Darrell Abney
About Darrell Abney
Darrell Abney is a Senior VFX Modeler currently working at LAIKA, LLC, where he focuses on 3D modeling and texturing for the film 'Wildwood'. He has extensive experience in the visual effects industry, having worked with notable companies such as Industrial Light & Magic, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Electronic Arts.
Work at LAIKA
Darrell Abney currently serves as a Senior VFX Modeler at LAIKA, LLC, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he specializes in 3D modeling and texturing of characters and creatures for various projects, including the film 'Wildwood.' His extensive experience in visual effects and character modeling contributes to LAIKA's reputation for high-quality animation and storytelling.
Previous Experience in Visual Effects
Prior to his role at LAIKA, Darrell Abney worked at several notable companies in the visual effects industry. He was a Senior Creature Modeler and Texture Artist at Industrial Light & Magic from 2016 to 2018. His earlier positions include working as a Lead Modeler at Wolf & Crow and as a Model & Texture artist at PIXOMONDO. He also contributed to projects at Sony Pictures Imageworks and The Moving Picture Company, enhancing his skills in character design and modeling.
Education and Training
Darrell Abney has a solid educational background in design and 3D modeling. He studied Industrial Design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, earning an Associate of Arts degree from 1997 to 1999. He furthered his skills by completing courses at Gnomon 3D, focusing on Maya, and attended the Kris Costa realistic 3D character creation course at Fly on the Wall in 2019. Additionally, he studied creature design and traditional clay sculpture, enhancing his expertise in character modeling.
Career in Game Testing
Before specializing in visual effects and character modeling, Darrell Abney gained experience in the gaming industry as a QA Game Tester at Electronic Arts from 2002 to 2003. This role involved testing video games for quality assurance, allowing him to develop a keen understanding of game mechanics and design, which later informed his work in 3D modeling and animation.
Diverse Roles in the Entertainment Industry
Throughout his career, Darrell Abney has held various roles across the entertainment industry, including positions as a Makeup Artist and Costume Tech at Universal Studios Florida Production Group and a Graphic Design/Scenic Painter at Walt Disney World. These experiences provided him with a broad perspective on the creative processes involved in film and animation production.