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All Faculty

Matthew Paulson

Entertainment Design

Biography

Matthew W Paulson is a Supervisor and Lead Modeler at DreamWorks Animation in Glendale, California where he oversees the artistic and technical creation of 3D models for feature animated films. He is passionate about integrating art and technology in the development of characters and environments for the big screen.

In 1994, Matt joined computer graphics forerunner Viewpoint Datalabsin Orem, Utah supplying work for award-winning commercials, shorts, and feature films. Some of his work there included The Simpsons—Treehouse of Horror VI, Space Jam, Batman & Robin, Independence Day, Godzilla (1998), Minority Report, and Antz (some PDI via Viewpoint subcontract). In 1998 he received a degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah with a BFA major in Industrial Design and a minor in Japanese. In 1999, Matt was hired by Pacific Data Images(PDI) in Palo Alto, California. There he continued to hone his talents while working as a senior modeler on the breakout animated hit Shrek where he was able to contribute major developments on Donkey, Shrek, and other characters.

With the company purchase of PDI by DreamWorks Animation in 2000, Matt relocated to Glendale and helped start the 3D animation division by supervising the modeling efforts on Shark Tale and Flushed Away. For the last twelve years, Matt has served as the Modeling Supervisor and Lead Modeler on the successful How to Train Your Dragon franchise, helping create popular characters such as Toothlessthe dragon and environments like the wonderful world of Berk.

As a department head, Matt has been instrumental in integrating new modeling strategies and specialized tools into the DreamWorks production pipeline. In 2014, he was honored with a Technical Achievement Award from DreamWorks Animation for his development of “Doris”, a modeling pipeline and asset management tool.

Matt has been a member of the Visual Effects Society and The International Animated Film Society since 2001.

Classes

  • EANI-265-01: Modeling 2
  • EANI-453-01: Portfolio 2
  • EANI-403-01: Portfolio 1