Emoji Strong - by Calvin
The St. Jude charity truck is one of the most heartfelt and meaningful projects I worked on during my time with Monster Jam. In 2019, St. J…
Demo Reel
Project Gallery
Project Overview
This project showcases my work in 3D asset creation, technical art, and production workflows.
My demo reel is a curated collection of the work I completed leading up to September 2020, showcasing the range of my skills in modeling, texturing, shader development, lighting, animation, and rendering. I’ve always believed that a demo reel should do more than simply present finished shots — it should tell a story about the artist behind the work. This reel represents the culmination of several years of focused practice, professional development, and personal artistic exploration. Each shot was chosen not only because it demonstrates technical ability, but because it reflects the kind of work I enjoy creating and the level of quality I strive to deliver.
The reel opens with my digital recreation of the Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves sculpture. This piece has always been meaningful to me, both artistically and historically. I modeled the sculpture from scratch, paying close attention to anatomical accuracy, gesture, and the upward motion that defines the original memorial. I handled every part of the process — modeling, texturing, shader look‑development, animation, lighting, and rendering. The goal was to create a digital version that felt expressive and cinematic, while still honoring the emotional weight of the original sculpture.
The next sequence transitions into my recreation of The Americana at Brand, a shopping plaza located in Glendale, California. This project challenged me to balance architectural precision with artistic composition. I modeled the plaza’s structures, textured the environment, developed shaders for materials ranging from stone to glass, and built a lighting setup that captured the warm, inviting atmosphere of the location. The shots highlight my ability to work on large‑scale environments and maintain consistency across complex scenes.
Following the architectural work, the reel shifts into my contributions to Monster Jam diecast projects. For the Monster Jam World Finals XXI SUV body, I handled retopology, texturing, shader development, animation, lighting, and rendering. The next shot features the Monster Jam World Finals XX pickup body, where I focused on texturing and shader look‑development. These projects required a balance of stylization and realism, ensuring the diecast models looked accurate while still maintaining the bold, energetic aesthetic associated with Monster Jam.
The reel also includes a shot of Grave Digger, Feld Entertainment’s flagship monster truck. My role involved updating and refining the existing body texture, followed by shader development, animation, lighting, and rendering. Working on such an iconic vehicle was a rewarding challenge, and I wanted to make sure the final render captured the personality and intensity of the brand.
Later in the reel, I showcase my work on the Martin Mac 700 Profile, a professional stage lighting fixture. I modeled the unit, textured it, and developed shaders to accurately represent its materials. This shot ties directly into my ongoing work in the live‑event visualization industry, where accurate digital lighting fixtures are essential for real‑time simulation.
The final shots feature the Shelby Cobra MK III and its 427 engine. These models allowed me to explore classic automotive design, focusing on clean topology, detailed texturing, and realistic material response. The combination of metal, paint, rubber, and chrome provided a great opportunity to push my shader work and lighting techniques.
Overall, this demo reel represents a snapshot of my artistic journey — a blend of digital sculpture, architectural visualization, entertainment asset creation, and product modeling. It reflects my commitment to craftsmanship, my interest in diverse subject matter, and my dedication to producing high‑quality work across multiple disciplines. While I consider this reel a first draft, it remains an important milestone in my growth as a 3D artist.
The reel opens with my digital recreation of the Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves sculpture. This piece has always been meaningful to me, both artistically and historically. I modeled the sculpture from scratch, paying close attention to anatomical accuracy, gesture, and the upward motion that defines the original memorial. I handled every part of the process — modeling, texturing, shader look‑development, animation, lighting, and rendering. The goal was to create a digital version that felt expressive and cinematic, while still honoring the emotional weight of the original sculpture.
The next sequence transitions into my recreation of The Americana at Brand, a shopping plaza located in Glendale, California. This project challenged me to balance architectural precision with artistic composition. I modeled the plaza’s structures, textured the environment, developed shaders for materials ranging from stone to glass, and built a lighting setup that captured the warm, inviting atmosphere of the location. The shots highlight my ability to work on large‑scale environments and maintain consistency across complex scenes.
Following the architectural work, the reel shifts into my contributions to Monster Jam diecast projects. For the Monster Jam World Finals XXI SUV body, I handled retopology, texturing, shader development, animation, lighting, and rendering. The next shot features the Monster Jam World Finals XX pickup body, where I focused on texturing and shader look‑development. These projects required a balance of stylization and realism, ensuring the diecast models looked accurate while still maintaining the bold, energetic aesthetic associated with Monster Jam.
The reel also includes a shot of Grave Digger, Feld Entertainment’s flagship monster truck. My role involved updating and refining the existing body texture, followed by shader development, animation, lighting, and rendering. Working on such an iconic vehicle was a rewarding challenge, and I wanted to make sure the final render captured the personality and intensity of the brand.
Later in the reel, I showcase my work on the Martin Mac 700 Profile, a professional stage lighting fixture. I modeled the unit, textured it, and developed shaders to accurately represent its materials. This shot ties directly into my ongoing work in the live‑event visualization industry, where accurate digital lighting fixtures are essential for real‑time simulation.
The final shots feature the Shelby Cobra MK III and its 427 engine. These models allowed me to explore classic automotive design, focusing on clean topology, detailed texturing, and realistic material response. The combination of metal, paint, rubber, and chrome provided a great opportunity to push my shader work and lighting techniques.
Overall, this demo reel represents a snapshot of my artistic journey — a blend of digital sculpture, architectural visualization, entertainment asset creation, and product modeling. It reflects my commitment to craftsmanship, my interest in diverse subject matter, and my dedication to producing high‑quality work across multiple disciplines. While I consider this reel a first draft, it remains an important milestone in my growth as a 3D artist.