SAMUEL MICHLAP
smichlap@gmail.com
samuelmichlap.com
samuel-michlap.blogspot.com
Cell 1-818-640-2653
PRODUCTION DESIGN/ART DIRECTION/LEAD CONCEPT CREDITS
Haunted Mansion (Concept/Art Direction Consultant) 2015
Walt Disney Pictures
Consulting Art Director responsible for Conceptualizing the overall design style for a
new animated TV series based on the original Haunted Mansion Ride at DisneyLand.
Worked closely with the Director and Creative Producer while designing a streamlined
process for achieving the final look. Created style guides for the outside vendor.
Last Days of Ivory (Concept/Production Designer) 2014
Annapurna Pictures and WildAid
Worked closely with Director Kathryn Bigelow in creating the visual style and staging of
key scenes. Managed the art team across different studios from concept phase through
final production.
Themed Entertainment Design (Concept/Production Designer) 2014
The Hettema Group
Lead Production Artist responsible for conceptualizing the overall stylization of a 30
attraction animation-based theme park by creating key marketing art. Produced
illustrative storyboards in support of the development of media content for several
attractions. Developed detailed concept sketches and key pitch art for several largescale themed destinations, including a 25-acre themed hotel resort. Key concept
designer for location based entertainment.
B.O.O. (Concept/Production Designer) 2009-2014
DreamWorks Animation Studios
Responsible for creating and managing the overall visual style of the film. Helped
establish and pioneer a new working methodology between 2D and CG tool sets within
DreamWorks. Managed the art department. Worked closely with a team of 150 artists
within several production departments.
Astro Boy (Concept/Production Designer) 2007-2008
Imagi Studios
Helped establish and set up the Art Department, recruited artists, set up pipelines for
production, helped build L.A. based studio infrastructure. Created and managed the
designs and color script. Managed 18 visual development and CG artists, as well as
interfaced into Hong Kong studio. Created and presented pitch art for investors and
heads of studio.
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Everyone’s Hero (Production Designer/Creative Director) 2005-2007
IDT/Starz Media
Production Designer for several films within the studio. Managed and helped establish
art department pipeline. Served as Director of Visual Development responsible for
creating pitch art for investors and heads of studio.
Shark Tale (Art Director) 2001-2004
DreamWorks Animation
Responsible for the overall lighting design and final look of all environments. Worked
closely with over 150 people to create and deliver final shots. Managed and recruited
talent for the Design Team. Helped create and manage the overall assignment
schedule.
Road to El Dorado. (Associate Art Director) 1997-1998
Responsible for designing the overall color script for the film. Managed a team of
designers in early pre production design phase.
ART DEPARTMENT CREDITS
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (Concept/Illustrator) 2015-Present
Marvel Studios
Key concept designer responsible for several of the main set pieces for the film.
Created early pre production images for Director and Marvel Studio look of picture buy
off.
Disneyland Paris (Pre-Production) (Concept Designer/Illustrator) 2015
Walt Disney Imagineering
Worked Closely with The Park’s Senior Executive to Create illustrative storyboards and
animatics to help visualize the updated ride story.
SCOOB (Pre Production) 2015, (Concept Design)
Warner Brothers/ReelFX
Created key concept illustrations used during Executive meeting for Green light
approval.
Blazing Samurai (Concept Design) 2015
Created key concept illustrations used during Executive meeting for Green light
approval.
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Duck Tales Reboot (Concept Designer) 2014
Disney Television Animation
Worked closely with the Writers/Director to create the initial concept designs for a new
TV series.
SnowBall (Concept Designer) 2014
Patchwork Entertainment/Marza Animation
Worked with the Director to help prepare the initial art pitch for a Feature Animated film.
Attack of the Killer Carrots (Art Director) 2010-2011
DreamWorks Animation
Managed the Art Department. Created the overall LOP, and worked closely with all
production teams to final the film.
Rise of the Guardians, MegaMind, Madagascar 3,
Turbo (Concept Design) 2008-2010
DreamWorks Animation
Dante’s Inferno (Concept Design) 2008
Electronic Arts
Created early blue sky concept designs to set the look of the game.
Monsters vs. Aliens (Concept Design) 2004-2005
DreamWorks Animation
Created early blue sky concept designs to set the look of the film.
Shark Tale (Art Director) 2001-2004
DreamWorks Animation
Prince of Egypt (Visual Development) 1996-1997
DreamWorks Animation
Hunchback of Notre Dame (Journey Man Layout) 1994-1996
Walt Disney Feature Animation
JourneyMan layout artists responsible for creating cinematic workbooks for several
main sequences. Managed a team of 5 layout artists.
Mortal Kombat (Concept Design) 1994
Buena Vista Visual Effects
Created pre Production Matte Painting sketches for ILM.
Operation Dumbo Drop (Concept/Matte Design) 1994
Buena Vista Visual Effects
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Created pre Production Matte Painting sketches for ILM.
Lion King (Assistant Layout) 1992-1994
Walt Disney Feature Animation
Responsible for designing several key locations including Pride Rock, The
Wildebeest Stampede Canyon, Scar’s “Be Prepared” musical number, and master
location design map.
FINE ART EXHIBITIONS
Center Stage Gallery 2105
Howard Mandville Gallery 1998-2008
Anne Hughes Fine Art Gallery 1998-2001
Settler’s West Gallery 1998-2001
Whistle Pik Gallery 1998
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Art Center (Adjunct Faculty) 2004-present
California State Long Beach (Guest Lecturer) 2105
Creative Talent Network Professional Instructor 2011-Present
LAAFA Online (Instructor) 2014
CGMA Online (Instructor) 2013
Entertainment Art Academy (Guest Lecturer) 2006-2007
Associates in Art (Instructor) 1995-1997
EDUCATION
BA in Illustration
California State University, Northridge 1987-1992
California Art Institute. Calabasas Ca. 1990-1992
COMPUTER SKILLS
Photoshop, Painter, Sketchup, Maya, After EFX, Modo
CARPENTRY SKILLS 1982-Present
I trained under my Father, who was a professional Carpenter/Cabinet Maker, Live
Action Set builder, Practical EFX artist for MGM studios.
Working knowledge of shop machinery, building furniture, Carpentry for residential
remodels and electrical installation.
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