About me

My name is Neelesh Vaidya. I live in Mumbai- India. I am an artist at my core. I have done my Schooling from English Medium "Convent" School. I have trained in Visual Arts with a B.F.A. Degree in Advertising with Illustration as my specialization subject from Sir J. J. School Of Applied Arts-Mumbai, where I learned how to communicate effectively by using Line, Space and Color. I have learned Acting & Music to enhance my animation skills and bring life to every character that I animate.

I have 24 years of experience in both 2D Traditional Animation (7.5 years). I have worked all the way up from being a Trainee, In-Betweener, Cleanup Artist, 2D Animator to being the Head of Department for 2D Animation and in 3D Animation as Character Animator (16.5 years) where, I started as a 3D Character Animator and have moved on to being Team Lead, Animation In Charge, Animation Supervisor and Head of Animation Department. I have been trained in such a work culture where the post doesn't matter, what matters is the work which is given, to do best to your ability and to always consider the responsibility, what the company expects from you and work in the best interests of the company.

As there were no colleges/Institutes for animation, when I started working in 1994 In Mumbai-India (while still pursuing my Graduation in Visual Arts-Advertising), all my training has been "On the Job". Setting and keeping deadlines, doing quality jobs, always going an extra mile to prove the talent I have and to co-operate & to help other fellow colleagues, is what I have learnt. Therefore, it has made me Discipline Oriented, a Goal Achiever, Never to give up attitude, Visionary, Creative, Dedicated, Quick Learner, Good Team Player, Works with Options, Considering others Opinions and tries to Add Value to the project given.

Once you view my Website Showreel you will notice that, along with my Animating Skills, I have good Drawing Skills and I have a good knowledge of Human and Animal Anatomy. I have also created variety of Character Designs in different styles for various projects, Created Color keys and BG Layouts for 2D Animation and also Created Walk Cycles for 2D & 3D Animations.

Apart from Animation, when needed, I have also guided and created Storyboards, Animatics, Inspirational Sketches and Titles for 2D Animation Production and also have created Lip-Sync Animation, Staging-Layouts and Blocking of Camera in 3D Animation Production. I have also written story scripts for Short Films.

I have also creatively helped, inspired & mentored Modellers, Texture artist, Riggers, Animators, Lighting artists and Amateur Animators in production for better quality work.

"I would like to share one of my production experiences with you. While I was working in Big Animation Studios in (), Pune-India, as Animation In-Charge (equals to the position of Animation Supervisor), I was given a team of 7 animators who had just been out of animation institutes (Fresher). It was tough, intimidating and very much challenging to work with fresher, but I didn't give up. I remembered that once I was a fresher too and understood the pressure & excitement of being a fresher. So, to channelize their energy and focus, I studied the project, which was given to me to its details. I simplified the work process, so that these fresher can perform better. We used to have regular meetings once in the morning and evening. I taught them how to prepare our work for the next day, so that the next day will not go in wondering what to do and reduced their Tea/coffee breaks. That worked successfully. I received good response from my team. They believed in me and performed excellent for 4 months of "Night Shift Duty", as the morning shift was working on another project. Together we delivered three episodes of "Barnyard" by Nickelodeon, before the deadline. I was given a Certificate of Appreciation from my CEO of the Company, Mr. Ashish Kulkarni".

I have good working "Animating" experience in software like Xsi (4.5-years) and Maya (12-years). I can also work on Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects. But since, I do more animation work; I don't get much opportunity to work with Photoshop and After Effects. Therefore, my skills in these software's are now novice. Given an opportunity, I would like to learn new software's like Harmony, Nuke, Houdini etc. and modules in Maya like Modeling, Texturing, Rigging and Lighting and develop my skills, so that I could use it for the benefit of the company.

Mostly, I have worked with International projects like, Jakers! Adventure's of Piggley Winks a PBS presentation by Mike Young Productions-USA (winner of Emmy and B.A.F.T.A. Awards).

I have also worked in Montreal-Canada, as Character Animator in for 4 months (On Contract).