Index

Daniel Lazarow

Digital Artist

VFX

With my years of experience in feature film, television, commercials, and video games, I can provide a wealth of knowledge and skill in digital post production and visual effects, with a specialty in photo-real lighting. Contact Me to inquire about my availability!

Web

Need help with design and layout of a website? Do you need new branding imagery? Want your content and message delivered clearly across social media? Contact Me to discuss your project needs!

Video

Have a life cycle event coming up? I can create video slideshows or music videos to add a personal touch to play during your special day or as a keepsake memento after. Need a new marketing video edited with class and style? Contact Me!

Illustration

With an education in traditional fine art and an understanding of the screen printing process, I have created a number of digital illustrations which have been color separated and prepared for printing. Have a project you’d like to commission? Contact Me!

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Senior level Digital Lighting Artist with experience creating photo-real and stylized character and environmental lighting design. Able to effectively manage, educate and lead teams through proactive communication while also implementing the overall lighting schemes for sequences or environments, troubleshoot and test software tools, and develop the look and materials for assets to be rendered.

Graphic artist, designer and self-starter motivated to use aesthetic principles to deliver content and effective visual communications through an extensive art background. Passionate team player bridging art, technology and social media to deliver clear and powerful messages. Skilled leader capable of managing and educating team members through proactive communication while also implementing, troubleshooting and testing software tools.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

EXPERIENCE

METHOD STUDIOS, Santa Monica, CA, January 2017-April 2019

Senior VFX Lighting & Lookdev Artist

Maya and VRay lighting and look-development artist on “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” and “Avengers: Infinity War” for Marvel Films
Maya and VRay lighting and look-development artist on “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano-Battle” Ride content for Disneyland Hong Kong
Maya and VRay lighting and look-development artist on “Lexus Golden Opportunity: Lap The Planet” and “Google Pixel 3: Playmoji Dance-Off” Commercials
Unreal Engine, Maya and VRay lighting and look-development artist on the “Fallout 76: Live Action Game Trailer”

DIGITAL DOMAIN 3.0, Los Angeles, CA, April 2016-August 2016

VFX Lighting Artist

Maya and Vray look development and lighting artist for a pilot for NBC/Universal TV.

METHOD STUDIOS, Santa Monica, CA, October 2015-March 2016

VFX Lighting Artist

Maya and VRay lighting and look-development artist working on “Captain America: Civil War” for Marvel Films.
Lit 26 shots in the film and provided look-development for digital double of Captain America.

TREYARCH, Santa Monica, CA, July-Sept 2015

In-Game Lighting Artist

In-game lighting artist for “Call of Duty: Black Ops III” using the Radiant platform
Worked primarily on the last level of the game called “Zurich – Life”

METHOD STUDIOS, Santa Monica, CA, November 2014-June 2015

VFX Lighting Artist

Maya and VRay lighting and look-development artist working on “Ant-Man” for Marvel Films.
Lit 15 shots in the film and provided look-development for the winged ants and carpenter ants and several props.

RELIANCE MEDIAWORKS, Burbank, CA, April-September 2014

VFX Lighting Artist

Maya and VRay lighting artist working on STARZ TV’s “Black Sails” Season 2

HERO COMPLEX GALLERY, Los Angeles, CA, 2013

Freelance Digital Illustrator

Illustrated digital artwork based upon pop-culture icons to be screen printed and sold as limited edition prints
“There Can Be Only One” for their Arch Nemesis show based upon the film, “Highlander”
“Shiniest in the Verse” for their Bleeding Metallics show based upon the series, “Firefly”
“Shane’s 2nd Send-Off” for their officially licensed “Walking Dead” art show in collaboration with AMC Television

RHYTHM AND HUES STUDIOS, El Segundo, CA, 2003 – 2013

Lighting and Environment Supervisor

Collaborated with software, pipeline, and lighting supervisory teams to develop and support lighting technology and workflows throughout the studio, making the process of lighting faster, easier, more flexible and more intuitive for our artists
Managed and educated teams with an average of ten artists, including international artists, in shot production
Designed the overall lighting setup and aesthetic for sequences, while also lighting my own shots
Created material definitions and look development of assets
Interpreted client art direction into actionable notes to be addressed by lighting teams
Communicated with all departments on the best practices to effectively pass data up and downstream through to final rendering
Effectively managed my time and that of my team to reduce overtime needs
Documented technical processes for educational and historical purposes, resulting in less development time needed on subsequent projects
Developed a revision to our proprietary system for rendering crowds to increase ease of use and efficiency for our artists

Projects

“Seventh Son”, “300: Rise of an Empire”, “Snow White and the Huntsman”, all three “Alvin and the Chipmunks” films, “Hop”, “Knight and Day”, “The Wolfman”, “Fast and Furious”, “The Incredible Hulk”, “Evan Almighty”, “Night at the Museum”, both “Garfield” films, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”, “Serenity”, and “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed”.

STARGATE STUDIOS, South Pasadena, CA, 2000 – 2003

Lead 3D Artist

Supervision of a team of Maya Generalist artists for live-action television productions
Created all visual aspects of shot post-production including:
Character setup and rigging
Character and effects animation
Modeling
Lighting
Texturing
Motion tracking
Compositing

Projects

“ER”, “CSI”, “CSI Miami”, “Crossing Jordan”, “Dead Zone”, “Chronicle”, “Helen of Troy” and several miniseries.

ASTON WORLDWIDE ANIMATION, Sarasota, FL, 1999

Character Animator

Pre-visualization and storyboarding for animated episodic television and direct to video movies
The rigging and set up of characters, character animation, and animated effects for said programming

EDUCATION

AWARDS

Contributing member of the teams nominated for the VFX Academy Award for:

“Avengers: Infinity War” – 2019

“Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” – 2018

“Snow White and the Huntsman” – 2013

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” – 2006

1999 SIGGRAPH Art Gallery Technoasis Contributor and Panel Speaker

1998 SIGGRAPH In-Betweens Competition Contributor

COMMUNITY SERVICE

· WatchD.O.G.S. volunteer at Washington Elementary School, Redondo Beach, CA

· Kindergarten weekly volunteer art group leader at Washington Elementary School, Redondo Beach, CA

· Created a music video for the original song, “Can’t Stop Atonin’” for the marketing of Temple Menorah, Redondo Beach, CA.

· Revised and updated logo for Tuvia Preschool for use in marketing and programming

· Created chalk art logo for Tuvia Preschool, Redondo Beach, for Hands On Art event, “Chalk It Up”

· Organized and maintained a weekly Challah fundraising program at Temple Menorah, Redondo Beach

Visual Effects

With my experience in feature film, television, commercials, and video games, I can provide a wealth of knowledge and skill in digital post production and visual effects, with a specialty in photo-real lighting. Contact Me to inquire about my availability!

Dan Lazarow 2018 Marvel Studios VFX Lighting Demo Reel

2018 MARVEL STUDIOS DEMO REEL BREAKDOWN

All work was completed at Method Studios and is copyrighted to Marvel Studios and Disney.

“ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

First 5 shots on the reel
Maya and Vray lighting of toddler Groot and earbud prop. Assisted in final look development on Groot’s moss.

“ Avengers: Infinity War”

6 shots sequentially
First shot – Maya and Vray lighting of Groot, Rocket in his Chair, the front bubble and light ring of the escape pod, and exterior space environment.
The next 5 shots, Maya and Vray lighting of all elements in these shots. Thor is the only practical element in the first of these shots, and even he was relit using a digital double to better match our look development on the escape pod’s interior lighting and extend his limbs which were cut off in the original plate.. Developed IES headlights and tail thruster lights and fog rig used in all shots of the escape pod in the entire film.

“ Ant-Man”

7 shots sequentially
First shot – Maya and Vray lighting of tunnel environment and Ant-hony the flying ant. I contributed a great deal to the overall look development of Ant-hony.
Second shot – Maya and Vray lighting of this entire shot. This is my favorite shot I worked on in the entire film. In this shot, the grass blades and water droplet were my look development, and I created the overall layout of the environment for this shot as well.
Third shot – Lighting of tunnel environment and cg Ant-Man, lookdev and layout of roots and background grass.
Next four shots – Maya and Vray lighting of tunnel environment and cg Ant-Man and crazy ant, lookdev and layout of roots throughout the environment.

“ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

3 shots sequentially
First and Third shots – Maya and Vray lighting of Rocket Raccoon and his prop repair gun, lookdev of repair gun
Second shot – Lighting of toddler Groot and interaction with Gamora’s hand and tripod he is sitting on

“ Avengers: Infinity War”

Maya and Vray lighting of all elements in this shot of the escape pod leaving the Guardian’s ship

“ Captain America: Civil War”

7 shots sequentially
First three shots – Maya and Vray lighting of Ironman and Bucky’s metal arm
Fourth shot – Maya and Vray lighting of entire shot. Cap is even a digital double for a portion of the shot.
Fifth shot – Lighting of entire shot of the hero’s falling
Sixth shot – Lighting of Ironman, Bucky’s metal arm, Cap’s shield, interactive light and shadows on the set, relight of the set to fit client vision, and interactive light passes on Bucky and Cap from Ironman’s blasts
Seventh shot – Relighting passes for set, Lighting of Ironman, Cap’s shield, and all interactive light on the set from Ironman’s main repulsor blasts, and lighting fx debris on ground and ceiling created by blasts

“ Avengers: Infinity War”

12 shots sequentially
First shot – Lighting of the Guardian’s ship, the Benatar, including all headlights casting into environment fog
Second shot – Lighting of Rocket and Groot in their chairs
Third shot – Lighting of exterior of the Benatar, Rocket and Groot in their chairs, and Mantis’s antennas
Fourth shot – Lighting of Groot with his game
Fifth shot – Lighting of exterior ship debris and Asgardians floating in space, Rocket in his chair
Sixth shot – Lighitng of Rocket in his chair
Seventh shot – Lighting of exterior ship debris, Thor’s eyepatch, Rocket in his chair
Eight shot – Lighting of Rocket and Groot in their chairs and reflections in windshield of the Benatar
Ninth shot – Lighting of Benatar exterior, space debris, Rocket and Groot in their chairs
Tenth shot – Lighting of all elements of the shot including the escape pod and Nidevellir rings and ice and rocks in space
Eleventh shot – Lighting of all elements of the shot including a interactive headlight lighting onto a digital double of Thor.
Twelfth shot – Lighting of Rocket spinning in his chair inside the escape pod – all CG

“ Captain America: Civil War”

10 shots sequentially
Lighting of Ironman, Cap’s Shield, relighting passes on the set, some parts of Cap himself are CG digital double extensions to address movement notes, and any pieces of Ironman that get broken off in the scuffle.

“ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

Lighting of Groot including interactive shadows from Gamora

Dan Lazarow May 2016 VFX Lighting Demo Reel

MAY 2016 DEMO REEL BREAKDOWN

All work was completed at Method Studios, Reliance Mediaworks, and Rhythm and Hues Studios and is copyrighted to the respective film studios who produced and distributed the films.

“Ant-Man” (2015 Method Studios)

Maya and Vray lighting of tunnel environment and cg Ant-Man character, and lookdev and layout of grass blades and roots.

“Seventh Son” (2013 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Environment Lighting Lead for matching and extending cg city ruins. In this shot, lit and rendered creatures and
environment, including interactive light from FX fire generated in Houdini.

“Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Lighting Lead for half of the “Troll Bridge” sequence. Created lighting balance and did the initial setup of all shots in the sequence and completely lit this shot of the troll roaring at Snow White.

“Serenity” (2005 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Look development and lighting of the generator environment for all shots in this sequence.

“Ant-Man” (2015 Method Studios)

Maya and Vray lighting of tunnel environment and Ant-hony the flying ant. I contributed a great deal to the overall look development of Ant-hony.

“Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (2005 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Lit and rendered all digital characters in this scene of the centaur leaping over the polar bears.

“Night at the Museum” (2006 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Lighting Lead and Lookdev Artist for this film. Set up and lit these shots of the CG lions.

“Fast and Furious” (2009 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Look development and lighting of CG Tanker. Integration with fully CG environment including rendering FX debris and rocks and interactive light from practical fire elements.

“Knight and Day” (2010 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Look development and lighting of the CG roadsters used in both of these shots. Can you tell which shot and which cars are practical?

“Ant-Man” (2015 Method Studios)

Maya and Vray lighting of this entire shot. This is my favorite shot I worked on in the entire film. I contributed a great deal to the overall look development of Ant-hony for the film, and in this shot, the grass blades and water droplet were also my look development.

“Knight and Day” (2010 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Look development and lighting of the CG train used in both of these shots.

“Black Sails” – Season 2 (2014 Reliance Mediaworks VFX)

Maya and Vray lighting of CG Pirate ship for integration with water from Houdini and Mantra water team.

“Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Lighting Lead for the entire “Great Father” sequence. I setup and lit every shot you see here including the fairies, the giant deer and background animals, and the thousands of butterflies given to me as geometry from houdini.

“Ant-Man” (2015 Method Studios)

Maya and Vray lighting of tunnel environment and cg Ant-Man and crazy ant, lookdev and layout of roots.

“Knight and Day” (2010 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Look development and lighting of the CG roadsters used in both of these shots. Can you tell which shot and which cars are practical?

“Ant-Man” (2015 Method Studios)

Maya and Vray lighting of carpenter ant swarms. Contributed a great deal to the look development of these ants.

“Seventh Son” (2013 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Environment Lighting Lead for matching and extending cg city ruins. In this shot, lit and rendered creatures and
environment, including interactive light from FX fire generated in Houdini.

“Knight and Day” (2010 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Lighting Lead for this cut sequence from the film. Lookdev for the Ducati motorcycle and digital doubles of Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. Lit and rendered the bull and CG stone alleyway, the Ducati motorcycle and in some shots the digital doubles of the actors.

“Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (2005 Rhythm and Hues Studios)

Lit and rendered this shot of Aslan saying “Goodbye”.

“Ant-Man” (2015 Method Studios)

Maya and Vray lighting the bullet ants and tunnel ground in this shot.

Web & Branding

Need help with design and layout of a website? Do you need new branding imagery? Want your content and message delivered clearly across social media? Contact Me to discuss your project needs!

View Portfolio

Video Production & Editing

Have a life cycle event coming up? I can create video slideshows or music videos to add a personal touch to play during your special day or as a memory keepsake after. Need a new marketing video edited with class and style? Want text overlays or motion graphics over a business presentation or training video? Contact Me!

Mitchell Lazarow Bar Mitzvah Slideshow 2014

"Can't Stop Atonin'" by Temple Menorah, Redondo Beach, CA

Digital Illustration

With an education in traditional fine art and an understanding of the screen printing process, I have created a number of digital illustrations which have been color separated and printed as limited edition posters. Have a project you’d like to commission? Contact Me!

View Portfolio

Challenge Me With Your Project!

I am always looking for my next artistic or technical challenge. I pride myself in my ability to research and implement solutions for any project within the realm of digital art. Tell me what you would like to achieve and let’s discuss why I would be a great fit to help meet your goals on time and within budget!

Contact Me Now!