Ask Me Anything: VFX Pros Tell All
- Hear from successful VFX pros from diverse backgrounds
- Ask your questions to the pros
- Get exclusive insights – career highlights, hurdles, lessons learned on the journey
- Explore career choices in the evolving world of visual effects
Or sign up for a specific Ask Me Anything webcast below:
Freddy Chávez Olmos
Director at Directors Guild of Canada/VFX Compositing Supervisor at Image Engine
Freddy Chávez OImos, compositing supervisor, writer, director, brings more than 14 years of experience in visual effects working in feature films, TV and commercials. Born in Puebla, Mexico, Freddy studied special effects make-up in Los Angeles and was later mentored by the legendary Dick Smith (THE EXORCIST).
Working in the visual effects industry in Vancouver, Freddy has worked on productions directed by Guillermo del Toro, Neill Blomkamp, Robert Rodriguez, Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan, and (Read more)
Cinzia Angelini
Director and Head of Story, Cinesite Studios
Cinzia Angelini, creator and director of animated films, has worked for major animation studios in Europe and the U.S. for more than 25 years. While she started out as both a 2D and 3D animator, she later became a story artist for Warner Brothers, DreamWorks, Sony Imageworks, Disney Animation Studios, Duncan Studio and Illumination Entertainment. Her body of work includes BALTO, PRINCE OF EGYPT, THE ROAD TO EL DORADO, SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON, SPIDER-MAN 2, BOLT, MINIONS, DESPICABLE ME 3, THE GRINCH and ABOMINABLE. She is currently directing HITPIG, an upcoming animated feature for Cinesite Studios. (Read more)
Chris White
Visual Effects Supervisor, Weta Digital
Award-winning VFX Supervisor Chris White has more than 25 years industry experience creating compelling digital environments, creatures and effects and is the recipient of multiple VES Awards for his artistry.
Chris has played a pivotal role in the development of Weta Digital’s new water pipeline for the AVATAR sequels, bringing technical and artistic expertise to this cutting-edge technology that is setting a new industry standard for the creation of digital water. (Read more)
Nonny de la Peña
Founder, Emblematic Group
Nonny de la Peña, founder of Emblematic Group, is a pioneer of virtual reality and immersive journalism – a phrase she coined to describe the groundbreaking application of VR for social impact. She was named Wall Street Journal’s “Technology Innovator of the Year” and one of CNET’s “20 Most Influential Latinos in Tech,” as well as “The Godmother of Virtual Reality” by Engadget and The Guardian for her leadership using cutting edge technologies to tell important stories. (Read more)
Ellen Poon
Visual Effects Supervisor, Visual Effects Producer
Ellen Poon is a world-renowned expert in visual effects and animation, with a career spanning more than 30 years, and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Executive Committee. She has collaborated with numerous acclaimed directors, including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, Woody Allen, Christopher Nolan and Jennifer Lee. (Read more)
Aruna Inversin
Creative Director & Visual Effects Supervisor
Digital Domain
Aruna Inversin specializes in direction, creative direction, visual effects supervision and real-time supervision for real-time immersive content and experiential technology. From his twenty-year career in feature film VFX, he has stepped into real-time direction and supervision. As a VFX supervisor, he has driven small and large teams across multiple countries and continents to succeed. (Read more)
Karen Dufilho
Producer
Google Spotlight Stories
Academy- and Emmy award-winning producer, Karen Dufilho has been working in the intersection of story, animation and innovation for almost two decades. (Read more)
Greg Anderson
Head of Studio-NY, Sr. VFX Supervisor
FuseFX
Greg Anderson is the Head of Studio-NY and Senior VFX Supervisor at FuseFX, an award-winning visual effects studio providing visual effects services for episodic television, feature films, commercials and VR production across three studio locations – Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver. (Read more)
Lauren McCallum
Former Global Managing Director
Mill Film
As Global Managing Director of Mill Film, Lauren champions the talented team of artists, technicians, producers and developers that make up Mill Film’s Montreal, Adelaide, Bangalore and Los Angeles studios. A driving force within the visual effects industry, Lauren looks to realize the full potential of the industry’s most diverse talent in the pursuit of creative excellence across Episodic and Feature VFX. (Read more)
Sidney Kombo-Kintombo
Animation Supervisor
Weta Digital
As an Animation Supervisor, Sidney Kombo-Kintombo ensures the animation his team delivers is the best in the industry, whether it’s achieved through performance capture, keyframe animation, or a combination of both. (Read more)
Neishaw Ali
President, Executive Producer
SPINVFX
As a founding Partner, President and Executive Producer of SPINVFX Neishaw Ali has been working in the film and television industry for over 25 years. She has molded SPINVFX into an internationally recognized leader in visual effects production, with teams in Toronto, Atlanta and Los Angeles. (Read more)
Kaitlyn Yang
Visual Effects Supervisor, Founder
Alpha Studios
Kaitlyn Yang is the founder and visual effects supervisor of Alpha Studios, a Burbank-based postproduction company specializing in visual effects. With more than 12 years experience in visual effects, Kaitlyn has credits including film, television and commercials and her works include The Walking Dead, Robot Chicken, Grey’s Anatomy, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. (Read more)
Michelle Grady
EVP, General Manager
Sony Pictures Imageworks
Michelle Grady is EVP, General Manager of Sony Pictures Imageworks, responsible for overall operations, strategy, planning, and production. She most recently oversaw production of the Academy Award®-winning SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (Sony Pictures Animation), SMALLFOOT (Warner Animation Group), and SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (Marvel/Columbia Pictures). (Read more)