LW: How did you get started in your field, and what inspired you to pursue this career?

What inspired me? The love of films and technology. I remember watching Star Wars at the age of eight, yes, I am that old and thinking that I want to do that one day. I have the urge to create and when computers became available, they were a great tool to generate ideas and designs.

How did I start? As computers were in their early phase there were no courses available to learn. So, my generation were self-taught, and it all began with my first 3D program, Lightwave 3D. Lightwave came coupled with hardware called a 'video toaster', and the software came on eight floppy discs... such a long time ago.

I had normal jobs in sales and taught myself at night. Eventually, I put my work in front of a company that saw value in the models. The models were used for advertising, then for the defence forces. I moved to a company that used what I did for architecture and eventually the medical industry.

Due to my love for films - I started modelling for early 3D print technologies and prop like pieces. I showed this to the right people in a film studio and got my first gig on Narnia, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

A company at Pinewood Studio saw my work and asked if I wanted to move to the UK for two years? That was fifteen years and eighty-three movies ago...

LW: Who or what are your biggest influences and inspirations in your work?

Good question! I draw inspiration from everyone. There are so many talented creatives in many industries. Due to the nature of my work and the demand to create such a diverse number of things, I am inspired by master artists and sculptors from history, nature, modern car and watch designers, photographers and those in the fields of science and engineering.

LW: What Projects have you used Lightwave 3D on?

Where do I begin?

I have used Lightwave on all my work. From missiles design visuals for the defence force too bicuspid heart valve replacement procedures.

Lightwave was used to model movie props such as Skyfall's DB5, Kylo Rens' lightsabre, Marvel props, Star Wars movie props etc.

Avengers, The Conjuring, Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Antman, Jurassic Park, Doctor Strange, Black Widow, World War Z, Terminator Dark Destiny, Bladerunner 2049, Ready Player One, Dracula Untold. Plus, many more.

LW: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to enter 3D Animation as a job?

Push yourself - believe in what you do. Ask people in the industry to look at your portfolio and give you feedback to polish with fresh eyes. Don't listen to people if they tell you that your desire is a pipedream. Invest time to improving your skills. Do not be too protective of your work - everyone will have an opinion. (this is what separates an artist from a commercial artist).

LW: What initially attracted you to LightWave 3D software, and when did you start using it?

I started using Lightwave back in the days of the Amiga and Video Toaster.

There are many tools in a toolbox however, I have always gravitated to Lightwave for many reasons. The software is powerful yet logical and straight forward. I use a handful of general tools to model anything that you can imagine and yet, there are many more features in the program for those occasions when you need something special.

As a 3D modeller, most of my time is spent harnessing the powerful SubD modelling features of Lightwave. Yet Lightwave can take these models and do much more! Lightwave has an intuitive and powerful animation and keyframing system where you can animate EVERYTING in the scene. The software has an advanced and accurate lighting simulation engine with solid and fast physics / collision capabilities, not to mention fluid dynamics.