Owner- Jack of All Trades
Xandad.com
brian@xandad.com
US

www.xandad.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianoliver/
Youtube Channel - xandad - @xandad5312

Brian Oliver

I've been part of the evolution of Computer Generated animation since about 1979, when I was using Graphics Magician to animate "Shape tables" (who remembers those!??)
So, basically, for the last 40 years or so I have lived through and grown up with nearly every facet of the production/post-production industry. I witnessed the transition from analog to digital first hand.
Early on my focus was 3D Animation, Compositing, VFX etc. But I like learning new stuff so I have actively pursued a working knowledge and understanding of many other disciplines within the realm of television production in general. These would include editing, set-design, camera work, lighting, video equipment and engineering, DVD authoring, shooting and creating 3D-Stereoscopic content, website design/coding, and a lot more... I build my own machines.
I'm as comfortable on a PC as I am a Mac or Linux/Unix workstation. I've used them all...
In that time I've done everything from corporate graphics to simulations of car accidents for litigation purposes. I've produced special effects for a lot of music videos and I pulled the 3rd shift for two years cleaning dust and scratches while doing a digital restoration of Cinderella, Pinnochio, and Bambi for Disney.
One of my companies produced the visual content for a couple of video games.
In 1996 I started freelancing at this wacky startup network called The WB Television Network. I animated the original Buffy The Vampire logo. I was hired full-time in '98 . The WB TV Network changed to The CW Television Network in 2006- but for some of us the only thing that changed was the logo.... and where I parked my car. :)
As a "Director of Animation" I had the privilege of working with some incredibly talented writers, producers, and editors to create many of the classic Kids' WB promos. I miss those guys.
As an Executive Director, I was blessed with an amazing On-Air Graphics Department... the pandemic blew a hole in things but our team was amazing.
The Nexstar buyout of The CW in Nov of 2022 was pivotal for me. My job of 25 years went away.
So, now, I'm using the free time to further my personal projects. (I have quite a few!)
You can see some of my personal stuff on youtube, linkedin or my website.