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A belt that's unbuckeled will only pull down your pants...Be sure to tie up your loose ends.

timmcart
Timothy McLain
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Blurb
The funny thing about the story of any individual is that it changes in many ways over time. The story of my life as narrated by me was quite different when I was 7 years old than it is today. It's not that the events that I had experienced up to that point are any different than they were when I was that age, but I have had so many other experiences since then that I rationalize my new perception of what my story is based upon the collective totality of everything that I have ever touched, seen, tasted, smelt, learned, or felt emotionally. We all play an infinite number roles in this reality. I feel that it is a very important to share our stories, not only about ourselves, but about others as well. Our stories are all interconnected. We can learn more about what we are and what our purposes are by listening and sharing our infinite number of perspectives on an infinite number of experiences with each other. Each individual reality is part of the whole reality. I will never be able to truly experience what any other human being experiences. What I perceive as red is most likely not what you perceive red to be. I can, however, learn an unprecedented amount from your thoughts on what red is. Please, don't deprive me or any other person the ability to grow from your stories and thoughts.So, now that I am done with my primer on sharing stories. I will offer an abridged version of my own. I was born and raised in a very rural community in Southeastern Louisiana. The name of that town was Husser. Joe Montana could probably throw a football from one town marker to the other in the height of his career. I had the privilege of growing up with a very unique family. My father was and is merchant marine and was often times away at sea when I was younger. My mother, who is a very caring and nurturing lady, was and is a nurse. She was also by far the disciplinarian. They both have a very strong work ethic and my own work ethic is based mostly on what they have taught me over the years. I have a sister who is 3 years my senior and a brother who is only 7 years old. I love them both dearly. I'm pretty sure they are somewhat fond of me as well.
My family wasn't dirt poor, but we were by no means filthy rich either. My parents worked hard to make sure that we didn't do without anything. My family always encouraged the things that I was interested in. They came every baseball game, art show, and would even let me have band practices at the house. I think that their understanding of the fact that I needed to experience different things allowed me to grow into who I am today.
Things around the household got a little shaky when I was 16. So, my sister and I moved into an apartment together not to far from where I went to school. I have pretty much been living on my own since then. I moved to Phoenix, AZ when I was 17 to go to art school and I have been here ever since.
I took a siesta from school to go home for a visit one quarter and fell heavily back into making music with some old friends. Those friends moved to AZ for a couple of years to pursue being in a band. We had minimal success as band, but we had a hell of a good time. We still collaborate on musical projects from time to time.
I met quite a few cool characters at art school that I still hang out with. One such character was Dwight Pepper. Dwight and I enjoyed working together on some projects in school and decided to start an animation business together, Cajun Pepper Studio. We had a lot of success as Cajun Pepper, but unfortunately we weren't able to keep the business alive.
I met Paul Duplantis soon after I had graduated from college. He was quite an intriguing character. He was full of unique ideas and had a huge passion for business. He is also just a great guy. I am currently still working with Paul and we a making leaps and bounds on the development of the Quired.com network. The fact that I'm posting my story on my profile for you to read is a testament to that.
This is my story up to this point. I hope that it has been a little insight into who I exist as. I will try to keep this updated as events in my life modify my perceptions of my life.
About Me
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BFA in Game Art and Design from the Art Institute of Phoenix - Graduated 2004
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Hold Certificate in PC Servicing from NRI Schools Correspondence Course - 2000
Proficient in these Software Packages:
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Autodesk Maya 7.0-2008 - 3d Modeling - 6 years
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Eyeon Fusion 5.0-5.2 - Highend Node-based Compositing / VFX - 3 years
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Adobe Flash - 2D animation / Web Animation / Application Development - 5 years
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Adobe Dreamweaver - Web Design / Web Development - 5 years
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Adobe Photoshop - Image Manipulation / 3D Texture Creation - 8 years
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Adobe Illustrator - Vector Graphic Creation - 6 years
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Adobe After Effects - Motion Graphics / Compositing - 6 years
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Adobe Premiere - Video Editing 6 years
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Pixologic Zbrush 2.0-3.1 - 3d sculpting - 3 years
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Apple Shake 4.0 - Node-based Compositing - 3 years
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Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Video Editing - 1 year
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Microsoft Windows 95,98,2000, XP, XP 64-bit, Vista
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Mac OS X
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Linux - Red Hat, Suse, Fedora Core 4 , Cent OS
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Microsoft Office Suite - Office Application - 10 years
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Sun Microsystems Open Office - Office Application - 3 years
Proficient Developing with these Web Technologies:
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HTML, XHTML, DHTML - Web Layout / Structure - 8years
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CSS - Formatting Web Content - 3 years
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MySQL - Database Design, Implementation, and Maintenance - 3 years
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PHP - Web Application Development / MySQL interfaces - 3 years
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ActionScript 2.0-3.0 - Application Development in Flash - 4years
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Javascript - Dynamic Web Development - 3years
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AJAX - Changing page content without reloading page - 1.5years
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XML - Building Structured Documents for Data Storage/Access - 2 years
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Apache Web Server - Web Server Administration - 4years
Experience:
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Quired, LLC ~ Co-Founder / Digital Artist / Web Developer ~ 2006-current
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"Are You Ready To Move Forward?" Quired StoryAd - Co-Director/Videographer/Editor/VFX ~ July 2008
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This project was the creation of a StoryAd for Quired.com's upcoming launch. The story is one of a young lady who is observing life and searching for ways to share her experiences. She finds that the services and online community provided by Quired.com will allow her to share her information with a qualified audience. This story ad was co-directed by Paul Duplantis and stars Diana Bush Johnson. Wade Johnson was our PA on location. I handled the operation and setup of the camera. Paul and I edited this video together in Premiere. I used Fusion to a couple of sky replacements and to stablize the handheld escalator shot. The StoryAd can be viewed at http://www.quired.com/media/402/.
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"Our Family Coffee Company" Flash Animation - Animator ~ June 2008
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This is a two minute Flash Animation that we created for Our Family Coffee Company. This animation will be available on their website once the site is live. Wade Johnson helped with vector art creation and animation in Flash. You can watch the animation here: http://www.quired.com/EXT/coffee/animatic_062508.html.
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"Fender Super Sonic Demo" Adtorial - Co-Director/Videographer/Editor/VFX ~ April 2008
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Shane Nicholas from Fender came into the studio and demoed the Super Sonic Amplifier. Paul Duplantis and I shared the directing and shooting responsibilities. This video was shot on our green screen. Doug Litke came in to assist with the lighting of the green screen. I handled the keying of the footage, color corrections, and editing of the demo. This was a lot of fun for me as I am a guitar player and love Fender's products. The video can be seen here : http://www.quired.com/media/386.
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Web Portal Developer - PHP/MySQL/Flash Developer ~ 2005-current
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Currently finalizing 3 years of hard work on the Quired portal system. This project started out as a collaboration between CMI and Cajun Pepper Studio. The portal has grown into an expansive CMS with media management capabilities. The infrastructure can be used to run a completely functional website/media network with built in search engine optimization. Quired.com is an example of one of these media networks.
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"Trigon Staff Administrators" Media Network - Web Developer/Designer ~ 2006-2008
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Used our portal system to create a database driven media and web site management system for Trigon Staff Administrators. This web portal is used by Trigon to educate both staff and potential clients about their services. The media in the portal was created by a collaborative effort between Cajun Pepper Studio and Convergence Media. The creation of new media clips for Trigon is now being handled by Quired. This media network can be viewed at http://www.trigonstaff.com.
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"AZCLC.com" Media Network - Web Developer ~ 2007-2008
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Took the existing website content for Arizona Contractor Center and used it to create a full blown media portal. Quired is currently helping Arizona Contractor Center develop ways to utilize their media portal for training, education, and content syndication. The portal has been an excellent system for their Contracor, Supplier, Books, Links, and License directories. The media network can be viewed at http://www.azclc.com.
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"Quired Automotive" StoryAd Template - Co-Director/Editor/VFX ~ August 2007
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This was a StoryAd Template that we put together to pitch to ScreenVisions as a cost effective solution that they could offer to their cinema screen advertising clients. It tells the story of a man and woman that are frustrated after searching for the right place to buy a new vehicle all day. A radio announcer's commentary assures them that they are making the right decision. The radio spot and brochure graphics were designed to be templates. This would allow for the spot to be used by multiple advertisers. The video can be viewed at http://www.quired.com/media/372.
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Cajun Pepper Studio ~ Co-Founder / 3D Artist / Web Developer ~ 2005-2008
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"Everywhere Signs Logo" 3D Logo - Texture Artist / Lighting ~ December 2007
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3D Logo created by Cajun Pepper Studio for Everywhere Signs. I handled the texturing, lighting, and rendering of this logo. Dwight Pepper did the 2D design and 3D model. The logo can be viewed here: http://www.quired.com/media/379.
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"Big Trouble At BNAT 9" Animated Short - Co-Director / CG Supervisor ~ December 2007
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The theme for Butt-numb-a-thon 9 was Big Trouble In Little China. We saw a great opportunity to do a little CG magic and remove Jack Burton from one of our favorite scenes and replace him with Harry Knowles. This was a lot of fun. Dwight Pepper and I co-directed this. Ryan Dittmar modeled and textured the Harry character. He also setup the hair system. Vandell Ventura rigged and animated the character. You can watch the video here: http://www.quired.com/media/404.
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"Cajun Pepper Portal" Media Network ~ Web Developer / Designer ~ November 2007
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This was one of the first implementations of the portal system as a media network. I was responsible for the development of the site's backend and components as well as the design of the site. I used Photoshop to create the background image by combining some previously created CP promotional elements with the digitally painted flames. I used Flash to design and animate the button rollover effects. Even though Cajun Pepper Studio is not doing business anymore the site is still active at http://www.cajunpepper.com.
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"Cajun Pepper Logo" 3D Logo - Texture Artist / Lighting ~ October 2007
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This was a collaborative effort between me and Dwight Pepper. We wanted to create a 3D logo to help promote the 3D logo services that we were offering. You can view the logo here: http://www.quired.com/media/378.
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"Roscoe" 3D Mascot - Character Designer ~ October 2007
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Dwight Pepper and I had originally designed Roscoe as our mascot a year before we were able to find the time to create him in 3D. He was finally modelled and textured by Ryan Dittmar and rigged and animated by Vandell Ventura. You can see an image of him here: http://www.quired.com/media/403
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"Hockey Training Animations" - Project Manager / Texture Artist / MEL Programmer / Render Manager ~ June-October 2007
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Flexxcoach and Sport Learning Edge contracted us to create 50 3D training animations for their Sport Learning Edge website. This project required that Dwight and I put a lot of time into managing our team. Beyond manging this project I contributed to the project by texturing the character, rendering the animations, compositing the animations, and writing MEL scripts to transfer information from one animated scene to another. Sean Binder modeled the character, Vandell Ventura was our Lead Animator, and Ryan Dittmar was our secondary animator. Here is an image of our final hockey character: http://www.quired.com/media/405
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"Recchion and Associates" Web Application - Web / Flash Application Developer
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I was contracted by Matrix Animation to handle the MySQL/PHP class scheduling system. I also created a Flash based calendar application to display when the classes were being offered. This system also had to tie into Paypal. The web address for the site is http://www.recchionandassociates.com/.
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"Know Your Pig" Flash Application - Flash Developer / Character Designer ~ April-May 2007
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Michael J Coogan hired Cajun Pepper to create an E-Compliment card to support his book "Know You Pig". He also had us do character designs for his book. Dwight handled most of the character design. I did get to design the "Happy" pig. My main focus was on the development of the compliment card in Flash. You can view the illustrations at http://www.knowyourpig.com . The compliment card can be accessed directly from http://www.quiredmail.com/outsideClients/KnowYourPig/eCards/php/sendEC.php .
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"Trigon Media Services" Adtorial - Videographer / VFX / Editor ~ March-May 2007
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These were videos created for Trigon for use in their media network. Paul Duplantis with CMI/Quired provided the script for these videos. I contributed to project by helping with the shooting, keying, editing, and compositing of the videos. All of the videos are available at http://www.trigonstaff.com or a sample can be viewed here: http://www.quired.com/media/365
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"Trigon Bob Commercial" StoryAd - Co-Director / Animator / Texture Artist / Modeler / Lighting / Compositing / Rendering / Rigging ~ December 2006 - February 2007
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Dwight Pepper and I worked in conjunction with Paul Duplantis to develop the story for this 30 second animated spot for Trigon. Dwight and I shared the responsibilities of directing, 3d modeling, compositing, rigging, and animating the commercial. I was responsible for texturing the character and environments as well as rendering. Vandell Ventura helped with some of the animation and rigging. You can view the commercial here: http://www.quired.com/media/363.
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"Nick of Time" 2D Animation - Co-Director / Animator / Character Designer ~ December 2006
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This year's theme for BNAT was Octobuttnumbathon. So, int the James Bond tradition, Dwight and I decided to do an Octopussy spoof featuring agent 00-Knowles. We worked to the very last minute to get this completed in time to be shown at B-NAT. It got quite the laugh. Be warned it does one scene with some adult humor.
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"Business Management Video" Training Video - Project Manager / Videographer / VFX / Animation / Editing ~ July-November 2006
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Training videos that we created for Arizona Contractor Center and Utah Contractor Center. I shared the responsibilities of shooting, keying, compositing, animating text, and managing this project with Dwight Pepper. A sample of these videos can be viewed here: http://www.quired.com/media/375
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"Alliance Insurance Promo" Online Video Promo - Videographer / VFX / Editing ~ February 2006
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Cajun Pepper worked with CMI to create this promotional piece for Alliance Insurance Group. Dwight and I handled all of the compositing, 3D animation, and editing. The promo can be viewed here: http://www.quired.com/media/371. We also created this presentation as a landing page from an emailer: View Emailer Presentation
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"2gether4ever Teaser Trailer" Movie Trailer - Visual Effects Supervisor ~ December 2005
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We worked with Queso Grande productions to create several effects for this teaser trailer. I flew to New Orleans to supervise the filming of the effects shots. The footage was sent back to Dwight and I after the film was processed. We created some blood effects, titles, and the exploding locker scene at the end. The trailer can be viewed at http://www.2gether4everthemovie.com . I more recently created ghost effects for the main character of the movie, but they cannot be shown to the public right now. This trailer was shown at BNAT 7 as a birthday surprise for Harry Knowles.
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"Bekind.org" Flash Web Site - Flash Developer / Designer ~ November 2005 - February 2006
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Developed a website for the Friends of Amigo foundation. This was an all Flash website that can be viewed at http://www.bekind.org .
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My Education
My main interests are art and music. These branches of my life have always been there to provide support for me. Drawing, painting, and writing have given me an outlet where my emotions and thoughts interweave into ideas that others can interpret into their own meanings. I feel that the ability to share these thoughts is the most important talent that I contain. I remember getting in trouble in Kindergarten for drawing werewolves on the back of my writing tablets. I'm sure that the latest werewolves that I've drawn come from the same place in my imagination as those that I drew when I was only 5 years old. My artwork has usually tended to be on the darker side of the spectrum, but that doesn't mean that I am negative person or inept in creating visions that are a little brighter. My artwork is a reflection point where I can examine and provide commentary on the experiences that collectively embody what my life was, is, and will be. I am finding that as I grow my spirituality and abilities to communicate who I am and why I'm here, I am also discovering new artistic styles, techniques, and mediums that better create the experiences that I would like to share with others.
Music entered my life at a young age as well; its introduction into my life was quite different than that of art in my opinion. My artistic abilities just showed up one day. My love for music spawned directly from my parents' love of music. My parents were very open to experiencing and sharing all forms of music. My understanding of music was nourished by a unique combination of the jazz/blues sounds of Louisiana and my parents' appreciation of rock, soul, country, etc. I didn't find my musical outlet until I was 11 years old. My mother saw me picking on her old, broken acoustic guitar one day. She never said anything to me about it. She bought me a used Kramer guitar and a Pevey amplifier the following Christmas. I believe that this was the best gift that I ever received. I have been very dedicated to the guitar over the last 14 years. It has been one of the most rewarding things that I have had in my life. I fancy playing most types of music from classical, to jazz, to rock/metal. I've played lead guitar in many bands over the years including MasterLust, White Devil Conspiracy, and Balon. I am hoping to be able to utilize the tools that we have created through Quired to collaborate with other musicians that I enjoy creating music with. I would love to get to a point in my life where I could tour in a traveling band. That is one experience that my soul just yearns for.
I also have a huge love for films. There is something that is so amazing about a story being captured onto celluloid. I enjoy all types of movies, but I would have to say that there is a tie for my favorite between the horror and comedy genres. I enjoy how films from those genre offer an escape from reality.
I am also interested in cooking/dining, exercising, socializing, and reading. I have recently taken up cycling and have been riding around Phoenix for the last few months. I can say that this activity will be really enjoyable once we get past these 110 degree days. I have been working so hard on getting Quired.com launched that I haven't recently been able to get out that much. I do like to go out and hit the bars from time to time. I've been reading a lot more lately and I'm hoping that in the near future I'll have more time to do so. I am currently about half way through “The Fabric of Reality†by David Deutsch. It's an interesting read if you like physics, computer science, evolutionary theories, etc.
Well, enough about what I like. What are you into?
