Stephen van Wyk
CG Animation
Character animator and previz artist based in Nashville, TN
Work Experience
Some projects that I've worked on
Valorant Game Changers trailer. For this one I was responsible for providing 3D previs for the cel animators to work off of on a couple of shots
A rather meaningful piece I worked on. I was was responsible for animating the 3D plant and flower which was used as a reference for the various media styles
A spot for Fruitloops Jumbo Snax. I did animation work on a couple of the shots.
A trailer for the game Ara for Xbox. I was responsible for previs and as well as character animation blocking on a couple of shots. https://www.behance.net/gallery/146536761/Xbox-Ara-History-Untold
A teaser for a tv show concept currently being shopped around by IV Studio. I did a few things on this from shot layout to modelling and a touch of rigging (a very small touch). Also, it’s rendered in Unity and looks rather dope.
One of a series of ads I was involved in at IV Studio for Nike and House of Hoops. My role consisted of scene and initial camera layout as well as initial key poses on the characters.
A trailer for a book currently being written by Micheal Cribbs that was produced and made at IV. My role on this was fairly broad, I animated and tweaked existing animation on the airplanes in Element 3D, I did camera animation as well as background animation and some of the effects. This project was a total blast to work on.
A Christmas greeting video I worked on for Medhost. After receiving the storyboards I gathered various rigs and assets from previous projects and modelled additional ones as needed. I was also responsible for all the shot setups and animation and well as rendering and compositing. It was fun being able to take a smaller scale project and run with it, stressful at times sure, but the fun kind of stress.
League of Legends music video that I did character animation on.
One of 7 episodes I did previz work on over at Sunrise Productions. This included camera placement and animation as well as key poses on the characters and props. I also got to have a brief taste of what it was like in writers room which was really fun!
Character Animation
Some personal animation pieces and WIPs. I am always working on something!
A tiny little film I made for submission to Catsuka
Another animation test in Blender "Puffighter Pfish" design was by my friend Nayt - http://cartoonographer.com/
A test and also my first deep dive into character animation in Blender. The character design was by my friend Nayt - check out his stuff here: http://cartoonographer.com/
WIP I’ve been chipping away wait when time allows. It’s the first time I’ve done a truly deep dive into stepped blocking (straight ahead), it’s been challenging but rewarding. I’m also incredibly fortunate enough to be getting some guidance from a Disney animator!
Little piece for fun and practice. I cannot take credit for idea at all (although I did embellish it and try to push the appeal), this is referenced from an SNL skit starring Christina Applegate as a dance instructor schooled in the style of Bob Fosse.
My first piece of lipsync animation in a long long time. So many rookie mistakes were made while shaking off the rust, but I think growth is happening. Next I’d like to experiment more with animating in stepped, I’m more of a spline guy but it has some serious drawbacks. Also here’s to finishing things!
An oldie form the archive. Made during some downtime back in my Triggerfish days.