Janelle Pierce Schneider '98

Painting the Matrix

— BFA Alumnae —

The action-packed yet philosophical Matrix films portray a world eerily like our own… which turns out to be an illusion. Beneath it hides another reality, rife with conspiracies and alien machines. Bridging the gap between worlds — and allowing characters played by actors like Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne to fly and engage in high-impact fight scenes — requires immense artistic and technical finesse. Enter Janelle Pierce Schneider, who graduated from PNCA’s Graphic Design program in 1998.

Janelle is one of six 3D texture painters from three companies based in Australia and the US who worked on the digital production for Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions. Now employed by ESC Entertainment in Alameda, California, she began her career at Portland’s Vinton Studios.

Neo Spins

“After serving an internship there and working after graduation as their graphic designer for a few years, I began to become interested in 3D computer graphics and animation,” Janelle says. “I worked with [human resources] and the CG Manager to map out a career transition for me to move from 2D design to 3D CG. It took me a year of very long hours to learn the basics… but I made the transition.” She was hired by ESC and began working on the Matrix sequels.

Though she wishes she had taken film courses through PNCA’s Northwest Film Center program before working in the industry, Janelle says she entered the Matrix project well-prepared for the intensive work ahead. She credits her solid background and education in graphic design. “Having a firm grasp of color, composition, drawing, attention to detail, and organization are all very important. Knowledge of computers, and clear communication are also vital,” she elaborates.

Trinity fires gun

“The ability to discern when a color is a shade too blue or the central element needs to be slightly nudged to the right. Did I say attention to detail?”

Attending to details and working hard, Janelle has bridged the gap between the Matrix and reality — not to mention crossing from PNCA student to Hollywood professional.

BFA Majors

Communication Design
General Fine Arts
Illustration
Intermedia
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture