Michael Aiello
Animator. Writer. Artist.

Resume & Screenings

Animator. Writer. Artist.

 

Experience

  • TJX Companies Inc, Marlborough MA
    Oct 2021 – Present

Senior Cybersecurity Analyst / Creative Multimedia Specialist

  • Help lead TJX’s cybersecurity awareness program. Create engaging trainings, animated videos, visual media, and bite-sized content to educate and reinforce secure behavior

  • Collaborate across multiple departments and working groups to craft effective messaging

  • Utilize data from internal campaigns to construct educational media for users

  • Champion awareness and support of neurodiversity within the organization as part of Inclusion and Diversity initiatives

  • The LEGO Group, Natick MA
    Nov 2024 – Present

Brick Specialist

  • Excite and delight every guest, anticipate their needs, and share passion for and knowledge of the products

  • Maintain store displays and execute company visual standards

  • Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS), Boston MA
    Nov 2018 – June 2023

Multimedia Services

  • Worked with state agencies to create original video content to better help and inform constituents while also

    improving interaction and performance of their webpages

  • Developed official COVID-19 communications as part of the Commonwealth’s COVID rapid response group, including flyers, billboards, social media graphics, official press conference visuals, and animated videos

  • Wrote, directed, edited, and created motion graphic animated videos with original, custom assets

  • Created and adapted graphic artwork for various mediums, including print, social, and web communications

  • EOTSS / Department of Public Health, Boston MA
    Jun 2017 – Nov 2018

Digital Services

  • Wrote and edited content and communications for the new Mass.gov website, with the goal of making it clearer and more constituent-focused

  • Worked across departments to provide input for the roll-out of the new site

  • Devised agency-specific web content strategies

  • The Container Store, Natick MA
    Dec 2010 – Oct 2017

Visual Sales Associate

  • Worked in a fast-paced environment, often transitioning among multiple roles to meet business needs

  • Connected with customers, anticipated their needs, and advised them on complete and individualized solutions

  • Participated in a store leadership team as an intermediary between coworkers and management

Education

  • Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Boston, MA
    September 2015 – May 2019

  • BFA Major: Animation, with Departmental Honors

  • Teaching Assistant – Spring 2018

  • Juror – MassArt All School Show, 2017

  • Emmanuel College, Boston, MA
    September 2010 – May 2015

  • BA Double Major: English Writing & Literature; Religious Studies

  • Minor: Gender Studies

  • Dean’s List

Skills

Technical Skills

Expert

  • Adobe Creative Suite, specializing in asset creation, motion graphic animation, and video editing

  • Motion graphic animation

  • Writing and editing, especially for web-based content

Proficient

  • Character Animation

  • Stop Motion Animation

  • Dragonframe

Familiar

  • Maya Autodesk

  • Toon Boom

Additional Skills

  • Creative thinker and lifelong learner

  • Meticulous attention to detail

  • Strong organizational skills

  • Able to learn and retain new information quickly

  • Flexible and able to keep pace in fast-changing environments

  • Proactive and anticipates client and business needs

  • Dependable and a team player

  • Patient, understanding, and friendly

Honors & Awards

Selected Film Screenings

  • Independent Film Festival Boston, 2023 – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • Night of Comedy Shorts, 2021 – Winner: Best Dark Comedy – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • Night of Drama Shorts, 2021– Honorable Mention – The Sunset Through the Blinds

  • One-Reeler Short Film Competition, 2020 – Award of Excellence – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • International Portrait Film Festival, 2020

  • Venice Short Film Festival, 2020 – Semi-Finalist – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • Beyond Earth Film Festival – Season 6, 2020

    • Official Selection – The Sunset Through the Blinds

    • Official Selection – Threads

    • Jury’s Special Mention – Dust

  • Monthly Indie Shorts, August 2020

    • Grandma & The Skeleton

    • Threads

  • Screen Power Film Festival, April 2020

    • Grand Jury Award – The Sunset Through the Blinds

    • Official Selection – Dust

  • New Faces New Voices Festival, Spring 2020 – The Sunset Through the Blinds

  • Hollywood Blood Horror Festival, Jan 2020 - Winner: Best Animated Film – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • Vegas Movie Awards, Jan 2020 - Winner: Best Student Film – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • IndieFEST Film Awards, 2019 - Award of Merit – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • Košice International Monthly Film Festival, October 2019

    • Threads

    • The Sunset Through the Blinds

  • Animation Shorts Film Festival, 2019 – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • LGBTQ Shorts Film Festival, 2019

    • Dust

    • The Sunset Through the Blinds

  • MassArt Senior Animation Show, 2019 – Grandma & The Skeleton

  • MassArt All School Show, 2019 – Snack Time

  • World Festival of Animated Film, 2018 – Threads

  • Squealing Pegs, 2018, MassArt

    • Dust

    • The Sunset Through the Blinds

  • MassArt / Berklee Show, 2018 – Dust

  • MassArt All School Show, 2018 – The Sunset Through the Blinds

  • Squealing Pegs, 2017, MassArt – various character animation exercises

  • ReStored Show, 2017, MassArt – Time Texture

  • MassArt Sophomore/Junior Show, 2017 – Time Texture & Handy Dandy

  • MassArt All School Show, 2017 – The Goddess

Contact