Ian Steplowski
Artist / Tech Artist / Project Lead
Home
Resume

Lightyear (2022)

Primary Modeler on Buzz Lightyear’s Flight Suits and Footwear, complex models that required close collaboration across multiple departments as visual development was heavily reliant on Maya/Presto “3D sketch” prototypes prior to final modeling. Created design exploration sculpts and detailed final modeling via ZBrush & Maya for a featured Bug monster character set.  Fielded a high-profile body type revision to our female lead & cast.  Actively hands on with advancing cultural initiatives and mentoring.

Production Materials Available per Request (for legal reasons, these must be Employment-related Purposes only, please).
https://iansteplowski.artstation.com/pages/lightyear-prod

My largest assignment on the film was developing the XL-15 flight suit worn throughout much of the film. We used a "3D Sketch" process in Maya early on, iterating in full passes to keep open to lots of design explorations in 3D, testing in context.

My largest assignment on the film was developing the XL-15 flight suit worn throughout much of the film.

We used a "3D Sketch" process in Maya early on, iterating in full passes to keep open to lots of design explorations in 3D, testing in context.

Much of the challenge on this model was working from the design packet inspiration and figuring out how to carry that feeling into something that could naturally move with Buzz's body during all kinds of performances.

Much of the challenge on this model was working from the design packet inspiration and figuring out how to carry that feeling into something that could naturally move with Buzz's body during all kinds of performances.

Some small cheats are involved here, but we wanted the whole suit to feel solid with an appealing sense of classic sci-fi inspired "chonk".

Some small cheats are involved here, but we wanted the whole suit to feel solid with an appealing sense of classic sci-fi inspired "chonk".

Buzz has a thick neck and shoulders, so getting him to reach with his arms and perform without the audience noticing how the suit was deforming (and cheating at times) was a big focus.

Buzz has a thick neck and shoulders, so getting him to reach with his arms and perform without the audience noticing how the suit was deforming (and cheating at times) was a big focus.

While many contributed, I was the primarily modeler on the XL-01 flight suit Buzz wears early in the film, which set the pace for hard surface design in the film's characters.

While many contributed, I was the primarily modeler on the XL-01 flight suit Buzz wears early in the film, which set the pace for hard surface design in the film's characters.

This Bug Monster was a blast to work on. Parts of design (particularly the face) as packeted were ambiguous, so I started with a ZBrush sculpt to experiment. We ended up loving a face that was part Predator, part Terminator, and all menace!

This Bug Monster was a blast to work on. Parts of design (particularly the face) as packeted were ambiguous, so I started with a ZBrush sculpt to experiment. We ended up loving a face that was part Predator, part Terminator, and all menace!

Report