2023 ADF GDC Scholars
Introducing our 2023 ADF GDC Scholar Cohort!
Katie Sarnecky
Hello! My name is Katie Sarnecky. I am from Connecticut and graduated from Marist College in 2022. I am currently studying character animation at AnimSchool. I discovered my love for animation through video games. I’ve always loved the complex stories they can tell as well as the beautiful environments and animations they utilize. As an animator, I want to create games that impact people the way games have impacted me. I want to use my art to tell amazing stories and create unforgettable experiences.
Theresa Chang
Theresa Chang is a driven and passionate junior 3D character animator who desires to create engaging animations for video games. Her goal is to keep improving her craft and learning new skills by taking on new challenges. Outside of animation when Maya crashes at a good stopping point, Theresa can be found playing games, looking at tutorials, or relaxing.
Kim Yeung
Hello! My name is Kim Yeung and I’m currently working as an Associate Gameplay Animator at Ubisoft San Francisco on XDefiant. I’ve been in the industry for almost a decade and 2 years ago, made the decision to work towards a career swap into animation. It’s been a crazy journey and has reignited my passion and love for the games industry.
Charlie Franco
I am Charlie Franco, a student animator looking for work! I understand that being a strong team member is as important as providing the viewer with amazing animation. One of the coolest things I learned at GDC is that the animation industry highly values open communication and that asking questions is encouraged. You can find my demo reel at Vimeo.com/cf400 !
Josh Santiago
I’m Josh Santiago! I’m a 3D Character animator. I graduated from San Jose State University with my BFA in Animation last May, looking around for work right now! I absolutely love animating, playing with new rigs and scenes always feels like I’m opening up a new action figure. Outside of animation, I love fighting games, Batman comics, and I’m always looking for new, up and coming musicians to listen to online! Portfolio site: joshsantiagoanimation.com
Angela Lopez
My name is Angela Lopez. I just graduated from Animation Mentor, and am looking for a junior, entry-level, or intern character animator position. I live in Seattle and love my tortie cat! I love using her as references for my creature anims.Outside of work, I like playing video games, watching animated films, eating good food, paddleboarding, and traveling. It always amazes me how much life animators put into their characters and I am so excited to finally call myself an animator. The animation community has been super welcoming, and I can’t wait to keep growing and give back! Demo reel: https://vimeo.com/809575985
Lew Flowers
Maya D’Amico
Hi! My name is Maya D’Amico, and as of May 2023 I am a Game Art & Animation graduate of Champlain College. I’d always had a great interest in art and technology growing up, so I knew for a long time that digital art was the perfect fit for me. I’ve come to love the collaborative process of game development over the past four years and I’m finishing my degree with an even stronger drive to learn and grow as an animator! Video games are a form of storytelling that I’ve cherished since I could pick up a controller, and it’s my goal to amplify the stories told in them through the art of motion. Portfolio site: https://mayadami.co/
Montgomery House III
Alexis Octavio Colin Ortiz
Previous Scholarship Recipients
2022
Anna Faryniarz
Ashley Chu
Ashley Rosenbaum
Eléna Tchijakoff
Josh Bechtol
Maria Robertson
Morgan Nixon
Rachel Ombok
Rheal Doyle
2021
Allison Yeh
Zakarias Henricson
Ashley Chung
Ashley Rosenbaum
Kelly Doherty
Julie Jeanvoine
Kendall Hiltz
2020
Maria Robertson
Sophie Shepherd
Elena Tchijakoff
Anna Faryniarz
Rachel Kehoe
Morgan Nixon
2019
Pamela Souza
Alina Alikhanyan
Lindsey Troiano
Jessica Yu
2018
Kayla Mae Techmeier
Sophia Abouzeid
Zachary Hoskin
Arantzazu Martinez Ugarte
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