Our School

Amanda Sparso ’14 is an extraordinary woman who manages to juggle the responsibilities of not one, but five different careers. With her diverse skill sets and passion for creativity, she thrives as a CGI Artist, model, dancer, adjunct professor, and mentor. 

When asked how she accomplishes all of this, Amanda simply replies, "I don't sleep. It's great."

Her energy and commitment to her various pursuits allow her to find fulfillment in each role and utilize her talents across different disciplines. She is a true inspiration for those who believe in the power of pursuing multiple passions.

A love of dance was the genesis for Amanda’s boundless creativity. She studied ballet from the age of three. She was also active in school musicals as a student at Holy Cross High School.

When it came time to look for colleges, Amanda shifted her focus from the performing arts to the visual arts. She majored in Computer Animation at the School of Visual Arts. There, she mastered the complex technicalities that would be the foundation of a successful career and a diverse body of work. Amanda specializes as a Lighting Technical Director. During the shooting of any given project, she will light the scene to give it the mood and the feel that is needed.

“(In computer animation), everything is based on science. We are creating different shadings and networks in the computers so that it is reflecting accurate life on screen, even if it is in cartoon style. I liked that I was able to combine both sides of my brain - the more creative storytelling side and the technical side.”

Amanda’s portfolio includes commercial, episodic, and film work for companies including Nickelodeon. Psyop, Buck, Hornet, Method, Nathan Love, Crafty Apes VFX, and more.  She fondly remembers working for Psyop. “I did a lot of gaming commercials and trailers for Apex Legends and Clash of Clans. I got to be more creative there because the lighting was very colorful and saturated.”

The computer animation industry is constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of traditional animation through the use of computer graphics. With every advancement, new renders and looks are introduced, allowing for more creativity and visual appeal. This industry thrives on innovation, as IT and software developers continually find new ways to code and create programs. Through their efforts, they enable characters to expand their capabilities and perform a wide array of actions. This ongoing development of technology opens up endless possibilities for animators, allowing them to bring their imagination to life in ways that were previously unimaginable. 

After the pandemic, Amanda stepped to the other side of the camera as a dancer. “I was in a transitional phase of my life,” she said. “I needed something to do for fun.  I took ballet and salsa classes in the city. For a year, I worked hard and trained four to five days a week. During that year, I met a lot of great people and made some new contacts. What started off as a hobby turned into a career. I started booking gigs for music videos and award shows. Primarily, I do heals dance, which encompasses all styles of dance but in a heal.”

Modeling seemed like a natural extension from dancing since she spent so much time in front of the camera. She attended a model intensive camp led by Canadian fashion model, Coco Rocha. Amanda learned how to walk and pose.

“Training with Coco was a really big deal for me. It was great to be around her, her team, and the photographer.”

Recently, Amanda returned to the School of Visual Arts; this time as an adjunct professor.  She loves teaching the next generation about one of her passions. She also runs her own mentorship circle with women in animation. This reaches students who don’t have access to the technical programs.

At any given time on any given day, Amanda is doing something she loves. “I love creating. It is an outlet for me to express things I have been through. Hopefully, that will resonate with other people. When people are able to relate to something you created, it is a good feeling at the end of the day.”