Animation Faculty
Our faculty have been employed in the animation and/or gaming industry and teach courses in their areas of expertise. Our instructors have worked for animation companies, entertainment industries, game development houses, military bases, and motion graphics industries. Since the industry changes at such a rapid pace, the importance of teaching the most recent animation and gaming industry techniques is the central focus of our curriculum. Our main objective is to prepare our students to go from the classroom directly into a variety of industries as seamlessly as possible.
Derek G. Larson, Associate Professor
Director of Animation and Video Game Animation Programs
Derek G. Larson is an artist and animator who previously worked as an editor at PBS. His series “Très Mall” is an animated documentary featuring discussions on art and philosophy with recent guests Noam Chomsky, David Joselit, Carla Gannis, McKenzie Wark, Michael Hardt, Graham Harman, and Priyamvada Gopal. “Très Mall” has been screened at venues including the Kunsthal Charlottenborg in Copenhagen, Tranen, Times Square in New York City, MoCA Atlanta, and the Yale School of Architecture.
Software: Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe (Animate, Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator), ZBrush, Houdini, Maya, Blender, Krita, Procreate, Clip
Vaniah Howell
3D Game Artist, Graphic Designer, Video Editor
PORTFOLIO
Vaniah Howell is a passionate and creative 3D artist who possesses an MFA degree in Animation with a concentration in Video Games. She is experienced in 3D modeling, graphic design, video editing, and game creation. When working on projects or in a team situation, Vaniah is a creative multi-tasker with a high attention to detail.
Software: 3ds MAX, Maya, ZBrush, Unity, Unreal, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Media Encoder, Premier Pro, Substance Painter, Canva
Languages: HTML
Rudy Agresta
Full-Service 2D Animator, Designer, Pianist/Composer, Fine Artist
WEBSITE
Rudy Agresta has been a professional animator and cartoonist for over 40 years. His passion for animation landed him freelance work in NYC where he did character/show concept design, show pilot animation, animated on many TV commercials, and animated many of the iconic Disney and Hanna Barbera cartoon characters. Rudy enjoys animating the old-fashioned way, with pencil and paper and has incorporated hand-drawn techniques within the digital realm to produce studio-quality animation. Rudy was instrumental in creating the 2D Undergraduate Animation Program at FDU as well as incorporating elements of it into the Animation Masters program. Rudy devotes much of his time to creating assignments for the animation courses he created for FDU, making them course-specific for each of his classes. Rudy is currently writing a book on his approach to animation, has a comic strip in development, and is completing a graphic novel. He is also a pianist and composer, having underscored for several films and television projects.
Software: Adobe Suite, Digicel Flip Book, Toon Boom, Open Toonz, TV Paint, Storyboarder, Animation Paper, Rough Animator, Finale
Traditional Media: Pencil and Paper, Oils, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache, Mixed Media
Stephen Haddock-Weiler
3D Generalist
PORTFOLIO
Stephen Haddock-Weiler is a 3D artist with over 10 years of work in the digital arts industry with experience ranging from indie games to major films and TV shows including Disney’s The Mandalorian and Ahsoka. Stephen is currently working as a freelance 3D Artist, spending his time on various projects. He is always keen to explore new forms of artistic expression that can be incorporated into his work leading him to develop skills in 3D Printing, Photogrammetry, and Model Painting.
Software: 3ds Max, Maya, Substance Suite, Photoshop, Zbrush, Unreal, Unity
Frank Ippolito
2D and 3D Animator, Illustrator, Musician, Fine Artist
PORTFOLIO WEBSITE
Frank Ippolito is a multi-disciplinary artist who brings 30 years of professional experience into the computer lab. Moving between myriad traditional and digital media, Frank was among the earliest adopters of digital technology in the arts. He introduced Digital Illustration into FDU’s art curriculum in 1998 and After Effects for Motion Graphics two years later. Stepping into the digital realm, he never looked back. Frank’s digital artwork can be found in exhibit halls of the American Museum of Natural History and The National Zoo. Digital illustration clients include Scientific America and The New York Times. His motion graphics and visual effects work appear in music videos, indie films, and performance art installations. Frank continues to seek new and exciting interdisciplinary avenues to explore in the arts.
Software: 3D Studio Max, After Effects, Photoshop, Realflow
Alan Roth
Screenwriter
Alan Roth graduated from FDU with degrees in History and English Literature, then attended graduate school at Emerson College in Boston. He began his professional career at Time Magazine in the editorial department and is now the managing partner at Chase Wilson, a media producer with offices in New York and LA. As a screenwriter, he consults with studios and producers on their works in progress and is a fellow of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Current productions based on his original screenplays (The Book of Leah starring Armand Assante) and Jersey City Story (produced by Michael Strahan) are due for the 2021 release.
Khasan Sakhobiyen
Animator
PORTFOLIO
Khasan Sakhobiyen is a professional 3D artist and animator. He possesses a strong understanding of anatomy with the ability to create high-quality hard surface 3D models with detailed textures. His skills run the gamut through the rigging, cloth simulation, hair and fur creation, and character animation phases of a project.
Software: Maya, 3ds MAX, Blender, ZBrush, Gimp, 3D Coat, Marvelous Designer, Unity, Unreal, After Effects, Photoshop, Marmoset Toolbag, Substance Painter
John Vielee
Character Animator, Artist
WEBSITE
John Vielee is a 3D animator who has worked in TV, commercials, games, and film on projects ranging from the Geico Gecko to the movie Salt. Previous to his current job as a character animator at Lost Boys Interactive, he was the Lead Animator for the U.S. military working with the Gaming Interactive Technologies and Multimedia division. He holds a master’s degree in Digital Imaging.
Software: Maya
Mitchell Zemil
Mitchell Zemil is an award-winning filmmaker and freelance animator based in Brooklyn. Originally from Sarasota, FL, he studied film at NYU. With over 15 years of experience, he began animating on Newgrounds and specializes in music videos and experimental storytelling. His short The Ghost in the Scarf received recognition for its sentimental style, and he is currently in post-production on Night in the City.