Former Digital Domain vet Dennis Hoffman has been appointed vp/head of production for Vancouver-based Anthem Visual Effects Inc. Anthem was recently awarded, for the second consecutive year, production of visual effects for Starz/IDT Ent.s anthology series MASTERS OF HORROR.
The new season, featuring 13 original one-hour movies shot in HD, premieres this fall on Showtime in the U.S. and on SCREAM in Canada. Anthem will also produce extensive visual effects for Starz/IDTs newest series MASTERS OF SCIENCE FICTION, which will air on ABC. Additionally, Anthem is in production on SON OF THE DRAGON and MARCO POLO, two miniseries from producer Robert Halmi Sr. Anthem recently wrapped production on effects for the feature film, BUTTERFLY EFFECT 2, New Line Cinemas sequel to the 2003 cult movie.
Hoffman was vp and head of production for Digital Domains feature film visual effects division, where he was responsible for the strategic planning, business development and project management, and oversaw all feature projects, including MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND, ZOOM and FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS.
Previously, he was senior development director at Electronic Arts Canada with responsibility for ArtWorX, the companys centralized artist groups, and production of visual content for numerous game titles produced by EA Canada.
Hoffman was also vp/head of production at Cinesite in Los Angeles, where he supervised vfx production for X-MEN, ERIN BROCKOVICH ALI, U-571, RED PLANET, RUSH HOUR 2 and ROAD TO PERDITION.
Earlier, he had been vp/exec producer at award-winning Dream Quest Images for several years, overseeing MIGHTY JOE YOUNG and ARMAGEDDON, both nominated for visual effects Oscars in 1998.
Were very excited that Dennis chose Anthem to be his new home. He brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the Vancouver effects community, said Lee Wilson, Anthems president and senior visual effects supervisor. We admire the work Dennis has done over the years, and are pleased to have him as a key member of Anthems creative team. Im very proud of what weve achieved in such a short time, and I feel that Dennis presence will only add to our success.
Hoffman said, I believe that Vancouver is ready to become a leading provider of the most innovative and challenging visual effects. I joined Anthem because they have the talent and drive to help make that happen. Upon deciding to move back to Vancouver, and after talking to a number of visual effects houses there, Hoffman noted I was fortunate to meet Lee Wilson, who founded the company two years ago with his two partners. I quickly discovered that Anthem is far more than a start-up company: Lee bringing over 30 years of experience in the industry, along with a continued drive and passion to create spectacular visual imagery. Anthem has gathered an extremely talented group of artists in a very short time. After meeting the team, my decision was easy.
Anthem Visual Effects (www.anthemfx.com) is an independent visual effects boutique located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company was founded in 2004 by the award-winning partnership of visual effects supervisor Lee Wilson, visual effects producer Lisa Sepp-Wilson and digital effects supervisor Sébastien Bergeron. Anthems inaugural project was the Hallmark/SCI FI Channel miniseries LEGEND OF EARTHSEA, which earned a 2005 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Visual Effects.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
