Side Effects Software (SESI), developer of the award-winning Houdini family of 3D software, has made a number of new hires and executive promotions to support what the company says is the rapid growth of the Houdini community.
Film effects veteran Judith Crow joins SESI as sr production consultant to work closely with existing and new customers addressing workflow efficiency and pipeline set-up requirements. Crow has spent more than 10 years doing VFX at facilities including Digital Domain and Disney's The Secret Lab. She has worked on effects projects for blockbuster films including FIGHT CLUB, TITANIC, XXX, THE TIME MACHINE and APOLLO 13. Most recently she was creative director, digital production and technology at Digital Domain.
Experienced computer effects artist Dean Sadamune joins the company as a production specialist to assist customers on specific issues for production implementation. Sadamune joins SESI from Cinesite, where he worked as lead FX technical director. Sadamune's recent credits include X2: X-MEN UNITED, XXX, CATS AND DOGS and SCOOBY-DOO. He will study specific field production needs, and convey the pros and cons of various workflows and approaches. He will also be instrumental in bridging artist production and technical development efforts across many customer facilities.
On the executive team, Tony Cristiano moves from gm to coo/vp of U.S. operations. Dr. Paul Salvini becomes vp of Canadian Operations in addition to cto. Cristin Barghiel becomes director of product development, leading the design and development of Houdini, and managing the day-to-day activities of the product development team.
SESI founder Kim Davidson will now be officially serving as the president/ceo, and will continue to provide the overall vision for the company. Under the leadership of Davidson, the company has transformed itself, building an experienced team of customer-oriented staff, award-winning technology and a prestigious set of industry-leading customers.
"At Side Effects, we are constantly working on ways to help our customers deliver higher levels of quality and greater production efficiencies - both through the results of innovative product development and tailored, comprehensive support and services," said Cristiano. "Judith can quickly size up the problems and inefficiencies of large-scale film production; with her experience. She can help many of our customers save millions on production budgets. Dean brings us a production insider's perspective and will play an active role in leveraging the SESI team to optimize artists' workflow on various projects. We are very excited to have these key new talents on board with us." For more on SESI check out www.sidefx.com.
