Justin Israel
Senior Software/Pipeline Engineer
OBJECTIVE
Experienced senior software engineer in the Visual Effects industry with a background in film production, compositing, and FX. Adept at rapidly learning new techniques and applications, I bring broad knowledge to address diverse problem spaces. Seeking to contribute to dynamic teams in Software, Visual Effects, and Post-Production, delivering impactful solutions and supporting fellow developers' success. Passionate about collaboration, continuous learning, and creating innovative solutions.
SKILLS
Languages: | Python, Cython, Go, C++ |
Technologies: | GUI (Qt, PySide/PyQt), Image Processing (Maya/Nuke APIs, OpenImageIO, ImageMagick) Distributed Messaging (Nats.io, ZeroMQ, Kafka, RabbitMQ), Build systems (Waf) API/Language Binding (rpc, protobuf, Thrift, json, cython, ctypes, cgo) Docker, Kubernetes, Skaffold, Helm GitlabCI and Github Actions pipelines |
Visual Effects: | Compositing, Roto/Paint, Editing |
EXPERIENCE
Weta Digital (Unity), Wellington, New Zealand - Senior Software Engineer
JAN 2013 - PRESENT
- Engaged in pipeline development, authoring and maintaining core services, APIs , UIs, and tooling
- One of the core developers to introduce new in-house Render Farm solution
- Active development for Asset Management, Review Pipeline, Scene Description Pipeline, Multi-site sync/replication, Python/C++ clang-based code gen compiler, on-prem and AWS cloud service deployment, environment management and dependency resolving system
- Primary author and maintainer of robust waf-based build system, and distributed compile and caching solutions to scale very large and complex project builds
- Designed and delivered Python Training Course to new hires
South Park Studios, Los Angeles, CA - Sr. Pipeline Developer
NOV 2008 - JAN 2013
- Direct dev/support for artist pipeline at the award-winning 18+ season Comedy Central cartoon studio
- Maya python/mel scripting and development
- Nuke/Shake development
- Qube! Render Queue development
- Python/PyQt applications for production and general pipeline
- Resources, assets, tracking, and review pipelines
Custom Film Effects, Burbank, CA - Compositor
MARCH 2008 - NOV 2008
- Digital artist at boutique visual effects studio
- Compositing, Paint, Roto, tool development
- Films: Tropic Thunder, Swing Vote, Mama Mia, Bride Wars
Sony Pictures Imageworks, Culver City, CA - Sr. Production Service Technician
JAN 2006 - MARCH 2008
- Feature Films: The Watchmen, I Am Legend, Spider-man 3
- Disk Mgmt, Production Support, Image Processing, Vendor I/O, Render Farm Management, Data/Shot/Show Archival
- Python scripting, Pipeline support / development
- Training: Katana, Bonsai (internal compositor), Flame/Inferno, Houdini, Maya, Massive
Stan Winston Digital, Van Nuys, CA - 2D Digital Artist
JAN 2005 - JULY 2005
- Feature Films: Eight Below, Fantastic Four
- Digital Paint, Rotoscoping, and Compositing
- Matte preparation, grain removal, wire removal, dust / scratch repair / plate preparation
EDUCATION
California State University Long Beach, CA - B.A. Film / Electronic Arts
SEPT 2003 - DEC 2005
Film / Video related production track; Visual FX Courses
Directed 4 films; Visual FX Supervisor; Editor: 2x; Director of Photography: 2x
Palomar College, San Marcos, CA - General Education
2002 - MAY 2003
CSU San Marcos, San Marcos, CA - General Education
2001 - 2002
OTHER EXPERIENCE