Cortney Haile named VP of business development, Albert Soto named chief engineer, and J.R. Benson senior colorist; new hires will support increased offerings including scripted VFX and on-set supervision.
As part of the studio’s service expansion efforts, ArsenalFX Color has made several key hires. Cortney Haile has been named VP of business development. She will spearhead growth of the VFX department’s offerings including scripted VFX and on-set supervision. Additional key hires include chief engineer Albert Soto and senior colorist J.R. Benson. The new talent complements the company’s decade of expertise in 2D compositing VFX and other high-end post-production services, supporting the expansion of services. Partners will be able to retain both 2D and 3D VFX services under one roof, maximizing efficiencies and cost-savings.
On the heels of projects for studios including Netflix, NBC, ABC and HBO, and shows such as Lovecraft Country, Grey’s Anatomy, Raising Dion, The Good Doctor, and New Amsterdam, the growth will put ArsenalFX Color’s Los Angeles and Atlanta locations at the forefront of the shifting entertainment landscape across New York and Vancouver. Having offered remote work services since 2012, the studio was equipped to leverage their longstanding business model for clients moving remotely in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have worked with both Cortney and J.R. over the years, so we knew they would be a great fit,” commented ArsenalFX Color owner/managing partner Larry Field. “Albert has a proven track record in the industry and also came highly recommended. It means a lot to continue to grow, not only during these tough times, but also as an independently owned business. We take pride that we continue to flourish.”
Haile brings over 15 years of experience producing visual effects for commercials, TV shows, and feature films. After working on the production side with Primetime Pictures, she entered post-production in the early 2000s at Lionsgate Entertainment. She then went on to spearhead business development at 2G Digital Post before joining ArsenalFX in 2011 as an account executive, and later head of production. In 2015, ArsenalCreative was launched, and Cortney became a partner and EP overseeing the daily operations and new business development.
Soto, an engineer and IT director for film and entertainment for over two decades, has held numerous director and chief engineer posts from EFilm, Reel FX, and Big Block. His commercial work spans hi-tech spots for brands such as Dolby Atmos and Lexus, with agencies including Team One and ESPN CreativeWorks. As Big Block CTO, Soto worked with ESPN to rebrand the network’s comprehensive NBA coverage. A similar graphics package and brand identity for ESPN’s Monday Night Football earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Graphic Design. Soto will work closely with ArsenalFX Color leadership to expand their latest VFX offerings on an international scale, coordinating with clients on remote global projects.
Benson is a well-versed colorist of over 25 years who has worked on a wide range of titles from single camera dramas and comedies to multi camera sitcoms and feature films. He has established his career both in Atlanta and Los Angeles and has garnered numerous accolades. Once again, Benson has returned to Los Angeles to begin a new chapter as senior colorist at ArsenalFX Color.
Source: ArsenalFX Color
