Emily Ward

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Lighting / Compositing Artist
August 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025
Collaborated with director Keira Schehl to tackle difficult lighting setups, establishing a saturated color palette and achieving scene realism while preserving the director's vision. Created painted lighting for environments and characters, established a consistent look, and led a team of eight on the project.
Director/Lead Lighting / Texture Artist / Compositor / Modeler
March 1, 2020 - May 1, 2020
Directed and led lighting, texturing, modeling, and compositing for the animated short 'Harper', including NIagara-based material work and multi-role contributions to achieve a cohesive visual style.
Producer / Lead Lighting / Texturer / Compositor
January 1, 2025 - May 1, 2025
Produced and led lighting, texturing, and compositing for the project 'Unwound', maintaining the director's vision and delivering polished shots on schedule; contributed to the overall look development.
Research / Visual Development Artist
January 1, 2025 - February 1, 2025
Hand-picked to interpret a pre-established storyboard and create a 3D version in Unreal Engine, executing camera compositions and character movements within the space.
Lighting / Lead Look Development Artist
September 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Led lighting development for the project Idle Hands, crafting a painterly style and establishing a NIagara-driven look; created guides for a team of eight and maintained the director's vision across environments and characters.
Lighting / Compositing Artist at Copy Paste
August 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025
Collaborated with director Keira Schehl to tackle difficult lighting setups, maintain the director's vision, and deliver polished, on-time shots with a cohesive color palette and effective communication with animators and producers.
Lighting / Lead Look Development Artist at Idle Hands
September 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Lighting / Lead Look Development Artist for Idle Hands (animated short). Crafted environmental lighting, led a team of 8, established a painted lighting style, and developed Niagara effects; collaborated with director to achieve scene realism while preserving the director's vision.
Director / Lead Lighter / Texture r / Compositor / Modeler at Harper
March 1, 2025 - May 1, 2025
Directed story and oversaw lighting, texturing, modelling and composition for the animated short 'Harper'. Created Niagara-style materials and led a team to align with the director's vision.
Producer / Lead Lighter / Texturer / Compositor / Modeler at Unwound
March 1, 2025 - August 1, 2025
Lead lighter on Keira Schehl's 'Unwound', maintaining the director's creative vision and schedule. Delivered shots on time with polished, clean work; earned recognitions including Best Debut Animation and Merit Award.
Research / Visual Development Artist at Midnight Monsters
January 1, 2025 - February 1, 2025
Hand-selected to interpret a storyboard and develop a 3D version in Unreal Engine, executing all camera compositions and character movements.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Digital Arts at Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2026
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Digital Arts at Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2026

Qualifications

CPR Certified
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2025
Best Debut Animation
October 1, 2025 - May 13, 2026
Merit Award
August 1, 2025 - May 13, 2026
Best Atmosphere
August 1, 2025 - May 13, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Software & Internet