Digital production and design studio Big Block has hired Randall Smith as CG supervisor. Smith joins Big Block’s team of visual effects artists, programmers and live-action directors, as well as the creative directors in its newest division, Big Block Design Group (BBDG). Smith brings more than a decade of experience in visual effects and CG imagery spanning digital advertising, commercials, feature films, music videos, video game cinematics and architectural visualization.
“Randall represents the new vanguard of VFX artists who are as adept with the demands of a big budget movie as they are with the challenges of a fast turnaround for a commercial campaign,” said Kenny Solomon, managing director at Big Block. “We’re very pleased to welcome him to Big Block.”
At Big Block Smith is currently VFX supervisor on the feature film Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant, directed by Sam Friedlander and starring Stanley Tucci, Marcia Gay Harden, Henry Winkler and Mark Feuerstein. Smith has been supervising on set and on location for the 2014 comedy, which wraps production this month.
“From day one here I’ve been surrounded by top talent who are passionate about design and innovative content,” Smith said. “Connecting the creative requirements of our clients to the ever-changing nature of advertising and film is what makes being at Big Block so exciting and I look forward to the work ahead.”
Smith was lead compositor on Katy Perry’s music video “Firework,” which was shot by Radical Media director Dave Meyers and named Video of the Year at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. He was lead compositor on Pink’s “F*ing Perfect Music Video” and Christina Aguilera’s “Secret Potion,” both by director Dave Meyers, and lead CG and lead compositor on “The Baby Peas,” a series of animated videos by will.i. am of The Black Eyed Peas.
In addition to his work in branded digital content, Smith’s expertise includes commercials for Sony, Hasbro, Nestle, Colgate, T-Mobile, Visa and Mountain Dew. He also served as lead compositor on the 2011 black comedy feature film Bernie, directed by Richard Linklater.
Most recently Smith was CG director at Reel FX in Dallas, Texas, where he was involved in the strategic development of the studio and its production pipeline and managed a team of visual effects artists. He also collaborated with clients on creative solutions and oversaw the studio’s projects from inception to delivery. Previously, he was creative director at Corgan MediaLab and cultivated the studio’s growth while maintaining the creative integrity of all projects. And Smith began his career as head of 3D design at May Advertising after graduating from the Art Institute of Dallas with a degree in computer animation and visual effects. He has been a guest professor at Texas Tech University’s master class on 3D visualization and has also taught classes at Autodesk University on 3D processes and compositing.
