Michael Juarez
Hair Global Development Supervisor at DreamWorks Animation
- Role
- Hair Global Development Supervisor all Feature Production at DreamWorks Animation
- Location
- Los Angeles County, CA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Michael Juarez
Michael Juarez is a seasoned film industry professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in feature animation pipelines. Currently serving as Hair Global Development Supervisor at DreamWorks Animation, his extensive background includes leading cross-disciplinary teams in the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies that support multiple departments across the studio.At DreamWorks Animation, Michael has played a pivotal role in managing Research & Development teams focused on advancing complex systems including grooming, simulation, and feather technologies. His leadership was instrumental in designing and implementing a five year studio approved roadmap for hair workflows and technology, aligning long-term strategy with evolving production needs.An experienced leader and mentor, Michael has hired, trained, and guided teams of artists and developers, overseeing performance reviews and fostering professional growth. He has a strong technical foundation and has developed and maintained robust toolsets in Maya and Houdini to support both artists and developers. His efforts have ensured efficient, scalable workflows that meet the high creative standards of feature animation, while also managing the successful delivery of studio-wide technology initiatives.
Experience
Hair Global Development Supervisor all Feature Production
Jan 2021 — Present
The Hair Global Development Group is responsible for standardizing, maintaining and creating tools/workflows that pertain to hair across all departments and shows. This group establishes consistency, efficiency and support in the grooming and simulation process. This group is also responsible for pushing forward innovation in terms of new technologies both internal and external to the studio.Consulted with Producers/VFX Supervisors to help anticipate technology production needs.Created and delivered technology presentations to studio Executives/Department Supervisors.Worked with R&D Supervisors on resources and overlapping technology goals.Managed and collaborated in the development of “Shaggy”, the next generation hair system.Developed “Medusa” a modular workflow for hair simulation in the Character Effects department.Managed and collaborated in the development of the new DreamWorks Feather System.Worked closely with Department Chairs/VFX Supervisors to facilitate technology deliverables.Issued biweekly technology reports to inform the studios stakeholders on our progress.Promoted transparency to technology stakeholders on the studios direction and ongoing projects.Managed several tools/workflow packages through Git/GitHub.Organized and co-wrote the studios hair global documentation.
Education
Gnomon School of Visual Effects - Hollywood CA.
Advanced Mel Programming and Applications Course
2005 — 2005
The Art Institute of California Los Angeles CA.
Bachelor of Science Degree, Media Arts & Animation
2001 — 2004
Skills
- Nuke
- Character Animation
- Mel
- Houdini
- Python
- Cloth Simulation
- Feature Films
- Motion Capture
- Hair Simulation
- Animation
- Shake
- Facial Animation
- Visual Effects
- Fur
- Maya
- Look Development
- Pipeline Development
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