I met Kris at the 2001 Siggraph convention when we were both scheduled to present at the HP and Alias booths on behalf of Major Damage, the animation short headed by Chris Bailey, Kellie-Bea Cooper, and Doug Cooper.  Kris has the immediate aura of the United States south, a good ol' boy without the thick accent, though he can add it for the appropriate occasion.  He's an easygoing fellow with an off the wall wit who loves Texas, BBQ, and his beer at the end of the day.  He has a quiet presence and a twinkle in his eye, and when he says something it's usually meant to make you laugh.  However don't mistake that quietness for someone who is passive. He's a pilot who got bored with flying and so took up motorcycle road racing and has accrued a list of awards, including 2 championships in 1995.  He's a multi-talented 3D artist, a generalist who especially loves working with characters.  Perhaps that is why he tends to be the quieter one at groups, sitting back with his chair against the wall and observing with that slow easy smile that makes you wonder what is rattling around in that brain if his.  Careful, you might just see yourself in one of his characters some day.

 
  Give a brief overview of what you do:

In a nutshell, frigg'n everything. Modeling, animating, rigging, particle effects, texturing, shader creating, lighting, rotoscoping, and debugging.

  Where does your job fit into the production pipeline?

What's a pipeline? Seriously, where I am currently working we don't have one.

  How long have you worked in the field?

It seems like a lifetime.

  What have been your projects to date?

Cajun Calamity, Rabbit of the Apocalypse, some really lame video games, Major Damage, GI Joe commercials, a Sponge Bob video game, and just recently, Spy Kids 2.

  What was your favorite project so far?

I liked working on the GI Joe commercial and Major Damage, but my favorite has been the Rabbit of the Apocalypse.

  What are your perfect working conditions?

I like working out of the house, where I can make my own hours, drink beer and sit around in my drawers if that's what I feel like doing.

  What size team do you prefer, and what sort of location?

A small team that knows what it has to do with minimal interference from producers or supervisors. I like working in a downtown location that has restaurants and bars with in walking distance.

  Is there a list of people you would like to work with again?

The crew from Major Damage is pretty cool. I would like to work with them again. The current crew that I work with at ReelFX is pretty cool and talented. Also, I get along pretty well with my partner at Risk Studios, Buck Wall.

    What are some of your favorite movies?

Fight Club, Spider-Man, Angel Heart, and Akira. Also the Big Lebowski.

    What scene would you have loved to work on, and what would you have done with the scene?  (This doesn't necessarily mean on a project you were involved with, it could be anything.):

I would have really dug working on Spider-Man. The animation sequences would have been a blast to do. Also the bug scenes in Starship Troops would have been cool.

    What project or scene would you love to work on- your dream project? The one you've always seen run through your head that plays so perfectly.

I would like to do a motorcycle chase scene, like one in Akira, not the cheesy nonsense in MI-2.

    If you could step into another crew members shoes for one day, whose shoes would you be wearing?

I don't know, I got pretty big feet.

    Do you have a list of people you would like to thank or give credit to?

I would like to thank my Dad for pointing out to me what a big mistake being an artist would be. Silly me, I happen to like my job. (Just kidding Pops!) I would also like to thank Chris Bailey, Kellie-Bea Cooper, and Doug Cooper for letting work on Major Damage. It was fun.

To learn more about Kris Kapp, go to http://www.riskstudios.com

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