James Schauf
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.

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Skills

3D ModelingCharacter ModelingEnvironment ModelingHard Surface ModelingProp ModelingTexturingUV MappingRetopologyVisual DevelopmentTeachingPBR Texturinglayout

Software proficiency

Keyshot
Keyshot
Maya
Maya
Photoshop
Photoshop
Substance 3D Painter
Substance 3D Painter
Marmoset Toolbag
Marmoset Toolbag
ZBrush
ZBrush
Marvelous Designer
Marvelous Designer
Premiere
Premiere
Arnold
Arnold

Reel

Productions

    • Movie
      Smurfs
    • Year
      2025
    • Role
      Visual Development Modeler
    • Company
      Paramount
    • Movie
      Us Again
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Environment Modeler
    • Company
      Disney Animation Studio
    • Movie
      Strange World
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Environment Modeler
    • Company
      Walt Disney Animation Studio
    • Movie
      Ecanto
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Environment Modeler
    • Company
      Walt Disney Animation Studio
    • Movie
      Raya and the Last Dragon
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Environment Modeler
    • Company
      Walt Disney Animation Studio
    • TV Production
      Jurassic World:
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Camp Cretaceous
    • Company
      DreamWorks
    • TV Production
      Fast & Furious: Spy Racers
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Character Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks
    • TV Production
      Spirit: Riding Free
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Character Modeler
    • Company
      DreamWorks
    • Movie
      Wonder Park
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      3D Visual Development Artist
    • Company
      Paramount
    • Commercial / Advertisement
      Clash of Clans
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      Psyop
    • Commercial / Advertisement
      Cricket Wireless
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      Psyop
    • Movie
      Moana
    • Year
      2016
    • Role
      Environment Modeler
    • Company
      Disney Feature Animation Studio
    • Commercial / Advertisement
      ReCore
    • Year
      2016
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      Psyop
    • Movie
      Big Hero 6
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      Modeler
    • Company
      Disney Feature Animation Studio
    • TV Production
      Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness
    • Year
      2011
    • Role
      Character Modeler
    • Company
      Nickelodeon Animation Studio
    • Video Game
      Toontown Online
    • Year
      2003
    • Role
      Environment Artist (modeling and texturing)
    • Company
      Disney Internet Group
    • Movie
      Iron Man 2
    • Year
      2010
    • Role
      Character Modeler
    • Company
      Legacy Effects

Experience

  • Character Modeler at DreamWorks
    Glendale, United States of America
    February 2019 - Present

  • CG Artist at Apple
    Sunnyvale, United States of America
    July 2017 - October 2018

  • 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
    May 2016 - Present

    Online Instructor for:

    Modeling 200- Character Modeling in Maya

    Modeling 300- Zbrush

  • Instructor at Gnomon School of Visual Effects
    Hollywood, United States of America
    January 2015 - Present

    Instructor for:

    Digital Sculpting (Zbrush)

  • Instructor at Gnomon School of Visual Effects
    Hollywood , United States of America
    April 2013 - Present

    Online Instructor for:

    Hard Surface Modeling 1

    Hard Surface Modeling 2

  • Texture Artist at Visionary VR
    Los Angeles, United States of America
    June 2016 - August 2016

    Texture artist working on Mindshow.

  • Texture Artist at Aaron Sims Company
    Hollywood, United States of America
    May 2014 - July 2014

    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.