James Schauf
Asset Lead/Art Director at We Are Royale/ Instructor/ Mentor
Santa Clarita, CA, United States
Summary
Dynamic and versatile 3D Artist with over 15 years of creative excellence, delivering high-impact visuals across the movie, commercial, tech, and fashion industries. Masterful in modeling a diverse range of assets-from stylized characters and intricate vehicles to robots, props, and immersive environments. With I I years of both domestic and international teaching experience, I bring a passion for empowering students and professionals alike, guiding them in leveling up their skills and nurturing talents. Having led teams as an Art Director, Lead, and Modeling Team Supervisor, I excel at guiding projects from concept to completion, offering both strategic vision and hands-on expertise. Driven by innovation and a love for visual storytelling, I thrive in collaborative environments while inspiring creativity and growth through leadership.
Skills
3D ModelingCharacter ModelingEnvironment ModelingHard Surface ModelingProp ModelingTexturingUV MappingRetopologyVisual DevelopmentTeachingPBR Texturinglayout
Software proficiency

Keyshot

Maya

Photoshop

Substance 3D Painter

Marmoset Toolbag

ZBrush

Marvelous Designer

Premiere

Arnold
Productions
Movie
Us Again
Year
2021
Role
Environment Modeler
Company
Disney Animation Studio
TV Production
Jurassic World:
Year
2020
Role
Camp Cretaceous
Company
DreamWorks
TV Production
Spirit: Riding Free
Year
2017
Role
Character Modeler
Company
DreamWorks
Movie
Iron Man 2
Year
2010
Role
Character Modeler
Company
Legacy Effects
Experience
Character Modeler at DreamWorks
Glendale, United States of America
CG Artist at Apple
Sunnyvale, United States of America
Modeling Supervisor at Sunrise Productions
Cape Town, South Africa
April 2017 - September 2017
Modeling Supervisor for an unannounced project.
Instructor at PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy
Cologne, Germany
Online Instructor for:
Modeling 200- Character Modeling in Maya
Modeling 300- Zbrush
Instructor at Gnomon School of Visual Effects
Hollywood, United States of America
Instructor for:
Digital Sculpting (Zbrush)
Instructor at Gnomon School of Visual Effects
Hollywood , United States of America
Online Instructor for:
Hard Surface Modeling 1
Hard Surface Modeling 2
Texture Artist at Visionary VR
Los Angeles, United States of America
Texture artist working on Mindshow.
Texture Artist at Aaron Sims Company
Hollywood, United States of America
Texture artist working The Marvel Experience.
CG Artist at Skechers
Manhattan Beach, United States of America
February 2013 - April 2013
One of two CG artist hired to work directly with the design team in expanding their flexibility in designing footwear.