Amanda Walker

Kinematifest Coordinator 2010
Amanda, a junior, is seeking a Bachelor's Degree in Animation at Webster University. Now president, she has served as an officer in Webster's SIGGRAPH chapter for two years, while working on the Kinematifest Committee for three. When she is not bending to the needs of the creative authorities, Amanda likes spending time with her friends, criticizing movies, and playing ultimate frisbee. She is also a self-declared chocoholic.

Leah Bend

Executive Producer
Leah is a Senior at Webster University in St. Louis, MO. She is pining for the merry-month-o-May when she will graduate with a BFA in Animation and will marry the only person who has ever really known her and stuck around despite and because of it, Tim Latham (see below). Her passions lie with Animation as an art form, but she appreciates it from all points of view; that is why Leah wishes to become a Producer of quality, feature length animated films. She helped launch and lead Kinematifest and Webster U's Student SIGGRAPH Chapter in 2007. These have been her most precious prides and joys during her years in St. Louis, and she has both to thank for new found wisdom and maturity. She currently is working at Animagic Studios where she is Production Manager, and she sees herself moving to California post-graduation with her best friend where they will pursue their ambitions with a deft fervor.

Michele Narup

Webmaster
Michele is currently a Senior at Webster University.  She plans to graduate in May with a BA in Animation and a certificate in Interactive Media.  Michele has been the webmaster for Kinematifest for the past two years and is currently serving as Vice President of the Webster SIGGRAPH chapter.  After graduating she plans to attend Vancouver Film School to further her education in Animation.  Currently, Michele is employed at Coolfire Media as a Web Developer.

Jacob Chaney

Committee / Design
Jacob is currently a student at Webster University, majoring in animation. He has studied many disciplines ranging from animation and design to several fine art mediums. Jacob works diligently to achieve his goal in becoming a full-time animator. Jacob is an avid comic book fan, video game dork, and hates the word bubble.

Zach Haugen

Committee / Promo Director
Zach, from Farmington Minnesota is a senior animation student at Webster University, who specializes in CG Lighting, Rendering, and Compositing and is currently interning at Animagic Productions in St. Louis, Missouri. He has a passion for visual storytelling and has a dream to one day make feature films at a studio in LA or New York and hopes to one day meet Buzz Lightyear. He is very thankful to be a part of the 2010 Kinematifest Committee, the greatest animation festival this side of the galaxy!

Philip Hayes

Committee / Audio
Hello I am Philip Hayes and I am an jack of all trades type individual I am capable of interfacing with multiple skill sets in a given environment at any given time and would do so effectively. For Kinematifest I will be taking on the task of composing music and performing audio task. When I have a perfect angle of attack I am capable of working very diligently and creatively to finish my task and if something doesn't work out for someone, then I can communicate with that person without confusing them to death in the process and figure out exactly what they want. I'm usually very laid back and very patient, or when I'm feeling excited I could be somewhat of a goof.

Lesley Heyer

Committee / Design
I am an illustrator and concept artist who will graduate May, 2010. I specialize in photoshop and Illustrator and traditional art. I enjoy working on big projects and being involved artistically and creatively. This is a great group and I'm glad to be apart of it this year and wish I had been involved last year too!

Melissa Howell

Committee / Web Design
Melissa is currently an undergraduate sophomore attending Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She is majoring in Computer Animation and also pursuing a minor in Photography. Melissa is the current treasurer for Siggraph and the historian for the Gamma Zeta chapter of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Her hobbies include creating Fractal Art in Apophysis and exploring the world around her through photography. After graduation, Melissa would love to work for a major animation studio.

Tim Latham

Committee / CG Artist
Tim Latham is a recent graduate from Webster University with a degree in Directing and Production for Animation. He has been involved with the Kinematifest coordination committee since the festival's founding. He has also served as the Webster SIGGRAPH webmaster and treasurer. He has won awards for his short film work. He is currently working as a freelance artist for Coolfire Media in St. Louis, MO. His future goal is to direct animated feature films.

Megan McCarthy

Committee / Video
Megan McCarthy is a senior at Webster University majoring in video production. She has recently has the pleasure of working with the wonderful folk of Kinematifest as their go-to video editing extraordinaire and has loved every minute of it. Her hobbies include working with all things video and film, napping and dedicating copious amounts of spare time to being a goober (Not the candy)

Kristin Pratt

Committee
Kristin Pratt is a Webster University senior graduating this spring with her Bachelor's in Animation and a Minor in Advertising.  This is her first year helping with Kinematifest. She has immensely enjoyed getting to work with with such a talented board of people.  Kristin plans to pursue a career in advertising, bringing her talents in animation to the playing field.  She currently interns at Animagic Inc and is developing her skills in 3D modeling and character rigging.

Matt Ringering

Committee
I am a senior at Webster University and I am majoring in Animation. I will be graduating in May 2010. When I graduate I want to find a job in either the gaming industry or in advertisement. This is my first year working on the Kinematifest staff and it has been a great learning experience and alot of fun.

Matt Sherry

Committee / Scribe
This is Matt Sherry. As an animator I like to keep my life a balance of work and play. I love to joke around with everyone and I am quite a sarcastic fellow. But, when it comes down to business I will work my butt off for anyone or anything I feel passionate about, which is just about every animation I've ever done. Animation is my passion and I hope to be working with it for the rest of my life.

Eric Striler

Committee
I am a junior at Webster University and am majoring in animation. I have been interested in animation ever since I watched the Little Mermaid as a child. I have been trained in traditional animation and am experienced in Adobe Flash. I am willing and ambitious to move to California for my career.