Friska Bako Animator E-mail: friska.bako@googlemail.com Website: http://fib.gv.edu.pl Mobile: 07765906014 70A Morgan Road, Bromley, BR1 3QF, UK PROFILE An experienced animator seeking a challenging position in the animation industry with a goal to master all aspects and styles of animation, tell stories, bring characters to life and create memorable performances. I am an enthusiastic and conscientious employee and work well in a team but I take initiative too. WORK EXPERIENCE Freelance Animator (September 09 – present) I am a freelance animator, currently working at Pipe dreams 3D, making 3D animatics for the advertising industry - http://www.pipedreams3d.com. I am also working on my personal project - an animated short films using Maya 2008 and taking part in an acting class to gain acting knowledge. I recently completed a short film and took part in an animation competition organized by Pixar and DK Publishing - http://www.youtube.com/pixarpedia#p/f/6/AfhyNvzrECY Animator at Full Fat ltd (November 06 – February 09) I worked on “The Sims: Apartment Pets” and “The Sims: Castaway” as well as several unpublished projects for Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii. My responsibilities were rigging, skinning and animating humans, animals and objects. I strove to infuse character and personality into my animations and to push people’s expectations of the role animation can play in a game. I also did prototype work, designed animation flow, fixed errors, and implemented animation in-game. I reported back to the lead artist on progress and cooperated with programmers, raising any issues that may need to be addressed. I used Biped and bones extensively during the projects. Software used was 3DS MAX 8 and 9. Link: http://www.full-fat.com/ Graduate Animator at Climax Solent (July 06 – September 06) I worked as an animator on a next generation action game. My responsibilities were editing motion capture and creating hand key animation for characters and a vehicle for use in the game and cut-scenes. I was working to tight deadlines and to a level quality that suits a next generation title. I used MotionBuilder 7 and Maya 8. Link: http://www.climaxgroup.com Animator & Rigger for Warhammer40K Dawn of War Kroot MOD (December 05 – July 06) Together with a team of fans we were creating an expansion to a strategy game that added an entirely new army. My responsibilities were to rig, skin and animate a variety of characters and creatures, ranging from realistically proportioned humanoids to quadrupeds and monsters. I had to research and develop an animation pipeline, examining how the game engine and its animation system works, export animations and overcome any technical hurdles. I was creating whole animation sets, including run and walk cycles, fighting and death animations. I used 3DS MAX 7. Flash Animator for Global Village (February 06) I designed and animated the main banner for a school website using Macromedia Flash. Working to a tight deadline my responsibility was to first quickly prototype several ideas. I then had to implement the chosen one before the launch of the website. Software used was Macromedia Flash. Link: http://www.gv.edu.pl/ ABILITIES & SKILLS * I specialize in animation and rigging but I am familiar with all the 3D graphics skills – modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering and how they relate to each other. * Proficient in 3DS MAX 9, Motion Builder 7, Maya 2008, Softimage|XSI 7, Photoshop CS4 and Flash. Familiar with Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 and Discreet Combustion 2008. * Drawing and painting using both traditional and digital tools. * Knowledge of cinematography – camera-work and staging techniques. * An eye for detail and the nuances of movement. * Fast learner, smart and efficient at work, friendly and fun-loving. * Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure. * Conscientious team player – I have had plenty of experience working in a team during my studies, while working with the mod community, at Climax and at Full Fat. * Some experience programming in C and C++. * Proficient in English. EDUCATION September 2005: Awarded MSc CAGTA (Computer Aided Graphical Technology Applications) 2004 – 2005: Full time postgraduate course at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough. * Final Project: “Facial Animation and Rigging” - implementing two different techniques for facial animation in Maya * Maya - Modelling, rigging, animating, MEL scripting and rendering * Softimage|XSI 4 - Producing two animated short films, one as part of a team and the other individually * Photoshop and Graphical programming * I took part in “Acting for Animators” workshop with Ed Hooks during the Animex festival * I attended a Life Drawing Workshop in my spare time to improve my traditional art skills March 2004: Awarded BSc (HONS) in Computing Studies 2003 – 2004: Undergraduate studies (UK Northumbria University Degree Program) at the KDU College in Penang, Malaysia. * Macromedia Flash MX – Creating 2D animation * VRML – Modelling an aquarium and animating fish June 2003: Awarded Diploma in Computer Studies 2001 – 2003: Diploma studies at the KDU College in Penang, Malaysia. ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS * I like drawing and Photography – I draw in my spare time. * I enjoy observing good animation and I admire the works of animators at studios like Pixar, Dreamworks and Ghibli. Their movies are really inspiring to me. Amongst my favourites are: Wall-E, The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Kung-Fu Panda. * I am taking an acting class, I play sports, go trekking, play electric guitar and learn French. * Making my own comics or little personal animations in my free time. * Movies, good coffee and video games. Recommendations Animator at Full Fat Productions “Well, where do I start.. Friska's personality is evident in her animation showing vitality, style and personality. Her attitude towards work is always professional and shows great character in her tenacity and ability to work creatively and productively under pressure. Friska is an asset to the animation industry! Yours Sincerely, Chris de Lloyd” February 18, 2009 Chris de Lloyd , Lead Animator , Full Fat Productions managed Friska indirectly at Full Fat Productions “Friska has a keen eye and a sharp wit that makes her a delight to work with on a personal level, and which shine through in her professional role. Friska is extremely creative and imaginative, and her care and attention to detail gives her animations a warmth, realism and personality that is always a joy to watch. Her broad creative interests, including a great eye for photography, all feed back into her professional work to give a great richness and originality.” October 5, 2008 Richard Smith , Concept Artist , Full Fat Productions worked directly with Friska at Full Fat Productions “Friska is a resourceful, motivated worker who understands the importance of skills development -- It was refreshing to find someone who was always eager to experiment with and evaluate new tools and ideas. She also has a keen understanding of technical limitations, and is able to work effectively and to specification within restrictive frameworks.” September 10, 2008 Chris Stewart , Technical Director , Full Fat managed Friska indirectly at Full Fat Productions “Friska is one of the few animators I have ever worked with who actually "gets it", she managed to put character and humour in to her animations, whilst keeping them snappy and fit for purpose. Her eagerness and love of her job made her great fun to have on the team.” August 14, 2008 James Barnard , Lead Designer / Producer , Full Fat Productions managed Friska at Full Fat Productions Animator at Climax “I worked with Friska on the same project in Climax Action studios. She joined the company as a junior animator but was able to quickly integrate herself in the team and master the techniques and software that were new to her on this project. I would have enjoyed working with her for longer but unfortunately the project ended. I've never met anyone who is so passionate about animation and enjoys doing it so much. I would readily recommend Friska to any employer as I'm sure she with her talent and genuine enthusiasm she would make a great addition to any team.” October 24, 2009 Radek Szczepanczyk , Artist , Climax Action worked directly with Friska at Climax “Friska was a pleasure to work with, very friendly and fun to be around. Always willing to help where she can. Thanks. -Chris Kay” August 2, 2007 Chris Kay , Level Designer , Climax Action worked with Friska at Climax Action “Friska was hired as a graduate animator, I found her a hard working enthusiastic junior animator who was eager to learn and to develop her animation skills.” July 31, 2007 Bryan Rogers , Lead Animator/Cinematic Director , Climax managed Friska at Climax Action