RELEASES

Contacts:
Roger Darnell
DWA for a52
1.828.264.8898

For Immediate Release

HOLLYWOOD – Apr. 29, 2005 – Emmy Award-winning Los Angeles visual effects company a52 today announced that Andrew Hall, formerly a feature film animation supervisor for Digital Domain, has joined its team in the position of CG Supervisor, effective immediately.

Andrew began his career at London's The Motion Picture Company, earning the title of senior animator and working on numerous TV commercials and features including “The English Patient,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “Richard III” and “The Miracle Maker.”  He then spent six years as animation supervisor for Digital Domain, where his feature film credits included “Peter Pan,” “The Time Machine,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” and “Lake Placid” -- as well as a long list of prestigious commercials and network on-air IDs.  Since early 2004, Andrew served as VFX/animation supervisor at CreoCollective, handling VFX supervision on many projects -- and also serving as animation supervisor on high-profile jobs, including David Cornell's 2004 HD Sony Dreams project.  At CreoCollective, Andrew also directed a VFX-intensive cancer research spot for Johns Hopkins Medicine.

"Although our CG department is small," explained Mark Tobin, a52's managing director and executive producer, "between Andy and Denis Gauthier, we now offer animation, lighting and rendering capabilities that are truly beyond compare.  Clients that come to a52 will always work with an extraordinary team, and Andy's unique combination of talents makes him a great addition.  In the past, the role of VFX supervisor has typically been in the 2D realm, but as CG becomes increasingly important, it's wonderful to have a world-class animator who also has the skills and talents to contribute effectively on-set to supervise visual effects."

“The opportunity for CG to really take off in the creative world is imminent, and a52 wants to capitalize on that,” Andrew said.  “The idea of building a CG department that will be an integral part of the overall business was very attractive to me.  To be able to strategically work with Mark and Angus Wall to build a team that will be capable of creating the finest CG work was too appealing to pass up.  The work that a52 does already is tremendous, and I'm really looking forward to contributing to that great work.”

Finally, Hall also commented on his enthusiasm for utilizing his technical and artistic knowledge from his CG background, directing a52's talented team of artists – and also using his live-action directing and visual effects supervision skills, which he says have allowed him to better work with clients and directors.  "These experiences have enabled me to look at the production process as a whole and not only from the view of a CG artist," he said. 

About a52
Established in 1997 as a home for the very latest high-end photo-real visual effects technologies and the industry’s most innovative and talented graphic design artists, visual effects company a52 creates award-winning imagery for the world’s most visually ambitious commercial and television projects.  Having relocated to Santa Monica in 2007, the company’s work has earned AICP Show recognition for 11 consecutive years along with recent “Outstanding Commercial” Emmy, Andy, BDA, Belding, Clio, British Design and Art Direction, International Monitor, International Automotive Advertising, London International Advertising, One Show and PROMAX awards.  For more information, please call 1.310.586.0650 or visit www.a52.com.