Sam Ellis
Visual Story Teller
Excellent at problem solving, working collaboratively.
Exhibits flexibility and adaptability when changing direction in a project.
Proficient in use of traditional and digital mediums.
Proficient knowledge of ToonBoom Harmony and StoryBoard Pro.
Strong layout and design skills.
Expert knowledge with Photoshop and Illustrator.
Proficient knowledge of Maya - focused in animation.
Over 15 years of experience in a variety of lead and/or instructor jobs.
Experience
Profile
Professional Story Artist/ Concept Designer passionate about creating visual narratives and sharing my knowledge of work methods with others.
Skills
Expert knowledge on the principles of animation and a strong knowledge of film, including language and craft.
Excellent at problem solving, working collaboratively.
Ability to create story ideas in clear and entertaining ways.
Proficient in use of traditional and digital mediums.
Proficient knowledge of ToonBoom Harmony and StoryBoard Pro.
Strong layout and design skills.
Understanding of anatomy (form, and function) and perspective.
Expert knowledge with Photoshop and Illustrator.
Proficient knowledge of Maya - focused in animation.
Over 15 years of experience in a variety of lead and/or instructor jobs.
-A few Clients at a glance-
SMOSH/ GSA : KROGZILLA (Backgrounds)
FX/ Floyd County Productions/ Radical Axis: ARCHER (Character Designer, Story Artist, Backgrounds, Layouts, Illustrator Voice Actor)
Adult-Swim/ 70-30 Productions: FRISKY DINGO (Character Designer, Story Artist, Backgrounds, Layouts, Illustrator Voice Actor)
Adult-Swim: The XTACLES: (Character Designer, Story Artist, Backgrounds, Layouts, Illustrator Voice Actor)
Disney/Playdom/Marvel Comics: Avengers Alliance FaceBook Game (Concept Artist Character Designer)
Disney/Playdom/ESPN: ESPN Sports Bar FaceBook Game(Asset Builder Concept to InGame)
FX/ Floyd County Productions/ Radical Axis: ARCHER (Character Designer, Story Artist, Backgrounds, Layouts, Illustrator Voice Actor)
Adult-Swim/ 70-30 Productions: FRISKY DINGO (Character Designer, Story Artist, Backgrounds, Layouts, Illustrator Voice Actor)
Adult-Swim: The XTACLES: (Character Designer, Story Artist, Backgrounds, Layouts, Illustrator Voice Actor)
Disney/Playdom/Marvel Comics: Avengers Alliance FaceBook Game (Concept Artist Character Designer)
Disney/Playdom/ESPN: ESPN Sports Bar FaceBook Game(Asset Builder Concept to InGame)
ANIMATOR/ Asset Developer/ Designer/ Illustrator, Green Shoe Animation llc
2010 - Current
Provide a variety of animation and design services for broadcast, gaming, and the web for companies such as The Walt Disney Company and ESPN.
Build, decorate and run your own sports bar for free with ESPN Sports Bar on Facebook. Go to http://www.ESPNsportsbar.com/
Professor (Media Arts and Animation), AiW, Arlington VA
Spring 2012 - Current
Instructor (Conceptual Illustration), BSU, Muncie IN
Spring 2011
Build, decorate and run your own sports bar for free with ESPN Sports Bar on Facebook. Go to http://www.ESPNsportsbar.com/
Professor (Media Arts and Animation), AiW, Arlington VA
Spring 2012 - Current
Professor of Animation Principles, 2D Animation, Image Manipulation, Character and Background Design, Game Design, Portfolio Foundations, Storyboarding for animation, etc... I teach practical applications of animation, storyboarding and image manipulation techniques and practices used in the industry.
Instructor (Conceptual Illustration), BSU, Muncie IN
Spring 2011
Lectured on Conceptual Illustration techniques and practices used in the industry. Demonstrated the materials and techniques used when pitching designs to clients. created a course outline and syllabus for Conceptual Illustration class. Had students submit designs and story art to Disney Animation, Blue Sky, Dreamworks Animation, and Pixar. Met with student weekly for lecture and critiques. Assigned appropriate amount of work to prime the student for the industry.
Instructor (independent studys in Character Design), BSU, Muncie IN
Fall 2010
Lectured on character design techniques and practices used in the industry. Demonstrated the materials and techniques used when pitching designs to clients. created a course outline and syllabus for character design class. Met with student weekly for lecture and critiques. Assigned appropriate amount of work to prime the student for the industry.
Guest Lecturer, MG Collective, Indianapolis IN
DEC 2010
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in pitching intellectual properties. Demonstrated the benefits of utilizing sequential art when pitching intellectual properties.
Freelance independent contractor, Man Of Missle Productions, (Various Clients), USA
1994 - Current
Client list includes but not limited to: FOX, Georges Duboef, Image Comics, Mirage Studios (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Orson Scott Card, Radical Axis, SCAD, Shooting Star Comics, Speakeasy Comics, Top Shelf Productions, BFG Communications, Cumulus Media INC./ Cumulus Broadcasting INC.
Commencement Speaker, Art Institute of Washington, Washington DC
JUN 2010
Invited as the Guest Speaker to address the Winter/ Spring 2010 graduating class.
Guest Judge, Visually Wired Film Festival, Washington DC
May 2010
One of nine on a juried panel responsible of picking winners in a variety of categories that represents the best in digital filmmaking, 2-D and 3-D animation.
Lead Illustrator / Character Designer, Floyd County Productions, (ARCHER, FX), Atlanta, GA 2008 - 2010
Managed and trained an Illustration Staff numbering between 3-10 artist at different times during the production of the show. Created and implemented a new production workflow which increased productivity and the overall look of the show. Responsible for finding, recruiting, training new talent. Conducted research to appropriately capture the right look for the show’s time period. Created elements for the show from concept to final animation.
Guest Lecturer, Art Institute of Washington, Washington DC
Jan 2010
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in story boarding. Demonstrated the benefits of utilizing sequential art when pitching intellectual properties.
Designer/ Illustrator/ story artist, 70-30 Productions, (The Xtacles, [adult-swim]), Atlanta GA
2007 - 2009
Collaborated with the writers and producers in the story development process. Punched up dialogue when needed. Created a standardized work flow that changed the direction of how to train interns and new employees.
Guest Lecturer, Art Institute of Washington, Washington DC
FEB 2009
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in story boarding. Demonstrated the benefits of utilizing sequential art when pitching intellectual properties
Guest Lecturer, The Comics art forum, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah GA
OCT 2007
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in comics. Met with students for portfolio reviews.
Designer/ Illustrator/ story artist/ V.O. Actor, 70-30 productions, (FRISKY DINGO, [adult-swim]) Atlanta Ga
2006 - 2007
Explored story ideas with the writers and producers. Conceptualized characters, props, and environments. Voice of Roy the limo driver.
Teacher Assistant, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah GA
Spring 2006
Assisted Professor Ray Goto with creating a class that focuses on pitching ideas to networks, from concept to final package. Assisted in teaching and mentoring students with their projects. Ran class demos and answered questions for the students as needed.
Designer/ story artist/ V.O. Actor, Why Don’t Zombies Make Good Clowns, (Short Film) Savannah Ga
2006
Created concept and art for the short film, Why Don’t Zombies Make Good Clowns for the Gorilla Film Festival a 24hour film competition.
Supervisor/ Unit Training Coordinator, Chick•Fil•A, Savannah Ga/ Warner Robins GA/ Va Beach, VA
2000 - 2007
Worked closely with the Owner/ Operators of each location in the training of their employee’s, Managed a staff between 3 - 50 people at various times. Conducted interviews. Kept low labor cost while maintaining high quality service. Introduced incentive plans for regular employees which help raise overall sales. Responsible for the day to day activities of different locations. Responsible for the tracking and training of staff at various locations.
Instructor (independent studys in Character Design), BSU, Muncie IN
Fall 2010
Lectured on character design techniques and practices used in the industry. Demonstrated the materials and techniques used when pitching designs to clients. created a course outline and syllabus for character design class. Met with student weekly for lecture and critiques. Assigned appropriate amount of work to prime the student for the industry.
Guest Lecturer, MG Collective, Indianapolis IN
DEC 2010
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in pitching intellectual properties. Demonstrated the benefits of utilizing sequential art when pitching intellectual properties.
Freelance independent contractor, Man Of Missle Productions, (Various Clients), USA
1994 - Current
Client list includes but not limited to: FOX, Georges Duboef, Image Comics, Mirage Studios (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Orson Scott Card, Radical Axis, SCAD, Shooting Star Comics, Speakeasy Comics, Top Shelf Productions, BFG Communications, Cumulus Media INC./ Cumulus Broadcasting INC.
Commencement Speaker, Art Institute of Washington, Washington DC
JUN 2010
Invited as the Guest Speaker to address the Winter/ Spring 2010 graduating class.
Guest Judge, Visually Wired Film Festival, Washington DC
May 2010
One of nine on a juried panel responsible of picking winners in a variety of categories that represents the best in digital filmmaking, 2-D and 3-D animation.
Lead Illustrator / Character Designer, Floyd County Productions, (ARCHER, FX), Atlanta, GA 2008 - 2010
Managed and trained an Illustration Staff numbering between 3-10 artist at different times during the production of the show. Created and implemented a new production workflow which increased productivity and the overall look of the show. Responsible for finding, recruiting, training new talent. Conducted research to appropriately capture the right look for the show’s time period. Created elements for the show from concept to final animation.
Guest Lecturer, Art Institute of Washington, Washington DC
Jan 2010
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in story boarding. Demonstrated the benefits of utilizing sequential art when pitching intellectual properties.
Designer/ Illustrator/ story artist, 70-30 Productions, (The Xtacles, [adult-swim]), Atlanta GA
2007 - 2009
Collaborated with the writers and producers in the story development process. Punched up dialogue when needed. Created a standardized work flow that changed the direction of how to train interns and new employees.
Guest Lecturer, Art Institute of Washington, Washington DC
FEB 2009
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in story boarding. Demonstrated the benefits of utilizing sequential art when pitching intellectual properties
Guest Lecturer, The Comics art forum, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah GA
OCT 2007
Lectured on current techniques and practices used in comics. Met with students for portfolio reviews.
Designer/ Illustrator/ story artist/ V.O. Actor, 70-30 productions, (FRISKY DINGO, [adult-swim]) Atlanta Ga
2006 - 2007
Explored story ideas with the writers and producers. Conceptualized characters, props, and environments. Voice of Roy the limo driver.
Teacher Assistant, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah GA
Spring 2006
Assisted Professor Ray Goto with creating a class that focuses on pitching ideas to networks, from concept to final package. Assisted in teaching and mentoring students with their projects. Ran class demos and answered questions for the students as needed.
Designer/ story artist/ V.O. Actor, Why Don’t Zombies Make Good Clowns, (Short Film) Savannah Ga
2006
Created concept and art for the short film, Why Don’t Zombies Make Good Clowns for the Gorilla Film Festival a 24hour film competition.
Supervisor/ Unit Training Coordinator, Chick•Fil•A, Savannah Ga/ Warner Robins GA/ Va Beach, VA
2000 - 2007
Worked closely with the Owner/ Operators of each location in the training of their employee’s, Managed a staff between 3 - 50 people at various times. Conducted interviews. Kept low labor cost while maintaining high quality service. Introduced incentive plans for regular employees which help raise overall sales. Responsible for the day to day activities of different locations. Responsible for the tracking and training of staff at various locations.
Education
Ball State University, Muncie, IN — MA Electronic Art and Animation
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA — BFA Sequential Art, 2006
Studied under Master Animator Glenn Vilppu — March - June 2006, Savannah, GA
Linked IN recommendations:
Animator/ Asset Developer/ Designer / Illustrator
Green Shoe Animation, LLC
Sole Proprietor/ Independent Animation Producer
ManOfMissle Productions
Lead Illustrator, Character Designer
Floyd County Productions
Eric Cerda
Lead Animator at Playdom / Disney Interactive
January 30, 2011, Eric was with another company when working with Sam at Green Shoe Animation, LLCI've come to know Sam's work as clean, creative, and technically exact. He follows direction well, provides some very clever art solutions to design requests, and always delivers on time. Sam is a strong designer, illustrator, draftsman!
Jason Shwartz
Director - Bento Box Entertainment
January 14, 2011, Jason was Sam's clientSam is one of those people that you always look for on a team! Not only is his work of the utmost professional standard, but he is also an absolute pleasure to work with. His vast experience and skill sets make him a valuable member of any team. His work is always delivered on time and to the greatest perfection. Sam is always eager and open to pushing himself as well as...more
Alan WhitleyCreative Director writer at Logic and Lightning
November 30, 2010, Alan was Sam's clientSam Ellis is a hell of an illustrator, and he saved me at a critical point in an important project. The story must be told: We had a great idea for an ad that really couldn't be mocked in photo-shop, but I had a client presentation that was only two days away. Sam was recommended by a friend, and I briefed him - then I was unable to push the proper approvals through my...more
Chi DuongCharacter Designer at Floyd County Productions
October 5, 2010, Chi worked directly with Sam at Radical AxisSam helped me get jumpstarted on my illustration career soon after I graduated! As my Supervisor(Lead), he taught me his ins and outs in Adobe Illustrator, and never treated me like a "new artist that didn't know the production pipeline." Because of this, I was able to build my confidence in my own work while following his lead. I recommend Sam to anyone, for he is a fast...more
TJ Buford
Archer Illustration Director
February 5, 2011, TJ reported to Sam at Floyd County ProductionsWhat is there to say about Sam that isn't good? Nothing. Same is an extremely patient and knowledgeable teacher who never shies away from thoroughly explaining the Why of a process. Keeping fundamentals of art in mind, he trained myself as well as several others during the first season of Archer.
Sam is an asset to ANYONE in the artistic field.
Tariq Hassan
Creative Consultant
December 11, 2010, Tariq reported to Sam at Floyd County ProductionsSam is a rare creative. He has raw talent, while also possessing a great business deameanor.
When I started as an illustrator on the FX Network animated show, Archer, Sam was a Lead Illustrator. Coming in fresh there were many things I had to learn and Sam was patient and effective teaching me the best practices and methodology behind the creative process for the show....more
Orlando Caicedo
Freelance Illustrator
November 28, 2010, Orlando worked with Sam at Floyd County ProductionsSam is a very knowledgeable and talented illustrator with great work ethics and quick turn around time.
Adam Toews
Lead Illustrator at Floyd County Studios
November 24, 2010, Adam worked indirectly for Sam at Floyd County ProductionsAlthough I only managed to join Floyd County halfway through season 1, Sam Ellis was someone I had the pleasure to get to know both personally and professionally. One of the nicest people in the studio, Sam was easy to approach, and always had good direction and advice on assignments if asked. Sam is hard working and efficient - by far one of the fastest people in the...more
