Sara Cembalisty is a 3D Artist based in Los Angeles, California. Aspiring to contribute to the advancement and art of  Feature Animation by utilizing knowledge of traditional art, design, production, and technology while creating a challenging and friendly atmosphere through creativity, efficient problem solving and professionalism.

Versed in traditional fine art, photography, and 3D arts, Sara’s creative and technical knowledge allows her to succeed at any creative obstacle. Sara strives to create a discourse within production, animation, film, and emerging technologies while continuing to focus on ideologies of contemporary art and design.

Having completed the High-End 3D Certificate program at Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood, CA in December of 2008 earning her IPAX and High End 3D Certification and  having graduated from Otis College of Art and Design in 2002, utilizing an interdisciplinary program, Sara combines Fine Arts, Environmental Design, and Digital Media into one complex working practice.

JOB EXPERIENCE:

LOOK-DEVELOPMENT ARTIST: Disney Animation Studio, Burbank, CA (March 09-Present)

• Works with art directors and look development supervisors to create final looks and materials for 3D characters and environments to be used in production: “Rapunzel”
• Textured a 3-D environment for the “Prep and Landing : Tiny’s Big Adventure” on-line short
• Created shader parameters, painted, and applied textures and hair to accomplish the art direction goals for characters, environments and props: “Tick Tock”
• Contributed to the Eye Initiative and “King of the Elves” tests

PRODUCER | DESIGNER : Company Wide Shut, LA, CA (Oct 05-April 07)

Managed and developed objectives and schedules

DVD design, asset management, QC, and delivery

Updates to the company website, client development site, and FTP site

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Temp: 20th Century FOX, LA, CA (July-Oct 05)

Temp. Executive assistant to a number of top executives including:
- Director, FOX Searchlight – President, FOX Mobil – CFO, 20th Century FOX

GALLERY MANAGER: Koplin Del Rio Gallery, W. Hollywood, CA (March 03-June 05)

In-house design; magazine layouts, written press releases, and show card graphics

Redesigned and maintained company and artists’ website

Shipped and received art, managed inventory, prepared and hung installations

Office administration, intern training, sales, phone and client etiquette

STUDIO ASSISTANT: Linda Burnham Fine Art, LA, CA (July 02-March 03)

Prepared paintings

Organized and documented the Overby Estate

ART DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT: Over Easy Productions: EASY, LA, CA  (May-July 2002)

Researched, purchased, designed, built, logged and organized props

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Blueyed Pictures Inc, LA, CA (June – Aug 2002)

Designed production notebooks and company business plan

Filing, heavy phones, greeting and escorting of high-end clientele.

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Mama Laura’s Boys, a Documentary Film  (May 2002)

• Logged and captured dv tapes
• Reviewed script with editor for dialogue and clips
• Rough editing

TEACHERS AID/ SUBSTITUTE TEACHER,  LA Arts Academy, LA, CA (May-July 1999-2000)

• Summer camp leader and art teacher

VOLUNTEER WORK:

UNITED DIVAS 501-C3: Co-founder / Director / Curator | uniteddivas.com

• Co-founder of the United Divas non-profit organization, a collaborative group of artists who recognize multidisciplinary women in  the arts.
• Designed layouts for the first periodical published by United Divas, Shouted Whisper
• Developed original United Divas website
• Event Host: design, curation, silent art auctions

EDUCATION:

GNOMON SCHOOL OF VISUAL EFFECTS High-End CG Certificate and IPAX Certification

3.865 GPA – Graduated in Dec. 2008

ACTIVITIES:

• PRODUCER | Gnomon , VES Conference Bumper Credits (May – June 07)
• LIGHTER | Sil Van Der Woerd, White Swan (Sept 08 – Dec. 08)

COURSEWORK: High-End Cg Certificate Curriculum with a focus on lighting and rendering

• Photo Real Rendering and Look Development – advanced shading, lighting and rendering
• Creature/Character Creation – Advanced Maya, Zbrush work-flow for high-res rendering
• Color Theory – linear work-flow and gamma correction
• Pipeline Management – Pipeline design theory, Linux/Unix shell, render queues
• Intro to Mel

OTIS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Interdisciplinary: Fine Arts, Environmental Design, Digital Media

• 3.65 GPA – Graduated 2002 – Deans List Honoree 1999 – 2002
• Portfolio Scholarship Award Recipient

SKILLS:

Proficient in: Disney’s RenderMan based proprietary software and pipelines, expression based multi-layer shaders, Linux, Maya, Mental Ray, Zbrush, Headus UV, BodyPaint, Photoshop, Shake, After Effects, Final Cut Pro

Knowledge of: MEL, Python, RenderMan Slim, Pipeline Management, Houdini, Boujou

Experience: works effectively with a team in a dynamic multi-tasking environment,

creativity, resourcefulness, a great attitude and work ethic, and most importantly, reliability