SKY KOVAC
3D ANIMATOR
PREVIS & POSTVIS ARTIST
3D Animator specializing in previs, postvis
and key frame animation
CHARACTER ANIMATION
WORK IN PROGRESS
GAMES ANIMATION
PREVIS ANIMATION
ANIMATION EXPERIENCE
2024
Animator
IMU Studios - Remote
Animated a series of in-game animations for the upcoming PC game THUNDER
2021-2023
Previs/Postvis Artist
Day For Nite, Los Angeles, CA
Projects included Blue Beetle, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Lilo and Stitch, Peter Pan & Wendy, Murder Mystery 2, Spirited, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Created 3D animated scenes to show the clients what their shot would look like before filming it. Conducted postvis wire removal, background replacement, & created animations on post film plates
2023
Animator
Lights Out Animation - Remote
Collaborated on Pixel Perfect, a short animated film pitch.
Developed layout, previs, and animations in Maya, working collaboratively with a startup of three animators
2022
Previs/Postvis Artist
Halon Entertainment, Santa Monica, CA
Worked on Beverly Hills Cop 4 animating 3D scenes to show clients tech/previs shots, developed in Maya
2020-2021
Animation Development Assistant
Rockstar Games, Carlsbad, CA
Projects included Grand Theft Auto VI, Red Dead Redemption II, and Grand Theft Auto V
Performed layout checks, conversions for props, vehicles, characters and animals, set captures
Updated assets for upcoming motion capture shoots
2019
Quality Control Artist
Blizzard Entertainment, Irvine, CA
Projects included BlizzCon trailer releases for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, Overwatch II, Diablo IV
Performed visual checks for continuity, animation, and VFX
2019
3D Character Animator
Coyote's Place, StudioX, San Fran, CA
Polished and created new key frame animation in a production environment
Took constructive criticism from the producer to improve current shots
Collaborated with production pipeline to meet deadlines
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
2011-2015
Acoustic Operator
United States Navy
Classified
2007-2009
Structural Designer
Fluor Daniels, Irvine, CA
Created 3D model representations of petrochemical facilities using MicroStation 3D, FrameWorks, and Smartplant 3D
TESTIMONIALS
Aaron McGriff - Pixar Animation
"I was Sky's instructor for 3 months in a small group class studying Advanced Character Performance. Sky was a shining star throughout the entire term, consistently bringing not only great work and above and beyond progress to each review session, but also adding such a great energy to the class in general. Sky would frequently add helpful suggestions and feedback for his fellow classmates and was a wealth of knowledge when it came to resources that proved beneficial to the team. His positive approach to learning new things and his willingness to think outside of the box to solve problems in creative ways was inspiring to myself and his classmates. I am confident that sky will bring 110% to any team."
Colton Kirkegaard - Day For Nite
"I had the pleasure of working with Sky as his Previs Supervisor on a movie not too long ago. His genuine enthusiasm and excitement to contribute to the filmmaking process is such a big part of what makes him a joy to work with. When I would assign a section of shots for him to animate, I knew I could always count on him to put in 110% effort into his shots. He truly cares about his work and that is reflected in the quality of his animation. He is a very proactive individual and is great at keeping himself busy and asking what he can do next to help out. Sky is not the type of artist you will ever have to worry about slacking off. He is a skilled animator, has an incredible attitude and work ethic, and genuinely loves everything about the filmmaking process. I look forward to seeing him grow and thrive even more in this industry with whatever new opportunities come his way."
Tom Bertino - AAU Animation Course Director
"Working with Sky is nothing but a pleasure.He is skilled and talented, yes, but those words can apply to many types of people. Sky goes deep... he desires to fully understand his characters' personalities and motivations before beginning to create a performance. His acting needs to be true, intellectually AND emotionally, otherwise he is unsatisfied. Also, Sky is one of the most forthright and personable team members one could wish. He eagerly seeks out feedback and implements it well, also offers well-observed feedback to others. He is a problem-solver, always ready to offer help or suggestions to his colleagues.Sky would be an enhancement to any team. From here, his future looks very bright."
EDUCATION
2023
Character Animation
2023
Character Animation
The CG RIFF
Advanced Animation for Acting
AnimationMentor.com
Advanced animation training from a Bouncing Ball to Advanced Acting and Portfolio Review
Focusing on the 12 principles of animation
Game Animation and Unreal Engine importing
2016-2017
Bachelor's Degree in Animation
Full Sail University
Graduated top of my class as Valedictorian and part of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars honors society
General Education in the art of animation
Courses include: Animation, Modeling, Rigging, Art, Motion Capture, and Compositing
Earned several awards including: Advanced Achievement Award and Course Director Award
2017-2019
Master's Degree in Animation
Academy of Art University
Candidate for Valedictorian
Courses include: Pixar Training 101, Animation StudioX, Production, 3D Character Animation, Visual Effects for Animation, and Storyboarding
SKILLS
Character Animation
Postvis
Facial Animation
Previs Animation
Creature Animation
Motion Capture
SOFTWARE
Maya
Photoshop
After Effects
Unreal Engine 5
Syntheyes
Motion Builder