Kevin Gamble
CG Animation Production Advisor

The Clayman is happy to introduce Kevin Gamble who joins us as an independent CG Animation Production associate.

Over the past eight years of his animation career, Kevin has worked on more than 100 animated half-hour TV episodes and several direct-to-DVD long form animated projects, with a focus on CG / 3D computer animation.

In addition to “hands on” producing and team leading, he has spent the past few years in the creative development arena where he managed the creation of both prime-time and children's targeted properties.

As such, Kevin is more than just a producer who can provide all of the scheduling, logistics, technology and budgeting support that a large project demands, he can quickly and easily switch hats and oversee story and creative aspects as well.

• Manage and spearhead small, multi-tasking development teams or large-scale production crews (100+staff). Design schedule, create budget and lead entire 3D production process from start to finish.

• Hire key positions (art director, story editor, animation directors, technical directors, et al). Work with the lead team to formulate a technology plan, and alter existing or create a new CG production pipeline specifically designed for the needs of the project.

• Oversee the creation of an original script / show bible, or ensure an existing creative vision is outlined to the production team, adhered to and delivered. Ensure the project maintains a consistent creative vision during design, modeling, testing, animation and post-production phases.

• Work with story editor & writers to verify that scripts are structurally sound, entertaining, CG friendly, and satisfy U.S., Canadian and International broadcast standards. Assist in revision process, ultimately approving final production script. Perform or oversee script breakdowns for various departments, guarantee that all required production elements are identified and tasked out. Create and administer schedules for the design, modeling, animation and post-production phases.

• Review shows in production, giving show notes (generated either by myself, or by working in tandem with a client) to episodic directors on a regular basis. Communicate and liaise with client, network or distributor, negotiate and coordinate revision, re-shoot and creative change requests during entire production process.

• Daily “CG fire fighting” - quickly solve the array of problems that can emerge as a project progresses. Conduct management meetings with the lead team on a weekly basis to discuss the current project status and formulate strategies on how to modify the production workflow to optimize efficiency.

• Manage budget & cost reports. Oversee entire production team, identify and quickly resolve any issues that threaten to impact budget or delivery.

• Maintain high morale throughout the entire production team by keeping people happy, energized and motivated - and lead with a smile on my face! When necessary, resolve inter-team spats and HR issues quickly and fairly.

• Deliver a fantastic product that upholds and enhances the reputation, marketability and bottom line of the company, and deliver it on time and on budget.

Production Experience: Animation

Producer : "George of the Jungle" Studio B & Classic Media January 2006 -> Ongoing Fifty-two x 11 minute television episodes for Teletoon & Cartoon Network.
Animation Producer : "Grungy McGee" Nerd Corps Entertainment for Walt Disney Television Animation October 2004 -> December 2004 Five minute CG animated short developed by Disney Shorts & artist Anna Chambers Chambers
Director of Development & Producer Nerd Corps Entertainment January 2005 -> January 2006 While working with Nerd Corps, I managed a slate of internally conceived & developed CG series and features, and created schedules and budgets for prospective projects. Produced in-house tests, pilots and promos for new projects. Tracked down new properties and developed relationships with artists, creators and networks. Represented the company at trade shows and conferences (including Comic-Con, KidScreen, Ottawa International Animation Festival) to seek out and bid on new business opportunities.
Chief Creative Officer & Producer : "Hateful Chris" SecondSun Entertainment January 2004 -> November 2004 Managed creative process of converting an existing video game IP into a prime-time CG series, which MTV optioned four months after I took over the project. Set up and managed a new 3D animation division to animate the series, hired key staff and designed the production pipeline. Additionally, I was also tasked with developing and bidding on new business, and as such attended international markets and events such as MIP, NATPE and KidScreen.
Producer (development) : "Alien Legion" Mainframe Entertainment December 2002 -> November 2003 Animated series development with property creator Carl Potts, former editor-in-chief of Marvel / Epic Comics.
Producer : "Scary Godmother" Mainframe Entertainment July 2002 -> February 2003 One hour seasonal TV special for YTV in Canada and Cartoon Network. Winner, 2004 Leo Award "Best Animated Program or Series."
Animation Producer : "Project X: Cybernet Surfers" Mainframe Entertainment / Lego Media February 2002 -> April 2002 Ten minute half live-action, half CGI animation promo / test.
Animation Producer : "Max Steel - Season 3" Mainframe Entertainment & Sony Pictures / Columbia Tri-Star June 2001 -> December 2001 Nine x 20 minute television episodes.
Associate Producer : "Reboot - Season 4" Mainframe Entertainment April 2001 -> June 2001 90 minute broadcast feature shipped as 4 television episodes (pre-production only).
Associate Producer : "Heavy Gear" Mainframe Entertainment / Sony Pictures August 2000 -> May 2001 Forty x 20 minute television episodes.
Assistant Director : "Casper’s Haunted Christmas" Mainframe Entertainment / Harvey Entertainment January 2000 -> August 2000 90 minute direct-to-video feature
Assistant Director : "Weird-Ohs" Mainframe Entertainment March 1999 -> December 1999 Thirteen x 20 minute television episodes
Assistant Director : "Transformers: Beast Wars - Season 3" Mainframe Entertainment / Hasbro June 1998 -> April 1999 Twenty-six x 20 minute television episodes.
Animation Coordinator : "Transformers: Beast Wars - Season 2" Mainframe Entertainment / Hasbro August 1997 -> March 1998 Thirteen x 20 minute television episodes

Production Experience: Live-Action
Director of Photography (35mm) – Short / Feature Promo "Alice’s House"
DOP / Camera Operator (16mm) – Music Video "Come Tomorrow"
DOP / Camera Operator (16mm) – Music Video "Saturnhead"
DOP / Camera Operator (16mm, second unit) – Music Video "Sunburn"
DOP / Camera Operator (16mm) – Short Film "Coffee"
DOP / Camera Operator (BetaSP) – Short Film "Favors"
DOP / Camera Operator (BetaSP) – Short Film "Urban Legends"
Director of Photography (16mm) – VFS Student Film "The Untitled"
Camera Operator (16mm) – VFS Student Film "Honest Joe"
Camera Operator (Video) – VFS Student Documentary "Queens Gambit"
2nd Assistant Camera (35mm) – Music Video "I Like…"
2nd Assistant Camera (16mm) – Short Film "Trouble Brewing"
2nd Assistant Camera (16mm) – Short Film "Statte Mitte"
2nd Assistant Camera (BetaSP) – Music Video "Flowers in Concrete"
2nd Assistant Camera (16mm) – Short Film "1500 Land"
Camera Trainee (35mm) – Feature Film "American Dragons"
1st Assistant Director (35mm) – Short / Feature Promo "The Boys of Frazer Street"
2nd Assistant Director (35mm) – Music Video "Get Hot"
2nd Assistant Director (35mm) – Commercial "Hyundai Sonata"
2nd Assistant Director (35mm) – Commercial "Sensodyne"
2nd Assistant Director (35mm) – Commercial "Mattel - Flavas"
Gaffer (16mm) – Short Film "Treadmill"
Gaffer (35mm) – Short / Feature Promo "Alice’s House" (upgraded to DOP)
Grip / Lamp Op (35mm) – Short Film "Ringfinger"
Grip / Lamp Op (16mm) – Short Film "Double Lowfat Latte Love"
Grip / Lamp Op (16mm) – Music Video "Peeps"

Training, Education, Workshop
Vancouver Film School, Foundation Film Program, July 1995 - March 1996.
Cinematography, Sound, Editing, Production Planning, Documentary, Producing and Directing.
Class Valedictorian.
Cinematography Workshop - Bill Holshevnikoff (Lighting for Video) – Fall 1995.
Cinematography Workshop - Russ Carpenter ("True Lies") – Fall 1995.
Cinematography Workshop - Janus Kaminski ("Schindler’s List") – Fall 1995.
"International Intern Training Program."
Canadian Film & Television Production Association (CFTPA) & Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) Training Program.
Winter 1998 (6 months).
"Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting."
Robert McKee, Fall 1999.
"Introduction to SoftImage."
Vancouver Film School (Part-Time Program). Fall 2000.
"Writing for Children’s Television."
Praxis Screenwriting Workshop. Winter 2001.
"Genre Weekend: Writing Thrillers & Comedies."
Robert McKee. Fall 2002.
Panel member / guest speaker "Flash Forward" workshop (Vancouver). Spring 2003.
"Two Day Hollywood Film School" with Dov S-S Simens. Spring 2003.
Attendee at multiple markets and conferences including Kidscreen, NATPE, MIP TV and the San Diego Comic-Con.

Software
Movie Magic Scheduling • Final Draft • MS Office • Quark • Photoshop • GoLive • Compressor
AVID Media Composer • Final Cut Pro • SoftImage 3.9 (working knowledge)
Wizard with Macintosh • Passable with Windows • Comedic relief with UNIX