Stan Szymanski has been promoted to svp of digital production at Sony Pictures Imageworks, effective immediately. For the past eight years, Szymanski has served as vp of digital production at Imageworks, where he supervised the overall direction and day-to-day operations.
Sony Pictures Imageworks president Tim Sarnoff said, "Stan is one of the most respected executives among his peers and is integral part to the success of Imageworks. The fact that Imageworks consistently attracts top-notch talent is a testament to Stan's knowledge, passion and dedication to the visual effects industry."
Szymanski will continue to be responsible for the company's recruitment endeavors, and is actively recruiting for a number of Imageworks' visual effects and animation projects. He has lectured extensively on vfx at MIT's Comparative Media Studies Groups ("Converting Linear Media to Non-Linear Media"), UCLA ("How to Find a Job in Visual Effects"), the AEAF in Australia (multiple presentations: "From Page to Screen" STUART LITTLE, SPIDER-MAN, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE) and L.A.-based vfx school, Gnomon (Comparative Film Studies).
Before joining Imageworks, he was director of operations for Pacific Ocean Post, where he supervised the digital film division and co-line produced the digital post-production of INDEPENDENCE DAY, winner of the visual effects Oscar in 1996. In addition, Szymanski served in a variety of roles for MetroLight Studios, a CGI production company. He started as digital production manager, quickly adding post-production supervision to his role, and was later named director of production. He then left MetroLight to join film director Brett Leonard's (LAWNMOWER MAN) company, L2 Communication, as digital post-production supervisor on VIRTUOSITY. Szymanski started his career in the visual effects industry as a graphics and effects producer for Editel/LA.
Imageworks is in production on THE POLAR EXPRESS (Warner Bros.), THE AVIATOR (Warner Bros./Miramax), CURSED (Miramax), THE FORGOTTEN (Revolution/Columbia Pictures) and SPIDER-MAN 2. In addition, Imageworks is ramping up for production on projects from Sony Pictures Animation, including the recently announced OPEN SEASON, featuring the vocal talents of Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher and Debra Messing.
Sony Pictures Imageworks (www.imageworks.com) is an award-winning state-of-the-art visual effects and animation company. Imageworks is a key component of Sony Pictures Digital, which oversees CG animation, digital production and the online content and assets of Sony Pictures Ent. (SPE). Sony Pictures Digital consists of four key operating business units: Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Online Ent. and Sony Pictures Digital Networks, which is focused on mobile entertainment, broadband video delivery and personal media software and services. For more information please visit www.sonypictures.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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