Digital Artists Agency Announces New VFX Talent Signings

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Press Release from Digital Artists Agency

Los Angeles, CA (August 10, 2011)—Digital Artists Agency (DAA), a licensed below-the-line talent agency specializing in visual effects, has signed a trio of highly accomplished VFX professionals for representation and has expanded customized services for its studio clients and talent roster. DAA services the film, commercial and television industries worldwide and has placed its clients in positions in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, India, Mexico, Germany and China.

Joining DAA are motion capture producer and supervisor James Knight, visual effects supervisor Gray Marshall and animation director and supervisor Bernd Angerer.

The signing of Knight, who served as motion capture producer for the Academy Award®-winning “Avatar,” signals DAA’s growing focus on virtual production and the importance of motion capture to digital filmmaking. DAA recognizes the enormous opportunities brought by the artistic and technological breakthroughs in virtual production and is actively seeking visual effects talent with cinematic experience in motion and performance capture, previsualization, virtual environments and CG characters.

Deeply connected to the entertainment industry, DAA has forged strong relationships with studios and facilities based on its integrity and 12-year track record. In addition to procuring work, DAA provides its talent roster with strategic career management and development, contract negotiations and legal review, as well as financial management referrals. DAA maximizes its artists’ billable hours by sourcing their next project while they are still working, fast-tracking their artistic and financial growth.

DAA also sponsors visas for highly skilled foreign artists, allowing top-tier international talent to work anywhere in the United States.

For studios and VFX facilities, DAA provides access to several interactive tools, allowing producers to search the agency’s talent roster and review availability and schedule, as well as dynamic links to reels and resumes.

Bob Coleman, founder of DAA, said “The very real challenges of visual effects production mean that finding the right talent for the right project is more important than ever. We’re aware of the creative and financial implications for studios and VFX facilities and we strive to partner with them in providing the best talent available. We are very proud to welcome James, Gray and Bernd to DAA and to help them achieve their career goals.”

About James Knight, Gray Marshall and Bernd Angerer

In addition to his role as motion capture producer on “Avatar,” Knight has among his credits “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Incredible Hulk [1],” “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian [2]” and “I Am Legend [3].” Marshall has served as production visual effects supervisor on “The Hangover,” “21,” “Dreamgirls” and “Adaptation,” and as VFX facility visual effects supervisor on “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “The Italian Job,” “xXx,” “Fight Club” and the television series “West Wing.” He has also worked as visual effects supervisor on leading commercial campaigns, including Nike's “Morning After” directed by Spike Jonze and winner of a Cannes Lion and Sun Microsystems “The Dot” directed by Phil Joanou. Marshall has worked at Digital Domain and was also creative director and co-owner of Venice-based visual effects studio Gray Matter FX.

Angerer is a longtime animation supervisor at Digital Domain where he is attached to the upcoming “47 Ronin” and where he was also animation supervisor on “X-Men: First Class,” “TRON: Legacy” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra;” lead animator on “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor;” and senior animator on “Speed Racer.” At Sony Imageworks he was character animator on “I Am Legend” and “Beowulf” and lead character animator on “Spider-Man 3.” During an earlier stint at Digital Domain Angerer was character animation sequence lead on “I, Robot” and character animator on “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Aeon Flux,” “What Dreams May Come” and “Titanic.”

About Digital Artists Agency

DAA is a licensed below-the-line talent agency representing leading visual effects designers, visual effects supervisors, digital effects supervisors, 2D and 3D supervisors and artists, technical directors, matte painters, concept artists, animation directors and supervisors, visual effects art directors and virtual production supervisors for freelance and staff positions.

Dedicated to growing a vibrant, creative, and successful industry, DAA works with artists and studios to find the perfect solution for both in a vital and collaborative relationship. DAA is highly selective in the talents whom they represent, concentrating on those artists who are versatile, experienced, reliable and dedicated to the productions they serve.

DAA’s clients have been honored with Academy Award nominations and Oscars, BAFTA nominations and awards, as well as Emmy, Clio and BDA Awards.

For more information and to review the agency’s extraordinary talent roster, please visit: www.d-a-a.com [4]