Sherwin Shahidi Email & Phone Number

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I lead the pipeline, software development, and tech product development teams, plus advise the CEO on selecting new animation and VFX technologies and customer-centric business solutions. I encourage each team and individual to input their ideas, work together, and use one another’s expertise to create forward-thinking solutions.This role is a hands-on hybrid between executive and developer. I have the opportunity to code, develop software, consult with CTO, present new concepts, and map tech strategies.✶ Initiated a robust software management strategy and implemented highly effective daily operational processes, enabling the company to manage 5-10 projects simultaneously versus only two.✶ Reduced the cost of upgrades and maintenance $200K, bringing the final price 48% down to $104K. – The company had stopped software upgrades and maintenance, but I brainstormed with the team on ways to reduce cost via research, and then shared the findings with the vendor in exchange for a lower fee.✶ Pivotal role in developing virtual production solutions that would help cut the cost of pre-visualizing episodic shows (21 episodes) by 80% from $1MM down to $200K per year – My team works on establishing Virtual Production using Unreal Engine as an instant feedback tool for directors that eliminates the revision process.✶ Streamlined the performance review process – I introduced a 30-minute self-evaluation performance review combined with the 360˚ Peer-to-Peer review process to replace a procedure that required a full-day.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto, Canada Area

I helped establish this startup in a new market segment to develop software for MS Hololens glasses, iPhone, and Android that allow public utility workers to see underground pipes, cables, etc. I mapped a strategy for branding the technology, GTM, and promotions while seeking and acting upon new opportunities by leveraging my experience in Augmented Reality. To generate business growth, I met with mayors, the city CIO, and the head of technology to highlight the benefits to their city. I am proud to say that I helped to expand the business from one to 12 cities, including Toronto, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Ottawa.This position offered the freedom of a startup where we strategized and developed multiple projects with the ability to implement them right away.✶ Won third place for MS (Microsoft) Partner of the Year in 2018. – I played a crucial role in partnering with Microsoft as one of the only two main startups in the world using AR (augmented reality) and GIS visualization to help public utilities.✶ Fostered relationships with a portfolio of clients across municipalities, Utilities, and Engineering Planning.✶ Increased qualified leads from 150-200 per month to 4,000 within six months. – I charted a holistic customer journey, partnered with suppliers, and generated buzz by implementing digital marketing, social media, white papers, and industry magazines.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

As one of only a few companies in the world using AR (augmented reality) in 2013 back when AR was barely talked about, we created mobile AR-capable applications for ad agencies. I led teams in Canada, Germany, and Brazil to develop technology and outsourcing prototypes. While in this role, I found and forged a relationship with METAIO SDK, a promising new German company. Apple shared my high opinion of this German startup since they eventually acquired the company.I enjoyed my time at Happiness Inc. of the endless possibilities in helping clients understand how to use AR in their quest for sustainable success.✶ Pioneered AR as a SaaS solution for B2B long before major tech companies used it. – We leveraged AR to help Skittles Canada superimpose Mona Lisa into a dynamic, interactive ad similar to Pokémon, which showed the candy coming out of her mouth.✶ Introduced AR for TD bank. – We used AR to allow customers to point their phone at the bank’s ad to see offerings; we used the same technique for a Johnnie Walker bar ads and for United Way ads at bus stops and subways.

Toronto, Canada Area

Credits: Vikings, Penny Dreadful - Showtime, Benhur, and Pompei - Paramount Pictures, Crimson Peak (2015), Pay The Ghost, KilljoysI headed Creature Dev TD projects, rig and simulation development, and technology development to infuse life into characters in media and feature films. I helped to secure three projects by managing development, prototyping, and resourcing of a portfolio of modular digital character rigs and tools. I also served as a trusted consultant to the CEO and CTO for the Toronto and New York animation and VFX production pipelines.✶ Won a project valued at $8MM-$10MM – I managed content creation and prototyping rigs and technology, plus I directed the Rigging TD team for the Ben Hur remake, including engineering digital horses.✶ Mapped an executive plan and drove internal consulting and interviewing of all supervisors and leads – I gathered input for data technology pipeline to gauge the level of technical assistance needed along with potential issues and then presented all findings to the CEO and CTO.✶ Improved team's effectiveness by mentoring and training team in Python, PyQT, and Maya API

Singapore, Singapore

As the senior-level technical director, I created content, rigs, hair simulation, and muscles for creatures in feature films, and developed code to put on the finishing touches. Additionally, I gathered business intelligence and analyzed competitors’ automated muscle simulation offerings in the category. I also led the development of a proprietary Muscle Sim Authoring software from concept to execution and presented for a provisional patent.For the Muscle and Tissue Authoring project, I worked with a lot of smart people at Lucasfilm and ILM (Industrial Light & Magic) in Singapore. It served as a great experience, with monthly courses to learn new technologies.✶ Increased departmental output 300%+. – I led the development and rollout of an automated muscle platform using cutting-edge technology that helped us complete the project in a week versus a month, as initially estimated. I proposed and presented for a utility patent.✶ Contributed code to ILM's proprietary Rigging system, Blockparty, that won Technical Oscar 2016 – I developed rigging modular code and led the Muscle Sim Authoring as a technical solution on a feature film for ILM (Industrial Light & Magic). My team's contribution to the main code branch of ILM's rigging system, and those of my peers at Singapore's Lucasfilm, helped ILM win a Technical Oscar in 2016.

• Responsible for gathering business intelligence and building the competitor analysis on the automated software offerings in the category.• Liaised development of technical products among cross-functional and agile teams and executives• Led the development of a proprietary automation platform, using Python and PyQt, that increased the department's output by more than 300%.• Presented innovative technical products and solutions to the executive team for company integration and for filing patents.

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

In this role, I created content - modulare rigs & tools. I also designed and implemented various Creature Dev tools.✶ Cut three days from 3D model development. – I talked to management in detail, and found they planned to use only two of the three variations. So, I recommended we create only the two 3D models scheduled for use.

Toronto, Canada Area

I managed the Creature TDs and Rigging automation software while managing digital assets across two departments. To make sure everything ran smoothly, I built a cross-functional team from the ground up, consisting of developers, engineers, creative talent, and technicians. Through my leadership, the team increased departmental output by nearly 200% and saved 40% in production costs. I received praise from senior executives, citing my excellent planning and execution skills.✶ Reduced production cost by 40%. – I achieved this significant reduction by quickly identifying innovation patterns among competitors as well as through intelligent management of the automation platform.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Marketing, Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship, A-/A

Activities and Societies: ● Team captain for case competitions: Dean’s Cup, Pacific Venture Capital ● Certified Customer Experience Design.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration And Management, General, Excellence

Activities and Societies: ● Focus: Venture Capital, Private Equity, Entrepreneurship ● Honor in Exemplary Leadership ● Venture Lab.

Post Grad, Digital Character Animation

Certificate, Film Studies And Production

Nano Degree, Computer Science

Intro to Computer Programming - Nano degree, HTML, CSS, Python, JavaScript