Mark Lasoff has joined Alias Santa Barbara, California-based Custom Development Center (CDC) as entertainment consulting manager. In his new role at the CDC, Lasoff will work with Alias' software engineers to design and implement new workflow tools and custom software solutions for production facilities and key customers that rely heavily on the Maya, Alias MotionBuilder, and Alias SketchBook Pro family of products.
"Alias is fortunate to have a seasoned professional like Mark join our team," said Kevin Smith, Alias director of Engineering, Ent. Projects & Services. "In Mark, we have found a dynamic individual who will add unprecedented value to our customers' pipelines and enable them to push creative boundaries like never before..."
Lasoff will be responsible for the acquisition, definition, and implementation of new custom projects for select entertainment clients in the global film and games industries. Working with technical directors, supervisors and software developers, Lasoff will be charged to help identify, address and overcome technical and creative challenges by guiding production teams and developing tailored extensions and innovations to Alias' software under aggressive timelines.
"Within any major studio environment, top-tier artists and technical directors face enormous amounts of pressure to push the limits of everything at their disposal," recalled Lasoff. "And when they need to push beyond the limit, the CDC represents a unique 'back door opportunity' to tap into direct access to Alias engineers and customizable source code. It's an amazing opportunity to be part of a team that can deliver customizations that literally make the difference between impossible and possible to a production crew."
Lasoff joins Alias from Electronic Arts (Los Angeles), where he most recently served in various senior roles, including franchise art director for all MEDAL OF HONOR products and visual effects supervisor on GOLDENEYE 2. Prior to this, Mark worked at Digital Domain, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Disney Feature Animation and Rhythm & Hues, racking up an extensive credit list in feature film visual effects, CG feature animation, television commercials and broadcast openings and video and computer games. Mark earned an Academy Award for supervising the digital effects on TITANIC, and has helped pioneer computer graphics for TOTAL RECALL, APOLLO 13, DINOSAUR, THE HOLLOW MAN and THE MATRIX sequels.
Custom engineering services, such as those provided by the CDC, are just one of the broad suite of services available through Alias' Global Customer Services division. Other services include custom training, custom support, workflow process development and general software and support memberships targeted to both entertainment and design customers. For more info on Alias Customer Service offerings including our Professional Services and the CDC, go to www.alias.com/services.
As a leading innovator of 3D graphics technology, Alias (www.alias.com) develops award-winning software, custom development and training solutions for the film and video, games, web, interactive media, automotive, industrial design, education and visualization markets.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
