video/Film

I was exposed to broadcast video production at an early age, and have pursued this interest as much as possible. I have extensive experience with every aspect of video production in many different forms: from conception to final duplication; from local cable spots to Michael Jackson's tour video; from network episodic television to award winning commercials.

I have been primarily using Alias|wavefront products, and have developed a powerful working relationship with them over the years. I have even managed to get Ring of Fire to be a beta sight for new products, such as Composer 5.
SGI knowledgeOther Skills
  • Maya, including MayaFX, Artisan, MayaLive and MEL scripting
  • RenderMan, with MTOR
  • PowerAnimator
  • Advanced Visualizer
  • Dynamation
  • IPR/Render
  • Elastic Reality
  • Pandemonium
  • Composer
  • Henry
  • Inferno
  • Macintosh graphics
  • Component digital machine room operation, including D1, D2, DigiBeta, BetaSP, Abekas DDR, and analog video operations
  • Experience with handling clients
Please take a look at some of my 3D animation work

Computer Programming

I have used computers since I helped my brother build our first computer, a Sinclair ZX-80, in 1982. I have been programming them for almost as long. I am an experienced "power user" of many operating systems and networks, and can usually figure out how to use a new program very easily.

I have extensive experience in user interface design and systems design, as well as program implementation.
I am an expert in several programming languages:
  • C, C++
  • LabView
  • HTML
  • Visual Basic
Additionally, I have experience using a number of other languages, including:
  • Intel and Motorola assembly
  • SQL
  • Visual FoxPro
  • AutoLisp
  • Unix shell scripting
I have an intimate knowledge of several C++ class libraries, including:
  • Microsoft Foundation Classes
  • Borland's Object Windows Library
  • Metrowerks PowerPlant
  • Think Class Library
  • Standard Template Libary
  • My own Windows class library
I have a thorough knowledge of Microsoft Windows programming, including development for Windows 3.x, Windows NT and Windows 95. Experience with special Windows topics:
  • DLL Programming
  • OLE 2
  • Networking
  • Multi-threaded applications
  • Windows assembly programming
  • Reverse engineering
I have thorough knowledge of Macintosh programming, including development for System 7 and PowerPC. Experience with special Macintosh topics:
  • Extensions and Control Panels
  • Apple Script
  • Apple Events
  • Animation

Multimedia

I have experience with many of the multimedia tools availbale, as well as significant experience with the combination of several media in a project.
Computer tools:
  • After Effects
  • AutoCAD
  • Fractal Design Painter
  • Illustrator
  • Lumina
  • PageMaker
  • Photoshop
  • RIO and RIO Animator
  • Strata StudioPro
Media Skills:
  • Black and White photography
  • Video photography
  • Video editing
  • Theatre directing
  • Screenwriting
  • Image scanning and slide printing

Theatre

I have studied theatre directing and acting both at college an independently in London. My theatre experience includes casting, designing and directing several short scenes from various authors and styles as well as work with Lorna Marshall exploring "physical theatre."

Art/Sculpture

The arts hafve always been one of my favorite activities. In recent years, I have studied drawing and sculpture, exploring both classical and modern styles of each. During my senior year, several of my sculptures were exhibited in college shows, including a 32 foot clockwork piece which was installed at the main entrance to the campus.

Key Projects

Please click here to look at some of my 3D animation work
LVERPS
Conception, design and implementation of a system for brain wave acquisition and analysis. This is a modular, extensible, powerful system written in LabView. Work on this project also included writing the documentation for the system, the training and supervision of new system administrators, and user support.

AgeLink
Helped design and build the initial demo of this distance learning web sight for the USC school of gerontology. Designed and programmed to on-line vision simulation workshop.

Datebook for Windows
Ported this popular Macintosh calendar program to Windows. The project was considered impossible by Adobe project management. A beta version was completed in four months.

Terrace for Mac
Saved a mismanaged effort to port a Windows game to Macintosh. At the time the project was restructured, it was twelve months behind, and viewed by investors as unsalvageable. The beta version was sent to Japanese distributors two months after project takeover.

Infosys 96
Salvaged a twelve year old mini-computer database into a modern, Windows based application. A fast relational database was used, and a modern, easy to use interface was created.

Health Risk Assessment (HRA) engine
Designed an engine that performed statistical analyses to provide doctors with information that they need in order to motivate their patients to lead healthier lives.

VBXchange Feasibility Assessment
Reverse engineered Visual Basic to discover the best solution for the development of a VBX to read Quicken data. Spinoza followed our recommendations in developing their control.

Robin Scher <robin@uberware.net>