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Welcome to my website!

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I’m Don Kim, a Previs & Layout Artist and Animator based in Los Angeles. Since 2020, I’ve been fortunate to contribute to feature films, streaming series, and commercials. My notable projects include Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 3, Skeleton Crew, and Disney's Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, which won an Emmy in 2022. I also had the privilege of small contribution to Avatar: The Way of Water, the 2023 Academy Award winner for Best Visual Effects.

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I was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, where my love for films started early. Family movie nights—whether at the theater or with rented VHS tapes—sparked my fascination with storytelling and special effects. In high school, I pursued art and realized my passion for animation and visual effects, powerful tools that bring modern films to life. Determined to hone my skills, I decided to study abroad in the United States, the heart of the entertainment industry. This brought me to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia, where I earned my BFA in Animation.

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At SCAD, I discovered my passion for camera work and character animation. A highlight of my time there was leading the animation, storyboarding, and layout teams for a senior collaborative project. The result was Stabby, an animated short film that was showcased at international film festivals and has garnered over 350,000 views on the popular YouTube channel CGBros.

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After graduating, I began my career as an Animation Intern at MAKE, a Minneapolis-based studio specializing in TV commercials. My first challenge was learning 3ds Max, their primary software, which was new to me. With the support of my team, I adapted quickly and contributed to layout, 2D logo animations, simple 3D animations, and character animation for previs on live-action commercials. Seeing my work broadcast on TV for the first time was an incredibly rewarding experience.

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During my internship, I was thrilled to receive an offer from MPC LA, one of the industry’s leading VFX studios known for its work on award-winning films and series. Joining as a Previs Artist, I worked on Disney's Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. This project brought me to Los Angeles, where I’ve since collaborated with top-tier visualization companies such as Day for Nite and The Third Floor, contributing to a variety of live-action films and TV shows.

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Visualization plays a crucial role in pre-production, where creativity is key. As a Previs Artist, my responsibilities include designing shots, blocking camera movements, and animating characters to craft the “first draft” of a film. Seeing my previs work come to life in trailers or final releases is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.

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My strengths lie in creating sequences rather than isolated shots. I enjoy building master scenes with camera setups and characters, editing them into cohesive sequences. While my primary focus is camera work and character animation, I’ve developed a broad understanding of CG, enabling me to tackle tasks such as basic modeling, lighting, and FX simulations for elements like cloth, hair, vines, and tentacles. I am proficient in software like Maya, MotionBuilder, After Effects, and have experience with 3ds Max and Unreal Engine, allowing me to adapt to various workflows.

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Beyond traditional visualization, I’ve also supported Virtual Production teams on set, contributing in real-time during live shoots. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the filmmaking pipeline and enhanced my ability to collaborate across multiple stages of production.

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My ultimate goal is not just to contribute to large-scale productions but to create my own short or feature film, sharing stories that resonate with audiences. I’m steadily working toward this dream, learning and creating one step at a time.

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Thank you for visiting my site. Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in collaborating or have any questions about my work.

 

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