I am a senior lecturer of animation and motion capture at Auckland University of Technology. Since 2008, I have served as the Head of Department, Curriculum Leader, Programme Leader, and Animation Pathway Leader within the major in Animation, Visual Effects, and Game Design at AUT. I am both a professional animator and actor and I use my combined experience to investigate the nature of performance within the contexts of animation and motion capture.

Through multidisciplinary theory and practice, my doctoral thesis "Acting and Its Double: A Practice-Led Investigation of the Nature of Acting Within Performance Capture" examines how the constructed nature of animated performances challenges our understanding of acting, and suggests a paradigm revision for how acting is understood within performance capture. My published research draws on my combined professional experence as an animator and an actor, and explores how acting and presence are framed within a virtual acting context. I have also formalised a critical language around virtual performance, including the creation of a taxonomy of performance modes among virtual actors to better understand their acting capabilities.

This research establishes me as an authority on performance within animation and motion capture. I am also a member of several international research groups, including as a collaborative research member of Eco Astronomy. In this capacity, I produce animated performances in the form of scientific visualisations of extinct megafuana to support palaeontological research and museum exhibits.

While my career to date has primarily been in academia, I have worked on numerous industry projects. My skills would be best described as a 3D generalist with specialist skills in character animation and motion capture. I work within a deadline-driven environment with management responsibilities for other staff. My communication skills are excellent and I am a detail-oriented person (who is able to prioritise the bigger picture). I constantly upskill to keep my 3D process relevant and flexible.

Going forward, I am eager to move from academia into a full-time animation/VFX industry role. This could be in the form of either a production role or as an animation/VFX trainer. I am joining THU Career Camp 2023 to learn about industry opportunities and establish further industry contacts.